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Computing Infrastructure Support (CIS) CIS Computer Help Desk |
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PCs Running Some Linux Versions
May Be Causing Network Problems There have been some problems, such as Novell servers being locked up, caused by some PCs running certain versions of the Linux operating system. The problem is caused when the machines generate DLC frames, some of which are known as pause frames, which are sent over the network. These frames can cause other systems, such as Novell servers, to lock up. Other systems may show poor performance. To date, four such incidents have been discovered at the Lab. One aspect of the problem that makes it difficult to track down is that some computers can generate the frames even when turned off. So far, the problem has shown up only in Linux distributions using kernels 2.2.0 - 2.2.14. The initial solution to the problem appeared to require replacing the Network Interface Card in the computers, but two other work-around fixes have been found. NOTE: Upgrading your system kernel yourself should only be done if you feel confident that you can do it. Otherwise, contact the Help Desk who will then forward a ticket to the CIS Unix Group. 1) This is for users of RedHat 6.0 or 6.1 only. Users of RedHat 6.2 already have the fix present in the kernels, even though they are version 2.2.14. Likewise, that patch is included in the following RPMs. If using Redhat 6.0, then download these updated kernel RPMs: ftp://ftp.lbl.gov/pub/linux/redhat-6.0/updates/i386 kernel-2.2.14-5.0lbl.i386.rpm The method to install, as root, is: rpm -Fvh kernel-* If using Redhat 6.1, then download these updated kernel RPMs: ftp://ftp.lbl.gov/pub/linux/redhat-6.1/updates/i386 kernel-2.2.14-5.0lbl.i386.rpm The method to install, as root, is: rpm -Fvh kernel-*
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/alan/2.2.15pre/pre-patch-2.2.15-18.gz This is a patch to be installed onto linux-2.2.14 source code, so you must have this first. Linux 2.2.14 can be downloaded from: ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.2/linux-2.2.14.tar.gz (on some mirror sites, they only carry bzip2 archives [.bz2]) NOTE: This is a pre-release kernel so it is recommended that you install the 2.2.15 kernel when it is, most likely, released later this month. The new kernel when officially released will be available from: ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.2/linux-2.2.15.tar.gz (again, some mirror sites may only have bzip2 archives [.bz2]) Once the pre-patch-2.2.15-18 is applied, recompile your kernel, or the appropriate module, install it, and reboot. Again, if you do not feel confident about doing this, then contact the Help Desk who will then forward a ticket to the CIS Unix Group. |
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