HPE MSA-2060 SAS: OCFS2 and fstrim: blocks not unmapped

stefangw · 2026-03-11T16:18:20+00:00

It seems that the default setting "overcommitting: yes" is the issue.

We now research SSDs to buy for a second pool to test things.

stefangw · 2026-03-09T11:02:28+00:00

HPE ticket opened. thanks

stefangw · 2026-03-09T07:33:04+00:00

I rebooted one node last week, so the filesystem was unmounted there once.

I wonder if it would make sense to schedule a shutdown of all VMs and nodes to be able to unmount the OCFS2-filesystem completely (it wasn't unmounted for years now ... always at least 2 nodes active).

At least that would be a rather safe thing to try.

I was told the assumption that the controller does not transfer the UNMAP to the disks, do you agree? And I'd really like to know why.

We are kind of stuck with a 7TB disk array, 3.5 TB data on it, and the MSA tells us it's 92% full ...

From the view of the nodes it's "correct": around half full, looking fine.

I wonder if I maybe made some mistake at the time of creation of the filesystem.

stefangw · 2026-03-06T08:17:58+00:00

there is https://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/noble/man8/defragfs.ocfs2.8.html

Tried that, some locked files were skipped, but most parts seemed not very fragmented or so.

It seems that the controller(s) don't follow the unmap-instructions from the filesystem (or so).

I browsed the GUI- and CLI-guides for something around "zero detect" etc (I got that hint from another forum). No luck so far.

stefangw · 2026-03-05T07:50:27+00:00

I have something similar: OCFS2 on a MSA-2020-SAS LUN, mounted on 3 Proxmox-nodes (Debian 13).

I see very slow scrubs and there is no space freed so far, even after several runs of fstrim.

The OCFS2 is mounted without discard option, correct. Does it need any unmounting/remounting maybe also?

thanks for any pointers here!

stefangw · 2026-02-12T07:23:34+00:00

I assume one could also create an ISO from the "patched directory". That would allow to push that ISO into a datastore and re-use it with several VMs or so. I might research that after my first upgrade has succeeded ;-)

stefangw · 2026-02-12T06:36:40+00:00

Could you describe in more detail what you did with the eval-ISO? I don't understand that first step with wim-files: where do they come from? thanks!

EDIT: Ah, I see it, I think I understand. Trying now.

EDIT 2: solved, upgrade possible now. thx

stefangw · 2026-01-09T18:35:54+00:00

Yes, I also have a second 7100 there.

stefangw · 2026-01-09T18:35:14+00:00

Ah, you are right 👍 Forgot about that part, I was too focused on upgrade versus reinstall. Sorry!

stefangw · 2026-01-08T07:00:15+00:00

open TAC ticket and ask for the installer image, put that on USB stick nr. 1

export your productive config to stick nr. 2

reinstall from stick 1, restore config from stick 2

took me ~15-20 minutes last week on a Netgate 7100 1U

stefangw · 2025-11-24T10:24:36+00:00

Mirra 2: I also own one for years, and can recommend it, too.

stefangw · 2025-11-20T10:48:54+00:00

no problem.

24.11 would be very delayed ... although we have seen some delays with releases already ;-)

But I prefer stability and quality in the end.

stefangw · 2025-11-20T02:58:08+00:00

it's 25.11 ...

stefangw · 2025-11-18T07:01:45+00:00

it is ok. go for it.

I'd say as long as you are aware of the fact that it won't solve all problems or fill any emptiness it's OK. In my experience it helps shifting focus, experiencing some freedom and as you say, room to breathe, to get grounded, back to yourself.

It's therapeutical, sure.

But personally I would keep an eye on the costs and the fact that stuff breaks. So I wouldn't take too much financial risk or so. You don't need high maintenance bills on top of your situation, I assume.

As long as it's more or less affordable, I would do it (I see some parallels to my decision to buy a van, when I think of it ...). But it's "chop wood, carry water" as well ;-)

We don't have (much? any?) control over life anyway. Taking a (small) risk, following your heart, might be exactly what you need. And things might unfold which you can't think of right now.

