Originally posted by: emwilson

Hello - I have been fighting this for days, and I have found several other items with very similar or same problem, but don't see any specific resolution. I have tried this on two AIX 7.1 servers. One server was an almost new, clean installation, with only two installed rpms. The other server is a long-time management server with several other rpms installed. Same errors occurring on both servers. The installations overall seemed to go OK. My coworker built a local repository on Redhat Satellite server. He is able to connect and download the AIX repos. Right now, I have only those repositories in my yum.conf. When I enter "yum repolist" I get the errors below. I feel like it's a python or possibly even a library error, but have been unsuccessful in figuring it out. Can someone help me try to debug this? We have a couple hundred lpars that we would like to implement yum on to keep the rpms current.

#yum repolist
AIX_Toolbox_71                                              | 2.1 kB  00:00    
AIX_Toolbox_71/primary                                      | 3.8 kB  00:00    
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in <module>
    yummain.user_main(sys.argv[1:], exit_code=True)
  File "yummain.py", line 288, in user_main
  File "yummain.py", line 140, in main
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 440, in doCommands
    return self.yum_cli_commands[self.basecmd].doCommand(self, self.basecmd, self.extcmds)
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/yumcommands.py", line 864, in doCommand
    base.repos.populateSack()
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 294, in populateSack
    sack.populate(repo, mdtype, callback, cacheonly)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/yumRepo.py", line 186, in populate
    dobj = repo_cache_function(xml, csum)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/sqlitecachec.py", line 46, in getPrimary
    self.repoid))
TypeError: Parsing primary.xml error: Start tag expected, '<' not found

#

Originally posted by: emwilson

Anyone have a direction or area for me to look in? I am not sure if this is supported via normal support channels, but am happy to go that route if it's more appropriate. Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by: AyappanP

Seems to be an issue with python rpm. Share the following details.

rpm -qa | grep python 

rpm -qi python 

Originally posted by: emwilson

Thanks very much for responding. Below is info requested:

#which yum
/usr/bin/yum

#rpm -qa | grep python
python-2.7.10-1.ppc
python-iniparse-0.4-1.noarch
python-urlgrabber-3.10.1-1.noarch
python-devel-2.7.10-1.ppc
python-pycurl-7.19.3-1.ppc
python-tools-2.7.10-1.ppc

#rpm -qi python
Name        : python
Version     : 2.7.10
Release     : 1
Architecture: ppc
Install Date: Thu Mar  1 14:14:08 2018
Group       : Development/Languages
Size        : 89023915
License     : Modified CNRI Open Source License
Signature   : (none)
Source RPM  : python-2.7.10-1.src.rpm
Build Date  : Wed Jun 22 07:02:37 2016
Build Host  : green52.in.ibm.com
Relocations : /opt/freeware
URL         : http://www.python.org
Summary     : An interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.
Description :
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.
It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very high level dynamic
data types, and classes.  Python combines remarkable power with very clear
syntax.  It has interfaces to many system calls and libraries, as well as to
various window systems, and is extensible in C or C++.  It is also usable as an
extension language for applications that need a programmable interface.
Finally, Python is portable: it runs on many brands of UNIX, on PCs under
Windows, MS-DOS, and OS/2, and on the Mac.

Originally posted by: AyappanP

Python looks to be good. Share the below details 

rpm -qa | grep libxml2

rpm -qi libxml2

Originally posted by: emwilson

Ah, this may be an issue!

#rpm -qa | grep libxml2

#rpm -qi libxml2
package libxml2 is not installed

Originally posted by: AyappanP

You don't really require libxml2 rpm to present in the system for yum to work since a libxml2 library comes with bos.rte fileset also

lslpp -f bos.rte.control | grep libxml2

                        /usr/ccs/lib/libxml2.a

                        /usr/lib/libxml2.a -> /usr/ccs/lib/libxml2.a

From the error trace, this seems to be problem with libxml2. yum-metadata-parser is the one which is invoking libxml2.

Share the output of below two commands.

rpm -qi yum-metadata-parser

ldd /opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/_sqlitecache.so

Originally posted by: emwilson

#lslpp -f bos.rte.control | grep libxml2
                        /usr/ccs/lib/libxml2.a
                        /usr/lib/libxml2.a -> /usr/ccs/lib/libxml2.a

#rpm -qi yum-metadata-parser
Name        : yum-metadata-parser
Version     : 1.1.4
Release     : 2
Architecture: ppc
Install Date: Thu Mar  1 14:14:09 2018
Group       : Development/Libraries
Size        : 195736
License     : GPL
Signature   : (none)
Source RPM  : yum-metadata-parser-1.1.4-2.src.rpm
Build Date  : Fri Feb 24 13:51:50 2017
Build Host  : green52.in.ibm.com
Relocations : (not relocatable)
URL         : http://devel.linux.duke.edu/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/yum-metadata-parser/
Summary     : A fast metadata parser for yum
Description :
Fast metadata parser for yum implemented in C.

