IBM 755 manual Service Interface, First Failure Data Capture and Error Data Analysis

Service Interface

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

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 program. For the vast majority of faults, a good FFDC design means that the root cause can also be detected automatically without servicer intervention.

FFDC information, error data analysis, and fault isolation are necessary to implement the advanced serviceability techniques that enable efficient service of the systems and to help determine the failing items.

In the rare absence of FFDC and Error Data Analysis, diagnostics are required to re- create the failure and determine the failing items.

Diagnostics

General diagnostic objectives are to detect and identify problems such that they can be resolved quickly. Elements of IBM's diagnostics strategy include:

•Provide a common error code format equivalent to a system reference code, system reference number, checkpoint, or firmware error code.

•Provide fault detection and problem isolation procedures.

•Support remote connection ability to be used by the IBM Remote Support Center or IBM Designated Service.

•Provide interactive intelligence within the diagnostics with detailed online failure information while connected to IBM's back-end system.

Automatic diagnostics

Because of the FFDC technology designed into IBM Servers, it is not necessary to perform re-create diagnostics for failures or require user intervention. Solid and

IBM United States Hardware Announcement 110-008

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 9