IBM PS700, Installation And User Manual

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Chapter 4. Configuring the blade server
While the firmware is running POST and before the operating system starts, a POST menu with POST
indicators is displayed. The POST indicators are the words
Memory , Keyboard , Network , SCSI , and Speaker
that are displayed as each component is tested. You can then select configuration utilities from the POST
menu.
v
System management services (SMS)
Use the system management services (SMS) utility to view information about your system or partition
and to perform tasks such as setting up remote IPL, changing self configuring SCSI device (SCSD)
settings, and selecting boot options. The SMS utility can be used for AIX or Linux partitions. See
“Using the SMS utility” on page 39 for more information.
v
Default boot list
Use this utility to initiate a system boot in service mode through the default service mode boot list.
This mode attempts to boot from the first device of each type that is found in the list.
Note: This is the preferred method of starting the stand-alone AIX diagnostics from CD.
v Stored boot list
Use this utility to initiate a system boot in service mode, using the customized service mode boot list
that was set up by AIX when AIX was first booted, or manually using the AIX service aids.
v Open firmware prompt
This utility is for advanced users of the IEEE 1275 specifications only.
v
Management module
Use the management module to change the boot list, determine which firmware image to boot, and
perform other configuration tasks.
Updating the firmware
IBM periodically makes firmware updates available for you to install on the blade server, the
management module, or expansion cards in the blade server.
Important: To avoid problems and to maintain proper system performance, always verify that the blade
server BIOS, service processor, and diagnostic firmware levels are consistent for all blade servers within
the BladeCenter unit. See “Verifying the system firmware levels” on page 39 for more information.
Plan to use a method of applying blade server firmware updates other than the management module.
The enhanced service processor has a larger firmware image that makes it impractical to download and
install over the RS-485 bus of the management module. Therefore, a firmware update for the blade server
is not supported from the management module.
You can still use the other methods of performing firmware updates for the blade server:
v
In-band operating system capabilities, such as the update_flash command for Linux and AIX or the
ldfware command for Virtual I/O Server
v The firmware update function of AIX diagnostics
v
The firmware update function of the stand-alone diagnostics CD
Attention: Before the installation of the new firmware to the temporary side begins, the contents of the
temporary side are copied into the permanent side. After the firmware installation begins, the previous
level of firmware on the permanent side is no longer available.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2010, 2011
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