Re: Service Processor Functions

[Emilio Padilla <epadilla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just found an interesting reading about the FSP and the i5.  Look at 
this FAQ.

http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/slkbase.nsf/0/48859a914db132a586256f42006003a7?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=4,8,3,2,13&Highlight=0,358877394#_Section4

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?
Also, do we have now a recovery CD for the iseries (FAQ 5)? 
The Iseries is getting more and more like a PC server, are we going to 
lose any stability?
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? 



Emilio Padilla

Larry Bolhuis wrote:

> Emillo,
>
>  Here is the answer as I understand it:  The SP (or FSP as it is named 
> on the i5/p5) is running as long as there is power to the power 
> supplies. It controlls input power to the rest of the CEC as well as 
> all expansion cabinets. It handles all interrupts enabling shared 
> busses on the system. It owns the front panel and accepts the input 
> from the butons thereon. It communicates to the HMC.
> In short, If the Service Processor goes *poof* the iSeries goes, as Al 
> would say, "Casters Up."
>
>  - Larry
>
> Emilio Padilla wrote:
>
> > I just got pin on the wall with one question.  What is a service 
> > processor on the iseries and what is for?  What would happen if you 
> > have problems with it?
> >
> > AFAIK, the service processor is in charge of controlling all the 
> > hardware and report hardware errors.  Am I right?