Ras Capability For The Hmc And Se - IBM z13s Technical Manual

9.5 RAS capability for the HMC and SE

The Hardware Management Console (HMC) and the SE have the following RAS capabilities:
Back up from HMC and SE
On a scheduled basis, the HMC hard disk drive (HDD) is backed up to the USB flash
memory drive, a customer provided FTP server, or both.
SE HDDs are backed up on to the primary SE HDD and alternate SE HDD. In addition,
you can save the backup to a customer-provided FTP server.
For more information, see 11.2.4, "New backup options for HMCs and primary SEs" on
page 393.
Remote Support Facility (RSF)
The HMC RSF provides the important communication to a centralized IBM support
network for hardware problem reporting and service. For more information, see 11.4,
"Remote Support Facility" on page 403.
Microcode Change Level (MCL)
Regular installation of MCLs is key for RAS, optimal performance, and new functions.
Generally, plan to install MCLs quarterly at a minimum. Review hiper MCLs continuously.
You must decide whether to wait for the next scheduled apply session, or schedule one
earlier if your risk assessment of the hiper MCLs warrants.
For more information, see 11.5.4, "HMC and SE microcode" on page 409.
Support Element (SE)
z13s servers are provided with two 1U System x servers inside the z Systems frame. One
is always the primary SE and the other is the alternate SE. The primary SE is the active
one. The alternate acts as the backup. Once per day, information is mirrored. The SE
servers have N+1 redundant power supplies.
For more information, see 11.2.3, "New Support Elements" on page 393.
Hardware Management Console (HMC) in an ensemble
The serviceability function for the components of an ensemble is delivered through the
traditional HMC/SE constructs, as for earlier z Systems servers. From a serviceability
point of view, all the components of the ensemble, including the zBX, are treated as z13s
features. The zBX receives all of its serviceability and problem management through the
HMC and SE infrastructure. All service reporting, including RSF functions, is delivered in a
similar fashion to z13s servers.
The primary HMC for the ensemble is where portions of the Unified Resource Manager
routines run. The Unified Resource Manager is an active part of the ensemble and z13s
infrastructure. Therefore, the HMC is in a stateful state that needs high availability features
to ensure the survival of the system during a failure. Therefore, each ensemble must be
equipped with two HMCs: A primary and an alternate. The primary HMC performs all HMC
activities (including Unified Resource Manager activities). The alternate is the backup, and
cannot be used for tasks or activities.
Failover: The primary HMC and its alternate must be connected to the same LAN
segment. This configuration allows the alternate HMC to take over the IP address of the
primary HMC during failover processing.
For more information, see 11.6, "HMC in an ensemble" on page 428.
Alternate HMC preload function
362
IBM z13s Technical Guide