[D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

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peterlistig
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 21:32
Product(s): Fujitsu D3417-B2

[D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby peterlistig » Mon Aug 07, 2017 19:49

Hello everybody!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
TL;DR:

  • ECC does not seem to work, although the components are capable of
    ECC. Can anyone with a Xeon or ECC-capable Pentium on a Fujitsu
    D3417(-B2) acknowledge or disprove this phenomenon? Or share their
    knowledge on how to prove that ECC functionality actually works?

  • Is there a publicly accessible bug tracker for Fujitsu products?
------------------------------------------------------------------------


I assembled a new server using the following components:

Board: Fujitsu D3417-B2
CPU: Intel Pentium G4560T (Kaby Lake, ECC-capable)
RAM: 1 x Samsung 8 GB DDR4, unbuffered, ECC


According to Intel ARK[1], the CPU is capable of ECC:

ECC Memory Supported: Yes


Reading the ECCDIS bit[2] in the CAPID0 register confirms this:

Code: Select all

  ## Check for plausibility of register values
  # setpci -s 00:00.0 0.w ## Offset 0: 2 Bytes Vendor ID. Default: 8086h
  8086
  # setpci -s 00:00.0 e4.l ## Offset E4h: Capabilities A (CAPID0). Default: 0h
  60012061
  ## 60012061h = 1110 0000 0000 0001 0010 0000 0110 0001b
  ## ==> Bit 25 (ECCDIS) = 0 ==> ECC capable


Although the CPU supports ECC, there is not the slightest hint that
this kind of memory protection gets detected and actually used. There
is no way of configuring anything ECC related (background scrubbing
rate, chip kill etc.); the word "ECC" is not even mentioned anywhere
in the BIOS setup. According to the BIOS manual, there should be an
item called "Runtime Error Logging", right between "CPU Configuration"
and "Drive Configuration", but there is none to be seen (using current
BIOS version 1.8.0).

Alas, the appropriate Linux EDAC kernel modules for Intel only work
with Xeons, and the Intel documentation on this subject is unwieldy,
to say the least.

So to be sure that memory protection actually works, I unceremoniously
electrically isolated pins 1-3 (NC, VCC (present multiple times), DQ4)
of a DIMM socket using a thin piece of plastic foil (naturally
observing ESD protection measures), re-inserted the DIMM carefully,
checked for correct placement of the isolation, and powered up the
system.

I expected:

  • The machine starts up,

  • the ECC mechanism corrects the 1-bit-error,

  • there is at least 1 unambiguous entry in the Smbios event log (in
    BIOS setup, under "Event Logs") for this artificially created and
    automatically correctable 1-bit-error, and

  • the Linux log files are flooded by MCE messages (Machine Check Exception)

Instead:

  • The monitor stays black, and the machine emits a continuous sequence of
    beeps of medium length, and

  • after removing the piece of plastic foil, there is no additional
    entry in the Smbios event log.

To me, this looks as if the ECC support on this board is dysfunctional.


Possible Causes:

  • BIOS bug: ECC support only gets used within Xeon family, not
    universally with ECC-capable CPUs.

  • Intel's data on the web as well as on silicon are wrong, and the
    Pentium G4560T does not support ECC.

  • The CPU is broken.

  • The RAM is broken.

  • The mainboard ist broken.

  • Everything works as expected. Execution needs to reach BIOS first,
    which then has to activate ECC support to make ECC work at all.

Can anyone with a Xeon or ECC-capable Pentium on a Fujitsu D3417(-B2)
acknowledge or disprove this phenomenon? Or share their knowledge on
how to prove that ECC functionality actually works?


Additionally: Is there a publicly accessible bug tracker for Fujitsu
products?


Regards

peterlistig


[1] http://ark.intel.com/products/97465/Int ... e-2_90-GHz

[2] https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en ... vol-2.html - chapter 3.39, page 97

[3] ftp://ftp.ts.fujitsu.com/pub/Mainboard- ... top_UK.pdf

AtuM
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 11:58
Product(s): B3417-B21 GS1

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby AtuM » Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:46

Actually, I am experiencing the same exact situation.
When you read the manual, you will see that only unbuffered/unregistered ECC dimms are supported. This is why this Xeon only supports up to 64GB RAM.
So do as I have. Order the right kind of DIMMs and you'll be fine.

peterlistig
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 21:32
Product(s): Fujitsu D3417-B2

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby peterlistig » Sat Sep 30, 2017 14:50

To quote myself:

RAM: 1 x Samsung 8 GB DDR4, unbuffered, ECC


So the type of RAM is not the problem; in fact, the wrong type
(registered DDR-SDRAM) would not work at all in this scenario.

Meanwhile, I posted my problem to a German forum which is also read by
a Fujitsu engineer and he assured me that -- despite no indication of
it (btw.: the missing "Runtime Error Logging" item is a bug which will
be fixed in the next release) -- ECC should be working fine.

I guess I have to wait for a more power-saving model of AMD's Ryzen to
appear, then turn back to AMD and sleep tightly again. :-)


peterlistig

AtuM
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 11:58
Product(s): B3417-B21 GS1

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby AtuM » Tue Oct 10, 2017 14:37

Oh, my bad.

I am still waiting for my RAM modules to arrive. I do hope Fujitsu releases a bug-fix soon enough. I have good experience with their hardware, but they do have issues when new releases with new features arrive.

BR

psirek
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 22:04
Product(s): D3417-B2

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby psirek » Tue Nov 28, 2017 19:38

I am looking to buy this board, but I am waiting for the missing "Runtime Error Logging" fix. As far as I can see it is not in the next release which is from the 16th of November.


