How to Conduct Regular CPU Health Checks in HPC Systems

Step 1: Schedule Routine Health Checks

• Set up periodic intervals (weekly/monthly) to conduct CPU diagnostics consistently across HPC nodes.

Step 2: Monitor CPU Temperatures and Power Usage

• Use tools like lm-sensors, ipmitool, or vendor-specific utilities to continuously monitor CPU temperatures and power consumption.

Step 3: Run Diagnostic and Stress Testing

• Regularly perform CPU stress tests (e.g., stress-ng, Prime95, or LINPACK) to validate CPU stability under heavy workloads.
• Check for errors or unexpected throttling behaviors during tests.

Step 4: Analyze System Logs for CPU-Related Issues

• Review system logs (dmesg, /var/log/messages, IPMI logs) for indications of CPU-related problems, such as overheating alerts, core failures, or machine check exceptions.

Step 5: Perform Microcode and BIOS Checks

• Regularly verify BIOS and CPU microcode versions, applying updates promptly to maintain security and stability.

Step 6: Inspect CPU Performance Metrics

• Utilize performance monitoring tools (perf, Intel VTune, AMD µProf) to analyze CPU performance counters, identify anomalies, and detect potential hardware degradation.

Step 7: Validate CPU Core Availability

• Regularly check available CPU cores using tools like lscpu, hwloc, or numactl to confirm that all cores are operational and performing as expected.

Step 8: Document and Review Health Check Results

• Record all test outcomes, diagnostic data, and corrective actions taken, creating a historical record to facilitate future troubleshooting and performance optimization.

Step 9: Implement Proactive Maintenance

• Address issues immediately upon detection, replacing degraded CPUs or performing maintenance tasks (thermal paste renewal, heatsink cleaning) to extend CPU lifespan and ensure reliable operation.