#ldd /opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/_sqlitecache.so
/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/_sqlitecache.so needs:
         /usr/lib/libglib-2.0.a(libglib-2.0.so.0)
         /usr/lib/libxml2.a(libxml2.so.2)
         /usr/lib/libsqlite3.a(libsqlite3.so.0)
         /usr/lib/libc.a(shr.o)
         /usr/lib/librtl.a(shr.o)
         /usr/lib/libintl.a(libintl.so.1)
         /usr/lib/libiconv.a(shr4.o)
         /usr/lib/libpthread.a(shr_xpg5.o)
         /unix
         /usr/lib/libcrypt.a(shr.o)
         /usr/lib/libpthreads.a(shr_comm.o)

Originally posted by: AyappanP

Everything seems to be fine. Not sure what is the issue.

Can you do "yum clean all" and then try "yum repolist" ?

Originally posted by: emwilson

Thank you - I have really fought this and couldn't find anything. Below are results. As a note, the repositories are actually local repositories set up on a Redhat Satellite server. They do have the same names as the IBM repositories. I wouldn't think that would cause any issues, but just mentioning it.

#yum clean all
Cleaning repos: AIX_Toolbox_71 AIX_Toolbox_noarch
Cleaning up Everything

#yum repolist
AIX_Toolbox_71                                              | 2.1 kB  00:00    
AIX_Toolbox_71/primary                                      | 3.8 kB  00:00    
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in <module>
    yummain.user_main(sys.argv[1:], exit_code=True)
  File "yummain.py", line 288, in user_main
  File "yummain.py", line 140, in main
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 440, in doCommands
    return self.yum_cli_commands[self.basecmd].doCommand(self, self.basecmd, sel
f.extcmds)
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/yumcommands.py", line 864, in doCommand
    base.repos.populateSack()
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 294, in po
pulateSack
    sack.populate(repo, mdtype, callback, cacheonly)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/yumRepo.py", line 186, in
populate
    dobj = repo_cache_function(xml, csum)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/sqlitecachec.py", line 46, in
getPrimary
    self.repoid))
TypeError: Parsing primary.xml error: Start tag expected, '<' not found

Originally posted by: sangameshm

I think better to install the libxml2 rpm package and run yum.

If that doesn't work then try running yum as "LIBPATH=/opt/freeware/lib:/usr/lib yum" as a workaround.

I think it is still could be issue with yum-metadata-parser.

Thanks,

Sangmaesh

Originally posted by: AyappanP

It could be possible that your repoxml file primary.xm.gz is corrupted in the redhat satellite server. You can re-run the createrepo command to create fresh repodata. And then run yum clean all and yum repolist in the AIX machine.

Originally posted by: emwilson

I installed libxml2, which also required xz-libs. Same results, so set LIBPATH - same results. I saw that there is a libxml2-python, do I need that as well? Also, I will ask my coworkers that maintain the Satellite server to check the repoxml and primary.xm.gz.

/tmp/rpms>#rpm -ivh *.rpm
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
   1:xz-libs                ########################################### [ 50%]
   2:libxml2                ########################################### [100%]

/tmp/rpms>#cd

>#yum clean all
Cleaning repos: AIX_Toolbox_71 AIX_Toolbox_noarch
Cleaning up Everything

>#yum repolist
AIX_Toolbox_71                                              | 2.1 kB  00:00    
AIX_Toolbox_71/primary                                      | 3.8 kB  00:00    
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in <module>
    yummain.user_main(sys.argv[1:], exit_code=True)
  File "yummain.py", line 288, in user_main
  File "yummain.py", line 140, in main
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 440, in doCommands
    return self.yum_cli_commands[self.basecmd].doCommand(self, self.basecmd, sel
f.extcmds)
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/yumcommands.py", line 864, in doCommand
    base.repos.populateSack()
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 294, in po
pulateSack
    sack.populate(repo, mdtype, callback, cacheonly)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/yumRepo.py", line 186, in
populate
    dobj = repo_cache_function(xml, csum)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/sqlitecachec.py", line 46, in
getPrimary
    self.repoid))
TypeError: Parsing primary.xml error: Start tag expected, '<' not found

>#LIBPATH=/opt/freeware/lib:/usr/lib   
>#echo $LIBPATH
/opt/freeware/lib:/usr/lib

>#yum repolist
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in <module>
    yummain.user_main(sys.argv[1:], exit_code=True)
  File "yummain.py", line 288, in user_main
  File "yummain.py", line 140, in main
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 440, in doCommands
    return self.yum_cli_commands[self.basecmd].doCommand(self, self.basecmd, sel
f.extcmds)
  File "/opt/freeware/share/yum-cli/yumcommands.py", line 864, in doCommand
    base.repos.populateSack()
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 294, in po
pulateSack
    sack.populate(repo, mdtype, callback, cacheonly)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/yum/yumRepo.py", line 186, in
populate
    dobj = repo_cache_function(xml, csum)
  File "/opt/freeware/lib/python2.7/site-packages/sqlitecachec.py", line 46, in
getPrimary
    self.repoid))
TypeError: Parsing primary.xml error: Start tag expected, '<' not found

>#echo $LIBPATH
/opt/freeware/lib:/usr/lib

Originally posted by: emwilson

Update: my coworker checked the repo and xml and it's good.

Originally posted by: emwilson

I wanted to update the item because it may (or may not!) help someone else. We fought this for a few more days and could not get it to work with the Redhat Satellite. My coworkers validated that the files were good from a Linux system. What I wound up doing was creating an AIX 7.1 lpar to use as a local yum repository for the AIX servers. This is working fine. I've installed yum and run through the updates on 2 other AIX lpars.