freebsd stable - Mar 2005 - Problem with IBM xSeries 226 with ServeRAID 6i+ using FreeBSD 5.3

I'm having a serious problem with my IBM xSeries servers. I have several 
in the field working properly, using ServeRAID 6i controllers with 
firmware v7.00.14. However, I just recently ordered two new ones, and 
now I can't get them to work. The controller is a 6i+, with firmware 
v7.00.17.

Using stock 5.3 Boot CD or floppy, I get as far as the IPS driver 
resetting the controller, which appears to work (the drive lights flash 
as though the controller is resetting). Then nothing. The system hangs, 
the fans slow down, nothing ever happens.

If I boot in Non-ACPI mode, it's the same thing. However, if I boot in 
Safe Mode, it works perfectly. I've even managed to install the OS onto 
the system. However, in Safe Mode, I have no network adapters, so the 
server becomes instantly useless.

Any help would be appreciated. Requests for more detail will be answered 
promptly.

J. Buck Caldwell wrote:
> I'm having a serious problem with my IBM xSeries servers. I have
several
> in the field working properly, using ServeRAID 6i controllers with 
> firmware v7.00.14. However, I just recently ordered two new ones, and 
> now I can't get them to work. The controller is a 6i+, with firmware 
> v7.00.17.
> 
> Using stock 5.3 Boot CD or floppy, I get as far as the IPS driver 
> resetting the controller, which appears to work (the drive lights flash 
> as though the controller is resetting). Then nothing. The system hangs, 
> the fans slow down, nothing ever happens.
> 
> If I boot in Non-ACPI mode, it's the same thing. However, if I boot in 
> Safe Mode, it works perfectly. I've even managed to install the OS onto
> the system. However, in Safe Mode, I have no network adapters, so the 
> server becomes instantly useless.
> 
> Any help would be appreciated. Requests for more detail will be answered 
> promptly.
It sounds very much like an interrupt routing problem.  Have you tried 
the 5.4-BETA CD?

Scott

Scott Long wrote:
> J. Buck Caldwell wrote:
>
>> Any help would be appreciated. Requests for more detail will be 
>> answered promptly.
>
> It sounds very much like an interrupt routing problem.  Have you tried 
> the 5.4-BETA CD?
>
> Scott
>
No help. Booting normally brings me to the same point - "ips0: resetting 
adapter, make take 5 minutes" - then nothing. System just hangs. Also, 
after that point, hitting the power button will not power-off the 
machine (of course, holding it in will). Anytime before that point, 
hitting the power button will turn the power off instantly.

Scott Long wrote:
> J. Buck Caldwell wrote:
>
>> Scott Long wrote:
>>
>>> J. Buck Caldwell wrote:
>>>
>>>> Any help would be appreciated. Requests for more detail will be
>>>> answered promptly.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It sounds very much like an interrupt routing problem.  Have you 
>>> tried the 5.4-BETA CD?
>>>
>>> Scott
>>>
>> No help. Booting normally brings me to the same point - "ips0: 
>> resetting adapter, make take 5 minutes" - then nothing. System
just
>> hangs. Also, after that point, hitting the power button will not 
>> power-off the machine (of course, holding it in will). Anytime before 
>> that point, hitting the power button will turn the power off instantly.
>
>
> One more test, would you mind trying the 6.0-CURRENT-SNAP002 snapshot? 
> If that works then that gives us a target to shoot for with 5.4.
>
> Scott
>
Well, some excellent news - 6.0-CURRENT-SNAP002 works perfectly. Or at 
least, it boots - I'm doing an install now, but I wanted to let you know 
right away.

Anything we could do to get this system running properly under 5.4, let 
me know - because we're paying lease payments two servers that we can't 
use at the moment, until we can boot FreeBSD on them. (damn IBM and 
thier end-of-life cycles....)