IBM Support

I/O error occurs during intense USB activity under SUSE Linux Enterprise Server version 8 SP3 (or earlier) - Servers

Troubleshooting


Problem

During heavy usage of USB devices an "Input/Output" error may be generated. This problem affects systems with the ServerWorks CSB5 or CSB6 chip.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip H18324

Symptom

During heavy usage of USB devices (CD-ROM drive, diskette drive) an "Input/Output" error may be generated. This problem affects systems with the ServerWorks CSB5 or CSB6 chip.

Affected configurations

The system may be any model of the following IBM eServer servers:

  • IBM eServer BladeCenter, type 8677
  • IBM eServer BladeCenter HS20, type 8832
  • IBM eServer BladeCenter HS20, type 8678
  • IBM eServer BladeCenter HS40, type 8839

The system may be any model of the following IBM eServer xSeries servers:

  • xSeries 365, type 8862
  • xSeries 365, type 8861
  • xSeries 345, type 8670
  • xSeries 335, type 8830
  • xSeries 335, type 8676
  • xSeries 305, type 8673
  • xSeries 255, type 8685
  • xSeries 235, type 8671

The system is configured with two (2) processors.

The following network operating system (NOS) is affected:

  • SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server, version 8 SP3 or earlier
    Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software.
Solution

The latest kernel available on the SUSE Maintenance Web for SLES8, 2.4.21-241, includes the patch that corrects this issue. This kernel or higher is required to correct this issue.

Workaround

Unmount then remount the USB device.
 
Try the copy process again or use the uni-processor kernel.
 
To unmount the device, close any software applications that are using the device, such as Nautilus or Konqueror.
 
Perform one of the following:

  • if a background icon exists for the device, right click it and select unmount
    or
  • from a console, enter the command: umount <mount point>

    where <mount point> is the location and where the device is mounted such as /media/cdrom.

To remount the device, perform one of the following:

  • if a background icon exists for the device, right click it and select mount
    or
  • from a console, enter the command: mount <mount point>

    where <mount point> is the location and where the device is to be mounted such as /media/cdrom.

Perform the following operations to install the uni-processor kernel under SLES8:

  1. As root user, enter the command yast2 from an Xconsole.
  2. Select Software --> Install or remove software
  3. Once the package manager is loaded, select Search from the Filter menu. Enter k_deflt as your search parameter and select Search.
  4. Click the empty box and a check mark should appear.
  5. Click Ok at the warning prompt.
  6. At the Dependency Conflict Screen, select Remove the conflicting package, then select OK - Try Again.
  7. Next, click Accept and insert the appropriate CD to perform the installation.
  8. Once the installation is complete, you must reboot your system to load the new kernel.

Now the uni-processor kernel can be selected from the boot menu upon startup by selecting linux.

Additional information

There is a known bug with the USB drivers included with SP3. SUSE is aware of this problem and has corrected it in their latest kernel available on the Maintenance Web.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

BladeCenter:SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8

Older System x:SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-52857

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