Electronic Services And Electronic Service Agent - IBM Power 720 Overview

With the Power-On Reset Engine (PORE), the firmware can now dynamically power off
processor components, make changes to the registers and re-initialize while the system is
running, without discernible impact to any applications running on a processor. This
potentially allows concurrent firmware changes in POWER7+, which in earlier designs,
required a reboot to take effect.
Activating some new firmware functions requires installation of a firmware release level. This
process is disruptive to server operations and requires a scheduled outage and full server
reboot.

4.4.4 Electronic Services and Electronic Service Agent

IBM transformed its delivery of hardware and software support services to help you achieve
higher system availability. Electronic Services is a web-enabled solution that offers an
exclusive, no-additional-charge enhancement to the service and support available for IBM
servers. These services provide the opportunity for greater system availability with faster
problem resolution and preemptive monitoring. The Electronic Services solution consists of
two separate, but complementary, elements:
Electronic Services news page
The Electronic Services news page is a single Internet entry point that replaces the
multiple entry points, which are traditionally used to access IBM Internet services and
support. The news page enables you to gain easier access to IBM resources for
assistance in resolving technical problems.
Electronic Service Agent
The Electronic Service Agent is software that resides on your server. It monitors events
and transmits system inventory information to IBM on a periodic, client-defined timetable.
The Electronic Service Agent automatically reports hardware problems to IBM.
Early knowledge about potential problems enables IBM to deliver proactive service that can
result in higher system availability and performance. In addition, information that is collected
through the Service Agent is made available to IBM service support representatives when
they help answer your questions or diagnose problems. Installation and use of IBM Electronic
Service Agent for problem reporting enables IBM to provide better support and service for
your IBM server.
To learn how Electronic Services can work for you, visit the following site; an IBM ID is
required:
http://www.ibm.com/support/electronic
Benefits are as follows:
Increased uptime
The Electronic Service Agent tool is designed to enhance the warranty or maintenance
agreement by providing faster hardware error reporting and uploading system information
to IBM Support. This can translate to less wasted time monitoring the symptoms,
diagnosing the error, and manually calling IBM Support to open a problem record.
Its 24x7 monitoring and reporting mean no more dependence on human intervention or
off-hours customer personnel when errors are encountered in the middle of the night.
Security
The Electronic Service Agent tool is designed to be secure in monitoring, reporting, and
storing the data at IBM. The Electronic Service Agent tool securely transmits either with
Chapter 4. Continuous availability and manageability
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