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+
+
+EDAC - Error Detection And Correction
+
+Written by Doug Thompson <norsk5@xmission.com>
+7 Dec 2005
+
+
+EDAC was written by:
+ Thayne Harbaugh,
+ modified by Dave Peterson, Doug Thompson, et al,
+ from the bluesmoke.sourceforge.net project.
+
+
+============================================================================
+EDAC PURPOSE
+
+The 'edac' kernel module goal is to detect and report errors that occur
+within the computer system. In the initial release, memory Correctable Errors
+(CE) and Uncorrectable Errors (UE) are the primary errors being harvested.
+
+Detecting CE events, then harvesting those events and reporting them,
+CAN be a predictor of future UE events. With CE events, the system can
+continue to operate, but with less safety. Preventive maintainence and
+proactive part replacement of memory DIMMs exhibiting CEs can reduce
+the likelihood of the dreaded UE events and system 'panics'.
+
+
+In addition, PCI Bus Parity and SERR Errors are scanned for on PCI devices
+in order to determine if errors are occurring on data transfers.
+The presence of PCI Parity errors must be examined with a grain of salt.
+There are several addin adapters that do NOT follow the PCI specification
+with regards to Parity generation and reporting. The specification says
+the vendor should tie the parity status bits to 0 if they do not intend
+to generate parity. Some vendors do not do this, and thus the parity bit
+can "float" giving false positives.
+
+The PCI Parity EDAC device has the ability to "skip" known flakey
+cards during the parity scan. These are set by the parity "blacklist"
+interface in the sysfs for PCI Parity. (See the PCI section in the sysfs
+section below.) There is also a parity "whitelist" which is used as
+an explicit list of devices to scan, while the blacklist is a list
+of devices to skip.
+
+EDAC will have future error detectors that will be added or integrated
+into EDAC in the following list:
+
+ MCE Machine Check Exception
+ MCA Machine Check Architecture
+ NMI NMI notification of ECC errors
+ MSRs Machine Specific Register error cases
+ and other mechanisms.
+
+These errors are usually bus errors, ECC errors, thermal throttling
+and the like.
+
+
+============================================================================
+EDAC VERSIONING
+
+EDAC is composed of a "core" module (edac_mc.ko) and several Memory
+Controller (MC) driver modules. On a given system, the CORE
+is loaded and one MC driver will be loaded. Both the CORE and
+the MC driver have individual versions that reflect current release
+level of their respective modules. Thus, to "report" on what version
+a system is running, one must report both the CORE's and the
+MC driver's versions.
+
+
+LOADING
+
+If 'edac' was statically linked with the kernel then no loading is
+necessary. If 'edac' was built as modules then simply modprobe the
+'edac' pieces that you need. You should be able to modprobe
+hardware-specific modules and have the dependencies load the necessary core
+modules.
+
+Example:
+
+$> modprobe amd76x_edac
+
+loads both the amd76x_edac.ko memory controller module and the edac_mc.ko
+core module.
+
+
+============================================================================
+EDAC sysfs INTERFACE
+
+EDAC presents a 'sysfs' interface for control, reporting and attribute
+reporting purposes.
+
+EDAC lives in the /sys/devices/system/edac directory. Within this directory
+there currently reside 2 'edac' components:
+
+ mc memory controller(s) system
+ pci PCI status system
+
+
+============================================================================
+Memory Controller (mc) Model
+
+First a background on the memory controller's model abstracted in EDAC.
+Each mc device controls a set of DIMM memory modules. These modules are
+layed out in a Chip-Select Row (csrowX) and Channel table (chX). There can
+be multiple csrows and two channels.
+
+Memory controllers allow for several csrows, with 8 csrows being a typical value.
+Yet, the actual number of csrows depends on the electrical "loading"
+of a given motherboard, memory controller and DIMM characteristics.
+
+Dual channels allows for 128 bit data transfers to the CPU from memory.
