IBM POWER 710, POWER 730 User Manual
IBM Europe, Middle East, and Africa Hardware Announcement
ZG10-0214, dated August 17, 2010
IBM Power 710 and 730 Express servers offer IBM
POWER7 technology in 2U rack-mount configuration
Table of contents
1 Overview 25 Publications
3 Key prerequisites 27 Technical information
4 Planned availability date 38 Terms and conditions
4 Description 43 Prices
19 Statement of general direction 44 Announcement countries
19 Product number
At a glance
The Power® 710 and 730 Express® servers are fueled by the outstanding
performance and energy efficiency of the POWER7TM processor with a choice of
AIX®, IBM® i, or Linux® operating systems and solutions from thousands of ISVs
that can set your business apart from the competition -- all in a 2U rack-mount
package.
• Powerful 64-bit 4-core, 6-core, and 8-core POWER7 processor modules
– 4-core, 6-core, and 8-core configurations on the Power 710
– 8-core, 12-core, and 16-core configurations on the Power 730
• Up to 64 GB of memory on the Power 710 and 128 GB of memory on the
• Rich I/O options in the system unit:
– Four PCIe Low Profile slots
– Six disk/solid-state drives (SSD) SAS SFF (small form-factor) bays -- up to 1.8
– Slimline DVD-RAM
– Bay for tape or removable drive (with #5263)
– Integrated SAS/SATA controller for disk/SSD/DVD
– Host Ethernet Adapters (four 1 Gb or two 10 Gb)
•
Overview
Power 730 with optional memory riser cards, optionally augmented with Active
MemoryTM Expansion
TB
EnergyScaleTM technology
The Power 710 Express server is a high-performance, energy-efficient, reliable,
and secure infrastructure and application server in a dense form factor. As a highperformance infrastructure or application server, the Power 710 Express contains
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innovative workload-optimizing technologies that maximize performance based
on client computing needs and Intelligent Energy features that help maximize
performance and optimize energy efficiency, resulting in one of the most costefficient solutions for UNIX®, IBM i, and Linux deployments.
The IBM Power 710 Express server is a 2U rack-mount server with one processor
socket offering 4-core 3.0 GHz, 6-core 3.7 GHz, and 8-core 3.55 GHz configurations.
The IBM Power 730 Express server delivers the outstanding performance of the
POWER7 processor in a dense, rack-optimized form factor and is ideal for running
multiple application and infrastructure workloads in a virtualized environment. Take
advantage of the Power 730 Express servers' scalability and capacity by leveraging
our industrial-strength PowerVMTM technology to fully utilize the server's capability.
The IBM Power 730 Express server is a 2U rack-mount server with two processor
sockets offering 8-core 3.0 and 3.7 GHz, 12-core 3.7 GHz, and 16-core 3.55 GHz
configurations.
The Power 710 Express server supports a maximum of eight DDR3 DIMM slots, with
four DIMM slots included in the base configuration and four DIMM slots available
with an optional memory riser card, allowing for a maximum system memory of 64
GB. The Power 730 Express server supports a maximum of 16 DDR3 DIMM slots,
with four DIMM slots included in the base configuration and 12 DIMM slots available
with a maximum of three optional memory riser cards, allowing for a maximum
system memory of 128 GB.
Memory features (two memory DIMMs per feature) supported are 8 GB and 16
GB and run at speeds of 1066 MHz. Also, the optional Active Memory Expansion
can allow the effective maximum memory capacity to be much larger than the
true physical memory. Innovative compression/decompression of memory content
using processor cycles can allow memory expansion up to 100%. A server with a
maximum of 128 GB can effectively be expanded up to 256 GB. This can enhance
virtualization and server consolidation by allowing a partition to do significantly more
work with the same physical amount of memory or a server to run more partitions
and do more work with the same physical amount of memory.
The Power 710 and 730 Express servers offer three storage backplane options. The
first supports three SFF SAS hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs), an
SATA DVD, and a half-high tape drive. The second supports six SFF SAS HDDs/SSDs
and an SATA DVD. The third supports six SFF SAS HDDs/SSDs, an SATA DVD, Dual
Write Cache RAID, and an external SAS port. HDDs/SSDs are hot-swap and front
accessible.
