Advanced DSRepair Options

In addition to the Repair features available in Novell iManager, the DSRepair utilities for each eDirectory platform contain some advanced features that are hidden from normal use. These advanced features are enabled through switches when loading the DSRepair utility on the various platforms.


Running DSRepair on the eDirectory Server


NetWare

To run DSRepair, enter dsrepair.nlm at the server console.

To open DSRepair with advanced options, enter dsrepair -a at the server console.


Windows

  1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Novell eDirectory Services.

  2. Click dsrepair.dlm, then click Start.

    To open DSRepair with advanced options, enter -a in the Startup Parameters field in the Novell eDirectory Services Console before you start dsrepair.dlm.


Linux, Solaris, AIX, and HP-UX

To run DSRepair, enter ndsrepair at the server console, using the following syntax:

ndsrepair { -U | -E | -C | -P [-Ad] | -S [-Ad] | -N  | -T | -J entry_id | --version} [-F filename] [-A yes|no] [-O yes|no]

or

ndsrepair -R [-l yes|no] [-u yes|no] [-m yes|no] [-i yes|no] [-f yes|no][-d yes|no] [-t yes|no] [-o yes|no][-r yes|no] [-v yes|no] [-c yes|no] [-F filename] [-A yes|no] [-O yes|no]

IMPORTANT:  The -Ad option should not be used without prior direction from Novell Support personnel.


Examples

To perform an unattended repair and log events in the /root/ndsrepair.log file, or to append events to the log file if it already exists, enter the following command:

ndsrepair -U -A no -F /root/ndsrepair.log

To open DSRepair with advanced options, enter the following command:

ndsrepair -Ad

To display a list of all global schema operations along with the advanced options, enter the following command:

ndsrepair -S -Ad

To repair the local database by forcing a database lock, enter the following command:

ndsrepair -R -l yes

NOTE:  The input for the ndsrepair command can be redirected from an option file. The option file is a text file that can contain replica and partition operation-related options and suboptions that do not require authentication to the server. Each option or suboption is separated by a new line. Make sure that the contents of the file are in the proper sequence. If the contents are not in the proper sequence, the results will be unpredictable.


DSRepair Command Line Options

Option Description

-U

Unattended Full Repair option. Instructs ndsrepair to run and exit without further user intervention. This is the suggested means of repair unless you are told by Novell Support to perform certain operations manually. You can view the log file after the repair has completed to determine what changes ndsrepair has made.

-P

Replica and Partition Operations option. Lists the partitions that have replicas stored in the current server's eDirectory database files. The Replica options menu provides options to repair replicas, cancel a partition operation, schedule synchronization, and designate the local replica as the master replica.

-S

Global Schema Operations option. Contains several schema operations that might be necessary to bring the server's schema into compliance with the master of the Tree object. However, these operations should be used only when necessary. The local and unattended repair operations already verify the schema.

-C

Check External Reference Object option. Checks each external reference object to determine if a replica containing the object can be located. If all servers that contain a replica of the partition with the object are inaccessible, the object is not found. If the object cannot be found, a warning is posted.

-E

Report Replica Synchronization option. Reports replica synchronization status for every partition that has a replica on the current server. This operation reads the synchronization status attribute from the replica's Tree object on each server that holds replicas of the partitions. It displays the time of the last successful synchronization to all servers and any errors that have occurred since the last synchronization. A warning message is displayed if synchronization has not completed within twelve hours.

-N

Servers Known to This Database option. Lists all servers known to the local eDirectory database. If your current server contains a replica of the Tree partition, this server displays a list of all serves in the eDirectory tree. Select one server to cause the server options to be executed.

-J

Repairs a single object on the local server. You need to provide the Entry ID (in hexadecimal format) of the object you want to repair. You can use this option instead of using the Unattended Repair (-U) option to repair one particular object that is corrupted. The Unattended Repair option can take many hours depending on the size of database. This option helps you save time.

-T

Time Synchronization option. Contacts every server known to the local eDirectory database and requests information about each server's time synchronization status. If this server contains a replica of the Tree partition, then every server in the eDirectory tree will be polled. The version of eDirectory that is running on each server is also reported.

-A

Append to the existing log file. The information is added to the existing log file. By default, this option is enabled.

-O

Logs the output in a file. By default, this option is enabled.

-F filename

Logs the output in the specified file.

-R

Repair the Local Database option. Repairs the local eDirectory database. Use the repair operation to resolve inconsistencies in the local database so that it can be opened and accessed by eDirectory. This option has suboptions that facilitate repair operations on the database. This option has function modifiers which are explained in the table below.

The function modifiers used with the -R option are described below:

Option Description

-l

Locks the eDirectory database during the repair operation.

-u

Uses a temporary eDirectory database during the repair operation.

-m

Maintains the original unrepaired database.

-i

Checks the eDirectory database structure and the index.

-f

Reclaims the free space in the database.

-d

Rebuilds the entire database.

-t

Performs a tree structure check. Set it to Yes to check all the tree structure links for correct connectivity in the database. Set it to No to skip the check. Default =Yes.

-o

Rebuilds the operational schema.

-r

Repairs all the local replicas.

-v

Validates the stream files.

-c

Checks local references.


Using Advanced DSRepair Switches

WARNING:  The features described in this section can cause irreversible damage to your eDirectory tree if they are used improperly. Use these features only if instructed to do so by Novell Support personnel.

You should make a full backup of eDirectory on the server before using any of these features in a production environment. See Backing Up and Restoring Novell eDirectory for more information.

On NetWare, use these options at the server console when loading DSRepair (for example, dsrepair -XK2).

On Linux, Solaris, AIX, and HP-UX, enter ndsrepair -R -Ad -XK2.

On Windows, enter these options in the Startup Parameters field in NDSConsole before you start dsrepair.dlm. See Running DSRepair on the eDirectory Server for more information.

Switch Description

-NLC

If a NetWare server has the STORE NETWARE 5 CONN SCL MLA USAGE IN NDS set parameter turned on, the NLS:CERT PEAK USED POOL attribute could get a very high value. Running DSRepair with -NLC will clear these high values.

-P

Marks all eDirectory objects of type Unknown as referenced. Referenced objects do not participate in the eDirectory replica synchronization process.

-WM

In many cases, the WM: Registered Workstations attribute will become very high when using ZENworks® 2.0. Running DSRepair with -WM will clear these high values.

-XK2

Kills all eDirectory objects in this server's eDirectory database. This operation is used to destroy a corrupt replica that cannot be removed in any other way.

-XK3

Kills all external references in this server's eDirectory database. This operation is used to destroy all external references in a nonfunctioning replica. If the references are the source of the problem, eDirectory can then re-create the references in order to get the replica functioning again.