Remediation Closed: PCI Retainer Bar improvement on specific systems.

Asset ID:	1-73-1020282.1
Update Date:	2010-09-23
Keywords:

Solution Type FAB (standard) Sure

Solution 1020282.1 : Remediation Closed: PCI Retainer Bar improvement on specific systems.

Impact

Original PCI Retention Bar design can result in some PCI cards not mounting securely. The horizontal orientation of the PCI cards in affected systems makes heavier PCI cards (e.g. RAID cards with battery backup, etc.) more susceptible to a loose or insecure fit.

Sun server products have implemented changes to the PCI Retention Bars (located on the rear panel of the systems) which improves PCI card mechanical retention and stability.

Contributing Factors

Systems listed in Product section above, fitted with original version of the PCI Retention Bars, are impacted by this issue.

Symptoms

Systems fitted with original version of the PCI Retention Bars may not hold PCI option cards securely.

Root Cause

Original design of the PCI Retention Bar did not adequately secure heavier PCI option cards. New design of the PCI Retention Bar improves PCI option card mechanical security and stability within the system.

Corrective Action

Target Completion Date: March 23, 2010

The below process will only be supported for one year from original publish date of this FAB, or until March 23, 2010.

Workaround:

No workaround available - reference Resolution section below.

Resolution:

Update: This remediation is closed as there are no longer any parts available to support this FAB.

Customers experiencing problems with PCI option card retention due to the original PCI Retention Bar design may request new hardware to upgrade their affected systems. Customers will be expected to upgrade systems themselves. There is no charge for upgrade kits on systems still covered under warranty.

Process:

Send an email to PCI-Backbar-Retrofit@Sun.COM to request retrofit kits.

Include in the email subject line: "PCI upgrade kit request for [include customer name]"

Include the following information in the email request:

- Qty of SPARC System (T5220, T5240) PCI upgrade kits requested
- Qty of x64 System (X4240, X4440, X4450) PCI upgrade kits requested
- System serial numbers of all systems being retrofitted (List the system model number
    and serial number on the same line. System serial number quantity must match
    quantities of requested upgrade kits.)
- Full ship-to address including country
- Customer (Company) name
- Customer contact name (This can be a Sun employee if they'll be doing the retrofitting
    for the customer on a courtesy basis.)
- Contact phone number
- Contact email address

For each affected SPARC system needing upgrade (T5220, T5240), customers will receive the following upgrade kit:

   * 541-2738-04 PCI Backbar, Qty 1, with these labels pre-attached:
     * 263-3201-01 Label, PCI 0,3, Qty 1
     * 263-3202-01 Label, PCI 1,4, Qty 1
     * 263-3203-01 Label, PCI 2,5, Qty 1
     * 263-3304-02 Label, PCI backbar, Qty 1
   * 341-4139-02 Filler panel, PCI Slot, Qty 6

For each affected x64 system needing upgrade (X4240, X4440, X4450), customers will receive the following upgrade kit:

   * 541-2738-04 PCI Backbar, Qty 1, with these labels pre-attached:
     * 263-3203-01 Label, PCI 2,5, Qty 1
     * 263-3215-01 Label, PCI 0,3, Qty 1
     * 263-3216-01 Label, PCI 1,4, Qty 1
     * 263-3304-02 Label, PCI backbar, Qty 1
   * 341-4139-02 Filler panel, PCI Slot, Qty 6

Once the request is verified to have all the required information, Sun will approve the kit supplier to direct-ship upgrade kits on a "soon as possible" basis. Approval will be indicated in a reply email.   Typically the kit supplier will ship on the next business day following approval. The kit supplier will provide a tracking number in a reply email once kits have been shipped. Kits may arrive in bulk packs for quantities greater than 1 kit. Response times for this upgrade is not subject to any SLA terms that may be in any service contracts with Sun or Sun's partners.

Customers should follow instructions on the system service label (located on the top cover of each system) when upgrading the PCI Retention Bar. A Phillips screwdriver is the only tool required to perform the upgrade.

Down-dash level PCI Retention Bars and PCI Filler Panels may be scrapped by the customer, and should not be returned to Sun.

Identification of Affected Parts (how to):

Systems built with PCI Retention Bar part number 541-2738-03 may experience the PCI card retention issue. Refer to the system date codes below:

X4240 Server (with system date codes prior to 0908)
X4440 Server (with system date codes prior to 0908)
X4450 Server (with system date codes prior to 0908)
T5220 Server (with system date codes prior to 0903)
T5240 Server (with system date codes prior to 0846) **

Systems built with new PCI Retention Bar part number 541-2738-04 have the improved design which enhances retention of PCI option cards. Unaffected systems should bear a system date code later than those listed above, but visual inspection should be used to confirm the revision level of the PCI Retention Bar. In some cases systems with earlier date codes may have the new revision Retention Bar.

** In September 2009, it was learned that as many as 381 T5240 systems with later date codes may still have shipped with down revision (-03) backbars. All systems shipped after September of 2009 have been confirmed to have the new (-04) backbars installed.

The following systems are NOT affected by this issue, either because they were all built with 541-2738-04 PCI Retention Bars, or were built using an entirely different design:

Sun Storage 7110 Unified Storage System
Sun Netra T5220 Server
Sun Netra T5240 Server

The below link to a photo illustrates the original & new PCI Retention Bars. Original design is on the left in the photo, new design (Retention bar that is missing the labels) is on the right.

   http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/FAB/255488/SPE/FAB-Photo-2U-PCI-bars.jpg

The below link to a photo provides an additional visual hint to identify a system with a new design backbar (visual confirmation can be made while the system is in service).

http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/FAB/255488/SPE/NewBackbar.jpg

Hardware Remediation and Material Availability Details:

Upgrade hardware is available as of release of this FAB. See "Resolution" section of this FAB for details.

Comments

This is a "fix on complaint" FAB, meaning customers must request upgrade for any affected systems they may have. Proactive upgrade of systems in the installed base are not planned. Upgrade is not mandatory. Customers must decide if they need this upgrade based on their individual PCI card implementations. To request upgrades for systems affected by this issue, refer to the "Resolution" section above.

References:

ECOs: WO_40252, WO_40386, WO_40651, WO_40671, WO_40651, WO_40671, WO_40487, WO_39452, WO_40519

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
Changes made since initial publication.

30-Mar-2009

Corrected Product section by changing two products from Netra to Sun SPARC Enterprise, and added clarification on which systems are not affected in the "how to" section.

01-Sep-2009

Added second photo to Corrective Action section.

17-Sep-2009

Added information to "How to" section that as many as 381 T5240 systems shipped with affected (-03) backbars beyond the stated date code range.

17-Apr-2010

The remediation listed in this knowledge asset is no longer available, and this FAB is now closed per the stated scheduled completion date.

Internal Contributor/submitter
Daryl.Hinz@Sun.COM, Mark.Nowicki@Sun.COM

Internal Eng Responsible Engineer
William.Demeulenaere@Sun.COM Responsible Manager: Sean.White@Sun.COM

Internal Services Knowledge Engineer
Joe.Davis@Sun.COM

Internal Eng Business Unit Group
NSG (Network Systems Group)

Internal Sun Alert & FAB Admin Info
20-Mar-2009: Completed draft and sent to Extended Review.
24-Mar-2009: Addressed all feedback from Ext Rvw - sending to Publish.

Attachments

This solution has no attachment