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Recommended update for Linux kernel

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 27OCT2005)


solutions Recommended update for Linux kernel SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (18a14a10cce82ff399afb8091ed66cbb)

Applies to

Package: k_deflt
kernel-source
Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM zSeries
Patch: patch-10544
Release: 20051027
Obsoletes: 8cb0aa3b1ee5031c67c4ee14f4858126
48bee3d4a642a4bca5d17d853d098be0

Indications

Everyone who has I/O performance problems under zVM should update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

This update contains the following fixes:
  • [PATCH] fs/dcache.c: avoid race when updating nr_unused count of unused dentries. (83501)
  • Fix ACLs to compatible with Solaris VxFS
This update contans the following Code Drops from Developerworks:
Patchcluster 30
  • Problem-ID: 17067 ctc: A race condition and a busy wait performance problem caused by behavior of the transmit function.
  • Problem-ID: 17420 ctcmpc: Missing storage free in exception case.
  • Problem-ID: 18161 ctcmpc: Missing skb reference.
  • Problem-ID: 17661 kernel: pfault interrupt race.
  • Problem-ID: 17438 qeth: Disable IPV6 for HiperSockets.
  • Problem-ID: 17415 zfcp: Unnecessarily alarming message about data underruns.
  • Problem-ID: 16690 zfcp: Switch Reset leads to host crash
Patchcluster 29
This patch contains the following linux kernel feature:
Summary: Dasd new function: fixed I/O buffers Description: This feature limits the number of pages referred by channel programs. It can be enabled by using a new keyword 'fixedbuffers' on the 'dasd=...' parameter. Example: dasd=7000-7002,fixedbuffers
When the new feature is enabled it applies to PAGE_SIZE-formatted ECKD disks, but not to disks that are accessed using the DIAG or FBA discipline.
To check whether the parameter was recognized correctly you can check the boot messages.
When the fixed I/O buffers were enabled successfully you will find the following line in the log:
dasd: turning on fixed buffer mode
Patchcluster 28
  • Problem-ID: 12612 cio: /proc/chpids shows wrong CHPID status.
Patchcluster 27
  • Problem-ID: 14397 kernel: SIGP external call order code performance.
  • Problem-ID: 16260 lcs: Failing 'ifconfig up' because of race in lcs_probe().

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using this command:
rpm -Fvh k_deflt.rpm zipl
Finally, reboot the system with
shutdown -r now
to load the new kernel (replace "now" with the appropriate amount of time to allow local users to cleanly log out, for example "+5" for five minutes.)

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.


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