IBM Support

XFlash causes loss of remote KVM in digital mode - IBM BladeCenter

Troubleshooting


Problem

When xFlash is executed on a cKVM blade with digital video mode in remote control, the system will lose mouse and keyboard control due to the cKVM card resetting during the firmware flashing process. Remote video will also suspend and the user will be prompted with a cKVM internal network error message after some time. The symptom occurs on the xFlash tool for any version of the cKVM firmware.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H193713

Symptom

When xFlash is executed on a cKVM blade with digital video mode in remote control, the system will lose mouse and keyboard control due to the cKVM card resetting during the firmware flashing process. Remote video will also suspend and the user will be prompted with a cKVM internal network error message after some time.

The symptom occurs on the xFlash tool for any version of the cKVM firmware.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

  • BladeCenter HS12, type 8014, any model
  • BladeCenter HS12, type 8028, any model
  • BladeCenter HS21 XM, type 1915, any model
  • BladeCenter HS21 XM, type 7995, any model
  • BladeCenter HS21, type 1885, any model
  • BladeCenter HS21, type 8853, any model
  • BladeCenter LS21, type 7971, any model
  • BladeCenter LS41, type 7972, any model

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

  • BladeCenter Concurrent KVM Feature Card, Option part number 26K5939

This tip is not software specific.

Solution

The fix will be in the BPET41 AMM maintenance release.

The target date is scheduled for Third Quarter 2008.

The file will be available from the IBM System x Support web site's "Software and device drivers - IBM BladeCenter" at the following URL:

Workaround

Should this issue occur, the user can start a remote KVM session through legacy mode after he is prompted by the cKVM card internal network error message. The user can also regain video through digital mode after the cKVM firmware flashing is completed.

The recommended mode for flashing a cKVM card is to operate locally or use legacy mode of remote KVM. This method helps to avoid the issue. Complete the following steps to flash cKVM card in legacy mode of remote KVM:

  1. Select Blade Tasks and Remote Control in MM's web interface before flashing cKVM card,
  2. Click Concurrent KVM Configuration the cKVM configuration page appears.
  3. Select the blade to be flashed,
  4. Click Disable Concurrent KVM to disable the cKVM card. If there is currently a remote KVM session in digital mode, the session will then be closed, and a message will pop up informing the user that the cKVM card is disabled.
  5. Select this blade in the KVM list in applet, and the remote control will now start the KVM session in legacy mode.
  6. Perform the flashing with xFlash tools. In legacy mode, KVM session will not be terminated during the flashing progress so that no reconnection is needed.

Additional information

When a xFlash command is issued, the cKVM card needs to be reset before the flashing is started. Thus, remote KVM will stop operating in digital mode due to its dependency on the cKVM card.

Flashing the firmware of the cKVM card with legacy mode remote video or with local video will avert the symptom.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

System x Hardware Options:All operating systems listed

BladeCenter:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-5076998

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