VMware Cloud Community
JonathanCraft
Contributor
Contributor
‎12-30-2012 10:45 AM

ESXi 5.1 - crashes...need help please

Hi, I am a true newbie.

Every so often my ESXi will crash....dead.

I have obtained a copy of the dump file but I really need some help.

Many thanks

Jonathan

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9 Replies
bragazzi
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
‎12-30-2012 03:31 PM

Since you have a dump file, we can assume that it is not "hanging" or "freezing" or "powering-off", but encountering an unrecoverable error and dumping the memory.  Can you confirm that all the hardware is on the HCL?  I've seen similar behavior when a faulty memory module is installed.  You may want to troubleshoot by running memory and hard drive tests from a live CD

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gbhorne
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
‎12-30-2012 04:03 PM

crashing in what sense?

VCP 5.1, CASP, SSSE, CCDA
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TomHowarth
Leadership
Leadership
‎12-31-2012 04:29 AM

Welcome to the Forums,

Can you confirm that you Hardware is on the HCL, and Post your dump file, also take a picture of the PSOD and post that too.

Tom Howarth VCP / VCAP / vExpert
VMware Communities User Moderator
Blog: http://www.planetvm.net
Contributing author on VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security: Securing ESX and the Virtual Environment
Contributing author on VCP VMware Certified Professional on VSphere 4 Study Guide: Exam VCP-410
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JonathanCraft
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-02-2013 01:04 PM

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JonathanCraft
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-02-2013 01:44 PM

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memaad
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
‎01-02-2013 01:57 PM

Hi,

If you have support contract with VMware, file support request for this issue along with core dump.

Regards

Mohammed

Mohammed | Mark it as helpful or correct if my suggestion is useful.
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Alexibm
Contributor
Contributor
‎01-02-2013 05:27 PM

Jonathan,

Your PCPU received NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt). NMI is not controlled by ESXi operating system. Mostly it is a hardware issue. If you have a valid support contract with VMware open a SR with the log bundle.

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grasshopper
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
‎01-02-2013 06:36 PM

I wonder if the old 4.0 error is coming back.  Although you're running ESXi 5.x, your PSoD seems to fit the symptoms of the following 4.0 KB:

VMware KB 1034041 (ESXi 4.x, but useful background info):

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=103404...

Note:  if we believe the above KB is related (probably not), then based on your PSoD it seems that pCPU2 flagged the error; However, the offending workload was running from pCPU1 and may be related to a particular VM's configuration or workload  (speculation).  Some log review would need to be done.  See KB for more detail.  Also, ensure your BIOS settings are correct for CPU virtualization settings (i.e. all on).

If you are running on HP hardware consider the following host level config change for this known issue:

VMware KB 2000091 (for ESXi 5.x and HP servers with PCC Support)

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=200009...

Good luck and keep us posted.

PS - When in doubt a support case is always the way to go.  VMware Support has custom tools to analyze these dumps (speaking of which you may need to work on fixing your dump location based on the 'out of space' message at the bottom of the PSoD?  Not sure).

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