[Samba] Too Many Open Files problem...

[Jerry Haltom]

Chances are, you have too many open files.

These servers are running on Linux. Linux limits the number of file
handlers on a system wide basis to the value set in the sys.fs.file-max
sysctl. This can be changed by editing the value in
/proc/sys/fs/file-max, or using the sysctl utility. This is a per system
(kernel) limit. There is also a per-process limit, which is a bit harder
to change. Hope this helps you. This limit is here to prevent a DoS
attack on any process from eatting up all the systems memory. File
descriptors take memory in the kernel, so too many can consume it all.
Choose a value that is reasonable for your workload.

On Tue, 2003-09-02 at 12:41, Collins, Kevin wrote:
> I have a problem on the two heaviest-used Samba servers in my company.  They
> both are exhibiting the same problem, just in different ways.
> 
> Stargazer is my "Main" File and LDAP directory server - it functions as the
> "PDC" for my network.  It's running Red Hat Enterprise Linux "ES" 2.1, a
> recompiled custom Red Hat "ES" version of Samba 2.2.7 (to add LDAP
> functionality), and OpenLDAP 2.0.27.
> 
> Valykyrie is my "Print and Backup" server.  It's running Red Hat 8.0, a
> recompiled Red Hat 8 version of Samba 2.2.7 (as above), OpenLDAP 2.0.27 and
> CUPS 1.1.17.
> 
> With the exceptions of configuration for Primary LDAP server/LDAP client,
> the machines are configured roughly the same.  Both were constructed using
> the IDEALX.org Samba+LDAP HOWTO. And both run quite well - for a while.
> 
> Then, they will quit responding to connection requests an even local logon
> requests.  This doesn't happen at the same time on both machines - it
> appears that the failures are not connected in any way other than both
> system logs report "Too many open files".  On Stargazer it seems to be
> associated with OpenLDAP (slapd) and Valykyrie's problems seem to stem from
> nscd.  This is shown in the following snippets from each
> "/var/log/messages":
> 
> STARGAZER:
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Aug 24 20:20:00 stargazer slapd[32271]: warning: cannot open
> /etc/hosts.allow: Too many open files
> Aug 24 20:20:00 stargazer slapd[32271]: warning: cannot open
> /etc/hosts.deny: Too many open files
> Aug 24 20:20:00 stargazer slapd[32271]: warning: cannot open
> /etc/hosts.allow: Too many open files
> Aug 24 20:20:00 stargazer slapd[32271]: warning: cannot open
> /etc/hosts.deny: Too many open files
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> VALYKYRIE:
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> Sep  2 03:25:38 valykyrie nscd: 718: while accepting connection: Too many
> open files
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> The reason I post this inquiry here is that both machines are running Samba
> and as such both depend on these daemons for proper functioning.  I am
> hoping that someone on the list will be able to give a pointer as to the
> cause of the problem.  If I need to ask this elsewhere, please advise me.
> 
> I have 5 other machines running Samba just not with the load of the these
> two.  The other machines seem to be unaffected by this problem - as yet.
> 
> Any help will be appreciated...
> --
> Kevin L. Collins, MCSE
> Systems Manager
> Nesbitt Engineering, Inc. 
-- 
Jerry Haltom
Feedback Plus, Inc.