Excessive NVRAM writes can result in a corrupted SEEPROM.

Asset ID:	1-73-1018988.1
Update Date:	2011-02-22
Keywords:

Solution Type FAB (standard) Sure

Solution 1018988.1 : Excessive NVRAM writes can result in a corrupted SEEPROM.

Impact

Performing excessive NVRAM writes can result in a corrupted SEEPROM which can cause the Advanced Lights Out Manager (ALOM) to be unusable requiring a hardware replacement.

Contributing Factors

Running Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager on Netra 240.

Symptoms

Following a ALOM reset the following message will be observed;

"ALOM - POST run incomplete previously, no POST this time"

The ALOM will continue to loop on POST and cannot be accessed.

Root Cause

The SEEPROM can be corrupted if an application or user performs excessive actions that cause a complete re-write of the NVRAM data.

This typically occurs due to the incorrect implementation of the LOMIOCDOGTIMER ioctl to restart the Watchdog Timer since each time this API (application programming interface) is called a full SEEPROM write is performed, and depending on the frequency this occurs it can result in excessive writes.

Corrective Action

Workaround

None

Resolution

Ensure that the correct API is used to avoid excessive SEEPROM writes, this should be done using the LOMIOCDOGPAT ioctl which restarts the watchdog timer without invoking a full write.

For more information on the available watchdog timer APIs please refer appendix B of the Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager Administration guide;

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E19218-01/

Failure to do so can result in SEEPROM corruption which requires a full system board replacement as the RMC is integrated.

References

BugID: 6627496
Escalation ID: 1-22815337

For information about FAB documents, its release processes, implementation strategies and billing information, go to the following URL:

http://tns.central/fab

For Sun Authorized Service Providers go to:

http://tns.central/SPE/fab/

In addition to the above you may email:

FAB-Manager@sun.com

Modification History
12-Feb-2008: Changed inaccurate asset Title.

Internal Contributor/submitter
Justin.Hatch@Sun.COM

Internal Eng Responsible Engineer
John.Respicio@Sun.COM Responsible Manager: Doug.Versaw@Sun.COM

Internal Services Knowledge Engineer
Joe.Davis@Sun.COM

Internal Eng Business Unit Group
SSG NSN (Netra Systems and Networking)

Internal Escalation ID
1-22815337

Internal Sun Alert & FAB Admin Info
07-Feb-2008: Initial draft completed and sent to Extended Review.
11-Feb-2008: FAB sent to Publish.
06-Jan-2010: Corrected Product Name to swoRDFish inconsistency.

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