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HansdeJongh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

vSphere + PowerConnect 62xx + EQL

Hello,

we have a cluster of eql's which all give errors on the ETH1.

The EQL's are connected to a series of dell servers with intel nic's through a stack of PC62xx dell switches.

The vSphere hosts are configured with the setup script of EQL in combination with their mpio module.

The switches are on firmware version 3.2.1.3

The eql`s are on firmware version 5.0.2

vSphere is version 4.1 update 1

There are some vm`s which also have a connection to the san through the ms iscsi initiator

On the dell switches flow control is enabled aswell as jumbo frames.

Dell already exchanged some of the switches but that didnt help.

All cables have recently changed.

I have no idea where to go with this.

Somebody gave me the tip to look at flow control on the esx hosts and within the vm`s

Now i know where to find it within the vm for flow control but have no idea if that can be configured on virtual switches..

regards

Hans

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39 Replies
IRIX201110141
Champion
Champion

No, only with  the PS4000  and never on the PS6010. We where already on v5.0.2 for some time and have upgraded to 5.0.4 three weeks ago. In the same step we upgraded the firmware we move the PS4000 to a new location which used the PC8024F and not the PC5448 anymore. So i cant say if the problems also exist with the older firmware or not.

The PS4000 with 5.0.4 works fine with our PC62xx because these are the frondend switches for legacy servers and the clients.

Regards

Joerg

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lanmaster411
Contributor
Contributor

I'm experiencing the same issue. Running a completely new environment with ESX 4.1 Update 1, EqualLogic PS4000, (2) PowerEdge R710 servers, and (2) PowerConnect 62xx switches together in a stack. Using Intel 82576 NICS for connection to the SAN. (two ports per server) I've already tried different cables, ports, and even failed over to a completely different EqualLogic controller. Getting a small number of packet errors and they are occurring on both eth0 & eth1 on the EqualLogic. Has anyone been able to resolve their issues?

Thanks,

Scott

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HansdeJongh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi Scott,

did you open a case with the eql team? Its a know problem with no solution yet.

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lanmaster411
Contributor
Contributor

No I have not yet, but thanks I will do so. Is it strictly an EqualLogic issue or being caused by the NICs and switches?

-Scott

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HansdeJongh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

i have exchanged cables, switches, nics, servers. As far as i can tell strictly a EQL issue, If you like i can give you my case number which you can use as a reference. Please send me a pm for that....

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andershansendk
Contributor
Contributor

Have you read this document from equallogic?

http://www.equallogic.com/resourcecenter/assetview.aspx?id=5229

I would also recommend you, to upgrade to firmware 5.0.4.

regards

Anders Hansen

Blog:  http://www.vperformance.org

Blog: www.vperformance.org
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HansdeJongh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi,

Its not a config error.

Regards

Hans

Van: andershansendk

Verzonden: maandag 11 april 2011 10:51

Aan: IT creation | Hans de Jongh

Onderwerp: New message: "vSphere + PowerConnect 62xx + EQL"

VMware Communities<http://communities.vmware.com/index.jspa>

vSphere + PowerConnect 62xx + EQL

reply from andershansendk<http://communities.vmware.com/people/andershansendk> in VMware vSphere™ Storage - View the full discussion<http://communities.vmware.com/message/1733858#1733858

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s1xth
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

I am running firmware 5.0.4 with 3 EQL arrays (1 PS6000X, 2 PS4000X)  and just noticed that ETH0 on one of the PS4's is reporting 8 packet errors. Never had this issue ever in my envionment. I am opening a ticket with EQL support and will report back with findings.

vSphere 4.1 (non u1) w. EQL MEM + FW 5.0.4 30 day uptime since controller reboot from last firmware update  from 5.0.2 > .4.

http://www.virtualizationimpact.com http://www.handsonvirtualization.com Twitter: @jfranconi
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s1xth
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

I just wanted to respond back and report that I opened a ticket with EQL support and sent them logs from the array. The logs showed no errors or issues at this time and since I have a low number of errors just to ignore them for now. I also did not recieve an answer on if this is a firmware issue or not. Since my support call I only have one more packet error, so I am not too concerned at this time.

