NEC ExpressCluster Server service attempts to start, then stops

Symptom

In an NEC ExpressCluster system, you may notice that the ExpressCluster Server service attempts to start, then stops afterwards.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, the use of the armdelay command may be required.

The armdelay command (process name armdelay.exe) sets a policy that directs NEC ExpressCluster to wait a specified number of seconds to start after the system boots.

This may be necessary if a system requires more time to completely initialize than is provided by default, before the ExpressCluster Server service starts. This can be seen if the ExpressCluster Server service attempts to start, then stops shortly after.

One type of system that may require the use of the armdelay command is an NEC fault-tolerant server with a teamed network adapter. Windows may attempt to start the ExpressCluster Server service before the teamed network adapter is fully initialized. The armdelay command will allow a specified amount of time before the ExpressCluster Server service starts.

To run armdelay, execute the following command on each server in the cluster:
armdelay /n 60

The command needs to be run only once on each server. The example above will cause the ExpressCluster Server service to wait 60 seconds before starting after the system is fully booted. Substitute the required time (in seconds) if necessary.

Applies To

NEC ExpressCluster

Additional Information

None