Notification – Architecture and technical overview

2.12.4 Notification

In this section, we describe the types of notifications that are available.

Call Home

HMC can notify service events that need IBM service organization attention, which uses the Call Home feature. Call Home helps to transmit error logs, server status, or other

service-related information to the IBM service organization electronically.

This feature is optional, but customers can gain significant advantages implementing the feature, such as faster problem determination and resolution and, in most cases, without customer notice or direct involvement. This feature also allows the IBM Service organization to register auto service tickets and send customer replaceable units (CRU) directly to the customer or dispatching a service engineer to the customer location.

IBM Electronic Service Agent

The Electronic Service Agent (ESA) provides automatic problem reporting functions and can potentially predict and prevent hardware errors by early detection of potential problems. It is supported by IBM i and AIX and is not separately charged for because it is part of the base operating system.

ESA monitors and collects system inventory and service information, which is accessible from a secured web portal.

For more information about ESA planning, implementation, and configuration, see the following web pages:

Ê For AIX

Ê For IBM i1

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Customers who are skeptical about the information that is shared with IBM can be assured that security protocols are in place. Also, by registering with the IBM Electronics Services portal, the service information is accessible to customers.

2.12.5 Ease of location and service

For maintenance procedures that need service engineers to interact physically with the system, such as hardware MES execution, concurrent maintenance, or replacement of

non-concurrent maintanable components, the time that is required for overall service can be greatly improved by using specific system aided tools that can help with replacement procedures.

Some the aids that are available with Power1080 system are discussed next.

Service labels

Placed at various locations on the system hardware, these labels provide the following ready-to-use, graphics-based information to perform physical maintenance on the system:

Ê Location diagrams

Typically, these diagrams consist of placement view of various hardware components (FRUs and CRUs) that are inside the server chassis. This information can help the service engineer to find the location of the FRUs that is being serviced or removed.

Ê Remove/ or replace procedures

A pictorial aid that shows the way to remove hardware components from the server chassis. For example, a picture can show thumbs that are pressing the latches, which can help release the component from its place.

Ê Arrows

Numbered arrows are used to indicate the order of actions and the serviceability direction of components. Some serviceable parts, such as latches, levers, and touch points, must be pulled or pushed in a specific direction and in a specific order for the mechanical mechanisms to engage or disengage.

Ê Physical address diagrams

These diagrams can help map the logical address of failed components to the physical address so that only intended components can be identified and serviced.

QR labels

QR labels are placed on the system to provide access to key service functions through a mobile device. When the QR label is scanned, the mobile device goes to server specific landing web pages that contain many of the service functions of interest while physically located beside the server rack in the data center. These functions include installation and repair instructions, service diagrams, and reference code look up.

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Packaging for service

Power systems deliver great experiences with its ease of service operations design and unique physical packaging, which includes the following characteristics:

Ê Color coding (touch points): Blue-colored touch points delineate touch points on service components where the component can be safely handled for service actions, such as removal or installation.

Ê Tool-less design: Selected IBM systems support tool-less or simple tool designs. These designs require no tools or simple tools, such as flathead screw drivers, to service the hardware components.

Ê Positive retention: Positive retention mechanisms help to assure proper connections between hardware components, such as cables to connectors, and between two cards that attach to each other. Without positive retention, hardware components run the risk of becoming loose during shipping or installation, which prevents a good electrical connection.

Positive retention mechanisms, such as latches, levers, thumb-screws, pop Nylatches (U-clips), and cables are included to help prevent loose connections and aid in installing (seating) parts correctly. These positive retention items do not require tools.

Concurrent maintenance

The Power E1080 includes many physical components that allow concurrent maintenance, which frees the service engineer to bring the system down for maintenance. The following concurrent maintanable components of E1080 are available:

Ê EXP24S SAS storage enclosure drawer

Ê Drives in the EXP24S storage enclosure drawer Ê NVMe U.2 drives

Ê PCIe extender cards, optical PCIe link I/O expansion card Ê PCIe I/O adapters

Ê PCIe I/O drawers

Ê PCIe to USB conversion card Ê SMP cables

Ê System node AC power supplies: Two functional power supplies must remain installed at all times while the system is operating

Ê System node fans

Ê System control unit fans

Ê System control unit operations panel Ê Time of Day clock battery

Ê UPIC interface card in SCU

Ê UPIC power cables from system node to system control unit

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