When NetScaler running version 9.2 nCore or Classic builds are downgraded to 8.X builds on certain platforms, they might have issues with “/var” partition not mounting correctly. This article covers a HDD partition recovery process.

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Instructions

Background

Certain recently manufactured NetScaler 7K, 9K, 10K 12K and MPX 5500, 7500, 10500 16ports systems have been shipped with 9.2 46.12 nCore and Classic builds.  These single core and MPX platforms systems might fail to mount “/var” HDD partition if the systems are downgraded to 8.x builds.

Procedure

To return to full functionality, follow the procedure below.

1. Verify System HDD “/var” mount is missing upon downgrade to 8.x.

 
      > shell
            Last login: Fri Oct  8 22:25:39 on ttyd0
      root@ns# mount
            /dev/md0c on / (ufs, local)
            /dev/ad0s1a on /flash (ufs, local)
            procfs on /proc (procfs, local)
      root@ns#
 
Note: This system is missing the HDD “/var” mount (after software downgrade from 9.2 build 46.12 to 8.x)    

2. Recover the HDD “/var” missing partition 

   
Example:
 
root@ns# cd /flash/.recovery/
root@ns#   ls –l
total 113520
drwxrwxrwx  2 root  wheel        512 May 22  2009 Xad2
drwxrwxrwx  2 root  wheel        512 May 22  2009 Xflash
drwxrwxrwx  2 root  wheel        512 May 22  2009 boot
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel  116129615 May 22  2009 hd.recovery.tgz
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       4384 May 22  2009 rc.flash
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel      11307 May 22  2009 rc.flash_wipe_recover
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       1459 May 22  2009 rc.local_disk_wipe_2
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       1324 May 22  2009 rc.local_flash_wipe_1
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel      11045 May 22  2009 rc.main_disk_wipe
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       2179 May 22  2009 rc.main_flash_wipe
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       3058 May 22  2009 rc.manufacture
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       7473 May 22  2009 rc.recovery
-rw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel       5115 May 22  2009 rc.system_wipe_and_reset
-rw-r--r--  1 root  wheel        597 Jul 14  2009 recovery.log
 
Note: The contents of this directory may vary on your system in both sizes and dates

root@ns# sh rc.main_disk_wipe   (press Enter)
 
Note: This process takes about two minutes to rebuild/recovery the missing HDD /var

3. Verify that HDD “/var” partition is mounted.

 
root@ns# mount
    /dev/md0c on / (ufs, local)
    procfs on /proc (procfs, local)
    /dev/ad0s1a on /flash (ufs, local)
          /dev/ad2s1e on /var (ufs, local)
root@ns# 

More Information

1. “ad2” is just an example, some NetScalers use “ad0”, “ad4”, or even “ad5” for the HDD.
2. The recovery procedure above erases existing contents under “/var” partition. If you need to recover any data, boot back to the version 9.2 release and save any necessary data.
3. The same procedure can be used for any HDD FRU manufactured with 9.x build and the target system is running 8.x code. 

How to Recover the Missing /var Partition after Software Downgrade