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IBM® Carrier Grade Server X3650 T

Revision 3.0

2. SysCon Features

The SysCon feature is available on IBM servers that include an embedded USB device called a SysCon

Device. The SysCon Device works in conjunction with the system firmware (BIOS) to manage the system

settings for the BIOS and server management features (BMC and/or Intel

Management Module).

In addition, the user may use a removable USB flash device called a SysCon Key. A SysCon Key is a

removable USB mass storage device that has been installed as a SysCon Key device (i.e. the SysCon

runtime environment has been installed). A SysCon Key can be used to load and apply settings for

multiple systems.

Services and utilities for managing a SysCon Device and SysCon Keys are available for both Linux and

Windows* operating environments. SysCon utilities allow the user to install SysCon Devices and Keys

and to perform other tasks, as well as providing continuous monitoring of SysCon devices to ensure their

availability and security.

2.1 Automatic preservation of system settings

The SysCon feature is activated during system startup, immediately before the system firmware begins to

determine the system boot device or path. The SysCon feature extracts and preserves the current

settings of the BIOS and the server management features (BMC, Intel

Management Module).

2.2 Detection of system setting changes

The SysCon feature compares the current settings (recently-extracted) with settings that it has saved

from previous system restarts. By default, if the current settings are different from those that were

previously saved, the SysCon feature will restore saved settings to a system component and reboot the

system. The user can modify this behavior through the use of SysCon policy settings, detailed later in

this document.

2.3 Transfer of system settings

The SysCon feature allows the user to transfer system settings to a second system. If a system is to be

replaced due to redeployment or for repair, the user can remove the SysCon Device and install it into the

replacement system. The SysCon feature will determine that the SysCon Device has been relocated to a

new system and will configure the new system using the settings currently stored on the Device.

Note: The SysCon feature will only allow settings to be transferred between systems with the same

system BIOS, server management feature versions and the same Intel

Management Module versions

(firmware, PIA and Boot Block).

The SysCon feature also allows the user to transfer settings using a SysCon Key. When a SysCon Key

is present during system boot, the user can export the current system settings onto the SysCon Key.

The exported settings can then be used to configure other systems.

IBM Carrier Grade X3650 T User Manual

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