NetVisor Daemon Exiting With Code 1: Troubleshooting Guide

Encountering a netvisor-daemon exited with code 1 error can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to set up a new Docker environment within Unraid. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to get your NetVisor daemon up and running smoothly. Let's dive in and troubleshoot this problem together!

Understanding the Error: "Relative URL Without a Base"

The error message Error: builder error: relative URL without a base is a crucial clue in diagnosing this issue. This error typically arises when the NetVisor daemon attempts to construct a URL but lacks the necessary base URL to do so. In simpler terms, it's like trying to find a specific address without knowing the city or even the country – you need the foundational information to locate the resource.

Why does this happen in the context of NetVisor and Docker within Unraid? It often boils down to misconfigurations or incomplete settings during the setup of the Docker environment or when adding the daemon through the Unraid GUI or Compose Manager plugin. The daemon needs a complete URL to communicate with other services, and if parts of that URL are missing, this error will occur.

Common Scenarios Leading to This Error

1. Incomplete Server Address: The NetVisor daemon needs to know the address of the server it's connecting to. If this address is missing or only partially specified (e.g., a relative path instead of a full URL), the daemon will fail to construct the necessary URLs.
2. Misconfigured Docker Compose File: When using Docker Compose, the configuration file (docker-compose.yml) must correctly define the services and their network settings. An incorrect or missing base_url or similar network-related parameter can trigger this error.
3. Issues with Unraid GUI Integration: If you're adding the daemon through the Unraid GUI, there might be inconsistencies or missing steps in the setup process that prevent the daemon from acquiring the correct base URL.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Now that we understand the error's background, let's go through a detailed troubleshooting process to resolve the netvisor-daemon exited with code 1 issue.

1. Verify the Server Address Configuration

The first step is to ensure that the NetVisor daemon has the correct server address. This is the most common cause of the "relative URL without a base" error. Here’s how you can check and correct it:

• Check the Daemon Configuration: Locate the NetVisor daemon configuration file. According to the logs you provided, it’s likely located at ”/root/.config/daemon/config.json”. Use a text editor to open this file.
• Inspect the Configuration: Look for any settings related to the server address or URL. Common parameters might include server_url, base_url, or host. Ensure that these settings contain a complete and valid URL (e.g., http://192.168.1.XXX:60072) rather than a relative path.
• Correct the URL: If the URL is incorrect or incomplete, modify it to reflect the correct server address. Make sure to include the protocol (http:// or https://) and the port number.
• Save and Restart: Save the changes to the configuration file and restart the NetVisor daemon. You can do this via the Unraid GUI or through the command line by restarting the Docker container.

2. Review the Docker Compose File

If you're using Docker Compose to manage your NetVisor environment, the issue might lie within your docker-compose.yml file. Carefully reviewing this file is essential to identify any misconfigurations.

• Locate the docker-compose.yml File: Find the docker-compose.yml file associated with your NetVisor setup. It’s usually in the directory where you manage your Docker containers.

• Examine Network Settings: Look for sections defining network settings, especially those related to the NetVisor daemon. Check for parameters like networks, ports, and environment variables that might affect the daemon's ability to construct URLs.

• Check for Missing Base URL: Ensure that you have correctly specified the base URL or server address as an environment variable or within the service configuration. For example:

  version: "3.8"
  services:
    netvisor-daemon:
      image: your-netvisor-image
      environment:
        - BASE_URL=http://192.168.1.XXX:60072
      ports:
        - "60073:60073"
  

• Validate Port Mappings: Confirm that the necessary ports are correctly mapped between the host and the container. The logs indicate that the daemon is listening on port 60073, so ensure this port is properly exposed.

• Restart the Docker Compose Services: After making any changes, restart the Docker Compose services using docker-compose down followed by docker-compose up -d to apply the new configuration.

3. Troubleshoot Unraid GUI Integration

If you added the NetVisor daemon through the Unraid GUI, there might be issues with how the GUI configured the daemon. Here’s how to troubleshoot potential problems with the Unraid GUI integration:

• Review Daemon Settings in Unraid: Navigate to the Docker section in the Unraid GUI and find the NetVisor daemon container. Check its settings to ensure all required fields, such as the server address and port mappings, are correctly filled.
• Recreate the Container: Sometimes, the easiest solution is to remove the existing container and recreate it. This can help clear any misconfigurations that might have occurred during the initial setup.
• Check for Template Issues: If you used a template to create the container, ensure the template is up-to-date and correctly configured. Templates can sometimes contain outdated or incorrect settings.
• Examine Unraid Logs: Review the Unraid system logs for any errors or warnings related to the Docker container or NetVisor daemon. This might provide additional clues about the cause of the issue.

4. Check Network Connectivity

Network connectivity issues can also lead to the “relative URL without a base” error. The daemon needs to be able to communicate with the specified server address.

• Verify Network Configuration: Ensure that your Unraid server and the NetVisor daemon are on the same network or can communicate with each other. Check your network settings, firewall rules, and any other network configurations that might be blocking communication.
• Test Connectivity: Use tools like ping or telnet to test connectivity between the Unraid server and the server address specified in the NetVisor daemon configuration. For example, you can use ping 192.168.1.XXX to check if the server is reachable.
• DNS Resolution: Ensure that DNS resolution is working correctly. If the server address is specified as a hostname, make sure the daemon can resolve the hostname to an IP address.

5. Examine Daemon Logs for Additional Clues

The logs from the NetVisor daemon itself can provide valuable insights into the problem. The initial logs you provided showed the “relative URL without a base” error, but there might be other messages that can help pinpoint the issue.

• Review Full Daemon Logs: Examine the complete logs for the NetVisor daemon. Look for any error messages, warnings, or other clues that might indicate the root cause of the problem.
• Pay Attention to Timestamps: Note the timestamps of the errors. This can help you correlate the errors with specific events or actions, such as adding the daemon or modifying the configuration.

6. Verify Dependencies and Versions

Sometimes, the issue can be related to incompatible versions or missing dependencies.

• Check NetVisor Daemon Version: Ensure you are using a compatible version of the NetVisor daemon with your Unraid setup and Docker environment. Refer to the NetVisor documentation for compatibility information.
• Docker Version: Verify that your Docker version is compatible with the NetVisor daemon. Outdated or incompatible Docker versions can sometimes cause issues.
• Missing Dependencies: Check for any missing dependencies required by the NetVisor daemon. The documentation should list any specific dependencies that need to be installed.

Additional Tips and Best Practices

• Consult the NetVisor Documentation: Always refer to the official NetVisor documentation for detailed instructions, troubleshooting guides, and best practices. The documentation is often the most reliable source of information.
• Seek Community Support: If you're still facing issues, consider reaching out to the NetVisor community forums or other support channels. Other users might have encountered similar problems and can offer valuable advice.
• Isolate the Problem: If you're running multiple Docker containers, try isolating the NetVisor daemon to see if the issue persists. This can help you determine if the problem is specific to the daemon or related to interactions with other containers.
• Back Up Your Configuration: Before making significant changes, always back up your configuration files. This will allow you to revert to a working state if something goes wrong.

Conclusion

The netvisor-daemon exited with code 1 error, caused by a “relative URL without a base,” can be a tricky issue to resolve, but with a systematic approach, you can identify and fix the underlying problem. By verifying the server address, reviewing your Docker Compose file, troubleshooting Unraid GUI integration, checking network connectivity, and examining daemon logs, you can get your NetVisor daemon up and running smoothly. Remember to consult the official documentation and seek community support if needed.

For further reading on Docker networking and troubleshooting, you can refer to the official Docker documentation.