Cluster Server Has Clusdb Corruption After Power Outage

ID: Q216064


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0, used with:
    • Microsoft Cluster Server


SYMPTOMS

When you use Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS), under certain circumstances (for example, both nodes experience a simultaneous power failure after a relatively long period of cluster activity), one of the following may occur:

  • The cluster database file (located in the %SystemRoot%\Cluster folder) may become corrupted on both nodes (for example, the Clusdb file contains zero bytes on both nodes).


  • The quorum_device:\Mscs\Chksequential_number.tmp file may be inconsistent and, if used by MSCS, may result in Clusdb corruption.


  • The quorum_device:\Mscs\Chksequential_number.tmp file may be outdated as a checkpoint file may not have been written during the interval when the two nodes were up. If the computer's configuration is changed and a recent checkpoint file reflecting this change does not exist, the log files (quorum_device:\Mscs\quolog.log and quorum_device:\Mscs\Chksequential_number.tmp) may contain inconsistent quorum resource information.


Symptoms you may experience include:

  • MSCS cannot be started, and both nodes are able to access and use the Clusdb file, so the cluster cannot be formed.


  • MSCS cannot be started with the initial Clusdb file allowed to locate the latest checkpoint file, but its contents are inconsistent. If MSCS loads this file the Clusdb file may become corrupted. If a retry to form the cluster from the other node is done, the second Clusdb file may become corrupt.


  • MSCS can start, but the cluster starts in an outdated state (for example, during a week of operation no checkpoint was taken, then the next MSCS restart uses the last checkpoint file to restore the configuration, and this file may be outdated).



RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:
http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv ntstart ntsp kbbug4.00 nt4sp5fix
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: August 27, 1999
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