Service providers use these labels to assist them in performing maintenance actions. Service labels are found in various formats and positions are intended to transmit readily available information to the servicer during the repair process. Here are some of these service labels and their purposes:
Ê Location diagrams: Location diagrams are on the system hardware, relating information regarding the placement of hardware components. Location diagrams might include location codes, drawings of physical locations, concurrent maintenance status, or other data that is pertinent to a repair. Location diagrams are especially useful when multiple components such as DIMMs, processors, fans, adapters, and power supplies are installed.
Ê Remove/replace procedures: Service labels that contain remove/replace procedures are often found on a cover of the system or in other spots accessible to the servicer. These labels provide systematic procedures, including diagrams detailing how to remove or replace certain serviceable hardware components.
Ê Arrows: Numbered arrows are used to indicate the order of operation and the serviceability direction of components. Some serviceable parts such as latches, levers, and touch points must be pulled or pushed in a certain direction and in a certain order for the mechanical mechanisms to engage or disengage. Arrows generally improve the ease of serviceability.
4.5.9 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, it goes to a landing page for Power10 processor-based systems, which contains each machine type and model (MTM) service functions of interest while physically at the server. These functions include things installation and repair instructions, reference code lookup, and other items.
4.5.10 Packaging for service
The following service features are included in the physical packaging of the systems to facilitate service:
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 ensure 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, preventing a good electrical connection. Positive retention mechanisms like latches, levers, thumbscrews, 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.
4.5.11 Error handling and reporting
In a system hardware or environmentally induced failure, the system runtime error capture capability systematically analyzes the hardware error signature to determine the cause of failure. The analysis result is stored in system NVRAM. When the system can be successfully restarted either manually or automatically, or if the system continues to operate, the error is reported to the OS. Hardware and software failures are recorded in the system log. When an HMC is attached in the PowerVM environment, an ELA routine analyzes the error, forwards the event to the SFP application running on the HMC, and notifies the system administrator that it has isolated a likely cause of the system problem. The service processor event log also records unrecoverable checkstop conditions, forwards them to the SFP application, and notifies the system administrator.
The system can call home through the OS to report platform-recoverable errors and errors that are associated with PCI adapters or devices.
In the HMC-managed environment, a Call Home service request is initiated from the HMC, and the pertinent failure data with service parts information and part locations is sent to an IBM service organization. Customer contact information and specific system-related data, such as the MTM and serial number, along with error log data that is related to the failure, are sent to IBM Service.
4.5.12 Live Partition Mobility
With PowerVM Live Partition Mobility (LPM), users can migrate an AIX, IBM i, or Linux VM partition running on one IBM Power partition server to another IBM Power server without disrupting services. The migration transfers the entire system environment, including processor state, memory, attached virtual devices, and connected users. It provides continuous OS and application availability during planned partition outages for repair of hardware and firmware faults. The Power10 servers that use Power10 processor-based technology support secure LPM, where the VM image is encrypted and compressed before transfer. Secure LPM uses on-chip encryption and compression capabilities of the Power10 processor for optimal performance.
4.5.13 Call Home
Call Home refers to an automatic or manual call from a client location to the IBM support structure with error log data, server status, or other service-related information. Call Home invokes the service organization in order for the appropriate service action to begin. Call Home can be done through the ESA that is embedded in the HMC, or through a version of the ESA that is embedded in the OSs for non-HMC-managed or a version of ESA that runs as a stand-alone Call Home application. While configuring Call Home is optional, clients are encouraged to implement this feature to obtain service enhancements such as reduced problem determination and faster and potentially more accurate transmittal of error information. In general, using the Call Home feature can result in increased system availability.
4.5.14 IBM Electronic Services
ESA and Client Support Portal (CSP) comprise the IBM Electronic Services solution, which is dedicated to providing fast, exceptional support to IBM clients. ESA is a no-charge tool that proactively monitors and reports hardware events, such as system errors, and collects hardware and software inventory. ESA can help focus on the client’s company business initiatives, save time, and spend less effort managing day-to-day IT maintenance issues. In addition, Call Home Cloud Connect Web and Mobile capability extends the common solution and offers IBM Systems related support information that is applicable to servers and storage.
For more information, see IBM Call Home Connect Cloud.