[CentOS] Random Proliant Crashes CentOS 6.1

[John Hinton]

On 12/18/2011 3:44 PM, Richard Karhuse wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM, John Hinton<webmaster at ew3d.com>  wrote:
>
>> On 12/18/2011 2:22 PM, Richard Karhuse wrote:
>>> If you follow the cited bugzilla's, you'll see that you *must* upgrade
>>> your HP firmware too (for everything(!!) -- particularly RAID controllers
>>> and SAS expander, etc.) -->   to the absolute latest release.  [Note: the
>>> updates on the 9.30 ISO are *not* late enough, btw.]  Then, you need
>>> the latest version of the kernel that has a work-around in the cciss /
>> hpsa
>>> driver.
>>>
>>> HTH
>>>
>>>      -rak-
>>>
>> Thanks. I have already started down the firmware path. This is
>> irritating! 15 years of solid reliability out of Proliant products and
>> then suddenly this! :( I'm starting to wonder if the Linux kernel is
>> just trying to do too many things... geez... (Isn't that what Windows
>> does?) Maybe there is a need for a server kernel which could be a
>> simplified version of a desktop or full kernel? Then again, I have no
>> insight into what led to this... perhaps it was introduced due to the
>> server side features.
>>
> The problem is *not* the linux kernel -->  it's HP firmware.  Look @ the
> kernel changes and you'll see where it is working around HP FW.
>
> Note:  Some of the firmware upgrades *require* that the box and disks/
> MSA's be power cycled (as in you must pull the power cord!) for the FW
> upgrade to take effect.  If you don't do that the new FW isn't what's being
> used ... (but, then, I assume most folks realise that about FW upgrades...)
>
>
>> So, by "latest kernel", I suppose that would not be the latest CentOS
>> 6.1 kernel? If not, does anyone know if it is in any kernel provided by
>> upstream and if it will soon be available under CentOS? For instance 6.2
>> that seems to be just around the corner?
>>
>>
> The latest kernel in the channel should have the "fix" (aka work-around)
> in it.  Of course, it is not effective unless the corresponding FW patch is
> also been applied.  You have to be very diligent and find the FW's on the
> HP site and get the very latest.  Not sure about G4's, but on G6's, the
> motherboard FW upgrade was also important too (and is not part of 9.30).
>
>
>> Upstream seemed to blame it on their upstream, or the kernel. The cases
>> I found were closed in spite of no good resolution. There has to be a
>> ton of Proliant stuff out there. Actually, HP seems to have a lot of
>> holes in providing for RH6 and has only RH5 for many of these firmware
>> updates. I did successfully run HP RH5 firmware updates on a RH6 box,
>> but I'm not so happy about taking chances like that.
>>
>> Or worse.... perhaps we are starting to see a degradation due to
>> ownership by HP vs. the fine products that Compaq created? I certainly
>> hope not!
>>
>> Meanwhile, I guess I'll sit back and wait to see if what I have done is
>> enough.
>>
>> --
>> John Hinton
>>
>
> HTH.
>
>    -rak-
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Richard,

After hours of Googling, you have summarized the issues and the resolve 
clearly. The bugzillas hopped around with too much bad information 
interspersed between the few good bits. I will now assume those that 
said this didn't work, either DL'd too old a firmware update or failed 
to go far enough. Thank you very much!

-- 
John Hinton
877-777-1407 ext 502
http://www.ew3d.com
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