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Asset ID: 1-73-1000869.1
Update Date:2010-08-31
Keywords:

Solution Type  FAB (standard) Sure

Solution  1000869.1 :   DIMM Replacement Policy for Sun x86/x64 systems  


Related Items
  • Sun Java Workstation W2100z
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  • Sun Fire X4100 Server
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  • Sun Java Workstation W1100z
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  • Sun Ultra 40 Workstation
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  • Sun Fire V40z Server
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  • Sun Fire X2100 Server
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Related Categories
  • GCS>Sun Microsystems>Sun FAB>Standard>Reactive
  •  

PreviouslyPublishedAs
201150


Product
Sun Java Workstation W2100z
Sun Fire V20z Server
Sun Fire X2100 Server
Sun Ultra 20 Workstation
Sun Fire V40z Server
Sun Java Workstation W1100z
Sun Fire X4100 Server
Sun Ultra 40 Workstation
Sun Fire X4200 Server

Xoption
  • Xoption Number: -
  • Xoption Description: Any Future x86/x64 System or X-option

Symptoms

Unlike for UltraSPARC/Solaris platforms, up until now Sun has not had a policy that indicates when DIMMs should be replaced relative to memory errors on x86/x64 platforms. This lack of a policy has caused escalations from customers and confusion in the field when customers request DIMM replacements.

Sun is now implementing a DIMM replacement policy for x86/x64 systems that complements the policy we have in place for UltraSPARC/Solaris platforms.

The following paragraphs summarize the policy:

Replace a DIMM when:

  1. The DIMM fails memory testing under BIOS due to Uncorrectable Memory Errors (UEs).
  2. For systems with Solaris Predictive Self-Healing (Solaris 10 Update 2 or later, except on Intel based platforms) when the system tells you to.
  3. For systems that don't follow rule 2, whenever UEs occur and investigation shows that the errors originated from memory.  In addition, 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.

Please note that the customer should have the logs showing the memory errors per the preceding rules ready to send to Sun for verification prior to calling Sun.

Any of the preceding conditions must be verified by a Sun qualified support engineer before replacement DIMMs can be shipped out to the customer.

Note: This Policy applies to all Sun x86/x64 based systems with any variant of the Solaris, Linux or Windows operating systems that are covered by an applicable Sun warranty and/or support terms.


Workaround

Service personnel should follow debug instructions for the specific product. In all cases, follow the policy rules and note that, in some cases, further work is needed to verify that the DIMMs are the true source of errors.

Due to the different level of memory error handling in the different operating systems (Windows, Linux and Solaris), the customer needs to provide Sun with evidence in the form of logs confirming the number of memory errors to conform with the policy rules.


Previously Published As
102195
Internal Comments


FAQs and a UE/CE behavior matrix are available and will answer most questions at the following web site:



https://onestop/qco/x86dimm/index_x86dimm.shtml



Customer ready materials will be available shortly at:



http://onestop.sfbay.sun.com



For more questions on the policy and how to implement it, you can also send e-mail to the following support alias:



nsg-dimm-policy-feedback@sun.com


Related Information
  • Other: https://onestop/qco/x86dimm/index_x86dimm.shtml

Internal Contributor/submitter
zuheir.totari@sun.com

Internal Eng Business Unit Group
KE Authors

Internal Eng Responsible Engineer
pat.judt@sun.com

Internal Services Knowledge Engineer
sean.hassall@sun.com

Internal Kasp FAB Legacy ID
102195

Internal Sun Alert & FAB Admin Info
Critical Category:
Significant Change Date:
Avoidance: Service Procedure
Responsible Manager: null
Original Admin Info: null

Product_uuid
126e9e72-9b14-11d8-ab52-080020a9ed93|Sun Java Workstation W2100z
1acc55b3-4b82-11d8-99fc-080020a9ed93|Sun Fire V20z Server
28c0502a-fd60-11d9-a8ca-080020a9ed93|Sun Fire X2100 Server
372415be-961d-11d9-9adf-080020a9ed93|Sun Ultra 20 Workstation
4726b78d-56d2-11d8-9e3a-080020a9ed93|Sun Fire V40z Server
4dcfccb6-9b12-11d8-ab52-080020a9ed93|Sun Java Workstation W1100z
54e2ac49-df71-11d9-89e6-080020a9ed93|Sun Fire X4100 Server
7b070932-47f1-11da-ac39-080020a9ed93|Sun Ultra 40 Workstation
c6e795ef-df6f-11d9-89e6-080020a9ed93|Sun Fire X4200 Server

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