Memory size does not match with model type. WAE-7326

[Natalie Ramirez]

I have a WAE-7326, which is EOL, but despite being EOL is still a way more powerful than the 674-8gb.  The only problem is that I can not get TAC support on it.  So, I read on this web page:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/app_ntwk_services/waas/wae/installation/7326/guide/7326spec.html

That it supports up to 16gb of memory...

So, I have 2 issues:

1.  So if it supports 16GB of memory, 2GB maximum per chip, 8 slots for memory.  So, I purchased 8-2GB memory exactly as they speficied on the page.  Opened the server and saw 4 - 1GB memory DIMMs in slots 1-4, popped them out, and popped all 8 chips in there (it is a dell server with a Cisco front), it booted up with 2 beeps, then 4 beeps, then 4 beeps.  The console cable showed a repeating nonsense character string, nothing on the monitor when I plugged it in to see what was going on.  Removed all 8 chips, put the original 4 1gb chips into slots 5-8, same error.  Removed them from slots 5-8, installed them into slots 1-4, booted up perfectly.  Removed them and installed 4-2gb chips into slots 1-4, booted up perfectly.  Added 2-4gb chips to slots 5-6, same beep error.  Removed them from 5-6 and added to 7-8, same beep error.  Possibly a memory controller failure or a restriction on those memory slots.  So, now it is running with Four 2gb DIMMs in slots 1-4, boots up with no issues.  Is there a restriction on this device preventing the use of slots 5-8?  Or is my device defective in some way which is unfixable becuase it is EOL?

2. Now it boots up, shows all 8 GB of memory, shows that it is using just over 7GB of memory now, but I am getting this major error on the CM for this device, "Memory size does not match with model type".  It is working perfectly and I do not care that is EOL (if its not broke, why fix it), should I care that it does not like the amount of memory that I have in it?

[Felix Arrieta]

Hi Beau,

Without taking a look at any logs from your device, I strongly suggest to run a rescue CD.

Download the image called "The Accelerator Binary Image" for whatever WAAS version you currently run.

Burn the cd and follow this steps:

Insert the rescue CD on the box and reload the WAE

You should see the following menu automatically:

-     Installer Main Menu: ( please do 2,3,5,8)

-     >     1. Configure Network

-     >     2. Manufacture flash

-     >     3. Install flash cookie

-     >     4. Install flash image from network

-     >     5. Install flash image from cdrom

-     >     6. Install flash image from disk

-     >     7. Recreate RAID device (WAE-674/7341/7371 only)

-     >     8. Wipe out disks and install .bin image

-     >     9. Exit (Eject and reboot)

Remove the CD from the WAE –reboot it.

here are the steps again: ( this guide is for an old version 4.0 but the steps are the same for any version)

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/app_ntwk_services/waas/waas/v4013/configuration/guide/maint.html#wp1105207

I don't usually ask this but,, please do the steps above twice on your device ( just in case).

best of luck!

[Natalie Ramirez]

Tried it, twice...  Still will not acknowledge the memory ports 5-8.

[Felix Arrieta · Accepted solution]

ok, thanks for trying, I'd probably replace the box but because that is not an option  I will just leave the device running with as much memory it can detect and ignore the alarm.

( I  recall a bug related with the memory alarm, I don't know if that matches with your current situation but is just for you to know that under certain software versions there is a bug where the device is working perfectly but still giving the memory size alarms, so  you can either upgrade or ignore it )

here is the bug if you want to take a look

http://tools.cisco.com/Support/BugToolKit/search/getBugDetails.do?method=fetchBugDetails&bugId=CSCtg30891

I guess this is where my assistance finish, I suggest to still try with  TAC and  have them to review the sysreport, tech-support, WAAS software version ...etc  to make sure we're not leaving anything  behind in regards software.

best of luck!

[Natalie Ramirez]

I am going with your advice "just leave the device running with as much memory it can detect and ignore the alarm"  I was able to try it in another 7326 and it had the same problem.  I think it is internally disabled by Cisco somwhere and the article stating it supports 16GB is probably original IBM server specs that Cisco later gimped, becuase Cisco says on another page I found that it only has the option for 4GB of memory in this model.

[Felix Arrieta]

ok,thanks for the rating.

Felix