Also available in the Power 710 and Power 730 system units is a choice of quad
gigabit or dual 10 Gb integrated host Ethernet adapters. These native ports can
be selected at the time of initial order. Virtualization of these integrated Ethernet
adapters is supported.
Other integrated features include:
• Four PCIe x8 Low Profile expansion slots
• One GX++ slot on the Power 710 and two GX++ slots on the Power 730 for 4X
connections
• Service Processor
• Integrated SAS/SATA controller for disk/SSD/DVD in system unit
• EnergyScale technology
• Two system ports, three USB ports, and two HMC ports
• Redundant and hot-swap power
• Redundant and hot-swap cooling
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Key prerequisites
If installing the AIX operating system (one of these):
• AIX Version 7.1, or later
• AIX Version 6.1 with the 6100-06 Technology Level, or later
• AIX Version 5.3 with the 5300-12 Technology Level and Service Pack 1, or later
• AIX Version 5.3 with the 5300-11 Technology Level and Service Pack 5, or later
(planned availability: September 30, 2010)
• AIX Version 5.3 with the 5300-10 Technology Level and Service Pack 5, or later
(planned availability: September 30, 2010)
Note: VIOS support requires VIOS 2.2, or later.
If installing the IBM i operating system:
• IBM i 6.1 with i 6.1.1 machine code, or later
• IBM i 7.1, or later
If installing the Linux operating system (one of these):
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1 for the Power 710 and Power
730 Express ServersTM, or later, with current maintenance updates available from
Novell to enable all planned functionality.
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 3 for the Power 710 and Power
730 Express Servers, or later, with current maintenance updates available from
Novell to enable all planned functionality.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Version 5.5 for POWER, or later.
Users should also update their systems with the latest Linux for Power service
and productivity tools available at
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/set2/sas/f/lopdiags/home.html
If installing VIOS:
• VIOS 2.2, or later
If installing IBM Systems Director:
• IBM Systems Director Editions for Power Servers 6.2.0.1, or later.
Java 1.4.2 on POWER7
There are unique considerations when running Java 1.4.2 on POWER7. For
best exploitation of the outstanding performance capabilities and most recent
improvements of POWER7 technology, IBM recommends upgrading Java-based
applications to Java 6 or Java 5 whenever possible.
For more information, visit
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/jdk/aix/service.html
Refer to the IBM Prerequisite Web site for software requirements for each feature
number:
https://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eServerPrereq.nsf
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Planned availability date
September 17, 2010, except for feature 2319, which is planned to be available on
December 10, 2010
Description
Power 710 and Power 730
Summary of standard features:
• Rack-mount (2U) configuration
• 4-, 6-, and 8-core processor modules
– 4-core, 6-core, and 8-core configurations on the Power 710
– 8-core, 12-core, and 16-core configurations on the Power 730
• 8 GB or 16 of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory (error checking and correcting)
memory, expandable to 64 GB on the Power 710 and 128 GB on the Power 730
• Three storage backplane options:
– Three SFF SAS HDDs/SSDs, SATA DVD bay, tape drive bay
– Six SFF SAS HDDs/SSDs, SATA DVD bay
– Six SFF SAS HDDs/SSDs, SATA DVD bay, Dual Write Cache SAS RAID, external
SAS port
• Choice of three HEA daughter cards:
– Quad-port RJ45 1 Gb HEA (Copper)
– Dual-port SFP+ 10 Gb HEA (Fiber SR)
– Dual-port SFP+ 10 Gb HEA (Copper TwinAx)
• Four PCIe x8 Low Profile slots
• One GX++ slot on the Power 710; two GX++ slots on the Power 730
• Integrated:
– Service Processor
– EnergyScale technology
– Hot-swap and redundant cooling
– Three USB ports, two system ports, two HMC ports
• One Power supply on the Power 710, two power supplies on the Power 730
– 1725 Watt AC, Hot-swap
– Additional power supply available for redundant power on the Power 710
The minimum Power 710 initial order must include a processor module, processor
activations, memory, one HDD/SSD, a storage backplane, a power supply and power
cord, an operating system indicator, a chassis indicator, and a Language Group
Specify.
If IBM i is the Primary Operating System (#2145), the initial order must also include
one additional HDD/SSD, Mirrored System Disk Level Specify Code, and a System
Console Indicator. A DVD is defaulted on every order but may be de-selected.