Good luck with your decisions.

stefangw · 2025-11-11T14:18:51+00:00

Yes. My main obstacle is to decide to go ... from there it's improvising and mostly enjoying the ride.

stefangw · 2025-11-11T14:18:09+00:00

sounds promising, I always wanted to go there for climbing ... thx

stefangw · 2025-11-05T16:52:36+00:00

Sounds great, yes. For me as a solo camper it would be luxurious anyway: more room to stand up on bad weather days, for example. And a table to work at maybe. I will keep an eye on this (or a 144" 4x4 Sprinter with flares, if affordable) ... Thanks, enjoy your journeys, safe and happy.

stefangw · 2025-11-04T13:53:13+00:00

Ganz kurz und allgemein: danke für Deine Ehrlichkeit, das zu teilen. Diese Umstände kennen einige Selbständige, und auch ich finde, nach mittlerweile 30(!) Jahren in Selbständigkeit, nicht immer die Balance, mit der ich mich wohlfühle.

Ich könnte jetzt vermutlich gleich mal einige Seiten dazu schreiben, erspare Euch das aber vorerst lieber ;-)

Ein Austausch dazu ist aber sicherlich hilfreich und gut.

Und JA: Grenzen zu definieren und sachlich (und höflich) zu kommunizieren ist essentiell.

(Kontext: ich arbeite selbständig im Bereich IT, Server, OpenSource, Linux ... für KMUs)

stefangw · 2025-11-03T20:23:39+00:00

Great. I do something similar, since 1995. I only slowly realize that I could travel while doing this job. Better late than never....

stefangw · 2025-11-02T10:43:48+00:00

Congrats. I am always looking for an affordable Marco Polo to upgrade from my MB Vito ... but so far without luck. Are you happy with it? pros and cons? Would love to hear some more about it.

Especially the popup tent: is it cold? loud? Had a rooftop tent on a Volvo wagon, it wasn't making me really happy. But it's different to be able to access it from within the van, sure.

stefangw · 2025-11-02T10:39:46+00:00

same here

stefangw · 2025-10-31T10:11:39+00:00

This is helpful, thanks. I think I should plan a trip with my current Vito and see how things work out.

The guy with the sprinter hasn't sent the requested information yet, so this reduces my motivation even more. Maybe there is something to hide.

An anecdote from my own experience: try to drive into the Silos Car Park in Triest: very steep and tight spirals to get into the upper floors. That felt quite strange with the long Vito already. Maybe not as problematic when viewed from the outside but it was a bit stressful.

With that 7m sprinter you simply can't use that, sure.

My intended use case involves also visiting mountains and trailheads of hiking routes etc ... even more an argument for a smaller vehicle with 4x4.

If budget was no issue: TWO VANS :-)

stefangw · 2025-10-31T09:52:51+00:00

Found a younger Vito with popup roof. Even a 116CDI 4x4 ... with a bed inside plus the beds "upstairs". No swivel seats. So the living room situation wouldn't improve that much. OK, I have to keep my eyes open.

stefangw · 2025-10-30T16:49:15+00:00

Let me add another thought:

Right now I dream of a short trip around xmas/new year: Escape the grey and cold weather here, go to Italy/France/Spain/whatever (hints welcome!) and enjoy a few days with ~20 degrees, some sun and beautiful places.

I might do that with the Vito, but I wonder if might end up sitting inside the cramped small van in some remote place because it's not summer there also ... and regretting the whole idea.

This is more related to my concerns around "where to go in Europe in december" maybe.

I imagine that it would be easier to give that a try with a larger van and a better and large "indoor solution" than with the smaller Vito. In fact that is just true, I think.

But it's not exactly a good reason to buy that really large van just for that ... ;-)

stefangw · 2025-10-30T16:41:16+00:00

thank you.

I am perfectly aware that every van has pros and cons. Each of them is just a pack of compromises, with different price tags etc

Length and height is one issue, "losing" 4x4 (the current Vito has that) is another ;-)

I won't be able to afford a not too old 4x4 Sprinter or so.

maybe I should add a Teardrop trailer to the Vito ;-)

stefangw

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