IBM 6C1, Service Manual

Page: 225 / 377

Service Processor Call-In Security
If the service processor detects bad battery-powered storage (indicating that the battery
on the system board has failed or has been removed), it maintains server security by
disabling the call-in capability to both serial ports.
When call-in is disabled, the system can still be powered on by using the ring-indicator
signal, but the service processor then causes the system to power down, preventing
access to any system facilities or to AIX.
After battery power is restored, the password(s) must be reset and the call-in function(s)
enabled. Both of these operations can be performed from service processor menus.
See “Serial Port Selection Menu” on page 201.
Service Processor Reboot/Restart Recovery
Reboot describes bringing the system hardware back up; for example, from a system
reset or power-on. The reboot process ends when control passes to the operating
system loading (or initialization) process.
Restart describes activating the operating system after the system hardware is
reinitialized. Restart must follow a successful reboot.
Boot (IPL) Speed
When the server enters reboot recovery, slow IPL is automatically started, which gives
the POST an opportunity to locate and report any problems.
Failure During Boot Process
During the boot process, either initially after system power-on or upon reboot after a
system failure, the service processor monitors the boot progress. If progress stops, the
service processor can reinitiate the boot process (reboot) if enabled to do so. The
service processor can re-attempt this process according to the number of retries
entered in the Reboot/Restart Policy Setup Menu.
Failure During Normal System Operation
When the boot process completes and control transfers to the operating system (OS),
the service processor can monitor operating system activity (see the Set Surveillance
Parameters option in the “Service Processor Setup Menu” on page 188). If OS activity
stops due to a hardware- or software-induced failure, the service processor can initiate
a reboot/restart process based on the settings in the Service Processor Reboot/Restart
Policy Setup Menu and the OS automatic restart settings (see the operating system
documentation).
If you are using the AIX operating system, the menu item under SMIT for setting the
restart policy is Automatically Reboot After Crash (True/False). The default is False.
When the setting is True, and if the service processor parameter
″
Use OS-Defined
Restart Policy
″
is Yes (the default), the service processor takes over for AIX to
reboot/restart after a hardware or surveillance failure.
Chapter 7. Using the Service Processor
207