Configuring iSCSI on a DELL R610 server in conjunction with a DELL PowerConnect 5424 switch and DELL EqualLogic SAN can occasionally be challenging, as demonstrated by the intermittent failure of MySQL to start upon reboot. Upon further investigation, network interface issues were identified, specifically related to the Broadcom NetXtreme II Gigabit Ethernet drivers.
Troubleshooting Network Interface Intermittency
The problem at hand appears to be related to intermittent connectivity issues with the network interfaces on the DELL R610 server. The bnx2 driver logs indicate that the NIC experiences a temporary link drop which might cause iSCSI initiator services to falter, thereby affecting MySQL startup. Let’s delve into potential solutions and best practices for addressing this issue.
Driver and Firmware Updates
- Ensure that the Broadcom NetXtreme II drivers and firmware are up-to-date. It is often beneficial to reference the Dell Support page for downloading and applying the latest updates.
- Verify the driver version in use (v2.2.4 in this case) against the latest available and update if there are newer revisions.
iSCSI Initiator and Startup Dependencies
- Review and modify startup dependencies for the iSCSI initiator service. Ensure that network services are fully initialized before the initiator attempts to connect to the SAN. This can be configured by adjusting the systemd service or upstart scripts on Ubuntu 14.04.
- Configure the iSCSI initiator to retry upon failure. This can be done by adjusting the retry settings in the iSCSI configuration.
Network Configuration and Redundancy
- Implement link aggregation via LACP on the DELL PowerConnect switch and simultaneously enable bonding on the server NICs. This can provide redundancy and mitigate single point failures, thus stabilizing iSCSI connections.
- Consider segregating iSCSI traffic on a dedicated VLAN to reduce network contention and improve performance.
Monitoring and Diagnostics
- Monitor network link status during boot cycles. Utilize logging tools to capture NIC states and iSCSI errors to better understand the timing of failures.
- Consider using network diagnostics tools to test the stability and performance of the current configuration, looking for anomalies in the physical links.
Professional Support and Documentation
- Consult the EqualLogic Deployment Guide for specific network settings and iSCSI configuration best practices.
- If issues persist, leverage Dell TechDirect or similar professional IT support for advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics.
These recommendations target the identified behavior of the NIC and iSCSI services during server reboots. By ensuring firmware and driver currency, adjusting system configurations, and enhancing network stability through redundancy, the likelihood of service interruptions should be minimized. Implementing detailed monitoring can also assist in proactively managing and diagnosing future issues as they arise.
