CPU i-error with Emulex adapter - IBM System x

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H192173

Symptom

Central Processing Unit (CPU) i-errors are generated when Emulex 4 Gb PCIe Fibre Adapters (42C2069 or 42C2071) are installed in the following:

• System x3400/System x3500: slot(s) 2 and/or 3
• System x3550: slot 1
• System x3650: slot(s) 1 and/or 2

The CPU i-error occur only during a warm boot.

The CPU Light Emitting Diode (LED) will light up on the Light Path Diagnostics (LPD) panel. A CPU i-error entry will be made in the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) log with a sense location of "CB".

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• System x3400, Type 7973, any model
• System x3400, Type 7974, any model
• System x3400, Type 7975, any model
• System x3400, Type 7976, any model
• System x3500, Type 7977, any model
• System x3550, Type 1913, any model
• System x3550, Type 7978, any model
• System x3650, Type 1914, any model
• System x3650, Type 7979, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

• Emulex 4 Gb Fibre Channel Dual Port PCI-e Host Based Adapter, Option 42C2071
• Emulex 4 Gb Fibre Channel Single Port PCI-e Host Based Adapter, Option 42C2069

This tip is not software specific.

The system is configured with two (2) CPU's.

The system has the symptom described above.

Solution

Perform the following after the CPU i-error is logged and the light path diagnostics panel shows the CPU LED lit:

1. Remove the AC power to the server for 30 seconds. This will clear the CPU i-error LED light from the system LPD panel and will also enable the processor.

2. Move the Emulex HBA(s) to the following slot(s):

• System x3400/System x3500: slot 1
• System x3550: slot 2
• System x3650: slot(s) 3 and/or 4

   The user can also download and install the Emulex System x3500/System x3550/System x3650 Firmware, version 2.72.x2.

   The file is available at the following URL:

       http://www.emulex.com/downloads/IBM/fw-and-bootcode.html

   Note: Only download the firmware on the Emulex page contained in the column labeled "IBM System X".

3. Reboot the server.

Additional information

The fix of moving the Emulex HBA(s) will alleviate the CPU i-error issue by placing the Emulex adapters on the bus controlled by the South Bridge chip.

The South Bridge chip does not exhibit the same CPU i-error as the North Bridge chip which controls slots 1 and 2.

Additionally, applying 2.72.x2 Emulex Firmware resolves this issue without having to physically move the HBAs.