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Chapter 3. Availability, investment protection, and expansion 23
Machine Check Interrupt.
Operating System Hang (Surveillance Failure).
Operating System Failure.
Surveillance
The service processor, if enabled through service processor setup parameters, performs a
surveillance of AIX through a heartbeat mechanism. If there is no heartbeat within the
time-out period, the service processor does the following:
Creates a system reset to allow an AIX dump to occur.
Upon receiving a reboot request (either after the dump or immediately, if dump is not
enabled), the service processor captures scan debug data for the system.
Reboots the system.
Dial-Out (call home), and dial-in
If enabled, the service processor can dial a pre-programmed telephone number to report
errors. If enabled, it is also possible to access the service processor remotely through a
modem connection. When the service processor is in standby mode (because the system is
powered off or an error occurred), the service processor monitors an incoming phone line to
answer calls, prompts for a password, verifies the password, and remotely displays the
standby menu. The remote session can be mirrored on the local ASCII console if the server is
so equipped and the user enables this function.
Processor and memory boot time deconfiguration
As described previously, processors can be dynamically deconfigured by the system. It is also
possible to deconfigure processors and also memory with menus of the service processor for
benchmarking reasons. For further information, refer to the IBM ^ pSeries 610
Models 6C1 and 6E1 Service Guide, SA38-2538.
Fast boot
This feature, activated after the first system is brought up, allows you to select the IPL type,
mode, and speed for your boot capabilities using service processor menus. Selecting fast
boot results in several diagnostic tests being skipped and a shorter memory test being run.
Therefore, the startup process is faster, but possible problems might not be discovered at
startup.
Service processor restart
The service processor design for the p610 Models 6C1 and 6E1 includes the ability to reset
the service processor. This enables the system firmware to force a hard reset of the service
processor if it detects a loss of communication. Since this would typically occur while the
system is already up and running, the service processor reset will be accomplished without
impacting system operation.
Boot to SMS menu
The boot mode menu allows someone to select other things to boot to the SMS menu. This
function provides booting into the SMS menu without pressing a key. This function is useful
because it is not necessary to wait in front of the system and press F1 (graphic display) or 1
(ASCII terminal) at the right moment.