The minimum defined initial order configuration, if no choice is made, when AIX or
Linux is the primary operating system is:
Feature number Description
8350 0/4 core 3.0 GHz POWER7 Processor Module
4 x 8360 4 Processor Activations
4526 8 GB (2 x 4096 MB) Memory
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1883 73.4 GB 15k SFF HDD
5263 Storage Backplane for 2.5-inch Drives
/SATA DVD/Tape
1832 Quad-port RJ45 1 Gb HEA
5603 Power Supply, 1725 Watt AC
7317 Single Processor Chassis
9300/97xx) Language Group Specify
2146 or 2147 Primary Operating System Indicator - IBM AIX (2146)
or Linux (2147)
6xxx One Power Cord
Note: No internal DASD is required if feature 0837 (Boot from SAN) is selected.
A Fibre Channel or Fibre Channel over Ethernet adapter must be ordered if feature
0837 is selected.
The minimum defined initial order configuration, if no choice is made, when IBM i is
the primary operating system is:
Feature number Description
8350 0/4 core 3.0 GHz POWER7 Processor Module
4 x 8360 4 Processor Activations
4526 8 GB (2 x 4096 MB) Memory
2 x 1884 69.7 GB 15K RPM SAS SFF HDD
5268 Storage Backplane for six SFF Drives/SATA
DVD bay/Dual Write Cache SAS RAID, external SAS
port
1832 Quad-port RJ45 1 Gb HEA
5603 Power Supply, 1725 Watt AC
7317 Single Processor Chassis
9300/97xx) Language Group Specify
2145 Primary Operating System Indicator - IBM i
0040 Mirrored System Disk Level Specify Code
0566 or 0567 IBM i 6.1.1 or IBM i 7.1 indicator
5550 System Console on HMC Indicator
6xxx One Power Cord
Notes:
• When IBM i is the primary operating system (#2145), a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM
must be accessible by the Power 710. A DVD will be defaulted on every order but
may be de-selected.
• No internal DASD is required if feature 0837 (Boot from SAN) is selected. A Fibre
Channel or Fibre Channel over Ethernet adapter must be ordered if feature 0837
is selected.
The minimum Power 730 initial order must include two processor modules,
processor activations, memory, one HDD/SSD, a storage backplane, two power
supplies and two power cords, an operating system indicator, a chassis indicator, and
a Language Group Specify.
If IBM i is the Primary Operating System (#2145), the initial order must also include
one additional HDD/SSD, Mirrored System Disk Level Specify Code, and a System
Console Indicator. A DVD is defaulted on every order but may be de-selected.
The minimum defined initial order configuration, if no choice is made, when AIX or
Linux is the primary operating system is:
Feature number Description
2 x 8350 0/4 core 3.0 GHz POWER7 Processor Module
8 x 8360 8 Processor Activations
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4526 8 GB (2 x 4096 MB) Memory
1883 73.4 GB 15k SFF HDD
5263 Storage Backplane for 2.5-inch Drives
/SATA DVD/Tape
1832 Quad-port RJ45 1 Gb HEA
2 x 5603 Power Supply, 1725 Watt AC
7318 Two Processor Chassis
9300/97xx) Language Group Specify
2146 or 2147 Primary Operating System Indicator - IBM AIX (2146)
or Linux (2147)
2 x 6xxx Two Power Cords
Note: No internal DASD is required if feature 0837 (Boot from SAN) is selected.
A Fibre Channel or Fibre Channel over Ethernet adapter must be ordered if feature
0837 is selected.
The minimum defined initial order configuration, if no choice is made, when IBM i is
the primary operating system is:
Feature number Description
2 x 8350 0/4 core 3.0 GHz POWER7 Processor Module
8 x 8360 8 Processor Activations
4526 8 GB (2 x 4096 MB) Memory
2 x 1884 69.7 GB 15K RPM SAS SFF HDD
5268 Storage Backplane for six SFF Drives/SATA
DVD bay/Dual Write Cache SAS RAID, external SAS
port
1832 Quad-port RJ45 1 Gb HEA
2 x 5603 Power Supply, 1725 Watt AC
7318 Two Processor Chassis
9300/97xx) Language Group Specify
2145 Primary Operating System Indicator - IBM i
0040 Mirrored System Disk Level Specify Code
0566 or 0567 IBM i 6.1.1 or IBM i 7.1 indicator
5550 System Console on HMC Indicator
2 x 6xxx Two Power Cords
Notes:
• When IBM i is the primary operating system (#2145), a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM
must be accessible by the Power 730.
