[cobalt-users] RaQ3 Kernel update 4.0.1

[David <david_dean@xxxxxxx>]

Group,

I wanted to throw my 2cents and experiences with this kernel update into the
mix -personally I'd recommend that users stay AWAY from this "update". We
installed this patch on two of our machines a few weeks back and since then
the machines periodicly reboots themselfs -they have been assiumlated and
perform this little task all by their little selfs... 

I dug through the archives and saw other posts from users complaining of the
same problems, which apparently Cobalt/SUN didn't take too seriously as they
referred to the issue as a "red haring" in one post. Now to me, the term Red
Harring means -in lue of a more serious problem/issue (a cloaked or disguised
problem). One of the techs suggested the user run a bench test against the
system to see if it was running slower than prior to the update -give me a
break - run bench tests to see how far you can push a production server...
please...!!!!!

I also noticed yesterday that http://www.4webspace.com has posted a message on
their home page advising Cobalt users (of machines leased through them)
**NOT** to install this kernel update --BECAUSE-- (taken from thier site):

>Warning for all 4WebSpace.com users:
>Users should not install the Cobalt Kernel update
>4.0.1 on their RaQ 3 servers. It can cause serious 
>problems with the servers, including sending 
>them into infinite rebooting loops. 

Hummm... I guess since they buy/stock these systems in quanity, they wouldn't
know what they're talking about -it's must be just another "red harring".

One-thing users thinking about upgrading their kernels might want to consider
before installing this patch/update (2.2.16-C24III) - Cobat/SUN enginer?s
cameout with a NEWER kernel patch/update litterly within 2 days (Apr 27) after
this one was posted to the public on Apr 25. You can find the *newer* kernel
files (2.2.16-C25III-1) posted on Cobalt Net (ftp.cobaltnet.com) under the
/pub/kernel/genIII directory (gen III is the RaQ3/4 generation model
designation based on it's chipset). 

You can find the kernel files currently rolled into the current patch/upgrade
(2.2.16-C24III) on their download site under the ?OLD? directory
/pub/kernel/old/gen_III (you don't want them or your machine will be
assiumlated). 

There?s also a little README file that details:

>These are kernel updates that have passed QA and have been or will be in an
official >update.  
>
>Get all the packages and install with the following command:
>	rpm -Uvh kernel*.i386.rpm
>Then reboot.
>----
>bugreports to cobaltkernel@xxxxxxx
>----
>
>It is VERY important that you install the correct kernel version.  If you get
it wrong, >your system WILL NOT BOOT.
>
>gen_III is for Cobalt hardware generation 3 systems (ALi 154x chipsets)
>	RaQ3 (all version)
>	RaQ4 (all version)
>	Qube3 (all versions)
>
>gen_V is for Cobalt hardware generation 5 systems (Serverworks LE chipsets)
Ø	RaQXTR (all versions)

I?ve installed this kernel update on one of the systems and it seems to have
resolved the rebooting problem. But people not comfortable with doing these
kind of things should SERIOUSLY think twice about installing the currently
available patch/update as obviously there?s problems/issues with it?s
installation on some systems.

David

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