Use the information in this topic to troubleshoot problems that you are having with a metadata server.
A metadata server fails with a hard fault or fails when auto-restart is disabled (for example, when the metadata server has not restarted). When a metadata server fails in this manner, SAN File System dynamically and automatically distributes the failed metadata server's filesets to one of the surviving metadata servers. If the metadata server that failed is the master, SAN File System automatically elects a new master allowing continued accessibility to the cluster. The client also pauses while the cluster reforms, a new master is detected, or filesets move. When it completes, clients continue to access file metadata as before
A metadata server fails with a soft fault or fails when auto-restart is enabled (for example, when the metadata server restarts immediately). When a metadata server fails in this manner, there is no fileset movement and no mastership change. However, the client pauses briefly while the cluster reforms. Clients continue to access file metadata after the cluster reformation completes.