Linux error "mount: special device /dev/cdrom does not exist" with CD-ROM drive - IBM eServer BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

RETAIN tip: H177354

The CD-ROM will fail to mount if the media tray was previously switched to another blade. While attempting to run mount /mnt/cdrom, the error message "mount: special device /dev/cdrom does not exist" will appear.

The system may be any of the following IBM eServer servers:

• BladeCenter HS20, type 8678, any model
• BladeCenter, type 8677, any model

The following Network Operating Systems (NOS) are affected:

• Red Hat Linux, version 8.x
• Red Hat Linux Advanced Server, version 2.1
  
  Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software. Please see the compatibility page for more information.

Use the following instructions to mount the CD-ROM.

1. Login as root
2. Edit /etc/fstab
3. Add the following line of text to the /etc/fstab file if it does not exist:
    
   /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom udf, iso9660 noauto, owner,ro 0 0
   
   
4. Save your changes and exit.
5. Open a command line.
6. Type ls /mn and press Enter to verify the /mnt/cdrom directory exists.
   
   Note: Type mkdir /mnt/cdrom and press Enter if the directory does not exist.
   
   
7. Type ln -s /dev/scd0 /dev/cdrom and press Enter to create a symbolic link to /dev/scd0
8. Type mount /mnt/cdrom and press Enter. The system is now configured to mount the CD-ROM.

1. Login as root
2. Edit/etc/fstab
3. Delete the reference to "kudzu" for the CD-ROM entry in the /etc/fstab file.
    
   For example, edit:
   
   /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom udf, iso9660 noauto, owner,kudzu,ro 0 0
   
   to
    
   /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom udf, iso9660 noauto, owner,ro 0 0
   
   
4. Save your changes and exit.
5. Open a command line.
6. Type ls /mn and press Enter to verify the /mnt/cdrom directory exists.
   
   Note: Type mkdir /mnt/cdrom and press Enter if the directory does not exist.
   
   
7. Type ln -s /dev/scd0 /dev/cdrom and press Enter to create a symbolic link to /dev/scd0
8. Type mount /mnt/cdrom and press Enter. The system is now configured to mount the CD-ROM.