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Windows Server freezes during startup or shutdown when ALUA-capable storage is used

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Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:
  • In Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you use an Asymmetric Logical Unit Access (ALUA)–capable storage array.
  • You configure the array so that every path that's presented to a logical unit number (LUN) has a status of Standby, and the paths cannot be made Active.
In this scenario, the server appears to freeze or become unresponsive. Additionally, when you try to start or shut down the server, the operation may fail.

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Cause

When all paths to a LUN are presented as Standby, Windows sends I/O on a path in a non-failed state. If the array responds to this I/O with a "Not Ready" error (such as sense data 0x02/0x04/0x0B [key/code/qualifier]), the system will retry the I/O repeatedly while Windows tries to make a Standby path an Active path.

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Resolution

To work around this issue, do not configure your array in such a way that all paths to a LUN are Standby and no path can be made Active. Because of this failed I/O, you must disconnect the LUNs until the issue is corrected to avoid failures during startup and shutdown.

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Keywords: kb, kbexpertiseadvanced, kbsurveynew, kbtshoot

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Article Info
Article ID : 2997378
Revision : 1
Created on : 1/7/2017
Published on : 9/4/2014
Exists online : False
Views : 252