IBM p5 550 Technical Overview And Introduction

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Contents

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 372.11.2 Service processor extenderThe SP extender unit offers two system power control network (SPCN) ports that are used tocontrol the power of the attached I/O subsystems. The SPCN control software and the serviceprocessor software are run on the same PPC405 processor.2.12 Boot processFrom the earlier RS/6000 systems, through the previous pSeries systems, the boot processpassed through several enhancements. With the implementation of the POWER5 chiptechnology in the pSeries platform, the boot process is enhanced for the flexibility that thePOWER5 processor-based hardware features. Depending on the customer configuration, asystem may or may not require the use of an HMC to manage the system. The boot process,based on the Initial Program Load (IPL) setup, will depend on the hardware setup and on theway we will use the features that POWER5 processor-based systems provide.The IPL process starts when power is connected to the system. Immediately after, the SPstarts an internal self test based on integrated diagnostic programs (Built-In-Self-Test, BIST).Only if all the test units have been successfully passed, the system status changes tostandby.2.12.1 IPL flow without an HMC attached to the systemWhen the system status is standby, the SP provides a System Management Interface (SMI)that can be accessed by pressing any key on an attached serial console keyboard, or theAdvanced System Management Interface (ASMI) using a Web browser5 on a client systemthat is connected to the SP on an Ethernet network.The SP and the ASMI are standard on all POWER5 processor-based hardware. Both systemmanagement interfaces require you to enter the general or admin ID password and allow youto set flags that affect the operation of the system, according to the provided password, suchas auto power restart, to view information about the system (such as the error log and VPD),network environment access setup, and to control the system power.You can start and shut down the system in addition to setting IPL options. This server has apermanent firmware boot side, or A side, and a temporary firmware boot side, or B side. Newlevels of firmware should be installed on the temporary side first in order to test the update’scompatibility with your applications. When the new level of firmware has been approved, itcan be copied to the permanent side.In the SMI and ASMI, you can view and change the following IPL settings: System boot speed.Fast or Slow. Fast boot results in skipped diagnostic tests and shorter memory testsduring the boot. Firmware boot side for next boot.Permanent or Temporary. Firmware updates should be tested by booting from thetemporary side before being copied into the permanent side. System operating mode.5 Supported browsers are Netscape (Version 7.1), Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 6.0), and Opera (Version7.23). At the time of writing, previous versions of these browsers are not supported. JavaScript™ and cookies mustbe enabled.