Linux partition issue device in use by system

Ammad · 09-02-2013, 02:26 PM

Hello,

From past couple of days I am facing problem on my Linux server RHEL 5.3 x64.
there is a volume from storage about 7TB formatted as ext3 was being in use, but from last week I am getting error when I was trying to create a new file/directory.

there wasn't any changes on server or software as far as I remember, the device name was /dev/sda1 and volume was created by parted and labeled as gpt.

after reboot I was unable to mount it as /dev/sda1 the list the volume and came to know that there is new device

Code:

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


WARNING: The size of this disk is 7.7 TB (7696581394432 bytes).
DOS partition table format can not be used on drives for volumes
larger than 2.2 TB (2199023255040 bytes). Use parted(1) and GUID
partition table format (GPT).


Disk /dev/sda: 7696.5 GB, 7696581394432 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 935722 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1      267350  2147483647+  ee  EFI GPT

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/dm-0'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


WARNING: The size of this disk is 7.7 TB (7696581394432 bytes).
DOS partition table format can not be used on drives for volumes
larger than 2.2 TB (2199023255040 bytes). Use parted(1) and GUID
partition table format (GPT).


Disk /dev/dm-0: 7696.5 GB, 7696581394432 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 935722 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

     Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/dm-0p1               1      267350  2147483647+  ee  EFI GPT

then I mount it as /dev/dm-1 it worked fine , but on software being use this volume is not working since that day.

Just now I have added a new disk from same storage as /dev/sdb and created a new gpt volume. After creating and then I was formatting by mkfs.ext3 it return the error,

Code:

# mkfs.ext3  -j /dev/sdb1
mke2fs 1.39 (29-May-2006)
/dev/sdb1 is apparently in use by the system; will not make a filesystem here!

Can any help on this issue.

thanks

TB0ne · 09-02-2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ammad

Hello,
From past couple of days I am facing problem on my Linux server RHEL 5.3 x64. there is a volume from storage about 7TB formatted as ext3 was being in use, but from last week I am getting error when I was trying to create a new file/directory.

there wasn't any changes on server or software as far as I remember, the device name was /dev/sda1 and volume was created by parted and labeled as gpt.

Well, quite obviously SOMETHING CHANGED, otherwise your system would be just as it had been. Things like disks relabeling themselves don't just 'happen'....what was done? After working with Linux now for NINE YEARS, you should have some idea of what's going on with your systems. Without knowing what happened, there's no way we can tell you WHY it happened, or what to 'undo'.

Quote:

after reboot I was unable to mount it as /dev/sda1 the list the volume and came to know that there is new device then I mount it as /dev/dm-1 it worked fine , but on software being use this volume is not working since that day.

Would help if you told us WHAT 'software' is not working, and what the message(s) are.

Quote:

Just now I have added a new disk from same storage as /dev/sdb and created a new gpt volume. After creating and then I was formatting by mkfs.ext3 it return the error,

Can any help on this issue.

Obviously there is already a running filesystem mounted on /dev/sdb1. So make the file system on the correct device.

Also, since you're running RHEL, have you contacted Red Hat?? You are PAYING for RHEL, right?? So that entitles you to support. RHEL5.3 is VERY old too, and I don't think it's even supported any longer. Upgrading would be a good thing.

j_v · 09-02-2013, 02:44 PM

What is the output of `cat /proc/mdstat`? This looks suspiciously like you are trying to format part of an raid.

Ammad · 09-02-2013, 02:54 PM

Hi thanks for reply,

let me explain that /dev/sdb is new LUN from storage and I have created it from parted just now. so it not formatted and only attached to this server.

the output is

# cat /proc/mdstat
Personalities :
unused devices: <none>

j_v · 09-02-2013, 02:58 PM

You haven't provided enough information to work with.

Ammad · 09-02-2013, 03:05 PM

Hi,

the problem is solved.

Solution:

I have deleted the /etc/multipath.conf and disabled the multipathd at startup after this reboot the server. now I can format the new disk LUN and also the old disk can be mount as /dev/sda1.

Thanks for all.

j_v · 09-03-2013, 07:19 PM

You should mark this thread as solved.