Sun Microsystems X4440, X4240 Dimm Replacement Policy, How Dimm Errors Are Handled by the System

Page 22

DIMM Replacement Policy

Replace a DIMM when one of the following events takes place:

■The DIMM fails memory testing under BIOS due to Uncorrectable Memory Errors (UCEs).

■UCEs occur and investigation shows that the errors originated from memory.

In addition, a DIMM should be replaced whenever more than 24 Correctable Errors (CEs) originate in 24 hours from a single DIMM and no other DIMM is showing further CEs.

■If more than one DIMM has experienced multiple CEs, other possible causes of CEs have to be ruled out by a qualified Sun Support specialist before replacing any DIMMs.

Retain copies of the logs showing the memory errors per the above rules to send to Sun for verification prior to calling Sun.

How DIMM Errors Are Handled by the System

This section describes system behavior for the two types of DIMM errors: UCEs and CEs, and also describes BIOS DIMM error messages.

Uncorrectable DIMM Errors

For all operating systems (OS’s), the behavior is the same for UCEs:

1.When an UCE occurs, the memory controller causes an immediate reboot of the system.

2.During reboot, the BIOS checks the Machine Check registers and determines that the previous reboot was due to an UCE, then reports this in POST after the memtest stage:

A Hypertransport Sync Flood occurred on last boot

12 Sun Fire X4140, X4240, and X4440 Servers Diagnostics Guide • August 2008

Page 21 Page 23
Image 22
Page 21 Page 23
Contents Sun Fire X4140, X4240, Servers Diagnostics Guide Please Recycle Contents Error Handling Status Indicator LEDsEvent Logs and Post Codes Index Page Preface Before You Read This DocumentRelated Documentation Typographic ConventionsThird-Party Web SitesSun Welcomes Your Comments Service Troubleshooting Flowchart Initial Inspection of the ServerDocument the server settings before you make any changes Gathering Service InformationCollect information about the following items System Inspection Troubleshooting Power ProblemsExternally Inspecting the Server Internally Inspecting the Server 1X4140 Server Front PanelLocate Button/LED Power Button Page Using SunVTS Diagnostic Software Running SunVTS Diagnostic TestsDiagnosing Server Problems With the Bootable Diagnostics CD SunVTS DocumentationUsing the Bootable Diagnostics CD Click the Log button Close the Log file window The window is closedTroubleshooting Dimm Problems Dimm Population RulesHow Dimm Errors Are Handled by the System Dimm Replacement PolicyUncorrectable Dimm Errors Troubleshooting Dimm Problems Correctable Dimm Errors 1Lines in Ipmi OutputBios Dimm Error Messages Dimm Fault LEDsPage 1DIMMs and LEDs on Motherboard Isolating and Correcting Dimm ECC Errors 2DIMMs and LEDs on Mezzanine BoardReconnect AC power cords to the server Page Event Logs and Post Codes Viewing Event LogsESC Advanced Menu Event Logging Details screen is displayed ESC Power-On Self-Test Post How Bios Post Memory Testing WorksRedirecting Console Output Appendix a Event Logs and Post Codes Select Boot Changing Post OptionsSelect Boot Settings Configuration Boot Settings Configuration screen is displayedPage Post Codes Post Codes Post Code Checkpoints Primary I/O portPost Code Checkpoints Initialize Int-13 and prepare for IPL detection Save system context for Acpi Status Indicator LEDs External Status Indicator LEDsFront Panel LEDs Back Panel LEDsInternal Status Indicator LEDs Hard Drive LEDsFigure B-4DIMMs and LEDs on Motherboard Figure B-5DIMMs and LEDs on Mezzanine Board Page P E N D I X C To start the serial console, type the following commands Making a Serial Connection to the SPViewing Ilom SP Event Logs From the System Monitoring tab, select Event LogsFigure C-1System Event Logs Interpreting Event Log Time Stamps Table C-1Event Log FieldsViewing Replaceable Component Information From the System Information tab, select Components Figure C-2Replaceable Component InformationViewing Sensors Figure C-3Sensor Readings Figure C-4Sensor Details Error Handling Handling of Uncorrectable ErrorsIpmitool sel list Figure D-1DMI Log Screen, Uncorrectable Error Handling of Correctable Errors Appendix D Error Handling Page Handling of Parity Errors Perr NMI Event Handling of System Errors Serr PCI Serr Handling Mismatching Processors Hardware Error Handling Summary Hardware Error Handling SummarySP SEL PCI Serr SP SEL Page Bios IndexPost

X4140, X4440, X4240 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a prominent player in the computing industry, known for its innovative and powerful server systems. Among its notable offerings were the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 servers, which made significant inroads in the market for high-performance computing solutions.

The Sun Fire X4240 server was designed to meet the demands of data-intensive applications. It offered impressive scalability, supporting up to 64 GB of DDR2 memory across its eight memory slots. This server utilized AMD Opteron processors, which provided excellent performance thanks to their multi-core architecture. The X4240 also featured a flexible I/O architecture, allowing for various configurations tailored to specific workload requirements.

Next in line was the Sun Fire X4440, which expanded on the capabilities of the X4240. This server was particularly valuable for virtualization and consolidation tasks. It featured up to 128 GB of memory and supported more CPU options, with dual- and quad-core Opteron processors available. The X4440 also included a high-density design that enabled increased storage capacity, accommodating up to 12 SFF drives. This made it ideal for databases and enterprise applications needing fast access to large volumes of data.

Finally, the Sun Fire X4140 brought a balance of performance and efficiency. Like its counterparts, it supported AMD's Opteron processors, delivering robust processing power. The X4140 was designed for environments where space and power efficiency were critical. It was notable for its compact form factor, which allowed organizations to pack more servers into less physical space without sacrificing performance. The server architecture included advanced thermal management technologies, ensuring optimal airflow and cooling, which contributed to reliability in demanding environments.

In terms of connectivity, all three servers featured multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, offering redundant network connectivity essential for enterprise-level applications. The integrated management interfaces simplified server monitoring and maintenance, ensuring that IT administrators could efficiently manage their resources.

In summary, the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 were pivotal servers from Sun Microsystems that provided robust performance, scalability, and efficiency. Their features made them suitable for a variety of workloads, from virtualization to data management, cementing their place in the server market during their era.
Top Page Image Contents