Unable to Manage Libvirtd Process With Systemctl

Problem

  • After upgrading from Ubuntu 14.04 LTS to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, systemctl shows libvirt-bin in an inactive/dead state.
  • Attempts to manage the process using systemctl commands or /etc/init.d/* scripts fail silently.

Environment

  • Platform9 Managed OpenStack - All Versions
  • Ubuntu 16.04 LTS after upgrading from Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

Cause

Upgrading from Ubuntu 14.04 LTS with libvirt-bin installed, to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS does not consistently update the /etc/default/libvirt-bin configuration file causing an option which attempts to fork the libvirtd process to be left in place.

Resolution

  1. Open the /etc/default/libvirt-bin file for editing on the affected host.
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  1. Remove the ' -d' flag from Libvirt options.
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  1. Attempt to stop the Libvirt daemon.
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  1. Verify the service has been stopped.
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  1. If the process is still present, attempt to gracefully kill it.
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  1. Repeat Step #4 to verify the process exist. If it still does then kill it forcefully.
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  1. Start the service.
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