Advisory: ProLiant Gen9 Servers - Systems Configured with Intel Xeon E5 2600v3 Processors May Utilize Only One-Half (or Fewer) Logical Processors When Running Windows Server Operating Systems
Advisory: ProLiant Gen9 Servers - Systems Configured with Intel Xeon E5 2600v3 Processors May Utilize Only One-Half (or Fewer) Logical Processors When Running Windows Server Operating Systems
HP ProLiant Gen9 servers configured with Intel Xeon E5 2600 v3 processors can be configured to support processor configurations that exceed 64 logical processors. Windows Operating Systems divide the logical processors into groups (Kgroups). On HP ProLiant Gen9 servers, the System Firmware, by default, reports the maximum number of possible logical processors to reflect the highest core count processor available. The result is that Windows Operating Systems will group the available logical processors into more than one Kgroup in a two-socket populated configuration.
Applications that rely on older kernel APIs for affnitizing threads inside a process to a specific logical processor will only be able to address one Kgroup. The result is that the process will run on fewer logical processors than are presented to the OS for use. Workloads that utilize multiple processes (in lieu of a single process with multiple threads), or are leveraging the APIs that allow beyond single Kgroup addressing, will have full access to all the logical processors presented to the OS for use.
Note: The link above will take you outside the HP website. HP is not responsible for content outside of the HP website.
SCOPE
Any ProLiant Gen9 server configured with an Intel Xeon E5 2600v3 processor.
RESOLUTION
To correct this issue, perform one of the following:
Update the workload to use kernel APIs that are able to address logical processors on more than one group.
OR
In the Revision 1.30 (12/24/2014) and later versions of the System ROMs for Gen9 servers, a new ROM-Based Setup Utility, "NUMA Group Size Optimization," has been added that allows the user to change the behavior of reporting processors to the Operating System. This option will allow the OS to put all logical processors into a single group if there are 64 logical processors or fewer ("Flat".) This option does not address issues that could be seen using configurations where more than 64 logical processors are present (as is the case with 18 core Intel Xeon E5 processors.):
The latest version of the System ROM is available as follows:
Enter the server model in the the"Find My Product" field.
Click on the server and then select the appropriate operating system.
Under "BIOS-System ROM," Select Firmware Version 1.30 (or later).
This advisory will be updated if additional solutions become available.
RECEIVE PROACTIVE UPDATES: Receive support alerts (such as Customer Advisories), as well as updates on drivers, software, firmware, and customer replaceable components, proactively via e-mail through HP Subscriber's Choice. Sign up for Subscriber's Choice at the following URL:
Proactive Updates Subscription Form
NAVIGATION TIP: For hints on navigating HP.com to locate the latest drivers, patches, and other support software downloads for ProLiant servers and Options, refer to the
Navigation Tips document
.
SEARCH TIP: For hints on locating similar documents on HP.com, refer to the
Search Tips document
.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information provided is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. To the extent permitted by law, neither HPE nor its affiliates, subcontractors or suppliers will be liable for incidental, special or consequential damages including downtime cost; lost profits; damages relating to the procurement of substitute products or services; or damages for loss of data, or software restoration. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development and the names of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development products referenced herein are trademarks of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development in the United States and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Legal Disclaimer: Products sold prior to the November 1, 2015 separation of Hewlett-Packard Company into Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company and HP Inc. may have older product names and model numbers that differ from current models. Hewlett Packard Enterprise believes in being unconditionally inclusive. Efforts to replace noninclusive terms in our active products are ongoing.