• No internal DASD is required if feature 0837 (Boot from SAN) is selected. A Fibre
Channel or Fibre Channel over Ethernet adapter must be ordered if feature 0837
is selected.
IBM Editions
IBM Editions are available only as initial order.
If you order a Power 710 or Power 730 Express server IBM Edition as defined below,
you can qualify for half the initial configuration's processor core activations at no
additional charge.
The total memory (based on the number of cores) and the quantity/size of disk,
SSD, Fibre Channel adapters, or Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) adapters
shipped with the server are the only features that determine if a customer is entitled
to a processor activation at no additional charge.
Specifically, with an IBM Edition, processor activations for the processor module
options are:
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Power 710
• 3.0 GHz 4-core processor module (#8350)
– 2 x #8360 (chargeable) and 2 x #8363 (no-charge) with 4-core (1 x #8350)
configuration
• 3.7 GHz 6-core processor module (#8349)
– 3 x #8382 (chargeable) and 3 x #8384 (no-charge) with 6-core (1 x #8349)
configuration
• 3.55 GHz 8-core processor module (#8359)
– 4 x #8372 (chargeable) and 4 x #8375 (no-charge) with 8-core (1 x #8359)
configuration
Power 730
• 3.0 GHz 4-core processor module (#8350)
– 4 x #8360 (chargeable) and 4 x #8363 (no-charge) with 8-core (2 x #8350)
configuration
• 3.7 GHz 4-core processor module (#8348)
– 4 x #8381 (chargeable) and 4 x #8383 (no-charge) with 8-core (2 x #8348)
configuration
• 3.7 GHz 6-core processor module (#8349)
– 6 x #8382 (chargeable) and 6 x #8384 (no-charge) with 12-core (2 x #8349)
configuration
• 3.55 GHz 8-core processor module (#8359)
– 8 x #8372 (chargeable) and 8 x #8375 (no-charge) with 16-core (2 x #8359)
configuration
When you purchase an IBM Edition, you can purchase an AIX, IBM i, or Linux
operating system license, or you may choose to purchase the system with no
operating system. The AIX, IBM i, or Linux operating system is processed via a
feature number on AIX 5.3, 6.1, or 7.1; IBM i 6.1.1 or IBM i 7.1; and SUSE Linux
Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If you choose AIX 5.3, 6.1, or 7.1
for your primary operating system, you can also order IBM i 6.1.1 or IBM i 7.1 and
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The converse is true if
you choose an IBM i or Linux subscription as your primary operating system.
Processor modules and processor activations are only available to Solution Delivery
Integration (SDIs) as MES orders.
IBM Edition minimum memory definition details:
A minimum of 2 GB memory per core on the Power 710 and 4 GB memory per core
on the Power 730 is needed to qualify for the IBM Edition, except on the 6-core
IBM Edition where there is a 16 GB minimum memory requirement for the Power
710. There can be different valid memory configurations that meet the minimum
requirement.
For example:
Power 710
• 4-core (8 GB minimum) -- 1 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also, 1
x 16 GB (2 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
• 6-core (16 GB minimum) -- 2 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also,
1 x 16 GB (2 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
• 8-core (16 GB minimum)-- 2 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also, 1
x 16 GB (2 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
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Power 730
• 8-core (32 GB minimum) -- 4 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also,
2 x 16 GB (2 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
• 12-core (48 GB minimum) -- 6 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also,
3 x 16 GB (3 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
• 16-core (64 GB minimum)-- 8 x 8 GB (2 x 4 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4526); Also,
4 x 16 GB (4 x 8 GB DIMMs) Memory (#4527)
Edition minimum Disk/SSD/Fibre Channel/FCoE definition details:
• Minimum of: Two HDD, or two SSD, or two Fibre Channel adapters, or two FCoE
adapters. You only need to meet one of these disk/SSD/FC/FCoE criteria. Partial
criteria cannot be combined.
– Two SAS HDDs -- any capacity drives located in the system unit or feature
5886 disk drawer qualify.
