IBM Power 570 User Manual

Chapter 4. Continuous availability and manageability 107
Draft Document for Review September 2, 2008 5:05 pm4405ch04 Continuous availability and manageability.fm
FFDC “check stations” are carefully positioned within the server logic and data paths to
ensure that potential errors can be quickly identified and accurately tracked to a Field
Replaceable Unit (FRU).
This proactive diagnostic strategy is a significant improvement over the classic, less accurate
“reboot and diagnose” service approaches.
Figure 4-8 shows a schematic of a Fault Isolation Register implementation.
Figure 4-8 Schematic of a FIR implementation
Fault isolation
The Service Processor interprets error data captured by the FFDC checkers – saved in the
FIRs and ‘Who’s On First logic or other firmware related data capture methods – in order to
determine the root cause of the error event.
Root cause analysis may indicate that the event is recoverable, meaning that a service action
point or need for repair has not been reached. Alternatively, it could indicate that a service
action point has been reached, where the event exceeded a pre-determined threshold or was
unrecoverable. Based upon the isolation analysis, recoverable error threshold counts may be
incremented. No specific service action could be necessary when the event is recoverable.
When the event requires a service action, additional required information will be collected to
service the fault. For unrecoverable errors or for recoverable events that meet or exceed their
service threshold – meaning a service action point has been reached – a request for service
will be initiated through an error logging component.
4.3.2 Diagnosing problems
Using the extensive network of advanced and complementary error detection logic built
directly into hardware, firmware, and operating systems, the IBM POWER6 processor-based
Systems can perform considerable self diagnosis.
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Memory
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Service
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Disk
Log Error
Fault Isolation Register (FIR )
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CPU
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RAM
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IBM Power 570 Specifications

General

Brand	IBM
Model	Power 570
Category	Server
Language	English