RE: Service Processor Functions

Responses inline...
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So, now you have to keep track of firmware code too.  Look at FAQ 2.  Do
we have to backup this with the full system save too?
-- The firmware for the FSP is included as a PTF (MHxxxxx) in the i5/OS
LPP 5722999.  It is automatically backed-up when you save the OS.  If
you have an LPARed system, you most likely are not using OS updating of
the firmware level, and you update it via the HMC - that setting is in
ASM to modify.  Therefore, you will have media of some nature with the
firmware level you loaded on-hand (either in the OS for a single-image,
or on a CD or .zip file for a LPAR system updated by HMC).  If not, you
can always re-download it.  

Also, do we have now a recovery CD for the iseries (FAQ 5)?
-- The recovery CDs are for the HMC software.  If you're on a
single-image system, no HMC is required.  For the LPAR system, you can
back up your LPAR config from the HMC to DVD.
 
The Iseries is getting more and more like a PC server, are we going to
lose any stability?
-- IMHO, the iSeries/pSeries systems are better due to the simple fact
that you've removed the requirement of the primary controlling
partition.  More flexible, more capable, and much much more fast.  Once
the HMC/FSP relationship is understood by the end-users, and once the
environments are configured, the system is phenomenal.

We do spend Big bucks ( us$ 4000 hard drives and so) on an iseries
because it suppose to be the ISERIES we used to trust.  Are we buying
just an oversize, big muscle,  pc server now? 
-- Not from what I can see - the POWER architecture is much better a
big-muscle PC.  Add the advanced virtualization and the multiple OS
levels - I think our iSeries family is just getting better by the day.

My .02

Justin C. Haase - iSeries System Administrator
Kingland Systems Corporation
iSeries Certified Systems Expert - V5R3 Tech Solutions
email - justin.haase@xxxxxxxxxxxx