Blade Center HS20 (2004)

I think one of the NIC modules has never worked however today I swapped them round and neither worked swapping them back made no difference so I am without any network connectivity at all. The lights on the NICs at back of the machine light up and flash when connected (while the blade center is powering up) but after the blade center has booted up and the blades start to boot the lights stop flashing and the OK light is illuminated (Meaning that it has power, has passed the POST and is operational ?) on both modules but there is no conenctivity. (I've tried different switches just to make sure). The config for the broadcomm Ctrl + S allows me in but nothing there says there is an issue or even gives me the option to see one.


When running BIOS based diagnostics I get the following (not sure if it'll help any)

Following error(s) were detected when the system was started.

1762 configuration error has occurred
162 configuration error has occurred


I've also run the IBM diagnostics from windows I'll attach the file(s) if I can.

Windows however will still detect the network cards and install them then give me the limtied or no connectivity warning.


Wes

Right 1762 just means (Configuration change has occurred) Run Configuration/Setup

However 162 means (Device configuration error) NOTE: Be sure to load the default settings and any additional desired settings; then, save the configuration.
1. Run Configuration/Setup
2. Battery
3. Failing device
4. System board
Looks like somethings cooked.


Wes

Right, wesley, you're talking absolute jibberish! Let's clarify a few point first.

There is no such thing a a Blade Centre HS20. A Blade Centre with HS20 blades is what you mean, yes?
How many blades? Are the all experienceing this problem?
"The lights on the NICs at back of the machine light up and flash when connected" I assume you mean the network modules? What slots are they in? What make/model are the (Intel, Cisco and Nortel are common).

If you configure 2 blade servers with local IP addresses can they ping eachother?

I think I have an idea what your problem is, but you need to slow down and make me clear about what you're trying to do.

Hope I can help

Matt

Little rattled at present ;)


It's an 8677 blade center running 14 HS20 blades. All are experiencing this problem.

Both Blade Center Gigabit Ethernet Switch Modules (I did refer to them as modules as well in the original post) have the same issue all four ports flash whilst initialising and the ones connected to the network flash after this however once the POST has finished both modules display OK light but no longer Tx/Rx.

They aren't the nortel ones but there isn't any identifying markings other than a serial number.
They are in the network module slots 1 and 2.

Quote:

---

If you configure 2 blade servers with local IP addresses can they ping each other?

---

I'll get back to you one this ASAP.





Wes

Okay I've assigned IP addresses to them but no they can't ping each other?


Wes

Okay, thanks so far.

Have you plugged the blade centre management module into the network?
Connect to that and go to:
Monitors -> Hardware VPD, under I/O modules it will tell you the Manufacturer and Product Code of the modules (I'm betting they're Intel IXM5414E)

Then I/O Module Tasks -> Configuration, give the network modules LAN ip addresses and see if they are pingable, and can connect to their web interfaces.
For each module click go to the advanced configuration (from the chassis management module) and ensure that under advanced configuration ensure that "External management over all ports" is enabled

Then I/O Module Tasks -> Admin/Power/Restart ensure that "external ports" are enabled for each module.

Also connect to each Network Module, and ensure that each port is enabled (Admin Mode = Enable)

Good Luck

Matt

What software are you using to connect to the management console?


Wes

It's got a built in web server. Should get an IP from DHCP but if you can't find it then you can connect to it from a machine as follows.

The following topics describe how to connect a remote console to the management module to perform initial configuration of the BladeCenter unit. The management module has the following default network settings:
IP address: 192.168.70.125 (primary management module)
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
User ID: USERID (all capital letters)
Password: PASSW0RD (note the number zero, not the letter O, in PASSW0RD)

Matt

Got it asking me the the username and password but it's not USERID and PASSW0RD.

Any way of resetting it?


Wes

wait found how to reset it.

From here.

Insert a paper clip into the pin hole on the back of the advanced management module.
Push the paper clip in all the way and hold it for approximately 10 seconds. The advanced management module will reset and the fans will run at full speed, which is clearly audible.
Remove the paper clip from the pin hole.

Matt

1 Ethernet SM DLNK n/a n/a 2 3104 ---- ---- J1WDJ47Y008 9308 CCFE DBAB 11D8 8C1D 000D 88E5 1B48
2 Ethernet SM DLNK n/a n/a 2 2604 26K6483 26K6482 J1W1F46S530 9AD6 91FA C053 11D8 8811 000D 88FB 3C68



Wes

Ping Progress for Switch Module 1
Pinging 192.168.3.7: request timed out.
Pinging 192.168.3.7: request timed out.
Pinging 192.168.3.7: request timed out.
Pinging 192.168.3.7: request timed out.

Okay the NIC ports on the modules are now lighting up but they still can't find the network for some reason? Seeing as the management console is plugged into the same switch I know it's not the DHCP server or the switch itself?


Wes

Have you ensured that the "External ports" is set to enabled? It will have disabled them when you reset the management module.

Matt