Error: "unable to create inet6 TCP socket: errno 97" upon starting NFS Server

This document (7008147) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1

Situation

Upon starting NFS Server (rcnfsserver start), the following error is given:

rpc.nfsd: unable to create inet6 TCP socket: errno 97 (Address family not supported by protocol)

Resolution

In cases where IPv6 is purposefully disabled, this message is cosmetic, and no action is needed. It is an expected condition, though it does not really represent an "error" in that case. Thus, development has recently modified the message to be a "notice" rather than an "error." The updated nfs-kernel-server package (nfs-kernel-server-1.2.1-2.18.1) is available in SLES 11 SP1 Online Updates.

If updating is not yet possible, and the message is bothersome or annoying, it can be dealt with in one of two ways:

1. Enable IPv6 (Yast, Network Devices, Network Settings, Global Options)

-or-

2. The message can be supressed by editing /etc/netconfig and remarking (adding # to the beginning of) the following lines :

udp6 tpi_clts v inet6 udp - -
tcp6 tpi_cots_ord v inet6 tcp - -

NOTE: If IPv6 is later enabled, these lines must be manually put back into effect.

Disclaimer

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