ZFS flash install "Unable to create Filesystem error"

Hi,
I am trying to get an HPz420 workstation instaled (zfs root pool) via a jump-start server.
I have a zfs image (from this workstation) the Solaris release is 10 1/13 update 11.
I use a sparc U25 install server, upgraded to the same solaris build 10 1/13.
This server is configured to install both Sparc and x86; For UFS it works fine.

The zfs flash_ install, reads the sysid.cfg and rules.ok file.
The nfs mount is ok.
It even says it will create the rootpool, de zvol for swap and dump. When the zfs filsystem needs to be created, the installation aborts.
The error reads:
Could not create filesystem.
Inposible to check or verrify some sytem critical files.

The disk has an SMI label.

The disk portion of the .profile file reads:

fdisk all solaris all
pool rpool auto 4g 4g c0t0d0s0

Is it posible to flash install a root pool zfs from a UFS jumpstart server?

sc0rpie

Are you following all the rules?

Installing a ZFS Root File System (Oracle Solaris Flash Archive Installation) - Oracle Solaris ZFS Administration Guide

---------- Post updated at 10:11 AM ---------- Previous update was at 10:05 AM ----------

Just read your post again. If this is a HPz420 x86 box could

"c0t0d0s0" be wrong????

Hi,
c0t0d0s0 is correct, since this is the only disk in the box and zfs rootpool requires a slice 0.
The profile file looks like this:

install_type            flash_install
archive_location        nfs     
###.###.###.###:/export/flash/Sol10x86_u11/install/HPz420_UFS.flar
fdisk c0t0d0 solaris all
partitioning            explicit
pool rpool auto 4g 4g c0t0d0s0

This is the error I get.

Searching for JumpStart directory...
Using rules.ok from ###.###.###.###:/export/flash/Sol10x86_u11/config.
Checking rules.ok file...
Using profile: HPz420_zfs.profile
Using finish script: copy_networkfiles.sh
Executing JumpStart preinstall phase...
Searching for SolStart directory...
Checking rules.ok file...
Using begin script: install_begin
Using finish script: patch_finish
Executing SolStart preinstall phase...
Executing begin script "install_begin"...
Begin script install_begin execution completed.
Processing profile
        - Opening Flash archive
        - Validating Flash archive
        - Selecting all disks
        - Configuring boot device
        - Creating "all" Solaris fdisk partition (c0t0d0)
        - Configuring / (c0t0d0s0)
Verifying disk configuration
Verifying space allocation
Preparing system for Flash install
Configuring disk (c0t0d0)
        - Creating Fdisk partition table
        - Creating Solaris disk label (VTOC)
        - Creating pool rpool
        - Creating swap zvol for pool rpool
        - Creating dump zvol for pool rpool
Creating and checking file systems
        - Creating rpool/ROOT/ dataset
ERROR: Creation rpool/ROOT/ dataset failed
ERROR: Could not check or create system critical file systems
ERROR: Could not update disks with new configuration
ERROR: Flash installation failed
Solaris installation program exited.

Hi,

There is an other potential issue here as well, I have seen this error before and it turned out to be the disk geometry. Can't quite remember but think it was to do with the number of heads which had to be either more than 15 or less than 15.

Also I would say that potentially there could be Hypervisor issues and that Solaris may not be able to get a proper hold of the disk to Vtoc it - this problem could be worth looking for on the Oracle support site.

Regards

Dave

Hi Dave
My next step will be Oracle support.

Thanks anyway

Erik

---------- Post updated at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous update was at 02:48 PM ----------

Dave,
I also can add that afhter this partial install the system only has a grub.
The new label seems to be in place!
I have it flashed in UFS again.
Greets
Erik

Hi,

I'm still a bit confused here, you seem to be using a UFS based flash archive to try and build a ZFS dataset - are you sure that this is pulling the correct profile?

Regards

Dave

Hi,
First I installed the HP Box in UFS, created an archive and tested the flash install.
Then I reinstalled it in zfs and created a second archive..
I have two .profile files, one for each file sytem type. I just need to change the rules file according to the type of install I wish, and run the check script.
The reason why I do this is becouse we have a major hardware upgrade. The application we run requires Solaris 10. I opted for the last possible build (10 1/13).
The new servers (4 Netra SparcsT4-1 and 7 Netra X3-1) will be installed using zfs mirror (manually). The 42 HP's and 8 Ultra 27's, both X86 machines, will be flash installed.
If I do not get zfs flash install up and running we will stick to UFS. Although I would prefer to have all systems in zfs.
We still have some old Sparc U25 boxes which need to be flash installable to.
For this reason I need to set up the server (setup_install_server) with the -b option (bootserver only).
At this moment the install server is running in UFS. My colleague and me ar in the process of doing just so on two extra disks.
Now you are completely up to speed.

Erik

I finaly got the zfs Flash install (HP box) working.
The JS server (U25 sparc) now runs Sol10 1/13 U11 in zfs (two disk mirror).
Afther double checking all config files and configuring the dhcp-server, the Flash-install worked fine.

.profile file

install_type flash_install
archive_location nfs server:/export/flash/Sol10_U11x86/install/HPz420_zfs.flar
fdisk c0t0d0 solaris all
partitioning explicit
pool rpool auto 4g 4g c0t0d0s0

Hi Erick,

Thanks for the update, glad to know that you've got it running.

Regards

Dave