Linux Shield taints kernel with a machine check event

This document (3207565) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9

Situation

Servers or workstations with McAfee's Linux Shield show a kernel taint level of 64 or higher.

Resolution

A tainted kernel essentially is a kernel that may not be supportable by SUSE. Certain programs like Linux Shield load modules that are not open source or that have incompatible licenses that make support from SUSE either difficult or impossible. (For more details, refer toTID 3582750 - Tainted kernel )

A machine check event is a way of flagging that a hardware is failing, has failed, may fail, or that the hardware is misconfigured. Under normal circumstances, validation of the hardware would be prudent (such as checking the hardware configuration or running vendor diagnostics).

Systems where Linux Shield is installed have been demonstrated to show a kernel taint status of 64. SUSE's supportconfig utility used in diagnosing will show that a machine check event has been occurred, thus indicating a hardware failure.

In order to validate that the hardware is not the cause of the machine check event, remove the Linux Shield modules.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.