IBM P5 570 manual Service processor, Partition Load Manager

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Note: The Shared Ethernet adapter and Virtual SCSI server functions are provided in the Virtual I/O Server that is included in the Advanced POWER Virtualization feature

(FC 7942), an additional feature of p5 systems.

Partition Load Manager

The Partition Load Manager (PLM) is part of the Advanced POWER Virtualization feature. It provides automated processor and memory distribution between dynamic LPAR and Micro-Partitioning capable logical partition running AIX 5L. The PLM application is based on a client/server model to share system information, such as processor or memory events, across the concurrent present logical partitions.

To improve the overall resource utilization of a partitioned system, PLM uses user-defined resource management policies to determine the additional resources, such as processors and memory, for each requesting partition.

For network communication, the PLM uses the Resource Monitoring and Control (RMC) subsystem, which provides several events on every managed node. The following events are registered on all managed nodes:

￿Memory-pages-steal high thresholds and low thresholds

￿Memory-usage-high thresholds and low thresholds

￿Processor-load-average high threshold and low threshold

To ensure a secure communication between managed nodes, OpenSSH and Kerberos V5 are supported in PLM to have a secure communication and an authentication mechanism for administrators. If Kerberos is not installed, PLM uses the configured authentication method, such as AIX authentication.

2.10 Service processor

The service processor (SP) is an embedded controller that is based on a PowerPC 405GP processor (PPC405) running the SP internal operating system. The SP operating system contains specific programs and device drivers for the SP hardware.

The p5-570 includes the SP. The key components include an FSP-Base (FSP-B) and an Extender chipset (FSP-E). FSP-B and FSP-E are implemented on a dedicated card.

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 41

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Contents IBM Eserver p5 Technical Overview Introduction Page IBM Sserver p5 570 Technical Overview Introduction First Edition July Contents Page Page Vi p5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction Vii Trademarks Team that wrote this Redpaper PrefaceComments welcome Become a published authorGeneral description P5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction Physical package System specificationsView from the front Minimum and optional featuresProcessor card FC Description Processor card featuresDisk and media features Memory featuresModel D10 I/O drawer USB diskette drive5 I/O drawers Model D10 I/O drawer physical package Model D20 I/O drawer Model D11 I/O drawerModel D20 I/O drawer physical package Drawers and usable PCI slotsHardware Management Console models Value PaksSystem racks Model type conversionIBM RS/6000 7014 Model T00 Enterprise Rack Rack-mounting rules for p5-570 and I/O drawers AC Power Distribution Unit and rack contentIBM RS/6000 7014 Model T42 Enterprise Rack Flat panel display options Additional options for rackIBM 7212 Model 102 TotalStorage Storage device enclosure OEM rackHardware Management Console 7310 Model CR2 Statement of direction 18 p5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction Architecture and technical overview POWER4 POWER5 POWER5 chipEnhanced SMT features Dynamic power managementSimultaneous multi-threading ST operationPOWER4 Power chip evolutionCMOS, copper, and SOI technology Processor cardsProcessor card with DDR1 memory socket layout view Processor drawer interconnect cablesPmcycles -m Processor clock rateMemory restriction Memory placement rulesMemory subsystem RIO-2 buses and GX+ card System busesMemory throughput PCI-X slots and adapters Internal I/O subsystemSP bus Graphic accelerators LAN adaptersScsi adapters Bit and 32-bit adaptersInternal hot swappable Scsi disks Internal storageHot-swap disks and Linux Internal RAID optionsInternal media devices 2 7311 Model D10 and 7311 Model D11 I/O drawers External I/O subsystems1 I/O drawers 3 7311 Model D20 I/O drawer Model D10 featuresModel D11 features Model D20 internal Scsi cabling 4 7311 I/O drawer and RIO-2 cablingCost Optimized Performance Optimized 5 7311 I/O drawer and Spcn cablingIBM 2104 Expandable Storage Plus External disk subsystemsIBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server IBM 7133 Serial Disk Subsystem SSAIBM TotalStorage FAStT Storage servers Dynamic logical partitioning Advanced Power Virtualization featureVirtualization Virtual EthernetMicro-Partitioning technology 15shows the POWER5 partitioning conceptVirtual I/O Server POWER5 PartitioningPartition Load Manager Service processorService processor extender Service processor baseIPL flow without an HMC attached to the system Boot processIPL flow with an HMC attached to the system Hardware Management ConsoleProfiles Definitions of partitionsManaged systems Specific partition definitions used for Micro-Partitioning System Management ServicesHardware requirements for partitioning 17 System Management Services main menu Boot optionsDVD-ROM, DVD-RAM Additional boot optionsAIX 5L Operating system requirementsSecurity Linux support LinuxCapacity on Demand, RAS, and manageability Way 1.65 GHz POWER5 processor card Processor Capacity Upgrade on Demand methodsWay 1.9 GHz POWER5 processor card with DDR1 memory slots Way 1.9 GHz POWER5 processor card with DDR2 memory slotsCapacity Upgrade on Demand for memory Capacity Upgrade on Demand for memory feature codes How to report temporary activation resourcesTrial Capacity on Demand Reliability, availability, and serviceabilityFault avoidance Mutual surveillance First Failure Data CapturePermanent monitoring Environmental monitoring Memory reliability, fault tolerance, and integritySelf-healing 5 N+1 redundancy Fault maskingResource deallocation Dynamic or persistent deallocationError indication and LED indicators ServiceabilityAdvanced System Management Interface Concurrent MaintenanceManageability Advanced System Management main menu Service Agent3 p5 Customer-Managed Microcode Service Update Management AssistantService focal point Cluster CSM V1.4 on AIX and Linux planned 4Q04 CSM value pointsOther publications IBM RedbooksOnline resources Help from IBM How to get IBM Redbooks68 p5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction Page IBM Eserver p5 Technical Overview Introduction

