Ibm Power Systems Firmware Maintenance - IBM BladeCenter PS700 Technical Overview And Introduction

IVM Service Management (blades)
The following functions are available through the IVM Service Management:
Electronic Service Agent or ESA (for more information see 4.5.3, "Electronic Service
Agent tool" on page 124)
Service Focal Point
– Managing serviceable events
– Service Utilities
• Create Serviceable Event
• Manage Dumps
Collect VPD Information
Updates (adapter capability only)
Backup/Restore
Application Logs
Monitor tasks
Hardware Inventory
BladeCenter event log
The BladeCenter event log includes entries for events that are detected by the BladeCenter
unit and installed components.
The following sources can generate events that are recorded in the event log:
Blade service processor
BladeCenter unit
Blade device by bay number
BladeCenter Service Advisor
The BladeCenter Service Advisor provides a method to notify a service and support
representative on selected issues. When a serviceable event that has been designated as a
call home event is detected, a message is written in the event log and any configured alerts
are sent. The information gathered by service advisor is the same information that is available
to the AMM.

4.5.2 IBM Power Systems firmware maintenance

The IBM Power Systems Client-Managed Microcode is a methodology that enables you to
manage and install microcode updates on Power Systems and associated I/O adapters.
The system firmware consists of service processor microcode, Open Firmware microcode,
SPCN microcode, and the POWER Hypervisor. The firmware is installed from a supported
and running operating system on the POWER-based blade. The firmware can also be
installed on a blade when booted from standalone AIX diagnostics.
Power Systems has a permanent firmware boot side, or A side, and a temporary firmware
boot side, or B side. Install the new levels of firmware on the temporary side first to test the
update's compatibility with existing applications. When the new level of firmware has been
approved, it can be copied to the permanent side.
For access to the initial Web pages to obtain new firmware, see the following Web page:
http://www.ibm.com/systems/support
For POWER based blades select the BladeCenter link. Figure 4-5 on page 123 is an
example of the Support for IBM BladeCenter Web page.
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IBM BladeCenter PS700, PS701, and PS702 Technical Overview and Introduction