IBM 520Q, P5 520 - page 102

88 IBM System p5 520 and 520Q Technical Overview and Introduction

cannot be concurrently activated, are deferred. Figure3-4 shows the system fir mware file

naming convention.

Figure 3-4 System firmware file naming convention

An installation is disruptive if:

򐂰The release levels (XXX) of currently installed and new firmware are different.

򐂰The service pack level (YYY) and the last disruptive service pack level (ZZZ) are equal in

new firmware.

Otherwise, an installation is concurrent if:

򐂰The service pack level (YYY) of the new firmware is higher than the service pack level

currently installed on the system and the above conditions for disruptive installation are

not met.

3.3 Cluster solution

Today's IT infrastructure requires that servers meet increasing demands, while offering the

flexibility and manageability to rapidly develop and deploy new services. IBM clustering

hardware and software provide the building blocks, with availability, scalability, security, and

single-point-of-management control, to satisfy these needs. The advantages of clusters are:

򐂰Large-capacity data and transaction volumes, including support of mixed workloads

򐂰Scale-up (add processors) or scale-out (add servers) without down time

򐂰Single point-of-control for distributed and clustered server management

򐂰Simplified use of IT resources

򐂰Designed for 24x7 access to data applications

򐂰Business continuity in the event of a disaster

The POWER processor-based AIX 5L and Linux cluster target scientific and technical

computing, large-scale databases, and workload consolidation. IBM Cluster Systems

Management software (CSM) is designed to provide a robust, powerful, and centralized way

to manage a large number of POWER5 processor-based servers, all from a single

point-of-control. Cluster Systems Management can help lower the overall cost of IT

ownership by helping to simplify the tasks of installing, operating, and maintaining clusters of

servers. Cluster Systems Management can provide one consistent interface for managing

both AIX 5L and Linux nodes (physical systems or logical partitions), with capabilities for

remote parallel network installation, remote hardware control, and distributed command

execution.

Cluster Systems Management for AIX 5L and Linux on POWER processor-based servers is

supported on the p5-520 and the p5-520Q servers. For hardware control, an HMC is

required. One HMC can also control several IBM System p5 servers that are part of the

01SFXXX_YYY_ZZZ

Firmware Release

level

Firmware Service

Pack level

Last disruptive Firmware

Service Pack level