P5 570 specifications

The IBM P5 570 is a high-performance server that was designed for enterprise-scale computing, offering a blend of advanced technologies and a flexible architecture. Launched as part of IBM's Power5 server line, the P5 570 stands out for its robust processing capabilities and extensive scalability, making it a preferred choice for businesses requiring reliable and efficient computing solutions.

At the heart of the P5 570 is the IBM Power5 processor, which employs simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) technology. This allows the processor to handle two threads per core, effectively doubling the throughput for workloads ideally suited to multi-threading. The server typically features a configuration of up to 32 Power5 processors, providing an impressive compute power that supports demanding applications, ranging from databases to complex enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

The P5 570 architecture supports a wide range of memory configurations, with a maximum memory capacity of up to 512 GB. Utilizing IBM’s proprietary Chip Memory technology, it can deliver high bandwidth and low latency, significantly enhancing performance for memory-intensive applications. Furthermore, the integrated memory controller architecture optimizes memory access, ensuring that critical workloads run smoothly.

Scalability is a key characteristic of the P5 570, with the ability to expand processing power and memory capacity as an organization’s needs grow. The server supports various operating systems, including AIX, Linux, and IBM i, which provides flexibility for diverse IT environments. This versatility ensures that companies can run their preferred applications without the need for substantial system overhauls.

In terms of storage, the P5 570 utilizes advanced RAID technology and supports a variety of disk configurations, ensuring that data integrity and availability are maintained. Coupled with built-in security features, such as the IBM Trusted Foundation, which establishes a secure boot environment, the P5 570 offers a reliable platform for mission-critical workloads.

Finally, the IBM P5 570 is designed for high availability and redundancy. Features like hot-swappable components and advanced error detection and recovery mechanisms minimize downtime, making it a dependable choice for businesses that operate around the clock. Combined with its powerful hardware and versatile software support, the IBM P5 570 remains a formidable player in the high-performance server arena.