Re: Service Processor Functions

At least in the initial architecture of the AS400 and System 38, the FSP 
also performed the initial IPL. The main processor is a capability based 
addressing processor; it cannot use a pointer unless the capability is 
set.  Therefore, it can't access a PROM. The FSP loads the bootstrap 
loader into AS400 memory and then starts the main processor executing that 
program.

To your operations questions, I believe the firmware updates for the FSP 
have always been part of ordinary PTF's. You get them when you load a cum.

By the way, capability based addressing is a HUGE differentiator between 
OS400 and other operating systems/hardware platforms. It is capability 
based addressing that allows single level store. It's what keeps your 
Linux LPAR from running all over your other systems. It also absolutely 
precludes programs being loaded into buffer overruns (for instance) 
thereby allowing a virus to be executed. Why IBM doesn't use this to 
promote the iSeries I've never been able to guess.

Dan




Emilio Padilla <epadilla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
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02/03/2005 09:08 AM
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Re: Service Processor Functions






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?
>>
>
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