Using optimized boot with add-on cards - IBM System x

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H205998

Symptom

When Optimized Boot is enabled and in effect, users can encounter issues when they want to install operating systems onto devices on an add-on card, or start with Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) or internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) through an add-on Network Interface Controller (NIC).

These issues occurs only when installing or starting Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) operating systems. Legacy operating systems are not affected.

When Optimized Boot is in effect, the user sees the 'Optimized Boot In Progress' message during Power On Self Test (POST). Sometimes this message is not displayed, but the start time speed-up still works. These were known issues and were fixed together.

Affected Configurations

The system can be any of the following IBM servers:

• System x3500 M4, type 7383, any model
• System x3550 M4, type 7914, any model
• System x3650 M4, type 7915, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

The following system BIOS/UEFI levels are affected:

• UEFI 11C and earlier levels

The system has the symptom described above.

Solution

This behavior was corrected in UEFI version 1.20, or later versions.

The file is or will be 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

When installing an UEFI operating system to devices on an add-on card, follow these steps to ensure that the installation can be completed successfully:

1. Press F12 during IBM logo when it shows the hotkeys, and then select the installation media (for example, CD-ROM or PXE boot) to start.
   
2. Perform the operating system installation normally.
   
3. On the first restart after the installation, press F12 again during IBM logo. Then select the installed media (for example, iSCSI or Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)) to start.
   

After these steps are taken, users should be able to start into the operating system successfully.

Additional Information

When Optimized Boot is enabled, some devices will not get connected at start time. Unconnected devices are not usable in a UEFI start.

The workaround makes all devices usable by forcing a "connect-all" behavior with the F12 hot key.

The fix connects devices based on the start option. If a device will be used in a start option, it should be connected.