jr@oglvee.UUCP (Jim Rosenberg) (09/15/90)
We have some AT&T 6386 machines running AT&T UNIX V.3.2. Every now and then
one of these systems will take it into its head to decide more than 16 users
are logged in, and won't let anybody but root log in. I've yet to figure out
on what evidence it does this. At the time this happens typically *NOBODY* is
logged in. The first thing I thought of was a corrupt /etc/utmp, but logging
in as root revealed nothing unusual from who -a.
This is pretty vexing, as the only solution I've found is a reboot. In a way
it's kind of funny, since the machines in question have only 1 serial port.
I *do* run gettys directly on /dev/vt0{1,2}, but it's hard to see how that
could be the problem. It doesn't happen very often, and the only thing I
can guess is that the determination of how many users are "logged in" must be
internal to init. I *had* thought the only place that was recorded was
/etc/utmp -- but then /etc/utmp is not a good vehicle for enforcing licensing
restrictions. :-)
Anyone else have this problem? Any known workaround short of a reboot?
--
Jim Rosenberg #include <disclaimer.h> --cgh!amanue!oglvee!jr
Oglevee Computer Systems / /
151 Oglevee Lane, Connellsville, PA 15425 pitt! ditka!
INTERNET: cgh!amanue!oglvee!jr@dsi.com / /dave@westmark.UUCP (Dave Levenson) (09/18/90)
In article <601@oglvee.UUCP>, jr@oglvee.UUCP (Jim Rosenberg) writes: > We have some AT&T 6386 machines running AT&T UNIX V.3.2. Every now and then > one of these systems will take it into its head to decide more than 16 users > are logged in, and won't let anybody but root log in. I suggest that you call your AT&T rep, or the Data Systems Hotline at 800 922 0354. This is, I think, a known bug. If you're running ksh or some other substitute for the standard /bin/sh, then after sixteen logins, it somehow thinks you've exceeded the license and prevents additional logins, having neglected to subtract the logouts that have occurred. I think that for Sys V/386 r3.2.2, there is a disk (that came with the foundation set when we bought it last winter) called update number 2, which corrects this bug. Perhaps there is a similar fix for your version. -- Dave Levenson Voice: 908 647 0900 Fax: 908 647 6857 Westmark, Inc. UUCP: {uunet | rutgers | att}!westmark!dave Warren, NJ, USA AT&T Mail: !westmark!dave [The Man in the Mooney]
lenny@icus.ICUS.COM (Lenny Tropiano) (09/19/90)
In article <601@oglvee.UUCP> jr@oglvee.UUCP (Jim Rosenberg) writes: |>We have some AT&T 6386 machines running AT&T UNIX V.3.2. Every now and then |>one of these systems will take it into its head to decide more than 16 users |>are logged in, and won't let anybody but root log in. I've yet to figure out |>on what evidence it does this. At the time this happens typically *NOBODY* is |>logged in. The first thing I thought of was a corrupt /etc/utmp, but logging |>in as root revealed nothing unusual from who -a. |> |>This is pretty vexing, as the only solution I've found is a reboot. In a way |>it's kind of funny, since the machines in question have only 1 serial port. |>I *do* run gettys directly on /dev/vt0{1,2}, but it's hard to see how that [...] |>Anyone else have this problem? Any known workaround short of a reboot? Yes, it's a UNIX BUG! Call AT&T and ask for the bug fix, it's free of charge. I believe the 1 disk update fixes other stuff, but off hand I can't remember what. It's the AT&T UNIX System V/386 Release 3.2.2 Maintenance Update 1 For some reason if you don't use /bin/sh as the default shell, and something else is used (like we use an application) or in a lot of cases /bin/ksh, the operating system looses count on a 16 user license. The other route is you can install the 16 user to unlimited user upgrade package (AT&T charges >$1000 for this) but I have one or two still in cellophane (never opened) for anyone who wants it for $100 + shipping. This gets rid of all license problems, and /etc/license will report "unlimited" -Lenny -- | Lenny Tropiano ICUS Software Systems lenny@icus.ICUS.COM | | {ames,pacbell,decuac,sbcs,hombre,rayssd}!icus!lenny attmail!icus!lenny | +------ ICUS Software Systems -- PO Box 1; Islip Terrace, NY 11752 ------+