Database Software

Hello,

I’m trying to experiment with ASM for learning purpose. Because I don’t have access to a SAN, I am trying to use NFS files but I can’t manage to have ASM mark those files as ASM disks.

[root@localhost /]# /etc/init.d/oracleasm createdisk ASM_DISK_1 /mnt/asm_dsks/dg1/disk1
Marking disk "ASM_DISK_1" as an ASM disk: [FAILED]

The oracleasm log says: File "/mnt/asm_dsks/dg1/disk1" is not a block device


OK, more context now:
I am trying to install ASM on a RHEL5 virtual machine (on vmware).
[root@localhost /]# uname -rm
2.6.18-8.el5 x86_64

I followed this document:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/smiley-11gr1-install.html until I got stuck at the following command:
/etc/init.d/oracleasm createdisk ...


Now, the NFS filesystem comes from a Solaris 10 system (the only one that's available) running on a physical sun box (this one is not a virtual system).

I have tried many combinations. I tried creating the files on the linux VM, using dd. As root, as oracle. I tried creating them on the Solaris side, using mkfile... no matter what I try, I always get the same issue.
I tried to follow this document: Creating Files on a NAS Device for Use with ASM (http://download.oracle.com/docs/html/B10811_05/app_nas.htm#BCFHCIEC)
But nothing seems to work.

Any idea, recommendations?

Thanks,

Laurent.