Topic: SME won't install on Server

[Lindsay]

G'day all,
It would appear SME won't install from a SCSI CDROM, I've tried three different servers with SCSI CDROM's. As most servers use SCSI CDROM drives I'm quite surprised,  I thought SME was "Server software" yet it won't install on a server!!!!! Several others who've bothered to post here also can't get a response from e-Smith. Rather poor reflection on what initially looked like a good product.
((
Lindsay

[Dan G.]

I assume you are booting off the floppy...is that correct?

[Lindsay]

G'day Dan,
I've tried both booting from CD and using the boot.img.
Systems recognize the boot CD but freezes at the following prompt, "SYSLINUX 1.48 1999-09-26 (blinking cursor)" and the CDROM locks up. (curiously old version!!!!)
If I try the boot floopy, I get too the dialog requesting "what type of media contains the package to be installed?" but when I select Cd I get "I could not find a Mitel Networks SME server CDROM ...............etc, click OK to retry" .... it can't read the CDROM.
tia
Lindsay

[tibor]

I had the same problem with an older CD-ROM drive that was unable read CD-RW disks. I burned the ISO image onto a CD-R - it worked.

[Dan Brown]

IMO, this sounds like a bug--have you reported it to bugs@e-smith.com?  In my experience, they're pretty good at dealing with bug reports even from non-customers.  Since the user guide says it'll work with an IDE or SCSI CD-ROM, and it seems to not be working with a SCSI CD-ROM, it looks like a bug.

[Lindsay]

G'day Tibor,
Thx 4 reply.
Not using CDRW and one of the servers is almost new so that's not the problem, it seems the software can't read from scsi cdrom which of coarse is the most common type of cdrom on servers. Seems to install perfectly from the ide but not scsi.
Thx anyway,
Lindsay

[Steve Bush]

The only server I've used that has a SCSI CD-Rom drive is an old HP NetServer.  SME5.0 installed fine after booting from a floppy.  I keep putting off upgarding it, so I will have a spare IDE CD-Rom drive just in case.

fyi - The new servers I've seen from HP and Dell come standard with IDE CD-Rom drives, not SCSI.

[Dan G.]

I'd send a list of your hardware and firmware revs to the folks at Mitel.  As Dan B mentioned, it may be a bug that they've not encountered yet.  They may have a solution to it...

Dan

[Bobby]

What SCSI controller are you using?

I had a problem with one version of Adaptec and needed a patched boot disk.

[Kelvin]

Lindsay,

When booting from a boot floopy to install off a SCSI CD-ROM, the SCSI controller that it is connected to MUST be supported by the boot floppy or else you need to specify a driver disk (When asked to type accept, type accept dd instead -- assuming you have the correct Linux driver disk for your controller that is).

Kelvin

[littlalex]

I agree with kelvin, furthermore is the SCSI controller you're
using supported. Since SME is pretty straight RH 7.1 kernel, did
you check the RH hcl to see if your controller is supported?

Regards,
Littlalex

[Lindsay]

G'day Alex,
Thanks all 4 your replies.
I haven't checked drivers but I would presume so as RH7.1 installs on the oldest system (HP Netserver) without a hitch. But SME freezes.
cheers,
Lindsay

[ghopper]

I had the exact same problem and error message when I was trying to install over the last few days. ISO was perfect, etc. I burned a new image onto another CD and it worked perfectly.

I recall reading somewhere that sometimes the image can get screwed up during the writing process and still survive the verify.  I would suggest burning a new disk, possibly on another drive.  It worked for me!!! Alternately, use a spare hard drive to hold the install image.

GH

[Lindsay]

G'day GrassHopper,
Thx 4 your reply.
The CD installs fine from an IDE CDROM but I tried your suggestion anyway, same, damn.
Worth a try, THANKS MATE,
Lindsay

[Andy MacDonald]

Had exactly the same problem when building the box. It's a little HP Vectra XU.
I went through 4 different scsi CD roms. Eventually bought a 10 dollar IDE CD rom wrapped in a 486.
Looks like it is a driver problem as I had a perfect install on a HP LDpro with the same disk in a SCSI cdrom...