Asset ID:	1-72-1339775.1
Update Date:	2012-01-16
Keywords:

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Solution Type  Problem Resolution Sure

Solution  1339775.1 :   VTL - How to increase number of buffers on compression cards  

In this Document
  Symptoms
  Cause
  Solution
  References

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Oracle Confidential (PARTNER). Do not distribute to customers
Reason: mentions contacting engineering.

Created from <SR 3-4025580901>

Applies to:

Sun StorageTek VTL Plus Storage Appliance - Version: 2.0 - Build 1590d to 2.0 - Build 1656 - Release: 2.0 to 2.0
Oracle Solaris on x86-64 (64-bit)

Symptoms

Error stating hardware Compression Card Failed

Jul 8 06:30:17 xxxVTL02-A h9630vtl_drv: [ID 306004 kern.warning] WARNING: h9630vtl_alloc_single_dma_buffer() ddi_dma_mem_alloc() failed: instance=1
Jul 8 06:30:17 xxxVTL02-A h9630vtl_drv: [ID 957194 kern.warning] WARNING: h9630vtl_issue() No DMA buffers instance = 1
Jul 8 06:30:17 xxxVTL02-A genunix: [ID 459543 kern.notice] <6>[fffffe800e238c80] TLE_ERROR: Hifn HW compression failure, return code = -1
Jul 8 06:30:17 xxxVTL02-A ipstorcomm [mgtpipe_exec.c:pipe_thread:2169][1953]: [ID 961525 daemon.notice] Rcv'd mgtpipe cmd: 'hardware_problem Hardware Compression Card Failed'
Jul 8 06:30:17 xxxVTL02-A ipstorcomm: [ID 702911 daemon.notice] IPSTOR||1310131817||W||0x00002901||Attention required event||Hardware Compression Card Failed


Feb 7 19:45:21 xxxVTL3B ipstorcomm [mgtpipe_exec.c:pipe_thread:1816][1376]: [ID 961525 daemon.notice] Rcv'd mgtpipe cmd: 'hardware_problem Hardware Compression Card Failed'
Feb 7 19:45:21 xxxVTL3B genunix: [ID 459543 kern.notice] <6>[fffffe800751ec80] TLE_ERROR: 10293: Read Block Failed, Tape 20004077, THL 4159484416, CurBlockSize 262144
Feb 7 19:45:21 xxxVTL3B sanidmgr[667]: [ID 702911 daemon.notice] IPSTOR||0||E||0x00009cb5||Temporary Hifn Hardware decompression failed||-6
Feb 7 19:45:21 xxxVTL3B ipstorcomm: [ID 702911 daemon.notice] IPSTOR||1234053921||W||0x00002901||Attention required event||Hardware Compression Card Failed


Dec 15 04:04:16 xxxVTL3A h9630vtl_drv: [ID 398010 kern.notice] NOTICE: h9630vtl_get_dma_buffer() No free buffers, allocating temp buffer: instance=1
Dec 15 04:04:26 xxxVTL3A h9630vtl_drv: [ID 398010 kern.notice] NOTICE: h9630vtl_get_dma_buffer() No free buffers, allocating temp buffer: instance=0

Cause

Memory is allocated when the system boots up for the compression cards. If the compression card can not empty it's queue fast enough, it will fill up and run out of memory.

Solution

Increase the number of buffers the card has allocated.

By default, 8 buffers are enabled for version 1.0.9 and 16 buffers are enabled for version 1.1.2.  See KM solution 1337671.1 referenced.

Engineering recommends doubling this amount if you get problems. It might be necessary to go higher then this. Please consult VTL engineering prior to going above 32.

Modify this file:
/usr/kernel/drv/h9630vtl_drv.conf
and add / modify the following line:

buffers=32;

(Note the semi-colon at the end of the line)

A reboot is required after this change to reallocate the buffers.


NOTE: This configuration file is also used to enable debugging.  Only enable at the direction of VTL engineering.  Add the following line to enable:

debug-level=1;

References

<NOTE:1337671.1> - VTL - How to Find Hardware Compression Card Driver Version?

Attachments

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