The IBM POWER6™ Serviceability strategy evolves from, and improves upon, the service architecture deployed on System p™ and System i™ POWER5™ processor-based systems. The service team has enhanced base service capabilities and continues to implement a strategy that incorporates best-of-breed service characteristics from IBM’s diverse System x™, System i™, System p, and high-end System z™ offerings.
At IBM, the Serviceability Team strives to provide the most efficient service environment possible by designing a system package that incorporates:
- Easy access to service components
- On demand service education
- An automated/guided repair strategy using common service interfaces for a converged service approach across multiple IBM server platforms
By delivering upon these goals, POWER6 processor-based systems enable faster and more accurate repair while reducing the possibility of human error. The notion of client control of the service environment extends to firmware maintenance on all POWER6 processor-based systems. When taken together, these factors can deliver increased value to the end user. This strategy contributes to higher systems availability with reduced maintenance costs.
This white paper provides an overview of the progressive steps of error detection, analysis, reporting, and repairing found in a POWER6 processor-based system.