In the world of Linux system administration, one of the most common tasks is tweaking system configurations to optimize performance or troubleshoot issues. One such tweak involves adding the ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ directive to the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file. But is it safe to do so? This article aims to provide a detailed analysis of this topic.
Adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ to ‘/etc/default/grub’ is generally safe in terms of immediate impact, as it won’t cause system crashes. However, it is not considered a best practice as it suppresses error reporting without addressing the underlying hardware issues. It is recommended to investigate and address the root cause of the errors for a more stable and reliable system in the long run.
Understanding the ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ Directive
Before we delve into the safety aspect, it’s crucial to understand what ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ means. This directive is a combination of two separate parameters: ‘nomsi’ and ‘noaer’.
- nomsi: This parameter disables the Message Signaled Interrupts (MSI) system-wide. MSI is a method used by devices to interrupt the CPU. Disabling it means that the system will revert to using the older, less efficient Line-Based Interrupts (LBI).
- noaer: This parameter suppresses the reporting of PCI Express (PCIe) Advanced Error Reporting (AER). AER is a mechanism for reporting and logging reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) events to help diagnose system failures.
The Impact of Adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’
Adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ to the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file essentially suppresses certain types of error reporting and changes the way your system handles interrupts. This can be useful in certain troubleshooting scenarios where these error messages are causing confusion or clutter.
However, it’s important to note that adding this directive does not fix the root cause of the errors. It merely suppresses the error messages. This means that if there’s an underlying hardware issue causing these errors, it will remain unaddressed.
Is It Safe?
In terms of immediate impact, adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ to the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file is safe. It won’t cause your system to crash or become unresponsive. However, the long-term safety is more nuanced.
By suppressing error reporting, you’re essentially ignoring potential issues with your hardware. While these issues might not cause immediate harm, they could lead to more serious problems down the line. For instance, if a PCIe device is malfunctioning and causing errors, simply suppressing the error reports won’t fix the device.
A Better Approach
Instead of suppressing error reports, a better approach would be to investigate the root cause of the errors. This might involve checking the system logs, running hardware diagnostics, or even replacing faulty hardware.
If you’re not sure how to do this, there are many resources available online. For instance, the Ubuntu Community Help Wiki is a great place to start.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ to the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file is technically safe, it’s not a best practice. Instead of suppressing error reports, it’s better to investigate and address the underlying issues. This will lead to a more stable and reliable system in the long run.
To add ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ to the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file, you need to open the file in a text editor with root privileges. Look for the line that starts with "GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT" and add "pci=nomsi,noaer" within the quotation marks. Save the file and run the command "sudo update-grub" to apply the changes.
Yes, you can remove ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ from the ‘/etc/default/grub’ file. Simply open the file in a text editor with root privileges, locate the line containing "GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT", and remove "pci=nomsi,noaer" from within the quotation marks. Save the file and run "sudo update-grub" to update the changes.
Adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ is not intended to directly improve system performance. It primarily suppresses error reporting and changes the way your system handles interrupts. While it may help in troubleshooting scenarios, addressing the underlying hardware issues would be more effective in improving performance.
There are several alternative methods for troubleshooting hardware issues. These include checking system logs for error messages, running hardware diagnostics tools specific to your hardware components, and ensuring that all drivers and firmware are up to date. Additionally, seeking assistance from online forums or communities dedicated to Linux system administration can provide valuable insights and guidance.
In terms of immediate impact, adding ‘pci=nomsi,noaer’ is safe and won’t cause your system to crash. However, the long-term safety is more nuanced. By suppressing error reporting, you may overlook potential hardware issues that could lead to more serious problems in the future. It’s generally recommended to investigate and address the underlying issues rather than simply suppressing error reports.
