What's New In Ras; Ras Overview; Section 6.1, "What's New In Ras; Section 6.2, "Ras Overview - IBM p5 590 System Handbook

6.1 What's new in RAS

From a Reliability, Availability and Serviceability standpoint, p5-595 and p5-590
servers extend the heritage of mainframe-inspired reliability, availability, and
serviceability capabilities. They are designed to be more reliable and include
features designed to increase availability and to support the new levels of
virtualization, building upon the RAS features delivered in IBMs Sserver p5
servers. Powerful new RAS functions include:
PCI Enhanced Error Handling extended to PCI Processor Host Bridge (PHB).
Enhanced self-healing capabilities such as ECC (error checking and
correction) cache and ECC on the fabric bus.
New converged redundant service processor design with enhanced function.
More flexible dynamic CPU deallocation function using Micro-Partitioning
technology.
IBM has released a Statement of Direction for the availability of dynamic
firmware update (2Q05).
Dual service processors
The p5-595 and p5-590 are also backed by worldwide IBM service and support.
The one-year end-to-end warranty includes AIX 5L (when configured) operating
system support, hardware fixes, staffed phone hardware support, and call
tracking.

6.2 RAS overview

IBMs RAS philosophy employs a well thought out and organized architectural
approach to:
Avoid problems, where possible, with a well engineered design.
Should a problem occur, attempt to recover or retry the operation.
Diagnose the problem and reconfigure the system as needed.
Automatically initiate a repair and call for service.
As a result, IBM servers are recognized around the world for their reliable, robust
operation in a wide variety of demanding environments.
Figure 6-1 on page 141 shows the comprehensive IBM RAS philosophy.
IBM Eserver p5 590 and 595 System Handbook
140