Probability of data corruption on SAS controllers is unlikely

Troubleshooting

Problem

Systems have a very low probability of experiencing data corruption while under very heavy I/O stress.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H194224

Symptom

Systems have a very low probability of experiencing data corruption while under very heavy I/O stress.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

BladeCenter LS21, type 7971, any model
BladeCenter LS22, type 7901, any model
BladeCenter LS41, type 7972, any model
BladeCenter LS42, type 7902, any model
IntelliStation M Pro (M50), type 9229, any model
IntelliStation M Pro (M50), type 9230, any model
System x3800, type 8865, any model
System x3800, type 8866, any model
System x3850 M2, type 7141, any model
System x3850 M2, type 7144, any model
System x3850 M2, type 7233, any model
System x3850 M2, type 7234, any model
System x3850, type 8863, any model
System x3850, type 8864, any model
System x3950 M2, type 7141, any model
System x3950 M2, type 7144, any model
System x3950 M2, type 7233, any model
System x3950 M2, type 7234, any model
BladeCenter HS12, type 1916, any model
BladeCenter HS12, type 8014, any model
BladeCenter HS12, type 8028, any model
BladeCenter HS20, type 7981, any model
BladeCenter HS21 XM, type 1915, any model
BladeCenter HS21 XM, type 7995, any model
BladeCenter HS21, type 1885, any model
BladeCenter HS21, type 8853, any model
IntelliStation Z Pro, type 9228, any model
IntelliStation Z Pro, type 9232, any model
System x3200 M2, type 4367, any model
System x3200 M2, type 4368, any model
System x3200, type 4362, any model
System x3200, type 4363, any model
System x3250 M2, type 4190, any model
System x3250 M2, type 4194, any model
System x3250, type 4364, any model
System x3250, type 4365, any model
System x3350, type 4192, any model
System x3350, type 4193, any model
System x3400, type 7973, any model
System x3400, type 7974, any model
System x3400, type 7975, any model
System x3400, type 7976, any model
System x3450, type 7948, any model
System x3455, type 7940, any model
System x3455, type 7984, any model
System x3455, type 7986, any model
System x3500, type 7977, any model
System x3550, type 1013, any model
System x3550, type 1913, any model
System x3550, type 7978, any model
System x3650, type 1914, any model
System x3650, type 7979, any model
System x3655, type 7985, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

Paddle board with LSI 1064E SAS Controller
ServeRAID-MR10M SAS/SATA Controller, Option 43W4339
ServeRAID-MR10i SAS/SATA Controller, Option 43W4296
ServeRAID-MR10k SAS/SATA Controller, Option 43W4280

This tip is not software specific.

Solution

The fix is implemented in firmware version 11.0.1-0008 or newer.

IBM strongly recommends users plan to implement the fixes when available.

The target date is scheduled for March 20, 2009.

The file will be available from the IBM System x Support web site at the following URL:

	http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/

Additional information

Scenario #1:

	During a SATA read operation, in very few instances, the adapter and the drive get out of credit block synchronization, causing the Host Bus Adapter (HBA) device to advertise an extra credit block. When the read is fulfilled using the advertised credits, a buffer is overwritten, resulting in corrupted data.

Scenario #2:

	A BREAK operation is issued by the HBA while there is a very large I/O load and all queues are full. In very few instances, the adapter and the drive get out of credit block synchronization, causing the HBA device to advertise an extra credit block. Like the first scenario, this causes a buffer to be overwritten, concluding in data corruption.

Scenario #3:

	A damaged SAS/SATA cable might trigger a very rare condition in which a link error is not detected, letting possible corrupted data through.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

BladeCenter:Operating system independent / None

System x:Operating system independent / None

IntelliStation Pro:Operating system independent / None

System x Hardware Options:Operating system independent / None

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Tips

Probability of data corruption on SAS controllers is unlikely - IBM Servers and IntelliStation