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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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                        FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
                  (For Authorized Distribution by SunService)

FIN #: I0521-1

Create Date: Sep/22/99

Keywords: 

The Ultra Enterprise 450 may not respond correctly to the init 5 command.

Top FIN/FCO Report: No

Products Reference: E450 init 5 command

Product Category: Server / Power;

Product Affected: 

Mkt_ID   Platform   Model   Description         Serial Number
------   --------   -----   -----------         -------------
Systems Affected
----------------

   -      E450      ALL     E450 SERVER FAMILY        - 

X-Options Affected
------------------

X9682A               OPT POWER SUPPLY FOR E450        -

Parts Affected: 

Part Number    Description                  Model
-----------    -----------                  ----- 

300-1359-04    ASY,TOP,OPT,TAZ,POWERSUPPLY    -
F300-1359-04   ASY,TOP,OPT,TAZ,POWERSUPPLY    -

References: 

N/A

Issue Description: 

In a small percentage of the Ultra Enterprise 450 installed base,
concern is being raised when the "init 5" command is used to power off
an E450 system.  It has been noted that some power supplies may not
respond correctly.  Customers are then forced to manually power off the
system instead.  The problem resides with a particular revision of
power supply that was optimized to improve NVRAM performance.  Overall
impact of the issue is considered low based on the relative rarity of
the need to use this particular power down mechanism and the fact that
despite the issue being present for over one year, there have been no
reported concerns until now. 

If information on this issue is not properly managed unnecessary calls 
and power supply replacements could result.

The failure is caused by certain power supplies that do not respond
correctly to the control bits that result from the init 5 command.
This failure has a minor overall impact on the install base and in no 
way degrades system performance.

Implementation: 

---
        |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Pro-Active)
         ---    
         
  
         ---
        |   |   CONTROLLED PRO-ACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan) 
         --- 
         
                                
         ---
        | X |   REACTIVE (As Required)
         ---

Corrective Action: 

Enterprise Customers and Enterprise Field Service Representatives are
notified of the following recommendation for the use of the "init 5"
command on any Ultra 450 system:

        
1. When the need arises, use normal system shutdown procedures, then 
   use the power switch instead of the "init 5" command.

2. Enterprise Field Service Representatives should not recommend
   the use of the init 5 command to customers who are unfamiliar
   with the command or who do not use it.

Comments: 

The suspect parts are power supplies with dash level 04.  Only a small 
percentage of the power supplies respond in a consistently negative
fashion and only when the somewhat rare remote power down commands are
used.
    

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Implementation Footnote: 

i)   In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to    
     contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of 
     the FIN. 
   
ii)  For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical    
     support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN  (to their  
     respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer. 

iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the   
     need arises.
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