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Chapter 12. Additional Service Information
This chapter provides additional information that the service representative might
find helpful.
Security features
Security features in this section include the following:
v Passwords
v Vital Product Data
v Management Information Format (MIF)
v Alert on LAN
™
Hardware controlled Passwords
Hardware controlled passwords are set using the Setup Utility program. For more
information about passwords, see “Using passwords” on page 55.
Operating system password
An operating system password is very similar to a power-on password and denies
access to the computer by an unauthorized user when the password is activated.
The computer is unusable until the password is entered and recognized by the
computer.
Vital product data
Each computer has a unique Vital Product Data (VPD) code stored in the
nonvolatile memory on the system board. After you replace the system board, the
VPD must be updated. To update the VPD, see “Flash update procedures” on page
214.
Management Information Format (MIF)
Management Information Format (MIF) is a file used to maintain a list of the
system unit serial number along with all serialized components (for example,
system board, riser card, memory, and processor).
At the time of computer manufacture, the EPROM is loaded with the serial
numbers of the system and all major components.
A company called Retain-a-Group is a central data warehouse offering serial
number data management. Retain-a-Group acts as a focal point to law
enforcement. The customer has the option to purchase serial number information
and services from Retain-a-Group. It is the customer’s responsibility to maintain
the MIF file and to inform Retain-a-Group of any changes to the file.
Some customers might request that their servicers assist them in maintaining the
MIF file when serialized components are replaced during hardware service. This
assistance is between the customer and the servicer. The servicer can use the DMI
MIF Browser to update the MIF information in the EPROM. It is anticipated that
some servicers might charge for this service.
To update the EPROM using the DMI MIF Browser, use the following procedure.
© Lenovo 2005. Portions © IBM Corp. 2005. 213