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166 RS/6000 43P 7043 Models 150 and 260 Handbook
• Update Disk Based Diagnostics:
Use this service aid to apply fixes (APARs) on your system.
• Update System or Service Processor Flash:
This selection updates the system or service processor flash for
CHRP/RPA system units.
6.5 Understanding the Firmware
The firmware is the first code to execute when the machine is powered on.
This code resides on the hardware, and it is loaded at the factory.
The firmware uses the console and the speaker as a means to communicate
the results of certain tests. By default, the firmware uses the serial port S1 to
display logos, messages, and errors. In case a supported graphics adapter is
installed in the machine, the firmware will redirect the output to this adapter
instead of the serial port.
6.5.1 General RS/6000 Boot Sequence
RS/6000 CHRP and RPA platforms will display a graphical or text message
(hereafter referred to as the boot prompt) after the banner step that identifies
the platform and communicates to the user that there are options that may be
invoked to alter the boot process.
Once the boot prompt is displayed, the System Management Services (SMS)
menu can be invoked (by pressing the F1 key). SMS provides a user interface
for utilities, configuration, and the Multiboot Menu for boot/install and the
Open Firmware command interpreter.
For boot failures related to firmware trying to access a boot device, it is
appropriate for the platform to retry the boot operation, especially in the case
of booting from a network device. However, in platforms that have a service
processor (Model 260), there are several other types of detected errors for
which a reboot retry may be appropriate, For example, check-stops or loss of
communication between firmware and the service processor. The service
processor configuration provides a user setting for the number of retries that
should be attempted in case of boot failures (see also 7.5.2.3,
“Reboot/Restart Policy Setup Menu” on page 196).
The following sections describe the boot phase of operation.