PCI Error Handling Product Note, 2nd Edition, April 2006

Chapter
7
PCI Error Handling Product Note
What is PCI Error Handling?
The PCI Error Handling feature allows an HP-UX system to avoid a Machine Check Abort (MCA) or a
High Priority Machine Check (HPMC), if a PCI error occurs (for example, a parity error).
Without the PCI Error Handling feature installed, PCI slots are set in hardfail mode. If a PCI error occurs
when a slot is in hardfail mode, an MCA or HPMC will occur, then the system will crash.
When the PCI Error Handling feature is installed, the PCI slots containing I/O cards that support PCI Error
Handling will be set in softfail mode. If a PCI error occurs when a slot is in softfail mode, the slot will be
isolated from further I/O, the corresponding device driver will report the error, and the driver will be
suspended. The olrad command and the Attention Button can be used to online recover, restoring the slot,
card, and driver to a usable state.
Accessing and Installing the PCI Error Handling Feature
The March 2006 release of PCI Error Handling can be accessed and installed on supported systems from the
Software Pack CD-ROM, or the HP Software Depot.
Confirm PCI Error Handling is Supported
Step 1. Review Table 1, “PCI Error Handling Support Matrix,” on page 13 to confirm PCI Error Handling
is supported with your configuration and system firmware version.
Step 2. To confirm which system firmware version is installed on your system, or any cell in your system,
use the sysrev command from the management processor Command Menu (CM) prompt as
follows:
MP:CM> sysrev
The sysrev command output on Superdome systems is different from the sysrev command output
on the other systems that support PCI Error Handling.
The sysrev command output on Superdome systems will list the system firmware version under
the SYS FW heading as illustrated in the following example: