The advanced management module Web
interface will display kernel mode on the vital product data (VPD) panel for
a blade server when the advanced management module is
able to communicate with the service processor on the blade server, but the
blade server firmware has a problem. This error will typically occur after
updating the firmware for a blade server. In addition to the kernel mode error,
the event log will typically display service processor communication errors
for multiple blade servers in the BladeCenter S chassis.
Problem
The
advanced management module Web
interface displays kernel mode on the VPD panel for a blade server. The event
log may also display service processor communication errors for other blade
servers in the chassis.
Important: Do not attempt to update the
firmware for a blade server that has kernel mode errors until instructed to
do so.
Investigation
Perform these steps to resolve the
problem:
- Examine the advanced management module event
log and verify how many blades are reporting service processor communication
or kernel mode errors.
- Remove all blade servers reporting either error.
- Verify that no errors exist on other blade servers or I/O modules. If
other errors exist, resolve them before proceeding.
- Install one blade server into the chassis and update the service processor
firmware to the version desired using the Web browser of
the advanced management module.
Note: You cannot use a boot diskette when the blade is in this state. Also,
do not use any scripts or other tools to update the service processor firmware
because they might have caused the problem.
Another option is to
consider updating the version of service processor firmware because service
processor communication errors are sometimes resolved in updated service processor
firmware.
To update the service processor firmware from the
advanced management module:
- Go to the
IBM® BladeCenter® software and device drivers Web site
.
Under BladeCenter device
driver file matrices, select the appropriate blade server.
- Download the file for the blade server.
Note: Consider downloading
the README file as well. The README contains additional installation instructions.
- Extract the image to diskette (puts the *.pkt files on the diskette).
The packet file is on the second DOS diskette.
- Log in to the advanced management module Web
interface and click .
- Click Browse and select the *.pkt file from the
diskette.
- Click Update and follow the prompts to complete
the update process.
Important: Do not attempt to switch the control of the media
tray to another blade server during this process.
- If the blade server works after the firmware update, repeat the same process
for all the blade servers having service processor communications or kernel
mode errors. Remember to insert only one blade server at a time.
- If the problem persists, contact IBM support.