HP DL380G4 + VMWare Server + W2k3 --> randomly crashes

[VMStr]

Hi

We have some weired problem with VMware Server running on HP DL380 G4 hardware. The host OS is Windows 2003 SP1 Enterprise with the latest Microsoft patches.
The server randomly bluescreens. Sometimes the server runs for weeks without any problems and sometimes the servers crashes a few times per day.

I think we can eliminate a hardware failure as cause for the problem because the error occurs on at least 4 servers.
We also tried different versions of VMwareServer (from 1.0.1 to 1.0.3).

We tried to analyse the memory dump created. Here are some lines of the analysis:
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID: DRIVER_FAULT
BUGCHECK_STR: 0xD1
PROCESS_NAME: vmware-vmx.exe
TRAP_FRAME: b8a1ea4c -- (.trap 0xffffffffb8a1ea4c)
ErrCode = 00000000
...
FOLLOWUP_IP:
cpqteam+5763
ba9df763 8b45fc mov eax,dword ptr [ebp-4]
SYMBOL_STACK_INDEX: 2
FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner
MODULE_NAME: cpqteam
IMAGE_NAME: cpqteam.sys
DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 44bdf4c9
SYMBOL_NAME: cpqteam+5763
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: 0xD1_cpqteam+5763
BUCKET_ID: 0xD1_cpqteam+5763


It looks to me that VMwareServer networking has some problems with the HP Network Teaming.
After deactivating the HP Teaming the server is running stable again.

Has someone experienced similar problems? Or has someone a solution for running VMwareServer with HP Teaming activated on an HP DL380G4?
Does anybody know if there is a known issue with the hp teaming drivers working with VMwareServer?
We would like to have teaming enabled for network redunancy.

Thanks in advance

CU

[DennisCThornton]

Are you running PSP 7.8?

[Mauro Rusignuolo]

I've a similar problem in using VMWare Server 1.0.3.
DL360 G5 with network teaming activated.
the host operating system it's Win 2003 Server enterprise x64 SP2.

the system (host) runs perfectly.

with only one VM, with Win 2003 STD x86, a few times a day, the VM loose the network connection ...

right now, I've disabled the network teaming.
I'll let you know for any news.

bye.

TJK.

[VMStr]

Hi at the moment we are using PSP 7.7.
We will test the 7.8 in the next days.

Has there something changed with teaming in 7.8?

Thanks

[DennisCThornton]

There are issues with 7.8 that cause seemingly random blue screens on DL360/380 servers. The thread is located at: http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1128223&admit=-682735245+1182279274905+28353475

After reading through it you may decide to hold off on applying 7.8.

[VMStr]

Thanks for the info! :)
The installation of PSP 7.8 was a suggestion of the HP support.

CU

[Joshua Small_2]

After struggling with HP support for weeks.. yes it's funny that they still suggest PSP 7.8. It seems to be all they are able to suggest these days..

If you do get the urge to try it, most people appear successful after installing it and then downgrading the NIC driver.

[Mauro Rusignuolo]

Hi all,

regardig the problem I have and described above, nothing changed installing the PSP 7.8.
I've installed it as soon as was available.
the problem still remain.
form yesterday afternoon I've dissolved the teaming.
and, right now, Ihaven't had any problem.
I'll let you informed.

bye.

TJK.

[Mauro Rusignuolo]

Hi,
after I've dissolved the teaming, no problems detected in more than 24 hours ...

bye

TJK.