NW6SP3 Server Hangs on Down Command

Articles and Tips: qna

01 Oct 2003

Dear Ab-end: I have a NetWare 6 Support Pack 3 server. When I issue the "down" command, the server hangs when it dismounts the SYS volume. Any suggestions?

- Driven to Distraction in Dagestan

Dear Driven: First check that your BIOS is up to date. If you are using the i2o drivers (bkstrosm.ham, etc.), this is a known problem and here's what you do. The simple fix to this problem is to create an NCF file, which will perform some important housekeeping operations before taking the server DOWN and exiting to DOS. An example of this NCF is given below.

This NCF file must be called "SHUTDOWN.NCF" and it must be stored in the SYS:\SYSTEM directory.

SHUTDOWN.NCF:

# This procedure will correctly DOWN a NetWare 6 SP3 server to DOS
# ONLY USE THIS PROCEDURE if the Server uses an I2O controller with BKSTROSM
# loaded and NSS enabled. This procedure should also cope with Native
# volumes that might also be mounted.
# First close down all JAVA classes
java -exit
# JAVA should already be unloaded but unload again
unload java
# Give time for JAVA to full clean up (housekeeping)
delay 10
# Deactivate all Volumes without prompting
nss /forcedeactivate=all
# Deactivate all Pools
nss /pooldeactivate=all
# Dismount any Native Volumes
dismount all
# Unload the Novell Block Storage Manager
unload bkstrosm
# Give time to Block Storage Manager to unload
delay 5

To use this example, simply copy and paste the above script into an NCF file called SHUTDOWN.NCF and store it in the SYS:\SYSTEM directory. Then, when the server needs to be taken down, type DOWN at the server's console prompt. The DOWN command will automatically call and run SHUTDOWN.NCF prior to running its own internal procedures.

* Originally published in Novell AppNotes

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The origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. While Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information, Novell does not make explicit or implied claims to its validity.