4 GB Emulex or QLogic Fibre Expansion cards must be set at 1 or 2 GB - IBM BladeCenter HS40 (Type 8839)

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H19925

Symptom

"Cable unplugged" messages and link or port log-in issues during POST with 4 GB Emulex or QLogic Fibre Expansion option installed in Slot 2 of the BladeCenter HS40 (Type 8839).

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter HS40, type 8839, any model

This tip is not option specific.

This tip is not software specific.

Workaround

The 4 GB Fibre Expansion Options in a BladeCenter HS40 (Type 8839) must be set to 1 GB or 2 GB.

Additional information

The amplifiers used on the BladeCenter HS40 (Type 8839) are unable to sustain consistent 4 GB connectivity. This is a design limitation of the Blade. The QLogic 4 GB Expansion Option part number 26R0884, documents this limitation. The data rate (QLogic) or the link speed (Emulex) needs to be set to either 1 GB or 2 GB in the adapter's BIOS configuration utility.

Access the adapter's BIOS configuration utility, by pressing CTRL-Q for QLogic or by pressing CTRL-E for Emulex, during POST .