Modification of startup method for filepath kernel extension on AIX

Answer

On an AIX based Tivoli Storage Manager client using the filepath kernel extension with the Tivoli Storage Manager journaling feature, an entry is created in the /etc/inittab file as follows:

filepath:2:wait:/etc/rc.filepath > /dev/console 2>&1 # Filepath startup

The 'wait' parameter (the default setting) is recommended to ensure that the filepath extension will be loaded completely before any filesystem changes can occur. The installation of the Tivoli Storage Manager filepath extension may result in the above inittab entry being created in the middle of the /etc/inittab file, typically before NFS and other filesystem and networking daemons are loaded.

If a problem is encountered that prevents the filepath extension in the /etc/inittab file from being loaded properly, manual system intervention may be required to continue the system start up procedure. A change from 'wait' to 'once' will allow the filepath entry in the /etc/inittab to be automatically bypassed in the event of a failure to properly load the filepath extension.

Changing the /etc/inittab filepath status to anything other than 'wait' is not recommended because the Tivoli Storage Manager client journal feature may not function properly if the system is allowed to continue in the event that the filepath extension failed to load.