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October 19th, 2012 06:00

Buffer I/O Error on Linux Boxes.

Hello VPLEX Gurus:

We have a few linux servers which keep spitting these Buffer I/O Errors. The LUNs presented to these servers are from a VPLEX Array (VMAX Backend). We are working with RedHat Support. One of the reasons for these errors appearing is (per RedHat) because this Array is Active/Active and the ALUA mode is not set. Firstly is it possible to set ALUA mode on VPLEX? If yes, how do you do it? (These Linux boxes have powerpath running on them, btw.  The servers as such and UP and running without any issues - it is just that these errors are filling up the log files of the host). Any input would be very much appreciated.

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262137

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262138

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262139

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262140

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262141

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262142

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262143

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdab, sector 2097024

Oct 11 12:32:09 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 262128

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdz, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdz, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdz, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdz, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdaa, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdaa, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdaa, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdaa, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdab, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: end_request: I/O error, dev sdab, sector 0

Oct 11 12:32:10 linuxserver kernel: Buffer I/O error on device sdab, logical block 0

1 Message

April 9th, 2014 16:00

Doss, did you ever get a response from EMC gurus?

We are seeing several, similar "Buffer I/O error on device emcpower" on several gatekeeper devices on a couple of our Linux boxes. These are gatekeeper devices from VMAXes. Though no negative impact, the errors are constantly writing to /var/log/messages.

89 Posts

May 29th, 2014 11:00

Hi Kennedy,

> Firstly is it possible to set ALUA mode on VPLEX?

No, VPLEX front-end does not advertise itself as alua capable.  All paths are active and can accept I/O.  No concept of preferred or non-preferred paths.

> These Linux boxes have powerpath running on them, btw

Hmm, funny then that you don't see any warnings from emcpower devices.  I don't know if you have any Linux native multipathing also configured, but I'm guessing it's probably not a good idea to have more than one multipathing software installed and managing devices.

I wonder if the specific logical block is consistent or not.

I'd check VPLEX performance stats for any kind of front-end aborts, and check the fabric for any kind of dropped frames.

Good luck,

Gary

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