Environment
Novell Dynamic File Services v2.2
Situation
Novell Dynamic File Services, Service will not start.
Resolution
Restore C:\Program Files\Dynamic File Services\DswUserDB.xml from a backup or delete the zero byte DswUserDB.xml and allow NDFS to recreate the file when needed.
To Start NDFS, goto START\Administrative Tools\Services, then "right click" on Dynamic File Services and select "Start" from the list.
To Start NDFS, goto START\Administrative Tools\Services, then "right click" on Dynamic File Services and select "Start" from the list.
Cause
Customers Server was restarted, After the server restated C:\Program Files\Dynamic File Services\DswUserDB.xml became a zero byte file. This was preventing the NDFS Service from starting.
Note the EXCEPTION at the end of the event log:
Level Date and Time Source Event ID Task Category
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:11 AM Dynamic File Services 0 None "Service cannot be started. System.ArgumentException: Exception handled starting Dynamic File Services ---> System.Exception: Core main failed to initialize in stage [start-->Snapshot]
at DswMcpCore.DstwMcpCoreMain.Initialize()
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)
at System.ServiceProcess.ServiceBase.ServiceQueuedMainCallback(Object state)"
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:11 AM Dynamic File Services 1300 None " Start Error: System.Exception: Core main failed to initialize in stage [start-->Snapshot]
at DswMcpCore.DstwMcpCoreMain.Initialize()
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)"
Information 2/27/2015 9:44:09 AM Dynamic File Services 1200 None Filter driver type: Novell NDFS Filter Driver
Information 2/27/2015 9:44:08 AM Dynamic File Services 1200 None Filter driver type: Novell NDFS Psuedo Driver
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:07 AM Dynamic File Services 1100 None EXCEPTION taken during Main Initialization [init-->UserDB]
Note the EXCEPTION at the end of the event log:
Level Date and Time Source Event ID Task Category
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:11 AM Dynamic File Services 0 None "Service cannot be started. System.ArgumentException: Exception handled starting Dynamic File Services ---> System.Exception: Core main failed to initialize in stage [start-->Snapshot]
at DswMcpCore.DstwMcpCoreMain.Initialize()
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)
at System.ServiceProcess.ServiceBase.ServiceQueuedMainCallback(Object state)"
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:11 AM Dynamic File Services 1300 None " Start Error: System.Exception: Core main failed to initialize in stage [start-->Snapshot]
at DswMcpCore.DstwMcpCoreMain.Initialize()
at DswService.DstwWindowsService.OnStart(String[] args)"
Information 2/27/2015 9:44:09 AM Dynamic File Services 1200 None Filter driver type: Novell NDFS Filter Driver
Information 2/27/2015 9:44:08 AM Dynamic File Services 1200 None Filter driver type: Novell NDFS Psuedo Driver
Error 2/27/2015 9:44:07 AM Dynamic File Services 1100 None EXCEPTION taken during Main Initialization [init-->UserDB]
Additional Information
The DswUserDB.xml keeps track of SID's, to help identify file ownership in the event that a user is deleted.
Documentation Reference:
https://www.novell.com/documentation/dynamic_file_services/dynamic_admin_win/data/orphanfiles.html
Documentation Reference:
https://www.novell.com/documentation/dynamic_file_services/dynamic_admin_win/data/orphanfiles.html