I figured out our problem. We lowered `fs.nr_open` on the non-working systems from the - apparent default - of `1048576` to `655360`. The docker package set a limit higher than our new limit, so the process was failing to start.
Upstart is going away - boo - but in case anyone sees this issue in the future, running the following was the fix for me: ``` sysctl -w fs.nr_open=1048576 ``` -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to upstart in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1420640 Title: upstart job fails to start with "limit nofile unlimited unlimited" Status in upstart : New Status in upstart package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: Upstart cookbook refers to "limit nofile unlimited unlimited". http://upstart.ubuntu.com/cookbook/#limit However it fails to start jobs, for example: $ sudo stop cron $ echo limit nofile unlimited unlimited | sudo tee /etc/init/cron.override $ sudo start cron start: Job failed to start Feb 11 16:02:52 lifebook kernel: [36027.452599] init: Failed to spawn cron main process: unable to set "nofile" resource limit: Operation not permitted ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 15.04 Package: upstart 1.13.2-0ubuntu7 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.18.0-13.14-generic 3.18.5 Uname: Linux 3.18.0-13-generic x86_64 .etc.init.cron.override: limit nofile unlimited unlimited ApportVersion: 2.16.1-0ubuntu2 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: Unity Date: Wed Feb 11 16:03:27 2015 EcryptfsInUse: Yes InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-02-09 (1 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 15.04 "Vivid Vervet" - Alpha amd64 (20150207) ProcKernelCmdline: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.18.0-13-generic.efi.signed root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7 SourcePackage: upstart UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) UpstartBugCategory: System UpstartRunningSessionVersion: upstart 1.13.2 UpstartRunningSystemVersion: init (upstart 1.13.2) modified.conffile..etc.at.deny: [inaccessible: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/etc/at.deny'] modified.conffile..etc.libvirt.qemu.conf: [inaccessible: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/etc/libvirt/qemu.conf'] modified.conffile..etc.libvirt.qemu.networks.default.xml: [inaccessible: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/etc/libvirt/qemu/networks/default.xml'] To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/upstart/+bug/1420640/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
