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                        FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
               (For Authorized Distribution by Sun Service)

FIN #: I1164-1

Create Date: Feb/07/05

SunAlert: No

Top FIN/FCO Report: No

Products Reference: Sun Fire V60x/V65x Servers

Product Category: Server / Diag-Doc-Service

Product Affected: 

Systems Affected:
-----------------  
Mkt_ID      Platform    Model     Description               Serial Number
------      --------    -----     -----------               -------------
  -           A48        ALL      Sun Fire V60x                   -
  -           A48        ALL      Sun Fire V65x                   -


X-Options Affected:
-------------------
Mkt_ID    Platform    Model    Description                     Serial Number
------    --------    -----    -----------                     ------------- 
X5120A       -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 2.8GHz CPU         -
X5121A       -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 3.06GHz CPU        -
X5138A       -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 3.2GHz CPU         -
5120A        -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 2.8GHz CPU XATO    -
5121A        -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 3.06GHz CPU XATO   -
5138A        -          -      Sun Fire V60x/V65x 3.2GHz CPU XATO    -

Parts Affected: 

----------------------
Part Number         Description                          Model
-----------         -----------                          -----
370-6044-01         FRU ASSY CPU 2.8 GHZ                   -
370-6045-01         FRU ASSY CPU 3.06 GHZ                  -
370-6465-01         FRU ASSY CPU 3.2 GHZ                   -

References: 

DOC: 817-5101-10: Sun Fire V60x and Sun Fire V65x Servers 3.2 GHz 
                  CPU BIOS Requirements.

URL: http://wwws.sun.com/software/download/products/4149c6cd.html

Issue Description: 

Customers with Sun Fire V60x/V65x in a HPTC (High Performance Technical
Computing) type of configuration may experience a rare system
interruption due to a rare logic timing issue.  The odds of the system
interruption occurring increases slightly when used with high speed
system interconnects.

This applies to any Sun Fire V60x/V65x server with 'Stepping 9' CPUs
AND is not running the most recent BIOS.  It is recommended that the
BIOS be updated to the latest version to resolve the issue.

Under Linux, the command "more /proc/cpuinfo" will indicate if the
system is using a 'Stepping 9' CPU process in combination with high 
CPU load.

The system experiences an unexpected interruption while running I/O 
intensive applications, particularly in HPTC-type environments.

The issue occurs due to a rare timing issue in the high-speed logic in
the system.  The latest BIOS modifies the timing parameter to prevent
the error from occuring.  The BIOS change does not affect the
performance of the system.

Only 1-2% of Sun Fire V60x/V65x in an HPTC-type environment with heavy
I/O may experience the issue.  Upgrading to the latest BIOS will resolve
the issue for that 1-2% of customers.

Implementation: 

---
        |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Proactive)
         ---    
         
  
         ---
        |   |   CONTROLLED PROACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan) 
         --- 
         
                                
         ---
        | X |   REACTIVE (As Required)
         ---

Corrective Action: 

The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Sun Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned issue.

The resolution implementation is documented in the BIOS download package 
at:

   http://wwws.sun.com/software/download/products/4149c6cd.html

The above URL describes the affect parts and configuration, the patch
necessary to resolve the issue, and a detailed step-by-step procedure for
implementing the resolution.

NOTE: To ensure successful downloads when downloading larger files, 
      Sun encourages the use of the Sun Download Manager.

Comments: 

Other observations or facts which may be useful to Field Support.

"high speed system interconnects" are from Myricom.
"service interruption" refers to a Kernel Panic.

============================================================================

NOTE: FIN Tracking Instructions for Radiance/SPWeb:
--------------------------------------------------

If a Radiance case involves the application of a FIN to solve a customer
issue, please complete the following steps in Radiance/SPWeb prior to
closing the case:
 
    o Select "Field Information Notice" in the REFERENCE TYPE field.

    o Enter FIN ID number in the REFERENCE ID field.
      For example; I1111-1.

If possible, include additional details in the REFERENCE SUMMARY field
(ie. implementation complete, customer declined, etc.)
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Implementation Notes:
--------------------

In case of "Mandatory" FINs, Sun Services will attempt to contact
all known customers to recommend proactive implementation.

For "Controlled Proactive" FINs, Sun Services mission critical
support teams will initiate proactive implementation efforts for
their respective accounts as required.

For "Reactive" FINs, Sun Services and partners will implement
the necessary corrective actions as the need arises.


Billing Information:
-------------------

Warranty: On-Site Labor Rates are based on specified Warranty deliverables
          for the affected product.

Contract: On-Site Labor Rates are based on the type of service contract.

Non Contract: On-Site implementation by Sun is available based on On-Site
              Labor Rates defined in the Price List.

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        finfco-manager@Sun.com

The FIN and FCO homepage is available at:

        http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/index.html

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