Problem with sync on disk during reboot

From: <gagnons_at_cae.ca>
Date: Fri, 08 Dec 95 10:04:12 -0500

Title: Sync on disk during reboot seem to not work

Operating system: Digital UNIX V3.2C (Rev 148)

Description:

The problem occur most frequently on the new hardware (like the
AlphaStation 600 5/266) with 128M of memory, but the problem also occur
on the AlphaServer 1000 4/233 and the DEC Station 3000/600.

The easy way to reproduice the problem is to compile and link a binary, and
when the link is completed, verify it run correctly then perform a proper
shutdown with reboot with the command:

        shutdown -r now or reboot

On the console we can see:

        syncing disks ... 1 done
        rebooting ...

After the reboot (no vmcore is created), when we try to execute the binary,
we can get the following error message from the loader:

        /sbin/loader: Fatal Error: Main's RLD_VERSION is 0, the correct
                                        version should be 3

Is like the executable file get never flush from the memory cache to the
disk during the reboot. Even by executing the command:

        sync; sync; sync; sync

before to reboot doesn't help.

The problem can occur also if the executable is currently running during
the reboot.

The easy way to prevent the problem is to cause enough activity on the disk
to force the cache to write the complete executable on the disk.

The problem arrive more frequently on ADVFS file system, but can arrive
also on standard UFS file system on RZ29 (4GB) disk.
        
Also the problem seem to not occur when the machine is halt with the
command:

        init 0

In this case all the STOP script are executed, but no reboot is possible
without a intervention on the console (which is not acceptable for us).

Any body else already see this problem or have any idee what arrive?

        Thanks, Sylvain Gagnon
                                                System Engineer,
                                                Energy Control Systems
                                                CAE Electronics Ltd.
                                                (514) 341-2000 ext 3189
                                                FAX (514) 340-5571
                                                gagnons_at_cae.ca
Received on Fri Dec 08 1995 - 16:40:29 NZDT

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