ESXi host firmware reports too many corrected errors in some parts of the system memory

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

The firmware of the ESXi host produces the following error message:

Memory page retirement requested by platform firmware. FRU ID: <value>. Refer to System Hardware Log: <value>, where <value> is the log message data provided by the firmware.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0

Resolution

This problem occurs when a memory module (DIMM) on the host is experiencing problems and might need to be replaced soon. You can get more information by checking the host's system event log.

This message is advisory only. The host continues to run, and virtual machine activity remains unaffected. However, the virtual machine might have less physical memory available after this problem occurs.

If this message is accompanied by other messages stating that many physical memory pages have been retired, then you must replace a memory module. You can check the Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) ID, or the system event log, or both to determine the exact DIMM that needs to be replaced.