SmartMediaErrors

SmartMediaErrors #

device has media errors (instance {{ $labels.instance }})

Alert Rule
alert: SmartMediaErrors
annotations:
  description: |-
    device has media errors (instance {{ $labels.instance }})
      VALUE = {{ $value }}
      LABELS = {{ $labels }}    
  runbook: https://srerun.github.io/prometheus-alerts/runbooks/smartctl-exporter/smartmediaerrors/
  summary: Smart media errors (instance {{ $labels.instance }})
expr: smartctl_device_media_errors > 0
for: 15m
labels:
  severity: critical

Here is a sample runbook for the Prometheus alert rule:

Meaning #

This alert is triggered when the smartctl_device_media_errors metric exceeds 0, indicating that the monitored device has experienced media errors. This is a critical alert as it may indicate a potential failure of the storage device, leading to data loss or corruption.

Impact #

The impact of this alert is high, as media errors can cause:

  • Data loss or corruption
  • System crashes or instability
  • Downtime and reduced productivity
  • Potential loss of critical business data

Diagnosis #

To diagnose the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Check the device logs for any error messages related to the media errors.
  2. Run the smartctl command on the affected device to gather more detailed information about the errors.
  3. Verify that the device is properly configured and that the firmware is up-to-date.
  4. Check the device’s SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) attributes to determine the cause of the media errors.

Mitigation #

To mitigate the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Immediately backup critical data to prevent potential data loss.
  2. Restart the affected device to attempt to recover from the error.
  3. Run a thorough diagnostic test on the device using smartctl or other diagnostic tools.
  4. Consider replacing the device if the errors persist or if the device is approaching its end-of-life.
  5. Perform regular maintenance on the device, such as firmware updates and disk checks, to prevent future errors.

Note: This is just a sample runbook and may need to be customized to fit your specific use case and environment.

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