+++ This bug was initially created as a clone of Bug #305011 +++ Description of problem: On x86_64, the tick divider patch seems to have multiple bugs, which cause problems on VMware ESX server. In particular, because not all of the clocks are being properly divided, it needs many more interrupts than a kernel re-compiled to 100HZ would, and can cause time drift. The problems identified so far are: 1) It does not set the local APIC to the "divided" value; it leaves it at the undivided value. 2) It does not properly account for lost ticks when using PM-timer (it thinks there are more lost ticks than there actually are). 3) It does not properly account for lost ticks when using TSC. A preliminary patch (based on input from VMware) is attached. -- Additional comment from clalance on 2007-09-25 09:16 EST -- Created an attachment (id=205451) Patch to fix some of the tick divider problems -- Additional comment from marcobillpeter on 2007-09-28 13:15 EST -- requesting this for async errata after 5.1 GA release. The current broken 5.1 implementation will cause problems for fv and VMware clients. requested for the first 5.1.z kernel errata -- Additional comment from alan on 2007-10-02 08:37 EST -- Looks sane on a first glance
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux maintenance release. Product Management has requested further review of this request by Red Hat Engineering, for potential inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Update release for currently deployed products. This request is not yet committed for inclusion in an Update release.
in 2.6.18-58.el5 You can download this test kernel from http://people.redhat.com/dzickus/el5
I would like to report that "divider=10 clocksource=pit" causes a hang on bootup. This happens with the 2.6.18-53.1.4.el5 kernel and the latest one from the link in #4 (kernel-2.6.18-62.el5).
confirmed fix is in the -92 kernel.
(In reply to comment #7) > confirmed fix is in the -92 kernel. I tried the -92 kernel from http://people.redhat.com/dzickus/el5. However addition of divider=10 AND clocksource=pit did cause a hang. If I do not add clocksource=pit, the system boots normally. It looks like the issue still exists in this test kernel. Akemi
Right. That bug is being tracked separately, here: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=427588 Chris Lalancette
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2008-0314.html