Efence of primary and primary backup nodes

By design, Efence of primary and primary backup nodes is not allowed.

If you attempt to fence either of these nodes, you will get the following responses:

Efence: 0028-147 Node number designates the Primary Node.

Efence: 0028-166 Node number designates the Primary Backup Node.

You should assign a new primary or primary backup node and initiate a restart to be able to remove these nodes from the network for service.

Service position procedures

Note: When preparing to place processor node(s) and/or switch assembly(s) into service position, ensure that the customer has removed the processor node(s) and/or switch assembly(s) from the active configuration.

Placing a switch assembly into service position

1.Set circuit breaker in the Off (`0') position.

2.Remove power (J1) and supervisor (J2) cables from rear of switch assembly.

3.Remove the four screws from the front of the switch assembly.

4.Remove the SPS front panel assembly from the inner chassis by pulling at the side of the front panel assembly.

5.If the inner chassis or supervisor power cable need to be replaced:

a.Detach all cables from the rear of the switch assembly, noting where the external frame cables and wrap plugs are attached.

b.Remove the inner chassis from the outer chassis sleeve by pushing on the inner chassis from the rear of the switch assembly.

Replacing a switch assembly from service position

1.If the inner chassis or supervisor power cable needed to be replaced:

a.Replace the inner chassis into the outer chassis sleeve.

b.Reattach all cables to the rear of the switch assembly.

2.Reinstall the SPS front panel assembly into the inner chassis, being careful to align the guide pins of the P1 connector to the inner chassis weld. Then apply light even pressure at the sides of the front panel assembly.

3.Reinstall the four screws into the front of the switch assembly.

4.Reattach power (J1) and supervisor (J2) cables to the rear of switch assembly.

5.Set circuit breaker in the On (`1') position.

Resetting the clock and bootlist after servicing a node

When servicing a node, the node becomes disconnected from its power source for a period of time. Since nodes normally do not have a real battery, the NVRAM will loose it's memory when disconnected from power for about 10 minutes (sometimes less). This will cause the date to be reset to January 1, 1970, and the bootlist to be cleared. This can cause some problems with booting.

It is highly recommended to reset the clock and bootlist before booting the node. This is done as follows:

1.Before powering down the node to be serviced, display the current bootlist:

a.Run diagnostics (diag)

b.Choose the ªService Aidsº panel

c.Choose the ªDisplay/Alter Bootlistº panel

Chapter 3. Service procedures 3-9

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IBM RS/6000 SP Replacing a switch assembly from service position, Resetting the clock and bootlist after servicing a node
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RS/6000 SP specifications

The IBM RS/6000 SP (Scalable Power) is a high-performance computing system that was developed in the early 1990s and has since become a significant player in the realm of supercomputing and enterprise solutions. Designed primarily for scientific, engineering, and complex data analysis tasks, the RS/6000 SP provides powerful processing capabilities, enhanced scalability, and features to support demanding applications.

One of the key characteristics of the RS/6000 SP is its modular architecture, which allows for the addition of multiple nodes. Each node is based on IBM's Power architecture, leveraging the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) design to achieve high throughput and efficiency. The system can support configurations ranging from a few nodes to hundreds, enabling organizations to scale their computational power as needed based on workload requirements.

The RS/6000 SP employs advanced interconnect technologies, most notably the SP Switch, which ensures high-speed communication between nodes. This interconnect allows for seamless data transfer, ensuring that the system can handle large datasets and complex computations without bottlenecks. The SP's ability to deliver concurrent processing capabilities makes it ideal for parallel computing tasks, including simulations, modeling, and large-scale computations.

In terms of software, the RS/6000 SP was equipped with AIX, IBM's version of the UNIX operating system, which provides a stable and secure environment for enterprise applications. Furthermore, the system supports a vast array of programming languages and tools, including Fortran, C, and C++, along with libraries and frameworks designed for high-performance computing. This compatibility allows developers to optimize their applications to fully utilize the underlying hardware.

Another notable feature of the RS/6000 SP is its extensive support for various workloads, including database management, multi-user applications, and graphical processing. The system was equipped with high-performance graphics capabilities, making it suitable for tasks that require intensive visualization, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and scientific visualization.

Overall, the IBM RS/6000 SP has solidified its role in the high-performance computing landscape, combining advanced technologies, robust scalability, and flexibility to meet the unique demands of research and enterprise environments. Its legacy continues to influence modern computing architectures, embodying IBM’s commitment to innovation and performance in the pursuit of complex problem-solving capabilities.
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