Has anyone recieved any more information on their issue?

http://www.virtualizationimpact.com http://www.handsonvirtualization.com Twitter: @jfranconi
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s1xth
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Update: In case any of you are unaware, EqaulLogic has released a new firmware update, FW 5.0.5. I strongly recommend you all applying it and reporting back if the issues of NIC port errors continues. I am curious as if it will resolve the problems in your environments....I haven't applied the upate yet but have scheduled it to take place next weekend.

www.virtualizationbuster.com

Jonathan

http://www.virtualizationimpact.com http://www.handsonvirtualization.com Twitter: @jfranconi
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madsuse
Contributor
Contributor

Having the same issue on PS4000 running firmware version 5.0.5.

We have updated the switches to the latest firmware and are working with Dell on the issue.

Hopefully we will see a resolution soon.

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maup33
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Did the update v5.0.5 work for anyone?

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madsuse
Contributor
Contributor

No

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maup33
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Opened case with Dell, fyi


Dell following up - We are hoping to have this issue resolved with an upcoming firmware release. Dell wanted to check that the speed & duplex settings on the switch ports connecting to the array have not been changed from anything other than automatic.

me- Correct. Would that be firmware update 5.0.6?

Dell - At this time we don’t have an exact release date or revision for the firmware that will resolve this issue.  However, once it is out, we will let you know.

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systimax
Contributor
Contributor

Firmware 5.07 just released. If anyone updates his/her EQL please let us know if it was fixed.

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s1xth
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

I do not believe this issue has been fixed in 5.0.7 as it would have been placed in the release notes, however, the issue has already been confirmed by support as not a "problem", as it was posted here. I will be upgrading my arrays to 5.0.7 this coming weekend and I will post back if this issue persists, but right now I haven't recieved any more errors on the one PS4000 that had the errors, all other arrays never exhibited the problem.

I recommend opening a ticket with EQL support if you are still seeing a high number of packet errors, just to confirm nothing else is going on in your arrays.

http://www.virtualizationimpact.com http://www.handsonvirtualization.com Twitter: @jfranconi
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HansdeJongh
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I got conformation from EQL that they have found the cause of the problem and that it should be solved in the next firmware release (5.08?)

Regards

hans

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maup33
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

According 2  Dell technical support (haven’t tried it yet!!);

Packet errors on PS4000E connected to PowerConnect 6224 switches; a firmware patch V5.0.7-H1 that can be applied to your system as a resolution for this issue.  To download the patch, login to the EqualLogic support site first, then paste the following URL into your browser:  https://www.equallogic.com/support/download.aspx?id=10559

You upload & apply the firmware patch in the normal way.  Applying this patch will require a controller restart, so iSCSI connections may be affected.  We recommend that this patch be applied when downtime on the hosts can be arranged as a precaution.

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aroudnev
Contributor
Contributor

IT's even more intrigued on my site.

I have (on one site) 8 ESXi whcih run 3.5i without any EQL issues 9except dumb multipath which is not compatible with anything). No errors.

We upgraded 2 to ESX 4.0.1 (not 4.1 because we need to do it in stages) last week - no errors.

Then I upgraded 3 more to 4.0.1 yesterday and all 3 reports iSCSI errors causing reconnection every hour or so.

So, it is definitely something in both EQL (because not erors with other iSCSI arrays) and ESX4i (because no errors on previous iSCSI stack in 3.5i - 3.5i runs kind of cisco iscsi and 4 runs something which looks as open-iscsi).

I'll post update if manage to resolve this problem.

Equipment is - dell R710 and dell 1950 (one of last 3 systems and one of first systems are dell 29xx or 19xx, the rest is R710), original NIC-s, cisco switches; not sure about jumbo (EQL was configured long ago and worked pretty well aside of multipath problems which was expected).

(I think that some iSCSI or TCP optimization in ESX4 broke iSCSI with EQL under the load bursts).

What's interesting too - no visible impacts on performance.

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maup33
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Have applied firmware 5.0.7 and patch V5.0.7-H1 (V5.0.7 (R178545) H1) and no more errors.

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