Environment
Novell Open Enterprise Server (NetWare based)
Novell NetWare 6.5 Support Pack 7
Situation
During the installation of NetWare 6.5 using the overlay Support
Pack 7 media on two HP DL380 G5 servers , the installation would
take a long time to continue after entering the server name.
Eventually the installation continues, however when the
installation reaches the Network Configuration part, the server
reboots.
Resolution
This is resolved by using an older version of the BX2.LAN driver
for installation, version 2.86 dated 28 August 2006. This can be
found on the Novell NetWare 6.5 Support Pack 6 media. Version
3.41 dated 30 April 2007 is part of Novell NetWare 6.5 Support Pack
7, which is the module that was causing the problem in this
case.
Additional Information
Troubleshooting steps done included the following:
1. Started the installation directly from the Novell NetWare media without using SmartStart.
2. Verified that the server(s) had the latest BIOS / Firmware installed.
3. Verified that no Anti-Virus software were running when the installation media were prepared.
4. Attempted to use different/new NetWare 6.5 Support Pack 7 installation media.
Since the problem seems to be caused by the BX2.LAN driver, Version 3.41dated 30 April 2007, it is possible that this behavior may be seen on different hardware, and not only with the HP DL380 G5 model servers.
1. Started the installation directly from the Novell NetWare media without using SmartStart.
2. Verified that the server(s) had the latest BIOS / Firmware installed.
3. Verified that no Anti-Virus software were running when the installation media were prepared.
4. Attempted to use different/new NetWare 6.5 Support Pack 7 installation media.
Since the problem seems to be caused by the BX2.LAN driver, Version 3.41dated 30 April 2007, it is possible that this behavior may be seen on different hardware, and not only with the HP DL380 G5 model servers.