16-Nov-2017

BIOS - Change V5.0.0.12 R1.14.0 for D3417-B2x
====================================================

- Bug Fix: BIOS setup setting "System Firmware
Update: Restricted" (at "Security" submenu) not
working.

- "Easy PC Protection" feature updated.

- Intel Reference Code updated to Rev. 2.7.0.

- New Intel(R) ME Firmware version 11.8.50.3399
implemented.

- New Video BIOS 1051 PC 14.34 and GOP driver
9.0.1066 implemented.

- UEFI IPv4 PXE boot improved.

- Bug Fix: UEFI IPv6 PXE boot not working properly.

- Bug Fix: IPv6 PXE boot fails with IPv6 DHCP.

- Bug Fix: Dual-GBit LAN adapter (2x RTL8111F) not
working.

- New SATA RAID OPROM v15.7.0.3054 and UEFI RAID
driver v15.7.0.3054 implemented.

- Bug Fix: Same boot device may appear several
times at "Boot Option Priorities" (at "Boot"
submenu).

- New System Management firmware (Teutates 50)
implemented. AC power cycle necessary for
activation.

- GABI (Global Application BIOS Interface) updated.



====================================================

History-List:
-------------
19-May-2017

BIOS - Change V5.0.0.12 R1.8.0 for D3417-B2x
====================================================

- Microcode updates added (Kabylake and Skylake).

- New Intel(R) ME Firmware version 11.6.29.3287
implemented.



02-May-2017

BIOS - Change V5.0.0.12 R1.7.0 for D3417-B2x
====================================================

- Enlarge useable memory for 32 bit operating
systems.

- New Video BIOS 1050 PC 14.34 and GOP driver
9.0.1063 implemented.

- New SATA RAID OPROM v15.2.0.2754 and UEFI RAID
driver v15.2.0.2754 implemented.

- Support for M.2 NVMe modules improved.

- Microcode updates added (Skylake R0/S0).

- New Intel(R) ME Firmware version 11.6.25.1229
implemented.

- Bug Fix: String and screen of Intel Secure Erase
AMT feature distorted.

- Bug Fix: IPv6 UEFI PXE boot option not available
with external PCIe Broadcom LAN adapter.

- BIOS Setup item "Above 4G Decoding: Enabled /
Disabled" (at "Advanced – PCI Subsystem Settings"
submenu) implemented.

- New System Management firmware (Teutates 48)
implemented. AC power cycle necessary for
activation.

- System monitoring temperature curves updated.

- GABI (Global Application BIOS Interface) updated.



05-Apr-2017

BIOS - Change V5.0.0.12 R1.5.0 for D3417-B2x
====================================================

- First released version.

peterlistig
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 21:32
Product(s): Fujitsu D3417-B2

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby peterlistig » Wed Nov 29, 2017 19:36

What is the source for your posted ChangeLog?

In file

there is a different list of changes, including a fix for the Runtime Error Logging bug:

BIOS Release Document Kabylake Desktop D34xx-B2

6 BIOS R1.14.0 [new]

BIOS Changes vs. R1.8.0:

  • Updated to Management Engine Firmware version 11.8.50.3399.
  • Updated System Management Controller Firmware
    o Teutates: Version 50
    o Amphion: Version 5
  • Updated GOP/VBT and legacy VBIOS
  • Updated to new Intel RST driver (Oprom).
    o (D3417-B2 only) Intel Optane support.
  • Updated to new PXE driver (Oprom) for Realtek LAN.
  • Feature: (D3417-B2 only) Added support to accelerate platform via Intel SetupOptaneMemory application.
  • Feature: Improve 3rd party Option ROM launch.
  • Fixed: PXE boot failures with IPv6 occurred.
  • Fixed: Same boot device appeared two times in Boot Option Priority.
  • Fixed: With Easy PC enabled, it was possible to enter Setup without password.
  • Fixed: In some circumstances UEFI IPv4 PXE boot did not work properly.
  • Fixed: Some ECC RAM modules did not work properly.
  • Fixed: PCIe card support improved.
  • Fixed: (D3417-B2 only) Runtime Error Logging entry was missing in Setup

BIOS 1.14.0 Known Issues and Limitations:

  • Black screen or CATERR after RTC resume from ACPI S4. Issue only seen with Intel graphics driver v21.20.16.4551 or newer. Issue will be fixed with graphics driver update. Meanwhile graphics driver v21.20.16.4550 should be used.
  • Wake on LAN via I219LM onboard LAN controller from ACPI S3/S4 is possible even when the I219LM is disabled in device manager.
  • Wake up from RTC after Power Button Overwrite does not work.
  • Some characters at BIOS Setup are not working correct with BIOS Setup setting different to "Keyboard Layout: English"

psirek
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 22:04
Product(s): D3417-B2

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby psirek » Wed Nov 29, 2017 20:12

I got it by going to

http://support.ts.fujitsu.com/IndexDownload.asp?lng=EN

And searching for D3417-B2. Then under BIOS I see this changelog for the actual BIOS file when clicking "File description" (se screenshot here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fxbcjv3qguh3b ... S.png?dl=0)

/Poul

peterlistig
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 21:32
Product(s): Fujitsu D3417-B2

Re: [D3417-B2] ECC Support for ECC Pentiums faulty?

Postby peterlistig » Wed Nov 29, 2017 20:25

Thank you for your detailed description!

I get the same change log as you, without mentioning the Runtime Error Logging Bug.

It is strange that the change log is not generated from a single source.

@Fujitsu engineers, how come?


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