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Obsolete Releases => SME Server 8.x => Topic started by: TrevorNWatson on August 28, 2012, 09:05:45 PM

Title: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: TrevorNWatson on August 28, 2012, 09:05:45 PM
I am currently attempting to install SME Server 8.0 on an IBM xSeries 235 server.

It has 2x Xeon processors, 2048MB RAM and a 500GB logical drive (set up in hardware RAID controller as RAID 5, 9x73.4GB drives (1 spare))

When installing, it goes through the initial settings up to the point where it warns that it is going to format the drive and all data will be lost.

At this point, the error
"pvCreate failed for <fsset.RAIDDevice instance at 0x9eee1ec>"
appears and the only option I have at that point is to reboot.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I've created a ticket in the bug system as well here: http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=7076


the installer I am using is: smeserver-8.0-i386.iso
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: janet on August 29, 2012, 03:52:26 AM
TrevorNWatson

Have you checked compatibility of your hardware RAID controller with CentOS 5.8 ?
Refer hardware compatibility lists (HCL) and/or check your hardware specs with the manufacturer.

You could try installing CentOS 5.8 to see if your RAID card is correctly detected (or not).
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: nicolatiana on August 29, 2012, 10:59:10 PM
As additional attempt try to install with the raid=none option
Sme always tries to build at least a RAID1 system; if only a disk is available a single-disk-raid1 is created, ready to receive the second hdd and start the rebuild. If You do not disable software raid the installer tries to create a sw Raid1 over an hardware raid.
http://wiki.contribs.org/Booting (http://wiki.contribs.org/Booting)
Please remember that with hardware Raid in Sme You have few opportunities to receive warnings about degraded Raid. There is a howto about LSI controller (http://wiki.contribs.org/Raid:LSI_Monitoring (http://wiki.contribs.org/Raid:LSI_Monitoring)) to have warning/monitoring capabilities over sme (I've never tested).
 
Nicola
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: CharlieBrady on August 30, 2012, 12:53:58 AM
As additional attempt try to install with the raid=none option

I doubt that will help. Trying without lvm is more likely to be helpful. But diagnosing the problem, and then fixing it, would be the best way to proceed. Followup to the bug tracker, please.
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: CharlieBrady on August 30, 2012, 12:57:23 AM
There is a howto about LSI controller (http://wiki.contribs.org/Raid:LSI_Monitoring (http://wiki.contribs.org/Raid:LSI_Monitoring)) to have warning/monitoring capabilities over sme (I've never tested).

The links there are all dead (404 status). However the software appears to be available from these links:

http://sven.stormbind.net/mpt-status-rhel/
http://freecode.com/projects/mptstatus
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: TrevorNWatson on August 31, 2012, 02:08:28 PM
Sorry for not getting back to you guys.  I'm out of the office that the server is in and won't be there for a little bit.  Thanks for all the comments and I'll let you know as soon as I can.

Trevor
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: TrevorNWatson on September 09, 2012, 08:42:54 PM
The exact message box on the screen is:

Quote
pvcreate failed for <fsset.RAIDDEVICE instance at 0x99851ec>

The installer will now exit

and a reboot button. 

There appears to be no other relevant information on the screen.  I am going to attempt to install CentOS 5.8 today as suggested.
Title: Re: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235
Post by: CharlieBrady on September 09, 2012, 10:38:13 PM
There appears to be no other relevant information on the screen.

Type Alt-F3 and Alt-F4 and you will likely see more. Take screenshots and post them into your bug report.