– Two SAS SSDs -- any capacity drives located in the system unit or feature
5886 disk drawer qualify.
– Two SSD Modules with eMLC (#1995/#1996)-- modules located in the system
unit with feature 2053 qualify.
– Two Fibre Channel PCI-e adapters located in the system unit.
– Two Fibre Channel over Ethernet PCI-e adapters located in the system unit.
These sample configurations can be changed as needed and still qualify for
processor entitlements at no additional charge. However, selection of total memory
or HDD/SSD/Fibre Channel/FCoE adapter quantities smaller than the totals defined
as the minimums disqualifies the order as an IBM Edition and the no-charge
processor activations are then removed.
Multiple sample POWER7 IBM Edition configurations are provided in the IBM internal
configurator tool, including:
• 3.0 GHz 4-core processor module
• 3.7 GHz 4-core processor module
• 3.7 GHz 6-core processor module
• 3.55 GHz 8-core processor module
Dynamic logical partitioning
The dynamic logical partitioning (LPAR) function provides enhanced resource
management for the Power 710 and Power 730 Express servers. Dynamic LPAR
allows available system resources to be quickly and easily configured across multiple
logical partitions to meet the rapidly changing needs of your business.
Dynamic LPAR also allows you to add new system resources such as new HDDs
or SSDs into your system's configuration without requiring a reboot. Without
the optional PowerVM Standard Edition (#5227) or PowerVM Enterprise Edition
(#5228) feature, as many as eight LPARs are supported in an 8-core Power 710
and 16 LPARs are supported in an 16-core Power 730. If the PowerVM Standard
or Enterprise Edition feature is installed in the system, a maximum of 10 dynamic
LPARs for each physical processor can be defined, with a Power 710 system
maximum of 80 dynamic LPARs and a Power 730 system maximum of 160 dynamic
LPARs.
An HMC or IVM is required to manage POWER7 processor-based servers
implementing partitioning. Multiple POWER7 processor-based servers can be
supported by a single HMC.
If an HMC is used to manage any POWER7 processor-based server, the HMC must be
a CR3, or later, model rack-mount HMC or C05, or later, deskside HMC.
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When IBM Systems Director is used to manage an HMC or if the HMC manages more
than 254 partitions, the HMC should have 3 GB of RAM minimum and be CR3 model,
or later, rack-mount or C06, or later, deskside.
PowerVM Editions (optional)
Three optional PowerVM Edition features are now available on the Power 710 and
Power 730: PowerVM Express Edition, PowerVM Standard Edition, and PowerVM
Enterprise Edition. These are managed using built-in Integrated Virtualization
Manager (IVM) software or optionally through use of an HMC.
PowerVM Standard Edition (#5227) and PowerVM Enterprise Edition (#5228) allow
customers to create partitions in units of less than 1 CPU (sub-CPU LPARs) and allow
the same system I/O to be virtually added to these partitions. The optional features,
available for a fee, also include a software component that provides cross-partition
workload management.
PowerVM Standard and Enterprise Editions offer:
•
Micro-PartitioningTM (up to 10 partitions per processor core, 80 per Power 710
system and 160 per Power 730 system)
• Virtualized disk and optical devices (VIOS)
• Automated CPU reconfiguration
• Real-time partition configuration and load statistics
• Support for dedicated and shared processor LPAR groups
• Support for manual provisioning of resources
At initial order entry, selecting feature number 5227 or 5228 will result in MicroPartitioning to be enabled during manufacture and the enabling software media and
publications to be shipped to the customer. When ordering feature number 5227
or 5228 as an MES, an activation key will be posted on an IBM Web site, and the
customer must retrieve it and install it on the system.
The IBM Web site is
http://www-912.ibm.com/pod/pod
Other features of PowerVM Editions:
• If any processors in a system have the Virtualization feature, all active
processors must have it.
• Once the Virtualization feature is installed in a system, it cannot be removed.
• Virtual Ethernet and Virtual Storage are part of PowerVM Editions.
