IBM-AUSTRIA - PC-HW-Support    30 Aug 1999

ESCON CANNOT HAVE MAX BTU LARGER THAN 4105 FOR FOR 2.1 NODES

    Record number:       H166436
    Device:              D/T9086
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00008
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:
    Date created:        O99/05/05
    Date last altered:   A99/05/11
    Owning B.U.:         USA


Abstract: ESCON CANNOT HAVE MAX BTU LARGER THAN 4105 FOR 2.1 NODES

SYMPTOM:

Netfinity Servers running NT 4.0 with Microsoft SNA SERVER running with a MAX BTU Length larger than 4105, will break the link after several buffers are sent. This only happens on 2.1 nodes.

•  For Microsoft SNA Server:

   An active link will be reset after several Buffers sent. The error we see in the NT 4.0 event log is:

            Connection Failure
                 Connection    =  TV00@5
                 Link Service  =  ECLINK1
                 Outage Code   =  0005
   

   Explanation:
   A link service reported a connection failure to the node.

•  For NetWare for SAA, even though the Max PIU size is set for higher than 4105, the link will only run at 4105.
•  No problem exist in Communication Server for NT. (CS/NT)

PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:

•  The system is one of the following IBM Netfinity servers that supports the Netfinity ESCON Adapter:

        a Netfinity 5500 server, Type 8660, any Model.
        a Netfinity 5500-M10 server, Type 8661, any Model.
        a Netfinity 7000 server, Type 8651, any Model.
        a Netfinity 7000-M10 server, Type 8680, any Model.

The system is configured with a Netfinity ESCON Adapter Type 9086, Model 001.

NOTE - The current list of products that have been tested with current models of IBM Netfinity and PC Servers is available at the following URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/
click on "Host Attach/Mainframe Adapters"

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support
Under Communication Adapters -> ESCON

The Firmware level affected is: V1.7
The V1.7 Firmware for the ESCON Adapter is affected.

FIX:

Update Firmware to Version 2.0. This firmware will be shipping with the Netfinity ESCON Adapter Software CD Version 1.1, expected deliverable is May 1999.

When the ESCON Adapter Software CD Version 1.1 becomes available, it can be found at the following URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support
Under Communication Adapters -> ESCON

Follow the directions in the x:\Firmware\Readme.txt file on the Netfinity ESCON Adapter Software Version 1.1 CD, for instructions on Checking and Loading new Firmware levels.

WORKAROUND:

•  Microsoft SNA Server:

    Set the "Max BTU Length" parameter to 4105 or smaller.

•  Novell for SAA:

    Set the Maximum PIU size to 4105 or smaller.

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