Topic: SME Server 8.0 - pvcreate failed on install (formatting) - IBM xSeries 235

[TrevorNWatson]

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

[janet]

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).

[nicolatiana]

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
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) to have warning/monitoring capabilities over sme (I've never tested).
 
Nicola

[CharlieBrady]

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.

[CharlieBrady]

There is a howto about LSI controller (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

[TrevorNWatson]

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

[TrevorNWatson]

The exact message box on the screen is:

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.

[CharlieBrady]

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.