IBM Support

Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) destined Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) data may be lost - Servers

Troubleshooting


Problem

One Internet Protocol (IP) frame is sent by IP address to the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) over TCP/IP and there is no response to that one packet.

Resolving The Problem

Source
RETAIN tip: H183719

Symptom
One Internet Protocol (IP) frame is sent by IP address to the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) over TCP/IP and there is no response to that one packet. This can occur outside the times specified by other Tips, which describe system hardware limitations (for AC power application and for DC power application), due to an EtherNet network's other uses. Specifically, when an EtherNet network has broadcasted IP frames present, the system hardware and the BMC will be unable to accept another broadcasted or IP addressed frame for at least 30 milliseconds. For example, if a network controller uses address resolution protocol (ARP) frames, the BMC cannot receive another IP frame within 30 milliseconds of an ARP frame.

Affected configurations
The system may be any of the following IBM eServers:
  • IBM eServer xSeries 366, Type 8863, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries 346, Type 8840, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries 336, Type 8837, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries 236, Type 8841, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries 260, Type 8865, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries 460, Type 8872, any model
  • IBM eServer xSeries MXE-460, Type 8874, any model
Solution
None

Workaround
Use a private, clean hub network with no controllers or other systems using any broadcasted IP frames. Or, resend the IP frame that did not receive a response.

Additional information
If the IP frame addressed to the BMC arrive on the network within 30 milleseconds of a broadcasted IP frame, the system hardware and the BMC cannot receive it. The sender does not receive any response from the BMC for that IP frame that could not be received. Eliminating the broadcasted IP frames from the network is the only solution.


Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

Older System x:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-58993