+
+
+ Channel 0 Channel 1
+ ===================================
+ csrow0 | DIMM_A0 | DIMM_B0 |
+ csrow1 | DIMM_A0 | DIMM_B0 |
+ ===================================
+
+ ===================================
+ csrow2 | DIMM_A1 | DIMM_B1 |
+ csrow3 | DIMM_A1 | DIMM_B1 |
+ ===================================
+
+In the above example table there are 4 physical slots on the motherboard
+for memory DIMMs:
+
+ DIMM_A0
+ DIMM_B0
+ DIMM_A1
+ DIMM_B1
+
+Labels for these slots are usually silk screened on the motherboard. Slots
+labeled 'A' are channel 0 in this example. Slots labled 'B'
+are channel 1. Notice that there are two csrows possible on a
+physical DIMM. These csrows are allocated their csrow assignment
+based on the slot into which the memory DIMM is placed. Thus, when 1 DIMM
+is placed in each Channel, the csrows cross both DIMMs.
+
+Memory DIMMs come single or dual "ranked". A rank is a populated csrow.
+Thus, 2 single ranked DIMMs, placed in slots DIMM_A0 and DIMM_B0 above
+will have 1 csrow, csrow0. csrow1 will be empty. On the other hand,
+when 2 dual ranked DIMMs are similiaryly placed, then both csrow0 and
+csrow1 will be populated. The pattern repeats itself for csrow2 and
+csrow3.
+
+The representation of the above is reflected in the directory tree
+in EDAC's sysfs interface. Starting in directory
+/sys/devices/system/edac/mc each memory controller will be represented
+by its own 'mcX' directory, where 'X" is the index of the MC.
+
+
+ ..../edac/mc/
+ |
+ |->mc0
+ |->mc1
+ |->mc2
+ ....
+
+Under each 'mcX' directory each 'csrowX' is again represented by a
+'csrowX', where 'X" is the csrow index:
+
+
+ .../mc/mc0/
+ |
+ |->csrow0
+ |->csrow2
+ |->csrow3
+ ....
+
+Notice that there is no csrow1, which indicates that csrow0 is
+composed of a single ranked DIMMs. This should also apply in both
+Channels, in order to have dual-channel mode be operational. Since
+both csrow2 and csrow3 are populated, this indicates a dual ranked
+set of DIMMs for channels 0 and 1.
+
+
+Within each of the 'mc','mcX' and 'csrowX' directories are several
+EDAC control and attribute files.
+
+
+============================================================================
+DIRECTORY 'mc'
+
+In directory 'mc' are EDAC system overall control and attribute files:
+
+
+Panic on UE control file:
+
+ 'panic_on_ue'
+
+ An uncorrectable error will cause a machine panic. This is usually
+ desirable. It is a bad idea to continue when an uncorrectable error
+ occurs - it is indeterminate what was uncorrected and the operating
+ system context might be so mangled that continuing will lead to further
+ corruption. If the kernel has MCE configured, then EDAC will never
+ notice the UE.
+
+ LOAD TIME: module/kernel parameter: panic_on_ue=[0|1]
+
+ RUN TIME: echo "1" >/sys/devices/system/edac/mc/panic_on_ue
+
+
+Log UE control file:
+
+ 'log_ue'
+
+ Generate kernel messages describing uncorrectable errors. These errors
+ are reported through the system message log system. UE statistics
+ will be accumulated even when UE logging is disabled.
+
+ LOAD TIME: module/kernel parameter: log_ue=[0|1]
+
+ RUN TIME: echo "1" >/sys/devices/system/edac/mc/log_ue
+
+
+Log CE control file:
+
+ 'log_ce'
+
+ Generate kernel messages describing correctable errors. These
+ errors are reported through the system message log system.
+ CE statistics will be accumulated even when CE logging is disabled.
+
+ LOAD TIME: module/kernel parameter: log_ce=[0|1]
+
+ RUN TIME: echo "1" >/sys/devices/system/edac/mc/log_ce
+
+
+Polling period control file:
+
+ 'poll_msec'
+
+ The time period, in milliseconds, for polling for error information.
