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62 p5-570 Technical Overview and Introduction
checks the current customer service status from the IBM entitlement database; if this reveals
that you are not under warranty or MA, then the service call is refused and posted back using
e-mail.
Service focal point
Service Focal Point is used by service technicians to start and end their service calls. It
provides service representatives with event, Vital Product Data (VPD), and diagnostic
information. The HMC can also notify service representatives of hardware failures
automatically by using the Service Agent features. You can configure the HMC to use the
Service Agent call-home feature to send IBM event information. This information is stored,
analyzed, and then acted on by the service representative. Some parts of Service Focal Point
have to be configured so that the proper information is sent to IBM.
You can download the latest version of Service Agent at:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/aix/service_agent_code
3.3.3 p5 Customer-Managed Microcode
The pSeries and RS/6000 Customer-Managed Microcode is a methodology that enables you
to manage and install microcode updates on p5, pSeries, and RS/6000 systems and
associated I/O adapters. The IBM pSeries Microcode Update Web site can be found at:
http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload
IBM provides service tools that can assist in determining microcode levels and updating
systems with the latest available microcode. To determine which tool to use in a specific
environment, visit:
http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/mdownload/mcodetools.html
3.3.4 Service Update Management Assistant
The Service Update Management Assistant (SUMA) helps system administrators retrieve
maintenance updates from the Web. SUMA offers flexible options that enable customers to
set up policies to automate the download of fixes to their systems. SUMA policies can be
scheduled to periodically check the availability of specific new fixes (APAR, PTF, or fileset),
critical or security fixes, or an entire maintenance level. A notification e-mail can be sent
detailing updates that are needed when comparing available fixes to installed software, a fix
repository, or a maintenance level.
Benefits provided by SUMA include:
Moves administrators away from the task of manually retrieving maintenance updates
from the Web
Policy can be scheduled to run periodically; for example, download the latest critical fixes
weekly
Can compare fixes needed against software inventory, fix repository, or a maintenance
level
Receive mail notification after a fileset preview or download operation
Allows for FTP, HTTP, or secure HTTPS transfers
Provides same requisite checking as the IBM fix distribution Web site
Available through SMIT menus (smitty suma) or a command line interface