Compaq AlphaServer ES40, Owner'S Manual

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Using the Remote Management Console 4-3
The RMC logic is implemented using an 8-bit microprocessor, PIC17C44, as the
primary control device. The firmware code resides on the microprocessor and in
flash memory. If the RMC firmware should ever become corrupted or obsolete,
you can update it manually using a Loadable Firmware Update Utility. See
Chapter 6 for details. The microprocessor can also communicate with the
system power control logic to turn on or turn off power to the rest of the system.
The RMC is powered by an auxiliary 5V supply. You can gain access to the
RMC as long as AC power is available to the system (through the wall outlet).
Thus, if the system fails, you can still access the RMC and gather information
about the failure.
Configuration, Error Log, and Asset Information
The RMC provides additional functionality to read and write configuration and
error log information to FRU error log devices. These operations are carried out
via shared RAM (also called dual-port RAM or DPR).
At power-on, the RMC reads the EEPROMs in the system and dumps the
contents into the DPR. These EEPROMs contain configuration information,
asset inventory and revision information, and error logs. During power-up the
SROM sends status and error information for each CPU to the DPR. The
system also writes error log information to the DPR when an error occurs.
Service providers can access the contents of the DPR to diagnose system
problems.