+ Too small a value wastes resources. Too large a value might delay
+ necessary handling of errors and might loose valuable information for
+ locating the error. 1000 milliseconds (once each second) is about
+ right for most uses.
+
+ LOAD TIME: module/kernel parameter: poll_msec=[0|1]
+
+ RUN TIME: echo "1000" >/sys/devices/system/edac/mc/poll_msec
+
+
+Module Version read-only attribute file:
+
+ 'mc_version'
+
+ The EDAC CORE modules's version and compile date are shown here to
+ indicate what EDAC is running.
+
+
+
+============================================================================
+'mcX' DIRECTORIES
+
+
+In 'mcX' directories are EDAC control and attribute files for
+this 'X" instance of the memory controllers:
+
+
+Counter reset control file:
+
+ 'reset_counters'
+
+ This write-only control file will zero all the statistical counters
+ for UE and CE errors. Zeroing the counters will also reset the timer
+ indicating how long since the last counter zero. This is useful
+ for computing errors/time. Since the counters are always reset at
+ driver initialization time, no module/kernel parameter is available.
+
+ RUN TIME: echo "anything" >/sys/devices/system/edac/mc/mc0/counter_reset
+
+ This resets the counters on memory controller 0
+
+
+Seconds since last counter reset control file:
+
+ 'seconds_since_reset'
+
+ This attribute file displays how many seconds have elapsed since the
+ last counter reset. This can be used with the error counters to
+ measure error rates.
+
+
+
+DIMM capability attribute file:
+
+ 'edac_capability'
+
+ The EDAC (Error Detection and Correction) capabilities/modes of
+ the memory controller hardware.
+
+
+DIMM Current Capability attribute file:
+
+ 'edac_current_capability'
+
+ The EDAC capabilities available with the hardware
+ configuration. This may not be the same as "EDAC capability"
+ if the correct memory is not used. If a memory controller is
+ capable of EDAC, but DIMMs without check bits are in use, then
+ Parity, SECDED, S4ECD4ED capabilities will not be available
+ even though the memory controller might be capable of those
+ modes with the proper memory loaded.
+
+
+Memory Type supported on this controller attribute file:
+
+ 'supported_mem_type'
+
+ This attribute file displays the memory type, usually
+ buffered and unbuffered DIMMs.
+
+
+Memory Controller name attribute file:
+
+ 'mc_name'
+
+ This attribute file displays the type of memory controller
+ that is being utilized.
+
+
+Memory Controller Module name attribute file:
+
+ 'module_name'
+
+ This attribute file displays the memory controller module name,
+ version and date built. The name of the memory controller
+ hardware - some drivers work with multiple controllers and
+ this field shows which hardware is present.
+
+
+Total memory managed by this memory controller attribute file:
+
+ 'size_mb'
+
+ This attribute file displays, in count of megabytes, of memory
+ that this instance of memory controller manages.
+
+
+Total Uncorrectable Errors count attribute file:
+
+ 'ue_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the total count of uncorrectable
+ errors that have occurred on this memory controller. If panic_on_ue
+ is set this counter will not have a chance to increment,
+ since EDAC will panic the system.
+
+
+Total UE count that had no information attribute fileY:
+
+ 'ue_noinfo_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the number of UEs that
+ have occurred have occurred with no informations as to which DIMM
+ slot is having errors.
+
+
+Total Correctable Errors count attribute file:
+
+ 'ce_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the total count of correctable
+ errors that have occurred on this memory controller. This
+ count is very important to examine. CEs provide early
+ indications that a DIMM is beginning to fail. This count
+ field should be monitored for non-zero values and report
+ such information to the system administrator.
+
+
+Total Correctable Errors count attribute file:
+
+ 'ce_noinfo_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the number of CEs that
+ have occurred wherewith no informations as to which DIMM slot
+ is having errors. Memory is handicapped, but operational,
+ yet no information is available to indicate which slot
+ the failing memory is in. This count field should be also
+ be monitored for non-zero values.
