NetWorker: Cannot find tape drives on Linux Red Hat 9.4 or 8.10

Summary: NetWorker Management Console (NMC) or `inquire` command cannot find tape drive on Red Hat 8.10/9.4 server or storage node.

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Symptoms

A NetWorker server or stand-alone storage node is installed on Red Hat 8.10/9.4.

NOTE: All NetWorker server's include an embedded storage node called nsrserverhost.

The server/storage node is missing tape drives.

Case scenario: 

A NetWorker storage node is connected to a changer and four tape drive.

The NetWorker Management Console (NMC) failed to find tape drives; however, the NetWorker inquire can find the changer:

# inquire
(using name lookup)
scsidev@1.0.0:PLDS    DVD-ROM DS-8DBSHMD51|CD-ROM, /dev/sg18
scsidev@3.2.1:QUANTUM Scalar i500     681G|Autochanger (Jukebox), /dev/sg16
9 Disk, 1 CD-ROM, 1 Autochanger (Jukebox), 4 RAID Controller, Total: 1

The system was properly connected to all devices, which can be listed with the following command: 

cat /proc/scsi/scsi
Example: 
# cat /proc/scsi/scsi
Host: scsi13 Channel: 00 Id: 01 Lun: 00
  Vendor: IBM      Model: ULTRIUM-TD7      Rev: G9Q4
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI  SCSI revision: 06
Host: scsi13 Channel: 00 Id: 02 Lun: 00
  Vendor: IBM      Model: ULTRIUM-TD7      Rev: G9Q4
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI  SCSI revision: 06
Host: scsi13 Channel: 00 Id: 02 Lun: 01
  Vendor: QUANTUM  Model: Scalar i500      Rev: 681G
  Type:   Medium Changer                   ANSI  SCSI revision: 03
Host: scsi13 Channel: 00 Id: 03 Lun: 00
  Vendor: IBM      Model: ULTRIUM-TD7      Rev: G9Q4
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI  SCSI revision: 06
Host: scsi13 Channel: 00 Id: 00 Lun: 00
  Vendor: IBM      Model: ULTRIUM-TD7      Rev: G340
  Type:   Sequential-Access                ANSI  SCSI revision: 06

The sg driver (scsi generic) is working: # sg_inq /dev/sg17

But "mt" failed (if mt is installed):

#  mt -f /dev/st0 status
/dev/st0: Input/output error

Cause

This is a known issue with last REDHAT 9.4 and 8.10.

Tape drive status returns I/O error in RHEL 8.10 and RHEL 9.4 This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Resolution

There is no workaround on the Red Hat KB. They recommend to downgrade Linux or contact Red Hat to know when it will be fixed.

Affected Products

NetWorker Family
Article Properties
Article Number: 000259845
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2024
Version:  1
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