Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability Features
Three of the most important factors in server design are reliability, availability, and
serviceability (RAS). These factors help to ensure the integrity of the data stored
on your server; that your server is available when you want to use it; and that
should a failure occur, you can easily diagnose and repair the failure with minimal
inconvenience.
The following is an abbreviated list of the built-in RAS features on the IBM Netfinity
Server. Many of these features are explained in the following chapters of this book.
Menu-driven configuration programs
Menu-driven SCSI configuration programs
Menu-driven setup programs
Menu-driven diagnostic programs
Power-on self-test (POST)
Customer support center 24 hours per day
2
Hot-swap hard disk drive bays
Cooling fans with error-sensing capability
Error checking and correcting (ECC) memory
Error codes and messages
Remote systems management through the Netfinity Advanced System
Management controller
Remote system problem-determination support
Upgradable BIOS, diagnostics, and Netfinity Advanced System Management
Processor code
Recovery for damaged BIOS
Automatic restart after power failure
Automatic restart on initial system-management processor error condition
Parity checking on the SCSI bus, keyboard interface, and serial ports
Monitoring and reporting the status of hard disk drives, power supplies, and
cooling systems through status indicators on the front and back of the server
and on the system board
Early warning of failing hard disk drives and memory
Vital product data (VPD), including serial number information and replacement
part numbers, stored in nonvolatile memory, making remote maintenance of
your server more efficient
Standard redundant power supply
Redundant power supply option for enhanced availability
Redundant Ethernet capabilities (with optional adapter)
2
Response time will vary, depending on the number and nature of calls received.
6
Netfinity 5000 Server Hardware Information and Procedures
