Process smbd using 100% CPU and imposible to kill

[John H Terpstra]

On Monday 16 February 2009 12:11:58 Cedric Simon wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We have recently installed a Samba server on OpenSuse 11.1 and we have
> the following problem: after some time, a smbd process starts using 100%
> of the CPU, and it is impossible to kill it, event with a kill -9 pid.
>
> The Samba service can be stop/started, but the smbd process keep using
> 100% CPU. Shutdown does not work either. Only a power off of the server
> can 'solve' the problem.
>
> Please fin below my findings and info.
>
> The pid is running as root instead of admon, and the running time = time
> since user (IP 192.168.1.67) actually disconected from Samba. I assume
> something is wrong while closing the process, and the process enter in
> an unstable/phantom status, using 100% of CPU.
>
> As CPU is used 100%, it affects the whole server :-(((
>
> If you have any idea of what could be wrong/solve this problem, feel
> free to tell me. Also if you need some more info, if I can get it I'll
> send it to you.
>
> As the server is in prod at a client's site, I can do 'what I want' with
> the server. We are investigating of moving the Windows clients to NFS.
>
> Please note most users, ie. the IP 192.168.1.67, are using wireless
> conection, and is some case can loose the network. This might be part of
> the problem.
>
> But my major concern is how can Linux have a process running (smbd) that
> is impossible to kill and prohibit shutdown of the server, as well as
> 'normal' operation, since it uses 100% CPU.

For future reference, please tell us what hardware you are using.  What is the 
motherboard, the CPU, and what are the NICs?

This smells like a hardware support issue or a hardware defect related issue.

- John T.
-- 
John H Terpstra

"If at first you don't succeed, don't go sky-diving!"