5 Posts
0
419
R720 CPU Slow & iDrac Web Login Loops
Dear Community,
I'm facing some issues with one of my refurbished R720.
- after a Memtest86+, memories are OK but the CPU's cache speed seems stuck on half of their limits (L3 600mb/s)
- Impossible to boot on SLI_3.0.0_A00.iso from a usb drive, the linux init doesn't come up.
- iDrac web interface: login page loops itself after a valid logon
- Virtual console inaccessible even from OME
- Impossible to update BIOS from LifeCycle Controller since rollback
- SATA SSD bench test ~80mb/s read/write from SAS Backplane or TBU SATA
In addition, the overall system is slow compared to the other R720 in stock:
- SSH racadm commands
- BIOS navigation
- LifeCycle Controller Operations (Network Settings, Catalog discovery, ...)
Server setup with minimal requirements to identify what going on:
- MB: 046V88 (Version 2)
- RAM: 8GB (Port A1 w/ Samsung stick M393B1K70DH0-YH9)
- CPU: 1x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2640 0 @ 2.50GHz
- iDrac: iDRAC7 Enterprise License - v2.65.65.65
- LifeCycle Controller: v2.65.65.65
- BIOS: Rollback to 1.1.2 (initially 2.9.0)
- Dell OS Driver Pack: 7.1.0.9
- Backplane: 16x2.5" w/ Expander v1.0.3
- Storage Controller: H710P Mini
Someone else had the same issue or any idea on these issues before ordering another MB ?
Thank you in advance.
DELL-Chris H
Moderator
Moderator
•
8.4K Posts
0
October 3rd, 2022 10:00
Vherrlein,
You won't be able to walk the iDrac back that far, what you would have to do is walk the BIOS back up to current, as you can't just update to the current version from that far back without bricking the motherboard. So you would need to walk the BIOS up without skipping more than 2 or 3 at a time, or anything marked Urgent.
Also, if you have access to the iDrac web interface, I would suggest exporting the iDrac license in case there is any issue then you have it available to restore.
vherrlein
5 Posts
0
October 7th, 2022 04:00
After updating all BIOS firmwares without jumping versions, then setting up basics for having iDrac web interface working (ports, sslredirect, admin password, vncserver).
i discovered a setting which screw all perf of that beautiful machine.
Power Cap policy.
for unknown reason it was enabled with 21W max.
even on idle with minimal setup the machine consume 55W.
since that policy is disabled everything works like a charm.
thank you again.
DELL-Chris H
Moderator
Moderator
•
8.4K Posts
0
October 3rd, 2022 09:00
Vherrlein,
Thank you for providing all the details of the server and issue. I am sure that the issue will be with the BIOS, but would like to see if you can confirm if it is indeed on version 1.1.2, as well as I why it was rolled back to that old of a bios version from 2.9.0?
If it is on 1.1.2, and the iDrac is at 2.65.65, then they are too far apart in versions to communicate and that is what is causing the issue with the iDrac.
Let me know.
vherrlein
5 Posts
0
October 3rd, 2022 10:00
In fact the rollback have been done after all issues mentioned above.
i guess the previous owner did mistakes by upgrading iDrac and BIOS with latest versions.
ill try to downgrade iDrac in order to perform a proper upgrade path. By the way is it feasible to recover iDrac with the factory version, if no what would be the procedure with the correct starting version?
vherrlein
5 Posts
0
October 3rd, 2022 11:00
The iDrac web interface doesn’t let me pass the login page it loops on it.
I’ll backup the licence with racadm commands.
thanks for your advice I’ll keep you informed