IBM P5 570 manual Internal RAID options, Internal media devices, Hot-swap disks and Linux

Models: P5 570

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planning has been given to any operating-system-related disk layout, such as the AIX Logical Volume Manager, when using disk hot-swap capabilities. For more information, see Problem Solving and Troubleshooting in AIX 5L, SG24-5496.

Note: It is recommended that you follow this procedure, after the disk has been deconfigured, when removing a hot-swappable disk drive:

1.Release the tray handle on the disk assembly.

2.Pull out the disk assembly a little bit from the original position.

3.Wait up to 20 seconds until the internal disk stops spinning.

Now you can safely remove the disk from the DASD backplane.

After the SCSI disk hot-swap procedure, you can expect to find SCSI_ERR10 logged in the AIX error log, with the second word of the sense data equal to 0017. It is generated from a SCSI bus reset that is issued by the VSES to reset all processes when a drive is inserted, and it is not an issue.

Hot-swap disks and Linux

Linux does not support hot-swap of any disk drive at the time of writing, therefore the Linux operating system does not support these hot-swappable procedures. A p5-570 system running Linux must be shut down and powered off before you replace any disk drives.

2.6.2 Internal RAID options

Every p5-570 building block system is delivered with a disk drive cage that supports up to six disk drive units, offering both internal RAID and non-RAID solutions. When internal RAID solution is not required, at least one 36.4 GB 10K disk drive (FC 3273) is required.

The internal RAID solution requires at least three 36.4 GB 10K disk drives (FC 3273) and the SCSI RAID Enablement Card (FC 5709). Other supported disk drives may be ordered in place of FC 3273. When the SCSI RAID Enablement Card is installed in the system, it re-sequences the two SCSI controllers that support the six disk drive bays, transforming the system from two logical 3-packs of disk drives to one physical 6-pack of disk drives.

The RAID implementation requires a minimum of three disk drives to form a RAID array, so when an order comes in place with FC 5709, at least three disk drives must be in the order list.

Note: Because the p5-570 building block has six disk drive bays, customers performing upgrades must plan accordingly to ensure the correct handling of their RAID arrays.

The p5-570 system supports external RAID solutions, and this requires an additional PCI-X adapter (such as the FC 5703) and external disk drives enclosure.

2.6.3 Internal media devices

The p5-570 provides two slim-line media bays per drawer for optional DVD-ROM (FC 2640) and optional DVD-RAM (FC 5751).

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 31

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IBM P5 570 manual Internal RAID options, Internal media devices, Hot-swap disks and Linux

P5 570 specifications

The IBM P5 570 is a high-performance server that was designed for enterprise-scale computing, offering a blend of advanced technologies and a flexible architecture. Launched as part of IBM's Power5 server line, the P5 570 stands out for its robust processing capabilities and extensive scalability, making it a preferred choice for businesses requiring reliable and efficient computing solutions.

At the heart of the P5 570 is the IBM Power5 processor, which employs simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) technology. This allows the processor to handle two threads per core, effectively doubling the throughput for workloads ideally suited to multi-threading. The server typically features a configuration of up to 32 Power5 processors, providing an impressive compute power that supports demanding applications, ranging from databases to complex enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

The P5 570 architecture supports a wide range of memory configurations, with a maximum memory capacity of up to 512 GB. Utilizing IBM’s proprietary Chip Memory technology, it can deliver high bandwidth and low latency, significantly enhancing performance for memory-intensive applications. Furthermore, the integrated memory controller architecture optimizes memory access, ensuring that critical workloads run smoothly.

Scalability is a key characteristic of the P5 570, with the ability to expand processing power and memory capacity as an organization’s needs grow. The server supports various operating systems, including AIX, Linux, and IBM i, which provides flexibility for diverse IT environments. This versatility ensures that companies can run their preferred applications without the need for substantial system overhauls.

In terms of storage, the P5 570 utilizes advanced RAID technology and supports a variety of disk configurations, ensuring that data integrity and availability are maintained. Coupled with built-in security features, such as the IBM Trusted Foundation, which establishes a secure boot environment, the P5 570 offers a reliable platform for mission-critical workloads.

Finally, the IBM P5 570 is designed for high availability and redundancy. Features like hot-swappable components and advanced error detection and recovery mechanisms minimize downtime, making it a dependable choice for businesses that operate around the clock. Combined with its powerful hardware and versatile software support, the IBM P5 570 remains a formidable player in the high-performance server arena.