> Source: [sk182507](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk182507)

# sk182507 - SmartConsole fails to connect with this error: "Unable to connect to server. Server is initializing."

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk182507 |
| Date Created | 2024-07-15 |
| Last Modified | 2026-01-21 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Management Server, Multi-Domain Security Management Server |
| Versions | R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS), R81 (EOS), R81 (EOS), R81.10 (EOS), R81.20, R82 |

## Symptoms

- * SmartConsole fails to connect with this error: "*Unable to connect to server. Server is initializing.*"
* Output of the "ps axw" command on the Management Server shows the "interpreter" processes in the state "zombie".

## Cause

When the Compliance blade is enabled:

1. The "interpreter" process fails to calculate the next scheduled scan date.
2. As a result, the FWM process may crash.

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included in:

* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R82](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R82/Default.htm) starting from Take 10
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.20](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.20/Default.htm) starting from Take 76
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.10](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.10/Default.htm) starting from Take 165
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81/Default.htm) starting from Take 106

If after installing the fix you see that additional FWM/interpreter cores, or you choose not to install the new Jumbo Hotfix, it is recommended to set the following configuration.  

**Workaround 1**   

If you choose not to upgrade, use this **workaround** to edit the `$MDS_FWDIR/conf/grc.conf` file:

1. Connect to the command line on the management server.
2. Log in to the Expert mode.
3. Back up the current file:  
   `cp -pv $MDS_FWDIR/conf/grc.conf{,_BKP}`
4. Edit the current file:  
   `vi $MDS_FWDIR/conf/grc.conf`
5. Remove this line:  
   `interpreterSchedPeriod=86400`
6. Add these lines at the bottom of the file:  
   `interpreterSchedPeriodDay=7`  
   `interpreterSchedPeriodHour=23`  
   `interpreterSchedPeriodMin=59`  
   `interpreterSchedPeriodSec=59`  
   By default, this schedules the Compliance blade to run every day at 23:59:59.
   * interpreterSchedPeriodDay is the day of the week.   
     0=Sunday, 1=Monday, 2=Tuesday, 3=Wednesday, 4=Thursday, 5=Friday, 6=Saturday, 7=every day.
   * interpreterSchedPeriodHour is the hour of the day which can be between 0-23.
   * interpreterSchedPeriodMin and interpreterSchedPeriodSec can be between 0-59.
7. Save the changes and exit the Vi editor.
8. Stop the FWM process:
   * Security Management Server:  
     `cpwd_admin stop -name FWM -path "$FWDIR/bin/fwm" -command "fw kill fwm"`
   * Domain Management Server on a Multi-Domain Security Management Server:  
     `mdsstop_customer <IP Address of Domain Management Server>`
9. Start the FWM process:
   * Security Management Server:  
     `cpwd_admin start -name FWM -path "$FWDIR/bin/fwm" -command "fwm"`
   * Domain Management Server on a Multi-Domain Security Management Server:  
     `mdsstart_customer <IP Address of Domain Management Server>`

**Workaround 2**   

In case additional **interpreter core files** are seen, follow these steps:  

For Multi-Domain Security Management Server:  
1. `mdsenv <CMA NAME>`  
2. `mcd conf`  
3. `mv grc_notifications.dat grc_notifications.dat_old`  
4. `mv grc_notifications2.dat grc_notifications2.dat_old`  
5. `mdsstop_customer <CMA NAME> ; mdsstart_customer <CMA NAME>`  

For Security Management Server:  
1. `cd $FWDIR/conf`  
2. `mv grc_notifications.dat grc_notifications.dat_old`  
3. `mv grc_notifications2.dat grc_notifications2.dat_old`  
4. `cpstop ; cpstart`

---

# Agent Instructions

This content is from the Check Point Support Center (https://support.checkpoint.com), the official knowledge base for Check Point cybersecurity products.

## Navigating This Knowledge Base

- **Complete index**: [llms.txt](https://support.checkpoint.com/llms.txt)
- **All SK articles**: [SecureKnowledge Sitemap](https://support.checkpoint.com/sitemaps/secureknowledge-sitemap-index.xml)
- **SK article URL pattern**: `https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/{skId}`
- **Markdown responses**: AI bot User-Agents automatically receive `text/markdown` content