kernel: nfs: task xxxxx can't get a request slot

[Patrick Hsieh <pahud@pahud.net>]

Hello list,

I have two woody boxes, one serves as nfs server, the other as client.
They both link to the same switch. The server exports /var/www for the
nfs client mount. However, from time to time I receive the messages from
the nfs client:

nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi not responding, still trying
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi not responding, still trying
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi not responding, still trying
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi not responding, still trying
nfs: server shmi not responding, still trying
nfs: task 48158 can't get a request slot
nfs: task 48159 can't get a request slot
nfs: task 48160 can't get a request slot
nfs: task 48161 can't get a request slot
nfs: task 48162 can't get a request slot
nfs: task 48163 can't get a request slot
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK
nfs: server shmi OK




Then I go to the console of the nfs server and it does not work and
prompt. Hence I have nothing to do but poweroff the nfs server.



I read the NFS faq at
http://nfs.sourceforge.net/

It says 3 reasons could possible lead into the error:

- Network congestion 
- Overloaded server 
- Packets (input or output) dropped by a bad NIC or driver...



I think it shouldn't be network congestion, for the two machines are
linked to the same switch. I am not sure the nfs server is overloaded.
If I can login the nfs server, the average load is usually 0.00.  And, 
I use kernel 2.4.18 with bonding support with 2 Intel ExpressPro 100 NIC
devices.


Any suggestion appreciated.

-- 
Patrick Hsieh <pahud@pahud.net>