Troubleshooting for PCI functions

Try to reset defective PCI functions. You might also have to set PCI functions offline in preparation for upgrades or physical repair actions by the hardware administrator.

Use the smc_rnics command with the -d option to set a defective PCI function offline. Subsequently, use the smc_rnics command with the -e option to set it back online. For Linux® in LPAR or DPM partition mode, these commands also deconfigure and configure the PCI function in the partition.

If a PCI function does not respond to the smc_rnics command, proceed depending on your environment.

Linux as a KVM guest

Set the PCI function offline in the guest, then use smc_rnics and, if needed, zpcictl on the host.

Linux in LPAR or DPM partition mode

Use the zpcictl command with the --reset option to force a reset.

If the reset fails, you can use the zpcictl command with the --deconfigure option to deconfigure the PCI function by force. This command performs a crude, unplug-style removal of the PCI function. Do not use it for operational PCI functions.

Linux as a z/VM® guest

Issue z/VM CP commands to detach the PCI function from the z/VM virtual machine, deconfigure it, configure it afresh, and re-attach it.

The following example uses the vmcp command to issue the CP commands from Linux. The PCI function of the example has FID 2a3.

# vmcp 'DETACH PCIF 2A3 FORCE'
# vmcp 'CP VARY OFF PCIF 2A3'
# vmcp 'VARY ON PCIF 2A3'
# vmcp 'ATTACH PCIF 2A3 TO *'

If you cannot recover the defective PCI function report the problem to the hardware administrator.