IBM Java for AIX HowTo: Resolve core dumps by processes running on... http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1024484#jumpt...

This document provides step-by-step instructions on how to resolve the issue of processes generating core dumps on POWER8
when using IBM Java for AIX.

If all of these steps have been completed and the problem persists, then it is recommended that you open a new IBM support call
with the IBM AIX Java Support team for a more in-depth analysis into the issue. Prior to any additional analysis, the IBM AIX Java
Support team will confirm that all of these steps have been completed since this is a well known and documented issue.

The instructions in this document make references to generic terms in Italics that will need to be replaced with information specific
to the support call and the environment. It is very important that consistent and accurate values be used in place of the Italicized
generic terms when collecting the data to ensure the prompt and correct delivery of the data when uploaded.

Generic Term Replace with

PMR The full IBM PMR number (e.g. , PMR12345.b678.c000).

Overview Step-by-Step Instructions

Problem: Applications using IBM Java for AIX using Power 8 hardware with Power 8 mode enabled may generate
process core dumps due to a known issue with event-based branching facility (EBB) and the enhanced
performance monitoring unit (PMU).

IBM Java for AIX, versions 7.1 and 8.0, utilize the EBB facility and are susceptible to experiencing these
application crashes. The most commonly reported scenario occurs when users attempt to use Live
Partition Mobility (LPM) without stopping their Java processes. The active Java processes will terminate
and generate process core dumps during the LPM activity.

This issue is an AIX issue (not IBM Java issue), so the issue can occur with any process that uses the
EBB andlor PMU features. More advanced users with ability to analyze the dumps, can check for
references to "MMCRO" register as cause of the issue from the core files.

The issue is under investigation and an official APAR and fix will be released to resolve the issue as soon
as they are ready. Work-arounds are available and customers can apply these till the availability of the

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AI!'. <.;onllgureme U'AK 10use 1"1)(IS under Investigation

Power 7 Compatibilty mode

The PTOOLs team is currently working on the issue and will be releasing a new APAR and fix to address
the issue completely. To know the current status of the fix, please check with the PTOOLS team (Request
queue PTOOLS,165).

There are other possible scenarios where the core dumps can occur on Power 8, though not using LPM.
To identify these situations. please contact IBM support after completing the data collection.

Work-arounds: Below is a list ofworkarounds that may resolve the issue as an alternative to applying a fix:

AIX Work-arounds:

a. Run in Power 7 Compatibility Mode as a temporary fix.

To determine the processor mode, at the command prompt, execute the following command:

# prtconf I grep "Processor Implementation Mode"

CPU Compatibility Mopde can be changed to POWER 7 from the HMC through the LPAR properties,
following the steps below:

l. Select the LPAR and deactivate it.

ii. Go to Configuration -> Manage Profiles.
iii. Select the profile that needs to be activated.
iv. Go to Processors, change the Processor compatibility mode to Power 7 and boot it using the same
profile.

b. If migrating using LPM. stop the processes before the migration and restart them after the migration, to
avoid processes from crashing.

For example. from a command line prompt, run the following commands to identify the Java applications
using Java 7.1 or Java 8:

# ps -ef I grep java

For each command listed, work with the appropriate system's or application's administrator to temporarily
shutdown these processes using Java 7.1 or Java 8, before using LPM and restart once LPM has
completed.

IBM Java Work-arounds:

a. For IBM Java 8, disable the Runtime Instrumentation facility by adding the JVM command line option to
the java command of the crashing process(es}:

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Troubleshoot: If. after following the above instructions. the application continues to generate core dumps, please
complete the following steps:

1. Confirm that you have completed all of the above steps.

2. Contact IBM and open a new IBM service request (new PMR).
3. Collect and upload data as per the data collection procedure for automatically generated process core
dumps.

Document Type: Instruction

Content Type: Howto
Hardware: Power 8
Operating System: AIX 7.1 and 7.2
IBM Java: Java 7.1 | Java 8.0
Author(s): Vidya Makineedi
Reviewer(s): Roger Leuckie

Click here to submit feedback for this document.

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