Compaq AlphaServer ES40 User Manual

Using the Remote Management Console 7-3
The RMC logic is implemented using an 8-bit microprocessor, PIC17C44, as the
primary control device. The firmware code is resident within the microproces-
sor and in flash memory. If the RMC firmware should ever become corrupted or
obsolete, you can update it manually using the Loadable Firmware Update
Utility. See Chapter 3 for details. The microprocessor can also communicate
with the system power control logic to turn on or turn off power to the rest of
the system.
The RMC is powered by an auxiliary 5V supply. You can gain access to the
RMC as long as AC power is available to the system (through an AC outlet).
Thus, if the system fails, you can still access the RMC and gather error/fault
information about the failure.
DPR Error Repository
The RMC manages an extensive network of FRU I
2
C EEPROMs. Information
from these EEPROMs is stored in dual-port RAM (DPR)—a shared RAM that
facilitates interaction between the RMC and the system—and can be accessed to
diagnose hardware failures.
At system power-up, the RMC reads 256 bytes of data from each FRU EEPROM
and stores it in the DPR. The EEPROM data contains information on
configuration and errors. The data is accessible through the TIG chip on the
system motherboard.
As one of its functions, the TIG provides interfaces for the firmware and the
operating system to communicate with the server management logic. The data
accessed from DPR provides configuration information to the firmware during
start-up. Remote or local applications can read the DPR system error and
configuration repository. The error log information is written to the DPR by an
error handling agent and then written back to the EEPROMs by the RMC. This
arrangement ensures that the error log is available on a FRU after power has
been lost.
The RMC console provides several commands for accessing error information in
the DPR. See Section 7.6. Compaq Analyze, described in Chapter 5, can access
the FRU EEPROM error logs to provide diagnostic information for system
FRUs.

Compaq AlphaServer ES40 Specifications

General

Manufacturer	Compaq
Model	AlphaServer ES40
Number of Processors	1 to 4
Memory Type	DDR SDRAM
Operating System	OpenVMS, Tru64 UNIX, Linux
Release Year	2000
CPU Speed	500 MHz to 1 GHz
Memory	Up to 32 GB
Storage	SCSI
Network	10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet
Form Factor	Rack-mounted

Summary

Chapter 1 System Overview

1.1 System Architecture

Describes the switch-based interconnect system that maintains constant performance.

1.8 Memory Architecture and Options

Explains the memory bus structure and available memory options.

1.10 Remote System Management Logic

Explains the System Power Controller (SPC) and RMC components.

Chapter 2 Troubleshooting

2.1 Questions to Consider

Lists questions to ask the system manager before troubleshooting.

2.3 Service Tools and Utilities

Lists available tools for testing, diagnosis, and recommendations.

Chapter 3 Power-Up Diagnostics and Display

3.1 Overview of Power-Up Diagnostics

3.2 System Power-Up Sequence

Details the step-by-step power-up sequence illustrated in a figure.

3.4 Power-Up Error Messages

Lists error messages displayed by RMC, SROM, and SRM at power-up.

3.5 Forcing a Fail-Safe Floppy Load

3.6 Updating the RMC

Chapter 4 SRM Console Diagnostics

4.1 Diagnostic Command Summary

Summarizes SRM diagnostic and related commands.

4.4 clear_error

4.5 crash

4.14 memtest

4.18 show error

Reports errors logged in FRU EEPROMs.

4.19 show fru

4.21 sys_exer

Chapter 5 Error Logs

5.1 Error Log Analysis with Compaq Analyze

Describes Compaq Analyze for determining hardware failure causes.

5.2 Fault Detection and Reporting

5.5 Windows NT Error Logs

Chapter 6 System Configuration and Setup

6.1 System Consoles

Describes system console programs in flash ROM.

6.2 Displaying the Hardware Configuration

6.3 Setting Environment Variables for Tru64 UNIX or OpenVMS

6.4 Setting Up a System for Windows NT

Guides on setting date, time, and hard disks before NT installation.

6.8 Setting SRM Security

Explains setting SRM security using password and secure commands.

6.9 Setting Windows NT Security

Describes password protection for Windows NT setup and startup.

6.10 Configuring Devices

6.11 Switching Between Operating Systems

Chapter 7 Using the Remote Management Console

7.1 RMC Overview

Provides an overview of RMC functions for system monitoring and control.

7.2 Operating Modes

7.4 Connecting to the RMC CLI

Details how to connect to the RMC command-line interface.

7.6 RMC Command-Line Interface

Lists RMC commands for system setup and management.

7.7 Resetting the RMC to Factory Defaults

7.8 Troubleshooting Tips

Lists possible causes and solutions for RMC troubleshooting.

Chapter 8 FRU Removal and Replacement

8.1 FRUs

8.5 Power Supply

8.7 Hard Disk Drives

8.8 CPUs

Explains how to add or replace CPU cards.

8.9 Memory DIMMs

Details how to replace memory DIMMs and MMBs.

8.10 PCI Cards

Describes installing or replacing PCI cards.

8.16 System Motherboard

Explains how to remove the system motherboard.

Appendix A SRM Console Commands

4-1 SRM Commands Used on ES40 Systems

Lists frequently used SRM console commands.

Appendix E Isolating Failing DIMMs

E.1 Information for Isolating Failures

E.2 DIMM Isolation Procedure

Provides a procedure to isolate a failing DIMM.