Error: -6038 seen in sync or on Novell Client when trying to login

  • 7008704
  • 06-Jun-2011
  • 26-Apr-2012

Environment

Novell eDirectory 8.8 for All Platforms
Novell eDirectory 8.7.3 for All Platforms

Situation

Many users at a specific location were receiving -6038 errors when trying to login.  In reviewing eDirectory synchronization status, it was seen that one server was showing either -663 or -6038 (from the view point of all other servers in the replica ring).

Resolution

In most cases, the matter can be resolved by restarting eDirectory or restarting the server.
In other cases, further trouble shooting/remediation may be required as in TID 7002912 - eDirectory insufficient disk space or TID 3774735 - 6038 errors in synchronization

Additional Information

When eDirectory encounters a condition where data could be lost/corrupted, it will proactively close the local server database to avoid loss.  When it does so, the server will return error -6038 (to the requester -- server or workstation).  Some items that can trigger this situation are:
 
Does the DIB directory/partition have any free space?
 
- contention for DIB files
Contention for files in the DIB can be caused by other processes accessing the files in the DIB directory and not allowing eDirectory to have sole access.  Some processes may include:
  • Anti-virus software (where an exclusion for the DIB directory has not been configured)
  • Backup software (that accesses files directory instead of via eDirectory APIs)
  • etc.
Both of the above are good starting points for trouble shooting.  Reviewing ndstrace output -- with +tags +time +recm -- can also help point to which file(s) eDirectory cannot access properly.