Chapter 2. Diagnostics Overview; Maintenance Analysis Procedures (Maps); Checkpoints - IBM pSeries 670 Service Manual

Chapter 2. Diagnostics Overview

Eserver pSeries 670 servers use an integrated set of software diagnostic procedures to facilitate system
maintenance. This book and the RS/6000 and Eserver pSeries Diagnostic Information for Multiple Bus
Systems are the basis of the diagnostic procedures for Eserver pSeries 670 systems. In particular,
chapters 3, 4, 5, and 10 in this book are important for the trained service representative to understand and
use when isolating a failure on the system.
The manufacturer recommends that systems configured with 4 GB of memory or greater have access to a
4-mm or 8-mm tape drive for submission of system dump information if it is required. This function can be
accomplished through locally attached or network-attached devices, as appropriate.

Maintenance Analysis Procedures (MAPs)

Maintenance Analysis Procedures (MAPs) guide trained service representatives through the complex
multirack Eserver pSeries 670 system. These MAPs are the entry point for all isolation and
error-recovery procedures. Eserver pSeries 670 systems use a set of integrated procedures, to which the
MAPS are the primary entry point.
The MAPS are as follows:
v Entry MAP
v Quick Entry MAP
v Service Focal Point Procedures
v Power MAP
v Problem Isolation MAP
The Entry Map is the starting point for problem determination. The purpose of this MAP is to quickly point
to the appropriate MAP or service reference information either in this book, or in the common book set,
which includes the RS/6000 and Eserver pSeries Diagnostic Information for Multiple Bus Systems and
PCI Adapter Placement Reference.
The Quick Entry MAP is a subset of the Entry MAP and helps to save time for some types of problems.
The Power MAP deals with isolation of components and cables to diagnose a power problem. The nature
of power problems can be related to powering the system on and off, or power failures that can occur after
power is turned on.
The Problem Isolation MAP is used to locate defective components not found by normal diagnostics or
error-isolation methods. This MAP provides a systematic method of isolation to the failing item or items.

Checkpoints

Eserver pSeries 670 systems use various types of checkpoints, error codes, and SRNs that are referred
to throughout this book (primarily in Chapters 3, 4 and 5).
On an HMC-managed system, the checkpoints and error codes displayed on the physical operator panel
are also displayed on the HMC virtual terminal associated with the managed system object.
On a system operating as a full system partition, checkpoints and error codes will appear on the physical
operator panel from the beginning of the power-on process through the completion of booting AIX.
On a partitioned system, checkpoints and error codes for a partition are displayed on the HMC virtual
operator panel associated with that logical partition. Checkpoints and error codes generated by logical
partitions are not displayed on the managed system's physical operator panel.
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