SLES10SP4 kdump fails with kernel: NMI: IOCK error (debug interrupt?) error

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 4

Situation

kdump on SLES10SP4 fails with the following message:

kernel: NMI: IOCK error (debug interrupt?) error.

Resolution

Affected by this issue are certain HP SmartArray controllers supported by the cciss or hpsa driver (a comprehensive list and more details can be found in the HP support advisory listed below). All tools and configuration files which are necessary to create the dump on a system running SLES10 require access to the root partition regardless of the dump device. As long as root is located on the affected SCSI controller, the dump will not complete.

SLES 11 is not affected by this issue. If possible, please consider an upgrade to SLES 11 SP1 on those machines this behavior is experienced on.

HP support advisory:

Advisory c02911740 - HP Smart Array Controllers - Kernel Core Dump Using Kdump May Not Complete in Linux With Certain HP Smart Array Controllers

For details on setting up kdump on SLES10 or SLES11 please see TID 000016171 Configure crashkernel memory for kernel core dump analysis

Disclaimer

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