Chapter 4. Continuous availability and manageability 111
Draft Document for Review September 2, 2008 5:05 pm4405ch04 Continuous availability and manageability.fm
in order for the appropriate service action to begin, automatically opening a problem report
and in some cases also dispatching field support. This automated reporting provides faster
and potentially more accurate transmittal of error information. While configuring call home is
optional, customers are strongly encouraged to configure this feature in order to obtain the full
value of IBM service enhancements.
Vital Product Data (VPD) and inventory management
POWER6 processor-based systems store vital product data (VPD) internally, which keeps a
record of how much memory is installed, how many processors are installed, manufacturing
level of the parts, and so on. These records provide valuable information that can be used by
remote support and service representatives, enabling them to provide assistance in keeping
the firmware and software on the server up-to-date.
IBM problem management database
At the IBM support center, historical problem data is entered into the IBM Service and
Support Problem Management database. All of the information related to the error along with
any service actions taken by the service representative are recorded for problem
management by the support and development organizations. The problem is then tracked
and monitored until the system fault is repaired.
4.3.5 Locating and repairing the problem
The final component of a comprehensive design for serviceability is the ability to effectively
locate and replace parts requiring service. POWER6 processor-based systems utilize a
combination of visual cues and guided maintenance procedures to ensure that the identified
part is replaced correctly, every time.
Guiding light LEDs
Guiding Light uses a series of flashing LEDs, allowing a service provider to quickly and easily
identify the location of system components. Guiding Light can also handle multiple error
conditions simultaneously which could be necessary in some very complex high-end
configurations.
In the Guiding Light LED implementation, when a fault condition is detected on a POWER6
processor-based system, an amber System Attention LED will be illuminated. Upon arrival,
the service provider engages identify mode by selecting a specific problem. The Guiding Light
system then identifies the part that needs to be replaced by flashing the amber identify LED.
Datacenters can be complex places, and Guiding Light is designed to do more than identify
visible components. When a component might be hidden from view, Guiding Light can flash a
sequence of LEDs that extend to the frame exterior, clearly “guiding” the service
representative to the correct rack, system, enclosure, drawer, and component.
The operator panel
The Operator Panel on a POWER6 processor-based system is a four row by 16 element LCD
display used to present boot progress codes, indicating advancement through the system
power-on and initialization processes. The Operator Panel is also used to display error and
location codes when an error occurs that prevents the system from booting. The operator
panel includes several buttons allowing a service representative or the customer to change
various boot-time options, and perform a subset of the service functions that are available on
the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI).
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