Removing and restoring switch resources

This procedure can be performed to allow customer to use a switch feature while extended service actions are performed on an individual frame of a multi-frame system with the switch feature.

DO NOT PERFORM this procedure unless the required service operation will take the switch out of the switch configuration for a minimum of two hours (for example, a part must be ordered or a switch or frame must be repeatedly powered on/off) and/or the customer specifically requests it.

Care should be taken to understand the consequences on any partitions that might be sharing switch resources. See ªUsing Perspectives to fence and unfence nodes attached to the switchº on page 3-10.

Attention: This procedure is intended to allow the customer to use the switch feature during extended repair action. The customer must stop all parallel jobs prior to starting the repair. Once the repair is complete, the customer must stop all parallel jobs again to reconfigure the switch to include the resource again. If the service action is expected to be complete in a short period of time (for example, two hours or less), this additional interruption of all parallel jobs will probably cost the customer more time than was saved by use of the switch feature during that short period.

Removing an SP Switch2 from the active configuration

1.Identify the switch which is to be removed from the active configuration (see RS/6000 SP: System Service Guide).

2.If the primary processor node (usually in Frame 1) is connected to the switch identified in step 1, the customer must select an available processor node to be the new primary processor node. The primary node is set by the Eprimary command. Refer to Parallel System Support Programs for AIX:

Administration Guide (SA22-7348) for more information.

3.Have customer stop all current parallel jobs and suspend all parallel jobs on the job queue.

4.Put circuit breaker at the rear of switch assembly in the Off (`0') position.

5.The customer can re-initialize the switch using the Estart command. The frame and processor nodes which were removed in this procedure will appear in the out.top file with error messages; however, the remainder of the switch resources are now available for customer use.

6.If switch re-initialization was successful, the customer can start running parallel jobs again.

7.Return to MAPs to continue service action(s).

Restoring an SP Switch2 to the active configuration

1.Identify the switch to be restored to the active configuration.

2.Have customer stop all current parallel jobs and suspend all parallel jobs on the job queue.

3.Make sure that the circuit breaker at the rear of the switch is in the Off (`0') position.

4.Connect all cables to the switch. Pay attention to the labels on the cables.

5.Put the circuit breaker at the rear of the switch in the On (`1') position.

6.If the primary processor node was changed during the isolation procedure, the customer can change the primary processor node back to the original selection; however, this is NOT required. The primary node is set by the Eprimary command. Refer to Parallel System Support Programs for AIX:

Administration Guide (SA22-7348) for more information.

7.The customer can re-initialize the switch using the Estart command. Cables connected to the switch assembly and processor nodes which were restored in this procedure should appear in the out.top file without any error messages.

8.If switch re-initialization was successful, the customer can start running parallel jobs again.

9.Return to MAPs to continue service actions.

Chapter 3. Service procedures 3-9

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IBM RS/6000 SP manual Removing and restoring switch resources, Removing an SP Switch2 from the active configuration
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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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