+
+Device Symlink:
+
+ 'device'
+
+ Symlink to the memory controller device
+
+
+
+============================================================================
+'csrowX' DIRECTORIES
+
+In the 'csrowX' directories are EDAC control and attribute files for
+this 'X" instance of csrow:
+
+
+Total Uncorrectable Errors count attribute file:
+
+ 'ue_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the total count of uncorrectable
+ errors that have occurred on this csrow. If panic_on_ue is set
+ this counter will not have a chance to increment, since EDAC
+ will panic the system.
+
+
+Total Correctable Errors count attribute file:
+
+ 'ce_count'
+
+ This attribute file displays the total count of correctable
+ errors that have occurred on this csrow. This
+ count is very important to examine. CEs provide early
+ indications that a DIMM is beginning to fail. This count
+ field should be monitored for non-zero values and report
+ such information to the system administrator.
+
+
+Total memory managed by this csrow attribute file:
+
+ 'size_mb'
+
+ This attribute file displays, in count of megabytes, of memory
+ that this csrow contatins.
+
+
+Memory Type attribute file:
+
+ 'mem_type'
+
+ This attribute file will display what type of memory is currently
+ on this csrow. Normally, either buffered or unbuffered memory.
+
+
+EDAC Mode of operation attribute file:
+
+ 'edac_mode'
+
+ This attribute file will display what type of Error detection
+ and correction is being utilized.
+
+
+Device type attribute file:
+
+ 'dev_type'
+
+ This attribute file will display what type of DIMM device is
+ being utilized. Example: x4
+
+
+Channel 0 CE Count attribute file:
+
+ 'ch0_ce_count'
+
+ This attribute file will display the count of CEs on this
+ DIMM located in channel 0.
+
+
+Channel 0 UE Count attribute file:
+
+ 'ch0_ue_count'
+
+ This attribute file will display the count of UEs on this
+ DIMM located in channel 0.
+
+
+Channel 0 DIMM Label control file:
+
+ 'ch0_dimm_label'
+
+ This control file allows this DIMM to have a label assigned
+ to it. With this label in the module, when errors occur
+ the output can provide the DIMM label in the system log.
+ This becomes vital for panic events to isolate the
+ cause of the UE event.
+
+ DIMM Labels must be assigned after booting, with information
+ that correctly identifies the physical slot with its
+ silk screen label. This information is currently very
+ motherboard specific and determination of this information
+ must occur in userland at this time.
+
+
+Channel 1 CE Count attribute file:
+
+ 'ch1_ce_count'
+
+ This attribute file will display the count of CEs on this
+ DIMM located in channel 1.
+
+
+Channel 1 UE Count attribute file:
+
+ 'ch1_ue_count'
+
+ This attribute file will display the count of UEs on this
+ DIMM located in channel 0.
+
+
+Channel 1 DIMM Label control file:
+
+ 'ch1_dimm_label'
+
+ This control file allows this DIMM to have a label assigned
+ to it. With this label in the module, when errors occur
+ the output can provide the DIMM label in the system log.
+ This becomes vital for panic events to isolate the
+ cause of the UE event.
+
+ DIMM Labels must be assigned after booting, with information
+ that correctly identifies the physical slot with its
+ silk screen label. This information is currently very
+ motherboard specific and determination of this information
+ must occur in userland at this time.
+
+
+============================================================================
+SYSTEM LOGGING
+
+If logging for UEs and CEs are enabled then system logs will have
+error notices indicating errors that have been detected:
+
+MC0: CE page 0x283, offset 0xce0, grain 8, syndrome 0x6ec3, row 0,
+channel 1 "DIMM_B1": amd76x_edac
+
+MC0: CE page 0x1e5, offset 0xfb0, grain 8, syndrome 0xb741, row 0,
+channel 1 "DIMM_B1": amd76x_edac
+
+
+The structure of the message is:
+ the memory controller (MC0)
+ Error type (CE)
+ memory page (0x283)
+ offset in the page (0xce0)
+ the byte granularity (grain 8)
+ or resolution of the error
+ the error syndrome (0xb741)
+ memory row (row 0)
+ memory channel (channel 1)
+ DIMM label, if set prior (DIMM B1
+ and then an optional, driver-specific message that may
+ have additional information.
