Service Interface

•First Failure Data Capture (FFDC)

•Converged service approach across multiple IBM server platforms

Service environments

The HMC is a dedicated server that provides functions for configuring and managing servers for either partitioned or full-system partition using a GUI or command-line interface (CLI). An HMC attached to the system allows support personnel (with client authorization) to remotely log in to review error logs and perform remote maintenance if required.

The POWER7 processor-based platforms support two main service environments:

•Attachment to one or more HMCs is a supported option by the system. This is the default configuration for servers supporting logical partitions with dedicated or virtual I/O. In this case, all servers have at least one logical partition.

•No HMC. There are two service strategies for non-HMC systems

–Full system partition: A single partition owns all the server resources and only one operating system may be installed.

–Partitioned system: In this configuration, the system can have more than one partition and can be running more than one operating system. In this environment, partitions are managed by the Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM), which provides some of the functions provided by the HMC.

The Service Interface allows support personnel to communicate with the service support applications in a server using a console, interface, or terminal. Delivering a clear, concise view of available service applications, the Service Interface allows the support team to manage system resources and service information in an efficient and effective way. Applications available via the Service Interface are carefully configured and placed to give service providers access to important service functions.

Different service interfaces are used, depending on the state of the system and its operating environment. The primary service interfaces are:

•LEDs

•Operator Panel

•Service Processor menu

•Operating system service menu

•Service Focal Point on the HMC

•Service Focal Point Lite on IVM

In the light path LED implementation, when a fault condition is detected on the POWER7 system, an amber FRU fault LED will be illuminated, which will be rolled up to the system fault LED. The light path system pinpoints the exact part by turning on the amber FRU fault LED associated with the part to be replaced.

The system can clearly identify components for replacement by using specific component-level LEDs, and can also guide the servicer directly to the component by signaling (turning on solid) the system fault LED, enclosure fault LED, and the component FRU fault LED. The servicer can also use the identify function to blink the FRU-level LED. When this function is activated, a roll-up to the blue enclosure locate and system locate LEDs will occur. These LEDs will turn on solid and can be used to follow the light path from the system to the enclosure and down to the specific FRU.

First Failure Data Capture and Error Data Analysis

First Failure Data Capture (FFDC) is a technique that helps ensure that when a fault is detected in a system, the root cause of the fault will be captured without the need to re-create the problem or run any sort of extending tracing or diagnostics

IBM United States Hardware Announcement 110-009

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