[SOLVED] Zpool creation fails with error

Question

New to Arch (not to linux) and I've done this in my test environment without problem.  I'm trying to create a zpool, and I get the following:
[root@nas ~]# zpool create -f -o ashift=12 tank raidz2 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240277978 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240277990 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240278668 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240278708 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240291009 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240291031 ata-WL4000GSA6472E_WOL240291056
the kernel failed to rescan the partition table: 16
cannot label 'sdd': try using parted(8) and then provide a specific slice: -1
Version and package particulars:
[root@nas ~]# uname -a
Linux nas.priv 3.15.5-2-ARCH #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Jul 11 07:56:02 CEST 2014 x86_64 GNU/Linux
[root@nas ~]# pacman -Q zfs-git
zfs-git 0.6.3_r0_g07dabd2_3.15.5_2-2
The controller I'm using is a cross-flashed IBM 1015.
I used sgdisk -Z /dev/sd<x> to clear any partitions, after I started seeing this.  I cleared all eight drives.
I've tried using the wwn names for the disks as well as the sd<x> nomenclature and I get the same or similar errors (the device changes based on the first one in the list).
Last edited by Hrast (2014-07-28 01:54:18)

Answer 1

Have you tried running the command multiple times back to back? It might just work. In this ticket someone also shoved `udevadm trigger` in between each try. I cannot vouch for this approach, but I cannot see any harm either.
Have the drives been used previously by ZFS? If so, maybe the labels are not in the expected locations. You might consider using dd to zero out the MBT/GPT manually. I know sgdisk -Z did not work for me in a particular instance that I had to replace a drive. Keep in mind that unlike a MBT, GPT is both at the start and end of a drive. The seek option of dd (as opposed to skip) is what you'd want.
Still, I know I've personally run into this issue before. It certainly can be frustrating. And it can feel like you're beating around a bush just to get it to work. Here is a fairly recent ticket with essentially your same issue.
Last edited by NVS (2014-07-28 01:16:15)