Objects sync continuously since introducing eDirectory 8.5, 8.6, 8.7

(Last modified: 06Aug2003)

This document (10065699) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

fact

Novell Directory Services 8

Novell eDirectory 8.5 (85.xx)

Novell eDirectory 8.6 for All Platforms

Novell eDirectory 8.7 for NetWare 6

Novell NetWare 5.1

Novell NetWare 6.0

symptom

Objects sync continuously since introducing eDirectory 8.5, 8.6, 8.7

All processed = Yes, yet objects continue to sync over and over

-151 errors in trace

change

Introduced eDirectory 8.6 or 8.5

cause

Transitive Vector values are missing on the transitive vector attribute

fix

To determine if you do have a missing value on the Transitive Vector attribute, do the following:
Find the objects that are continuously syncing.  
Use the following SET commands:

SET DSTRACE=NODEBUG
SET DSTRACE=OFF
SET DSTRACE=ON
SET TTF=ON
SET DSTRACE=*R 
SET DSTRACE=+S
SET DSTRACE=*U
SET DSTRACE=*H
Capture a few sync cycles then SET TTF=OFF

Verify that objects are syncing over and over.

Use Dsbrowse to determine which replica numbers are missing from the transitive vector attribute by doing the following for each partition that has objects syncing over and over:

Load DSBROWSE | Partition Browse | Highlight the partition root object | F3 | View Attributes | Transitive Vector | Choose the Transitive Vector entry for  the server you have DSBROWSE loaded on. | View Value Details | Press <Enter> to decode the attribute data | Press <ENTER> to display timestamps.

The Screen should look like this:

Transitive Vectors
Replica 00001: 10-29-2001   4:49:08 pm, Event 00001
Replica 00002: 10-29-2001   5:19:09 pm, Event 00002
Replica 00003: 10-30-2001   3:23:01 am, Event 00001
Replica 00010: 10-26-2001   12:15:44 pm, Event 00005

Make note of the Replica numbers. In this case, the replica numbers are 1, 2, 3 and 10. (NOTE: These are HEX values) Next go through each of the objects syncing over and over. Highlight the object in question in DSBROWSE | Press F3 | View Object Details | Look at Creation/Modification Time:  

The screen should look like this:     
Creation Time: Thursday, October 11, 2001 12:15:25 pm, [0004] [0001]    
Modification Time: Monday, October 29, 2001 4:38:34 pm, [0002] [0005]

The first set of numbers in the first bracket is the replica number.  Make note of the Replica numbers. In this case the object was created by Replica number 4 and modified by Replica number 2.  For every creation and modification timestamp for any object in DS, the replica number should exist as an entry in the Transitive Vector table.  Because Replica number 4 created the object, there should be an entry for Replica number 4 above on the Transitive Vector attribute.

In the example above, Replica 4 is missing. It is also necessary to look at modification time on attributes of the object to determine if there are any other Transitive Vector attributes missing for those attributes.  

To do this, highlight the object in question in DSBROWSE  | Press F3 | View Attributes | Press enter on each attribute | View Value details | then look at modification time.  

You would see the following:    
Modification Time: Friday, October 12, 2001 6:22:14 pm, [0002] [0001]

In this case, the object was modified by Replica number 2 If you find a replica number that is not referenced in the Transitive Vector attribute, this will cause the objects to sync over and over.

If you are running eDirectory 8.5 (DS.NLM 85.xx) you can apply edir8530.EXE from support.novell.com/filefinder or greater.  
Load DSREPAIR (85.14 and higher) on the master of the partition | Advanced options menu | Repair local DS database | F10 to start the repair.  Running the repair will add back missing Transitive Vector entries and stop the continuous syncing of objects.  

If you are running NetWare 6, apply NetWare 6 Support Pack 3 or EDIR862SP3.EXE from  http://support.novell.com/filefinder on all NetWare 6 servers.  This will dynamically add the transitive vectors back for these objects during normal synchronization. You do not have to run a special dsrepair.

If you are running eDirectory 8.7, you will need a new DSREPAIR-ANT from EDIR8704.EXE  (Version 10410.92  -or greater) on all the servers in the replica ring at the same time.

If you are running NDS 8.x or if the above solutions don't fix the problem, as a last resort, you can Repair Timestamps and Declare a new Epoch.  This will essentially take all objects for a give partition and replace the modification time stamps with the current time and will also change the replica number for each time stamp to match the replica number of the master replica.  For more information on the implications of using this option and on how to run it, see Implications of running "Repair Timestamps and Declare a new epoch 

note

NOTE:  With the new DSREPAIR you will need to run a DSREPAIR -ANT.  If you run a normal DSREPAIR, the transitive vectors will NOT be checked.

However, if you apply Support Pack 3 to the NetWare 6 server running eDirectory 8.6.2, the problem will be corrected during nomral synchronization and you do NOT need to run a DSREPAIR.

document

Document Title: Objects sync continuously since introducing eDirectory 8.5, 8.6, 8.7
Document ID: 10065699
Solution ID: NOVL62142
Creation Date: 29Oct2001
Modified Date: 06Aug2003
Novell Product Class:NetWare
Novell eDirectory

disclaimer

The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.
Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information.