+
+Both UEs and CEs with no info will lack all but memory controller,
+error type, a notice of "no info" and then an optional,
+driver-specific error message.
+
+
+
+============================================================================
+PCI Bus Parity Detection
+
+
+On Header Type 00 devices the primary status is looked at
+for any parity error regardless of whether Parity is enabled on the
+device. (The spec indicates parity is generated in some cases).
+On Header Type 01 bridges, the secondary status register is also
+looked at to see if parity ocurred on the bus on the other side of
+the bridge.
+
+
+SYSFS CONFIGURATION
+
+Under /sys/devices/system/edac/pci are control and attribute files as follows:
+
+
+Enable/Disable PCI Parity checking control file:
+
+ 'check_pci_parity'
+
+
+ This control file enables or disables the PCI Bus Parity scanning
+ operation. Writing a 1 to this file enables the scanning. Writing
+ a 0 to this file disables the scanning.
+
+ Enable:
+ echo "1" >/sys/devices/system/edac/pci/check_pci_parity
+
+ Disable:
+ echo "0" >/sys/devices/system/edac/pci/check_pci_parity
+
+
+
+Panic on PCI PARITY Error:
+
+ 'panic_on_pci_parity'
+
+
+ This control files enables or disables panic'ing when a parity
+ error has been detected.
+
+
+ module/kernel parameter: panic_on_pci_parity=[0|1]
+
+ Enable:
+ echo "1" >/sys/devices/system/edac/pci/panic_on_pci_parity
+
+ Disable:
+ echo "0" >/sys/devices/system/edac/pci/panic_on_pci_parity
+
+
+Parity Count:
+
+ 'pci_parity_count'
+
+ This attribute file will display the number of parity errors that
+ have been detected.
+
+
+
+PCI Device Whitelist:
+
+ 'pci_parity_whitelist'
+
+ This control file allows for an explicit list of PCI devices to be
+ scanned for parity errors. Only devices found on this list will
+ be examined. The list is a line of hexadecimel VENDOR and DEVICE
+ ID tuples:
+
+ 1022:7450,1434:16a6
+
+ One or more can be inserted, seperated by a comma.
+
+ To write the above list doing the following as one command line:
+
+ echo "1022:7450,1434:16a6"
+ > /sys/devices/system/edac/pci/pci_parity_whitelist
+
+
+
+ To display what the whitelist is, simply 'cat' the same file.
+
+
+PCI Device Blacklist:
+
+ 'pci_parity_blacklist'
+
+ This control file allows for a list of PCI devices to be
+ skipped for scanning.
+ The list is a line of hexadecimel VENDOR and DEVICE ID tuples:
+
+ 1022:7450,1434:16a6
+
+ One or more can be inserted, seperated by a comma.
+
+ To write the above list doing the following as one command line:
+
+ echo "1022:7450,1434:16a6"
+ > /sys/devices/system/edac/pci/pci_parity_blacklist
+
+
+ To display what the whitelist current contatins,
+ simply 'cat' the same file.
+
+=======================================================================
+
+PCI Vendor and Devices IDs can be obtained with the lspci command. Using
+the -n option lspci will display the vendor and device IDs. The system
+adminstrator will have to determine which devices should be scanned or
+skipped.
+
+
+
+The two lists (white and black) are prioritized. blacklist is the lower
+priority and will NOT be utilized when a whitelist has been set.
+Turn OFF a whitelist by an empty echo command:
+
+ echo > /sys/devices/system/edac/pci/pci_parity_whitelist
+
+and any previous blacklist will be utililzed.
+