IBM 8688 manual Using the ASM interconnect network, Planning and cabling the interconnect network

Using the ASM interconnect network

This section explains how to configure and connect the server to function within an ASM interconnect network.

The ASM interconnect network can include as many as 12 individual ASM connections in a single bus. These connections can include Remote Supervisor Adapters, ASM processors, and ASM PCI adapters. When the clients and servers are connected, they use the ASM interconnect network to share ASM resources, information, and alerts among multiple servers without having to add additional communications hardware or network interface adapters.

An ASM interconnect network provides two levels of functionality. First, the ASM interconnect network enables you to configure settings and to control the servers where other Remote Supervisor Adapters, ASM processors, and ASM PCI adapters on the network reside. Second, the ASM interconnect network enables other interconnect network devices to use the resources (Ethernet or modem) of other Remote Supervisor Adapters, ASM processors, and ASM PCI adapters in the ASM interconnect network for sending alerts. This interconnect network is used when Remote Supervisor Adapters, ASM processors, or ASM PCI adapters cannot send an alert and must forward the information to another one of these devices to send the alert.

Planning and cabling the interconnect network

To support the most recent ASM features, a Remote Supervisor Adapter must be the main gateway interconnect to the ASM interconnect bus if the bus also includes servers with ASM PCI adapters or ASM processors. The Remote Supervisor Adapter forwards the ASM information generated by the servers attached to the ASM interconnect bus to other servers on the Ethernet network. The connected ASM processors and ASM PCI adapters are managed through the new user interface and Web browser access of the Remote Supervisor Adapter.

Note: To ensure the stability of the system, you must have the most current level of firmware installed on the Remote Supervisor Adapter that is the main interconnect gateway for the ASM interconnect network. The most current level of firmware is available at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ on the World Wide Web. For more information about updating firmware, see “Updating the firmware” on page 39 and the Remote Supervisor Adapter User’s Guide on the IBM xSeries Documentation CD.

You must connect an ASM Interconnect module to the Remote Supervisor Adapter and to each xSeries 450 server that you connect to the ASM interconnect network bus.

Attention: To avoid damage to the Ethernet connector on the Remote Supervisor Adapter, do not plug the ASM Interconnect module into the Remote Supervisor Adapter Ethernet connector.

To connect the servers, note the following setup and configuration considerations:

vEnsure that the ASM interconnect network is set up as a bus topology. You must connect the servers to the ASM interconnect network in a series, with terminated beginning and end points.

vEnsure that the total combined length of all Ethernet cables connecting the server in the ASM interconnect network does not exceed 91 m (300 ft).

vEach Remote Supervisor Adapter, ASM PCI adapter, or ASM processor that is connected to the ASM interconnect network bus counts as one connection. For

26IBM xSeries 450 Type 8688: Hardware Maintenance Manual and Troubleshooting Guide