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System Event Log
SEL overview
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Be sure to carefully read all "ReadMe" files associated with firmware
at the web site.
Note: A 1.44 floppy diskette may not be large enough to hold this downloaded
material.
The System Event Log (SEL) is a non-volatile repository for event messages. Event
messages contain information about system events and anomalies that occur on the
server. They can be triggered by BIOS, event generators, or sensors. Some event
messages are the result of normal happenings, such as a normal server boot, or
possible minor problems, like a disconnected keyboard. Other events may indicate
internal failures, such as a component overheat condition.
Where appropriate, thresholds, or ranges of acceptable values, exist. As with the
other system events, if at any time a parameter crosses one of these defined
thresholds, an event message is generated. Thresholds can be defined through Intel
Server Control (ISC), but not through DPC or EFI-based SEL Viewer utility.
Note: The Intel Server Control (ISC) is not currently supported by IBM and is
available from the Intel web site.
Regardless of the event (from system boot to critical failure), the appropriate
management controller generates the event message. Event messages are passed to
the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), the primary management controller on
the Intel server systems. The BMC passes the Event Message to the System Event Log
(SEL) where it becomes available for querying by a SEL Viewer utility.
The SEL Viewer provides an interface for the server administrator to view
information in the SEL. A SEL Viewer is available through the Direct Platform
Control (DPC) Console, Intel Server Control (ISC), or the EFI-based SEL Viewer
utility. The same information is available through each of the interfaces. The
administrator can use this information to monitor the server both for warnings, and
for potential critical problems, such as when a processor has failed or a temperature
threshold has been crossed.
Note: Direct Platform Control (DCP) is included in the ISC package available at the
Intel web site.
The following diagram provides an outline of the event message flow from the source
of the event to the SEL Viewer. The elements pictured in Figure 1 are described in the
following sections.
99
Configuration
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