HP ProLiant DL280 Supplementary Manual
System memory troubleshooting best practices for hp proliant servers
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Also See for ProLiant DL280:
- Reference manual (123 pages) ,
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- Introduction manual (25 pages)
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Reference Manual
Memory Troubleshooting Best Practices for HP ProLiant
Servers
Accurately troubleshooting memory issues in ProLiant server configurations is an important process that can
help prevent unnecessary replacement of hardware components. In addition, accurate problem diagnosis
prevents customers from experiencing unnecessary downtime while waiting for hardware that may not need
to be replaced. Following standard troubleshooting guidelines and using them each time a memory issue is
suspected helps to establish this.
HP has developed several methods for troubleshooting memory problems in ProLiant servers.
The purpose of this white paper is to assist HP customers in troubleshooting memory problems by successfully
isolating the specific DIMMs causing the problem. This helps to prevent nonessential replacement of
unaffected DIMMs or, in some cases, entire banks of memory. In addition, effective troubleshooting can help
determine if a firmware or other software download can resolve a problem without replacing hardware.
This white paper covers the following topics:
Why Should I Troubleshoot Every Memory Problem?
•
How Can I tell if a Memory Problem has occurred?
•
What tools are available from HP to help identify a failing DIMM?
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Troubleshooting Using HP Insight Diagnostics Offline Edition
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Troubleshooting Using HP Insight Diagnostics Online Edition
•
•
Troubleshooting Flowchart for Bootable Systems
Troubleshooting Flowchart for Non-Bootable Systems
•
What role does Firmware play in Solving Memory Problems?
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Why buy HP memory?
•
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Other Troubleshooting Resources
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Summary of Contents for HP ProLiant DL280
- Page 1 Memory Troubleshooting Best Practices for HP ProLiant Servers Accurately troubleshooting memory issues in ProLiant server configurations is an important process that can help prevent unnecessary replacement of hardware components. In addition, accurate problem diagnosis prevents customers from experiencing unnecessary downtime while waiting for hardware that may not need to be replaced.
- Page 2 Why Should I Troubleshoot Every Memory Problem? Accurate diagnosis of system memory problems in ProLiant servers has many advantages, including: Prevents unnecessary hardware replacement. • Prevents the return of parts that test NFF (No Fault Found). • Prevents server downtime. •...
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Page 3: Hp System Management Homepage
Therefore, further troubleshooting is necessary to determine which specific DIMM is failing. Use the LEDs as a tool in identifying that a memory problem may exist, but don’t rely solely on the status of the LEDs to determine if hardware should be replaced. What Tools are Available from HP to Help Identify a Failing DIMM? Refer to the following HP system tools when a memory problem is suspected. - Page 4 HP Systems Insight Manager (HP SIM) HP Systems Insight Manager monitors the health of the hardware in the system and polls installed hardware for its status every few minutes. Refer to the screenshot below for an example of events displayed on the System page.
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Page 5: System Logs
System Logs Server system logs record the status of hardware events, including memory issues. For servers running Microsoft Windows operating systems, either of the following logs can be a valuable resource: • Integrated Management Log (IML) Event Viewer • For servers running Linux operating systems, refer to either of the following: Integrated Management Log (IML) •... - Page 6 Figure 3: Integrated Management Log Microsoft Windows Operating Systems: Using Event Viewer The Event Viewer is a software tool available as part of Microsoft Windows operating systems. It can be accessed by navigating to HP System Tools via the Start menu. Figure 4 shows an example of server events that are logged in this tool.
- Page 7 Figure 4: Event Viewer (Microsoft Windows Operating Systems) Linux Operating Systems: Using the IML The IML Viewer is a software tool created by HP and is available as a downloadable component pack from HP.COM. For systems running Linux, type the command hplog –v to view the IML log and check for system memory errors.
- Page 8 DIMM Slot LEDs as Memory Problem Indicators DIMM slot LEDs can be helpful indicators of issues with system memory. Figure 5 below gives an example of the location of LEDs that will illuminate when certain DIMM slots indicate a failure. The example below is from a ProLiant DL380 G4 system board;...
- Page 9 Once a memory problem is suspected based on one of the methods outlined above, the first step is to schedule downtime with the customer for troubleshooting. HP recommends using HP Insight Diagnostics, available on the SmartStart CD and as a standalone download on HP.COM to begin the troubleshooting process.
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Page 10: Troubleshooting Flowcharts
Troubleshooting Using HP Insight Diagnostics Online Edition HP Insight Diagnostics Online edition is available in HP ProLiant Support Packs and from HP.COM. The Insight Diagnostics Online edition performs various non-intrusive in-depth system and component diagnosis while the operating system is running. The “survey feature” can identify and resolve problems without taking the system down. - Page 11 1. Go to www.hp.com 2. Select "Software and Driver Downloads." 3. Enter the Server model (for example, "DL160 G5"). 4. Select the specific server model from the "Product Search Results" page, if this page appears. 5. Select the appropriate operating system. 6.
- Page 12 Troubleshooting flowchart for a Non-Bootable System Use this flowchart to help diagnose a memory problem in any of the following conditions: • The system stops responding and displays a “parity error” message on the screen during boot. The system beeps and all of the DIMM LEDs illuminate during boot. •...
- Page 13 What role does firmware play in Troubleshooting memory problems? Many product issues that result in hardware replacement, including issues in which memory is suspected, are preventable or correctable with a firmware update. HP recommends checking for a firmware update before sending a part back to HP for replacement.
- Page 14 TIP : If a server is deployed more than three months after purchase, use the HP Support and Drivers page on HP.COM, rather than the Firmware Maintenance CD that shipped with the server. In addition, check for firmware updates for any options that may have been in stock but were not deployed until later.
- Page 15 For more information on how to deploy firmware updates, refer to the README or TXT files that are packaged with the firmware or refer to the following links: Firmware management Best Practices for HP BladeSystem: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02049593/c02049593.pdf?jumpid=re g_R1002_USEN HP Smart Update Manager help: http://downloads.linux.hp.com/SDR/downloads/ProLiantSupportPack/suse/10/i386/8.50/hpsum_help_en .htm?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN HP Smart Update Manager User Guide:...
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Page 16: Other Troubleshooting Resources
The HP Drive Key Boot Utility The HP Drive Key Boot Utility can format an HP Drive Key so that it can be used as a bootable device. The utility also provides the ability to load the ROM Update Utility on an HP Drive Key. After the ROM Update Utility has been installed, the Offline ROM Flash Smart Components can be downloaded to the drive key from the following URL and deployed using the ROM Update Utility. - Page 18 © 2007, 2010 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty.