ServeRAID 8i kernel panic error code: A2 - Servers

Resolving The Problem

RETAIN tip: H186748

A system equipped with a ServeRAID 8i controller could show the following:

Fatal Error: Controller Kernel Panic!! Unknown firmware error. Error code:A2. << Press any key to continue .... >> User hits any key. Controller not started. Controller POST command failed. << Press any key to continue .... >> User hits any key. End result is that the Machine does not continue on and the above messages stay on the screen.

This occurs with following ServeRAID firmware code:

5.02.8262 5.02.8263 5.02.8264

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• xSeries MXE-460, Type 8874, any model
• xSeries 460, Type 8872, any model
• xSeries 366, Type 8863, any model
• xSeries 306m, Type 8849,8491, any model
• xSeries 260, Type 8865, any model
• xSeries 206m, Types 8485,8490, any model

The system is configured with the following ServeRAID option(s):

• ServeRAID-8i Controller, Option part number 13N2227, replacement part number 13N2233.

This problem will be solved with ServeRAID firmware 5.10.9215 with a target release of end of Second Quarter 06. The User will now get the following messages prompting them that battery is disconnected:

Waiting for controller to start....controller not started. Controller #00: IBM ServeRAID 8i at PCI Bus-01, Dev:02, Func:00. Waiting for controller to start.... Fatal error: Controller Kernel Panic!! Battery is missing! -- Please check the battery connection. Error code:A2. << Press any key to continue .... >> User hits any key. Controller not started.

This code level will be available on the ServeRAID Support CD 8.30. The target release will be Second Quarter 2006.

No update is necessary to fix this POST error condition.

• Shut down machine with POST error.
• Remove all AC power to the machine.
• Reconnect the battery connection to the ServeRAID 8i adapter.
• Return AC power to the machine.
• Restart machine.

Note: This will only need to be performed once.

The source of the "Kernel Panic Error Code:A2" is a that the ServeRIAD 8i Adapter battery is disconnected. This usually happens when a replacement adapter is shipped and the connection is disconnected. The User replaces the adapter and the message comes on screen during POST and then the User follows the prompts and the system does not go further. With the new IBM ServeRAID Support CD 8.30 code (target release end of Second Quarter 06), the 8i adapter now correctly identifies the problem and prompts the User to "check battery connection". Previous versions do not indicate the source of the POST error and provide no corrective action, except to "press any key to continue".

It is not related to an operating system kernel panic. This is internal only to the IBM ServeRAID 8i adapter. This POST message indicates an important internal error condition on the ServeRAID 8i controller. RAID configuratRion and user data won't be affected by this condition during POST.

Note: This update is not necessary for a fix POST error. Please follow workaround to fix POST Kernel Panic Error Code: A2.