Field Notice: FN - 70227 - Cisco Identity Services Engine Might Exhibit Server Stability Issues on SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 - Workaround Provided

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Updated:June 22, 2018

Document ID:FN70227

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Notice

THIS FIELD NOTICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE FIELD NOTICE OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE FIELD NOTICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS FIELD NOTICE AT ANY TIME.

Revision History

Revision	Publish Date	Comments
1.0	21-Jun-18	Initial Release
1.1	21-Jun-18	Updated Image Names/Locations
1.2	22-Jun-18	Updated the Field Notice Title

Products Affected

Affected OS Type	Affected Release	Affected Release Number	Comments
NON-IOS	2	2.3.0, 2.2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0, 2.1.0	Impacts SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances only
NON-IOS	1	1.4	Impacts SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances only

Defect Information

Defect ID	Headline
CSCvh64000	Documentation/Clarification needed on UCS Comprehensive Diagnostic memory test
CSCvh31507	CIMC upgrade causing memory test failure on 3495

Problem Description

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) might exhibit server instability on the SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances when they run Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)/firmware/BIOS versions later than 2.0(4c).

Background

After the CIMC/firmware/BIOS is upgraded to versions later than 2.0(4c), ISE might exhibit server instability on the SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances. Server instability might cause the ISE application services and/or database functions to terminate abruptly and result in a system crash. Unified Computing System (UCS) memory diagnostic tests conducted on an affected appliance will result in failure.

In order to run the UCS memory diagnostic test, the UCS Server Diagnostics Utility must be downloaded and used to test the health of the ISE server. For further usage information on the UCS Server Diagnostics Utility, see the Cisco UCS Server Diagnostics Utility User Guide.

Problem Symptom

ISE SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances with CIMC/firmware/BIOS versions later than 2.0(4c) might exhibit intermittent crashes of ISE services. UCS memory diagnostic tests conducted on an affected appliance will result in failure.

Example Result - Memory Test Passed

Example Result - Memory Test Failed

Workaround/Solution

The recommended workaround is to avoid an upgrade to a CIMC/firmware/BIOS version later than 2.0(4c) on the SNS-3415-K9 and SNS-3495-K9 appliances. If a CIMC/firmware/BIOS version later than 2.0(4c) is used and ISE server stability issues are observed and UCS memory diagnostic tests result in failure, then downgrade to CIMC/firmware/BIOS Version 2.0(4c) or earlier.

The current CIMC/firmware/BIOS version can be found with two methods:

In the CIMC GUI, choose Admin > Firmware Management.
In the CIMC CLI, enter the show cimc detail command.

If the CIMC/firmware/BIOS is confirmed to be later than Version 2.0(4c), then complete these steps:

Perform an ISE configuration and/or operation database backup. For further instructions on how to perform a backup, see the appropriate Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide.
Downgrade the CIMC/firmware/BIOS to Version 2.0(4c) or earlier. In order to downgrade the CIMC/firmware/BIOS, complete these steps:
1. Download the appropriate version of the Cisco UCS Host Upgrade Utility.
2. Follow the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility Guide and update all components.
Restore the ISE server from the system backup. For further instructions on how to perform a system restore, see the appropriate Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide.

For More Information

If you require further assistance, or if you have any further questions regarding this field notice, please contact the Cisco Systems Technical Assistance Center (TAC) by one of the following methods:

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