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– Concurrent mode enables the normal system functions to continue while you are
checking selected resources. Because the system is running in normal operation,
some devices might require additional actions by the user or diagnostic application
before testing can be done.
– Maintenance mode enables checking of most system resources. Maintenance mode
provides the exact same test coverage as Service Mode. The difference between the
two modes is the way you invoke them. Maintenance mode requires that all activity on
the operating system is stopped. You use the shutdown -m command to stop all activity
on the operating system and put the operating system into maintenance mode.
The System Management Services (SMS) error log is accessible from the SMS menu for
tests performed through SMS programs. For results of service processor tests, access the
error log from the service processor menu.
Note: Because the p5-520 and p5-520Q system have an optional DVD-ROM (FC 1994)
and DVD-RAM (FC 1993), alternate methods for maintaining and servicing the system
need to be available if you do not order the DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM. You can also use the
Network Install Manager (NIM) server for this purpose.
3.2.3 Service Agent
Service Agent is an application program that operates on an IBM System p server and
monitors the server for hardware errors. It reports detected errors, assuming they meet
certain criteria for severity, to IBM for service with no intervention. It is an enhanced version of
Service Director™ with a graphical user interface.
Key things you can accomplish using Service Agent for the IBM System p5, pSeries, and
RS/6000 include:
Automatic VPD collection
Automatic problem analysis
Problem-definable threshold levels for error reporting
Automatic problem reporting where service calls are placed to IBM without intervention
Automatic client notification
In addition, there are:
Commonly viewed hardware errors. You can view hardware event logs for any monitored
machine in the network from any Service Agent host user interface.
High-availability cluster multiprocessing (HACMP) support for full fallback.
Network environment support with minimum telephone lines for modems.
A communication base is provided for performance data collection and reporting tool
Performance Management (PM/AIX). For more information about PM/AIX, see:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/aix/pmaix.html
You use the Service Agent user interface to define machines. After you define the machines,
they are registered with the IBM Service Agent Server (SAS). During the registration process,
an electronic key is created that becomes part of your resident Service Agent program. This
key is used each time the Service Agent places a call for service. The IBM Service Agent
Server checks the current client service status from the IBM entitlement database. If this
reveals that you are not on Warranty or MA, the service call is refused and a message is
posted back using an e-mail notification.
You can connect Service Agent to connect to IBM either using a modem or a network
connection. In any case, the communication is encrypted and strong authentication is used.
Chapter 3. RAS and manageability
85
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