Cluster Solution - IBM System p5 550 Technical Overview And Introduction

next IPL. For deferred fixes within a service pack, only the fixes in the service pack that
cannot be concurrently activated are deferred.
Figure 3-4 shows the system firmware file naming convention.
Figure 3-4 System Firmware file naming convention
An installation is disruptive if:
The release levels (XXX) of currently installed and new firmware are different.
The service pack level (YYY) and the last disruptive service pack level (ZZZ) are equal in
new firmware.
Otherwise, an installation is concurrent if:
If the service pack level (YYY) of new the firmware is higher than the service pack level
currently installed on the system and the conditions for disruptive installation are not met.

3.3 Cluster solution

Today's IT infrastructure requires that servers meet increasing demands while offering the
flexibility and manageability to develop and deploy new services rapidly. IBM clustering
hardware and software provide the building blocks, with availability, scalability, security, and
single-point-of-management control, to satisfy these needs. The advantages of clusters are:
Large-capacity data and transaction volumes, including support of mixed workloads
Scale-up (add processors) or scale-out (add servers) without downtime
Single point-of-control for distributed and clustered server management
Simplified use of IT resources
Designed for 24x7 access to data applications
Business continuity in the event of disaster
The POWER processor-based AIX 5L and Linux cluster targets scientific and technical
computing, large-scale databases, and workload consolidation. IBM Cluster Systems
Management software (CSM) is designed to provide a robust, powerful, and centralized way
to manage a large number of POWER5 processor-based servers, all from one single
point-of-control. Cluster Systems Management can help lower the overall cost of IT
ownership by helping to simplify the tasks of installing, operating, and maintaining clusters of
servers. Cluster Systems Management can provide one consistent interface for managing
both AIX 5L and Linux nodes (physical systems or logical partitions), with capabilities for
remote parallel network install, remote hardware control, and distributed command execution.
Cluster Systems Management for AIX 5L and Linux on POWER processor-based servers is
supported on the p5-550 and p5-550Q. For hardware control, an HMC is required. One HMC
can also control several IBM System p5 servers that are part of the cluster. If a p5-550 or
p5-550Q that is configured in partition mode (with physical or virtual resources) is part of the
cluster, all partitions must be part of the cluster.
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IBM System p5 550 and 550Q Technical Overview and Introduction
Firmware Release Firmware Release Last disruptive Firmware Last disruptive Firmware
level level Service Pack level Service Pack level
01SFXXX_YYY_ZZZ 01SFXXX_YYY_ZZZ
Firmware Service Firmware Service
Pack level Pack level