Initial LAN FoD key will cause kernel panic under 28C UEFI code - IBM System x

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H21443

Symptom

IBM System x3630 M4/x3530 M4 servers with Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware level BEE128CUS (version: 1.40) will experience a kernel panic when the system is installed with a Linux operating system standalone or using Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) after a Function On Demand (FoD) key (Intel Powerville 2-4 Port Upgrade) is installed to enable the additional on-board Ethernet ports 2 and 3.

Another failure symptom is if the server is already running with Linux operating system under BEE128CUS UEFI firmware code level, then inserting a FoD key (2-4 Port Upgrade) to enable the additional on-board Ethernet ports 2 and 3. The on-board Ethernet ports 0-3 cannot be used.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• System x3530 M4, type 7160, any model
• System x3630 M4, type 7158, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

The following system BIOS/uEFI level(s) are affected: Build ID: BEE128CUS

The system has the symptom described above.

Solution

This behavior has been corrected in current release of UEFI firmware bee128e-1.42.

The file is available by selecting the appropriate Product Group, type of System, Product name, Product machine type, and operating system on IBM Support's Fix Central web page, at the following URL:

http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/

Workaround

This issue can be worked around by the following steps:

1. Go into UEFI F1 Setup menu and set the network to Full-Duplex instead of Auto as shown in the included screen shot and click Save.
   
   
   
2. Return to the home menu, and then go into the Network menu again and set it back to Auto and click Save.
   

Additional information

Incorrect LAN UEFI driver behavior while enabling FoD of third and fourth LAN port.

This issue only occurs on UEFI firmware level BEE128CUS.