PCI Error Handling

The PCI Error Handling feature allows an HP-UX 11i v2 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 recover, restoring the slot, card, and driver to a usable state.

PCI Error Handling is supported on the following platforms:

	NOTE: PCI Error Handling is a Software Pack (SPK) product available on the web and on the December 2007 Application Release (AR) media. It is not available on the HP-UX 11i v2 Operating Environments (OEs) media. For more information, see “Software Pack (Optional HP-UX 11i v2 Core Enhancements)”.

Summary of Change

This new version of the PCI Error Handling product has added support for PCI slots available on rx3600 and rx6600 and the PCIe slots available with the upgraded I/O backplanes and extenders for rx7640, rx8640, and Integrity Superdome sx2000.

Impact

This feature allows your systems to continue running when a PCI error occurs.

Compatibility

This feature is optional. You must be aware that with this feature, a PCI error may not cause the system to fail. There may be instances when a system failure is desirable, in order to force a failover to another system.

Performance

This feature has no measurable performance impact.

Documentation

For further information, see the PCI Error Handling Product Note, Edition 4, located at http://docs.hp.com (navigate to High Availability, then to PCI Error Handling).

Obsolescence

There are no current obsolescence plans.