Multiple bootable FreeBSD disks in the same system

aleksandr.derevianko at ru.transport.bombardier.com aleksandr.derevianko at ru.transport.bombardier.com
Tue May 24 04:17:30 PDT 2005





Hello !

I'm attempting to build the Vinum-based file server. The structure is
following:
1. 5 equial-sized drives, 180 real Gbytes.
2. All drives have the same structure. 1 Partition (adXs1) divided in 3
slices:
adXs1a - 128Mb ufs
adXs1b - 128 Mb swap
adXs1d - vinum partition.

/usr, /var, /tmp is on vinum partition. Root partition is copied on every
HD in the system.

Vinum works, system boots OK, but if i take out drive number 0 (bootable),
and attempt to boot from another drive, system refuses to boot with
"Can't mount root" message.
Of course, fstab is wrong, but i'm expecting at least boot in single-user -
it doesn't, just reboots.

The problem is: Before this message, system ask for root filesystem (in
form ufs:/dev/adXs1a),
but it seems like it doesn't see it.

I have found the solution to this problem - in loader prompt enter "boot
-a", the kernel boots,
shows exactly the same prompt as previously for root filesystem, and
proceed
without any problems.

If i change wiring to make another drive ad0, it works without problems at
all.

OS version: FreeBSD 4.11 RELEASE, GENERIC kernel.

All drives are bootable (standart MBR, dos partition active, disklabel -B).

Best Regards,
Alexander Derevyanko



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