IBM 6648, 6578, 6579, 6269, 6059, 6058, 6569 Vital product data, Management Information Format MIF

Administrator password: The administrator password is used to restrict access to the Configuration/Setup Utility program. If the administrator password is activated, and you do not enter the administrator password, the configuration can be viewed but not changed.

Note

Type 6568/6569/6648/6649 has Enhanced Security Mode. If Enhanced Security mode is enabled and there is no password given, the computer will act as if Enhanced Security is disabled.

If Enhanced Security is Enabled and an administrator password is given, the administrator password must be entered to use the computer. If the administrator password is lost or forgotten, the system board in the computer must be replaced in order to regain access to the Configuration/Setup Utility program.

Administrator password control: The Administrator password is set in the Setup Configuration. Refer to “Setup Utility program” on page 41.

Operating system password: An operating system password is very similar to a power-on password and denies access to the computer by an unauthorized user when the password is activated. The computer is unusable until the password is entered and recognized by the computer.

Vital product data

Each computer has a unique Vital Product Data (VPD) code stored in the nonvolatile memory on the system board. After you replace the system board, the VPD must be updated. To update the VPD, see “Flash (BIOS/VPD) update procedure” on page 50.

Management Information Format (MIF)

Management Information Format (MIF) is a file used to maintain a list of the system unit serial number along with all serialized components (for example, system board, riser card, memory, and processor).

At the time of computer manufacture, the EPROM will be loaded with the serial numbers of the system and all major components. The customer will have access to the MIF file via the DMI MIF Browser that is installed with the preload and is also available on the SSCD that is provided with the system.

A company called Retain-a-Group is a central data warehouse offering serial number data management. Retain-a-Group acts as a focal point to law enforcement. The customer has the option to purchase serial number

Chapter 2. Types 6568/6569/6648/6649 47