Server boot hangs, server shows "Unpacking initramfs"

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 2
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1

Situation

After boot, the server hangs with the message "Unpacking initramfs".
Server has been configured for crashkernel.
The boot is not initiated by an admin, but due to a kernel crash.

Resolution

The problem is caused by a wrong configured crashkernel configuration. After modifying the crashkernel configuration according to TID 3374462 the problem is solved.

This problem can also happen with the default configuration of crashkernel.

Cause

The problem is caused due to the fact that the crashkernel has not enough memory available to be initialized.

Additional Information

This problem can also be happening with OES11 NCS or OES11 SP1 NCS. When NCS (N0vell Clustering Services) needs to fence a node, this will cause also this hang when crashkernel has not been configured properly.

Disclaimer

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