Hard Drive errors can come in many forms and can be resolved via other ways than an RMA. Errors include not allowing access to the NetScaler via GUI to not booting completely.

SSH Access Works but No GUI Access

Go to shell and run command df –h the directory you’ll investigate is /var. If /var is 90% capacity, then you’ll need to check the filesystem and determine what is filling the drive. Typically, the files are newnslogs that aren’t compressed located in /var/nslog (to resolve this issue refer to CTX205014 - NetScaler newnslog Files Not Compressed Which Results in /var Directory Getting Full), support Bundles located in /var/tmp/support, and lastly install files from previous upgrades found in /var/nsinstall.

The easiest way to find these files is to run command du -sh /var/* | sort -nr | grep G this will print out the largest directories at the top with the format in gigabytes.

If you’re not familiar with removal of files using commands, then use WinSCP to move or delete the files.

NetScaler is unresponsive to GUI/SSH but has Console Access

We’ll need to access via the Console and reboot. If there’s a hard-drive issue, you’ll typically see error messages during boot.

Re-seat the hard-drive and test again. Refer to Citrix Documentation To install a hard disk drive for detailed procedure to re-seat the hard drive.

Verify the File System Integrity of a NetScaler

Refer to CTX122845 - How to Verify the File System Integrity of a NetScaler.

VAR partition shows less than 5GB

If the VAR partition has less than 5GB of available space then the firmware upgrades may fail. You will need to to release some space before proceeding with the upgrade. Typically have more than 6 GB of available space upgrades.

When using the command “installns” you will see an error that insufficient free space available :

The upgrade error in GUI when upgrading with insufficient free space in VAR partition is kind a misleading as does not indicate a HDD capacity issue:

Others

• If Flash is used for the boot up process and if NetScaler does not successfully boot, then you would see flash HD errors. In this case open a case to investigate further if an RMA is required for the SSD.
• If the NetScaler completed boot up process but other HDD errors are detected this means the error should be under the HDD.
• If there is still doubt about the hard-drive, then create a case with Citrix and submit a support bundle to CIS.

The article helps to troubleshoot hard disk issues on NetScaler.

CTX133588 - How to Free Space From /var Directory of NetScaler Appliance When Unable to Log on to NetScaler GUI
CTX236339 - NetScaler SDX Single Bundle Upgrade Failure When Upgrading from 12.0.57.24 to 12.0.58.15 or 12.1.48.13