User's responsibilities

Before calling IBM® for service, the system administrator should use the problem determination section of the Parallel System Support Programs for AIX® : Diagnosis Guide (GA22-7350), for initial problem determination. If there is nothing wrong with the customer operating procedures, customer-supplied cables, or the power source, the customer should then call IBM for service.

How to use this book

This book is intended for RS/6000 SP product-trained service personnel.

When performing RS/6000 SP maintenance, the service provider must follow all ªMaintenance Analysis Proceduresº beginning with the Start MAPs in the RS/6000 SP: System Service Guide.

Beginning with the Start MAPs, isolate the problem to one or more of these RS/6000 SP components:

vSupervisor Subsystem

vProcessor Node

vPower Subsystem

vHigh Voltage Transformer (World Trade)

vEthernet Local Area Networks (LANs)

vPCI Adapter.

Note: If the diagnostic procedures indicate that the problem is isolated to a SP Switch2, the information in RS/6000 SP: System Service Guide will direct you to return to this book.

If you cannot determine the failure's cause, you should request the assistance of the RS/6000 SP Field Support Center.

How to send your comments

Your feedback is important in helping to provide the most accurate and highest quality information. If you have any comments about this book or any other RS/6000 SP documentation:

vSend your comments by e-mail to mhvrcfs@us.ibm.com. Be sure to include the name of the book, the order number of the book, and, if applicable, the specific location of the text you are commenting on (for example, a page number or table number).

vFill out one of the forms at the back of this book and return it by mail, by fax, or by giving it to an IBM representative.

xviRS/6000 SP: SP Switch2 Service Guide

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IBM RS/6000 SP manual Users responsibilities, How to use this book, How to send your comments
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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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