IT45783: VSNAP BOOTS INTO EMERGENCY SHELL AFTER RHEL 8.X KERNEL UPDATE

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Starting with version 10.1.11, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus
  requires an operating system RHEL 8.x.
  When the Linux kernel RHEL 8.x is updated as part of a vSnap
  software update, the next reboot can cause the system to drop
  into an emergency shell.
  
  The boot process fails with the following error message:
  
  "Failed to start Switch Root. See 'systemctl status
  initrd-switch-root.service' for details."
  
  Upon running the systemctl command, the following error message
  is reported:
  
  "Failed to switch root: Specified switch root path '/sysroot'
  does not seem to be an OS tree. os-release file is missing."
  
  The problem occurs because the boot loader configuration
  performed by the vSnap update process is missing some kernel
  parameters.
  
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Versions Affected:
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.11 and later
  
  Additional Keywords: SPP, SPPLUS, TS014935410
  

Local fix

• 1. Reboot the system, and select an older kernel on the boot
  screen.
     This will allow the system to boot, but the vSnap services
  will not start.
  2. Navigate to the directory /opt/vsnap/config/pkgs/kernel and
  reinstall the kernel using the command:
        yum reinstall kernel-<version>.rpm
  kernel-core-<version>.rpm kernel-modules-<version>.rpm
  3. Replace <version> with the specific version contained in the
  filenames seen in the directory
     /opt/vsnap/config/pkgs/kernel.
  4. Reboot the system after reinstalling the kernel.
  After reboot, verify that the system is running the newer
  kernel, and the vSnap services have started.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * IBM Spectrum Protect Plus level 10.1.12 till 10.1.16         *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * See Error Description                                        *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply the fixing level when available. This problem is fixed *
  * in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus levels 10.1.16.1 and 10.1.17.   *
  * This is subject to change at the discretion of IBM.          *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• In IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.12 and later, a bug in the
  vSnap upgrade code for physical vSnap servers may cause a boot
  failure after upgrade. This bug has been resolved in IBM
  Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.16.1 and 10.1.17, which ensures that
  the vSnap kernel boots correctly after upgrading a physical
  vSnap machine.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  SP PLUS

• Fixed component ID

  5737SPLUS

Applicable component levels