Figure 3-2 Advanced System Management main menu
3.3.2 Service Agent
Service Agent is an application program that operates on a p5, pSeries, or IBM RS/6000 computer and monitors them for hardware errors. It reports detected errors, assuming that they meet certain criteria for criticality, to IBM for service with no customer intervention. It is an enhanced version of Service Director™ with a graphical user interface.
Key things you can accomplish by using Service Agent for p5, pSeries, and RS/6000 are:
Automatic problem analysis
Automatic problem reporting; service calls placed to IBM without intervention
Automatic customer notification
In addition to these features, the following are available:
Commonly viewed hardware errors: You can view hardware event logs for any monitored machine on the network from any Service Agent host user interface.
Network environment support with minimum telephone lines for modems.
VPD data can be sent to IBM using Performance Management.
Machines are defined by using the Service Agent user interface. After machines are defined, they are registered with the IBM Service Agent Server (SAS). During the registration process, an electronic key is created that becomes part of your resident Service Agent program. This key is used each time Service Agent places a call for service. The IBM Service Agent Server
Chapter 3. Capacity on Demand, RAS, and manageability 61