28 DS8000 Series: Concepts and Architecture
Figure 2-5 Processor complex
Processor memory
The DS8100 Model 921 offers up to 128 GB of processor memory and the DS8300 Models
922 and 9A2 offer up to 256 GB of processor memory. Half of this will be located in each
processor complex. In addition, the Non-Volatile Storage (NVS) scales to the processor
memory size selected, which can also help optimize performance.
Service processor and SPCN
The service processor (SP) is an embedded controller that is based on a PowerPC® 405GP
processor (PPC405). The SPCN is the system power control network that is used to control
the power of the attached I/O subsystem. The SPCN control software and the service
processor software are run on the same PPC405 processor.
The SP performs predictive failure analysis based on any recoverable processor errors. The
SP can monitor the operation of the firmware during the boot process, and it can monitor the
operating system for loss of control. This enables the service processor to take appropriate
action.
The SPCN monitors environmentals such as power, fans, and temperature. Environmental
critical and non-critical conditions can generate Early Power-Off Warning (EPOW) events.
Critical events trigger appropriate signals from the hardware to the affected components to
Front view
Rear view
Power supply 2
Power supply 1
Power supply 1
Power supply 2
RIO-G ports
PCI-X slots
RIO-G ports
Processor cards
Operator panel
SCSI disk drives
DVD-rom drives
PCI-X adapters in
blind-swap carriers
