IV97135: ETHERCHANNEL LINK PORT IN LACP MODE MAY NOT RECOVER APPLIES TO AIX 6100-09

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• **************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:
  * Systems running the AIX 6100-09 Technology Level
  * with devices.common.IBM.ethernet.rte at the 6.1.9.201 level.
    **************************************************************
  * ERROR DESCRIPTION:
  * In recent Service Packs, for etherchannel devices in
  * IEEE802.3ad mode (LACP mode), if a link port goes down or is
  * disconnected, after it comes back etherchannel may never be
  * able to renegotiate LACP on that port again.
  *
  * There is a discrepancy in the protocol used between the
  * server and switch that prevents the port from being
  * re-aggregated.
  *
  * If this issue occurs, it can be resolved temporarily by
  * reconfiguring LACP mode on the etherchannel adapter.  This
  * will allow LACP to be renegotiated on the port for now,
  * though the issue could reoccur later if the fix is still not
  * applied.
  *
  * On VIOS with etherchannel (entY) under SEA (entX), use:
  * $ oem_setup_env
  * # /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -c -p entX entY mode
  * standard
  * # /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -c -p entX entY mode 8023ad
  *
  * On AIX with etherchannel (entY), use:
  * # /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -c entY mode standard
  * # /usr/lib/methods/ethchan_config -c entY mode 8023ad
  *
  * Note: This change may cause temporary network interruption
  * over this etherchannel adapter if the first port in the
  * etherchannel is the one that is down.
    **************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:
  * Install APAR IV97135.
  * Prior to fix availability, an interim fix is available from
  * either
  * ftp://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv97135/
  * https://aix.software.ibm.com/aix/ifixes/iv97135/
  * Installation of the ifix requires a reboot.
    **************************************************************
  

Local fix

• LOCAL FIX:
  If this issue occurs, it can be resolved temporarily by
  reconfiguring LACP mode on the etherchannel adapter.  See
  Error Description for details.
  

Problem summary

• At the latest levels, pulling/reconnecting a cable from an
  LACP etherchannel port may lead to the port staying
  permanently out-of-sync.
  

Problem conclusion

• Modified etherchannel driver to fix COLLECTING bit
  enablement in the LACP negotiation process.
  

Temporary fix

•   *********
    * HIPER *
    *********
  

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

  IV97586 IV97587 IV97588 IV97589 IV97590

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  VIRTUAL I/O SER

• Fixed component ID

  5765G3400

Applicable component levels