Xen boot problems when the network manager is enabled

  • Document ID:3588210
  • Creation Date:02-Jan-2008
  • Modified Date:08-Nov-2012
    • Micro Focus Products:
      Open Enterprise Server
    • SUSE Products:
      SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
      SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time Extension

Environment

Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 (Linux based)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 1
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 1

Situation

The following may apply:
  • Dom0 may not boot at all
  • Dom0 may hang during boot at the network portion
  • Networking for Dom0 or DomU's may be affected negatively

Resolution

NetworkManager is a tool that allows users to configure networking. It is especially common, and even advised, to run it on laptops and desktops.
Xen is incomputable with the NetworkManager. NetworkManager does not support multiple IP addresses, bonding, bridging, etc. As a result most server admins use the traditional "ip method." On all desktops and servers that are running Xen, the following conditions must be true (variations from the following will result in limited support or the server may not be able to run Xen):
  • A static IP address must be assigned to Dom0
  • Network manager must be disabled
  • The hardware needs to be "Yes Certified"
To disable it, do the following:
  1. Open /etc/sysconfig/network/config for editing
  2. Find the following line:
    networkmanager="yes"
  3. Change it to:
    networkmanager="no"
  4. Reboot