vgextend Fails with Device Busy

[Alistair Galliers]

Hello,
I have a problem adding alternative paths to a volume group.
I have an old HP 9000 K series machine running HP-UX 11.00, a file systems was 100% full.
The extra san storage was setup and I duly performed the following steps :-

1.. pvcreate -f /dev/c3t1d3
2.. vgextend /dev/vgqa /dev/c3t1d3
3.. fsadm -F vxfs -b 35323904 /qaprod
4.. The DB was extended into the new space.
5.. I now discover that I have 2 alternate paths to add to the VG.
6.. Tried to run vgextend vgqa /dev/dsk/c0t1d3
to add alternate path but the command fails :-

vgextend: Couldn't install the physical volume "/dev/dsk/c0t1d3".
Device busy

How can I add the alternate links without disrupting the data?

Thanks for your help.

[Mel Burslan]

Let me guess, the SAN used was a VA or EVA system, right ? I remember reading about similar problems with not much of successful resolution other than migrating out of the VA series devices.

Search the forums for words

vgextend device busy

or google the string below

site:itrc.hp.com hpux vgextend "device busy"

and you will see similar problems.

Hope this helps

[Vishu]

Hi,

could you do this to check if it is already in that VG

# vgdisplay -v /dev/vgqa | grep -i "PV Name"

and,
# strings /etc/lvmtab | grep /dev/dsk/c0t1d3

if this disk is not used in any of the VG of the server, try doing

pvcreate -f /dev/rdsk/c0t1d3

and then try extending your VG with this disk. if still got some errors, please do dd on the disk to make sure that disk is not faulty.

and please paste the output if you got any error.

[Mel Burslan]

@Ranju: Did you *READ* the original question ? Really read ? He said he is not able to add two *ALTERNATE* paths to the VG. The advice you are giving, will destroy this volume group.

@Alistair: Please disregard the suggestion in the second reply to your post. I am sure you can see the pitfall in the logic but just in case you are even remotely considering the option, DON'T !

[Vishu]

Hey Alistair,

My apologies....i, somehow, missed that alternate link part...Please dont use that pvcreate command.

Thanks Mel for correcting me. and your immediate reply on mine is really appreciated.

thanks

[Sivakumar MJ._1]

Hi ..

Pls. go through our ITRC forum postings..

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1230615

I hope this should give some idea..

[Prashanth Waugh]

HI,
1)I think this u added the new LUN rigt
first check what is the CU:LDEV number.
2)I know only XP storage so check the physical path of the LUN
xpinfo -i | grep "CU:LDEV" number.

check the alternate path carefully
===================================

If its a different storage pls find the command for searching the physical path.
==========================================
now in ur case its showing device busy. for that check who is using that path.

vgdisplay -v | grep "pv path"
strings /etc/lvmtab | grep "pv path"
===========================================
==========================================
I think ur dong the mistake while selecting the alternate path. check it carefully for that CU:LDEV number

Regards
prashant