PowerVM Enterprise Edition also includes Live Partition Mobility, which allows for the
movement of a logical partition from one POWER6TM or POWER7 server to another
with no application downtime, and Active Memory Sharing, which dynamically
reallocates memory between running logical partitions on a server. Also available is
PowerVM Express (#5225), designed for users looking for an introduction to more
advanced virtualization features at a highly affordable price. With PowerVM Express
and IVM, users can create up to three partitions on the server, leverage VIOS, utilize
Shared Dedicated Capacity to help optimize use of processor cycles, and even try
out the Shared Processor Pool. With its intuitive browser-based interface, IVM is
easy to use and helps reduce the time and effort required to manage virtual devices,
processors, and partitions. An HMC is not required.
Notes:
• PowerVM 2.1.2.11 with Fix Pack 22.1 and Service Pack 1, or later, and a
supported AIX or Linux operating system level are minimum requirements for
performing Live Partition Mobility functions on POWER7. Refer to the Software
requirements section for more information on minimum AIX and Linux operating
system levels.
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• Active Memory Sharing is planned to be supported with the availability of SLES
11 SP1.
Customers can upgrade from PowerVM Express to either PowerVM Standard or
PowerVM Enterprise, or they can upgrade from PowerVM Standard to PowerVM
Enterprise.
By upgrading to PowerVM Standard or PowerVM Enterprise, users gain the ability
to create up to 80 logical partitions on the Power 710 or up to 160 logical partitions
on the Power 730. Users also gain the ability to manage their PowerVM enabled
machine with either an HMC or the Integrated Virtualization Manager.
By upgrading to PowerVM Enterprise, users can leverage Live Partition Mobility and
Active Memory Sharing.
I/O drawer availability
One disk-only I/O drawer is supported, providing large storage capacity and multiple
partition support:
• Feature 5886 EXP12S holds 3.5-inch SAS disk or SSD.
EXP 12S SAS Drawer (#5886)
The EXP 12S SAS Drawer (#5886) is a 2 EIA drawer and mounts in a 19-inch rack.
The drawer can hold either SAS HDDs or SSD. The EXP 12S SAS drawer has twelve
3.5-inch SAS disk bays with redundant data paths to each bay. The drawer supports
redundant hot-plug power and cooling and redundant hot-swap SAS expanders
(Enclosure Services Manager-ESM). Each ESM has an independent SCSI Enclosure
Services (SES) diagnostic processor.
The SAS HDDs or SSD contained in the EXP12S are controlled by one or two PCIe
or PCI-X SAS adapters connected to the EXP12S via SAS cables. The SAS cable will
vary, depending upon the adapter being used, the operating system being used, and
the protection desired.
• The large cache PCI-X feature 5904/5908 uses a SAS Y cable when a single port
is running the EXP12S. A SAS X cable is used when a pair of adapters are used
for controller redundancy.
• The medium cache PCI-X feature 5902 and PCIe feature 5903 adapters are
always paired and use a SAS X cable to attach the feature 5886 I/O drawer.
• The zero cache PCI-X feature 5912 and PCIe feature 5901 use a SAS Y cable
when a single port is running the EXP12S. A SAS X cable is used for AIX/Linux
environments when a pair of adapters is used for controller redundancy.
In all of the above configurations, all 12 SAS bays are controlled by a single
controller or a single pair of controllers.
A second EXP12S drawer can be attached to another drawer using two SAS EE
cables, providing 24 SAS bays instead of 12 bays for the same SAS controller port.
This is called cascading. In this configuration, all 24 SAS bays are controlled by a
single controller or a single pair of controllers.
The feature 5886 can also be directly attached to the SAS port on the rear of the
Power 710 or Power 730, providing a very low-cost disk storage solution. When
used this way, the imbedded SAS controllers in the system unit drive the HDDs in
EXP12S. A second unit cannot be cascaded to a feature 5886 attached in this way.
19-inch racks
The Model 8231-E2B and its I/O drawers are designed to mount in the 25U 7014S25 (#0555), 36U 7014-T00 (#0551), or the 42U 7014-T42 (#0553) rack. These
racks are built to the 19-inch EIA standard. When you order a new 8231 system,
you can also order the appropriate 7014 rack model with the system hardware on
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the same initial order. IBM is making the racks available as features of the 8232E2B when you order additional I/O drawer hardware for an existing system (MES
order). The rack feature number should be used if you want IBM to integrate the
newly ordered I/O drawer in a 19-inch rack before shipping the MES order.
1.3-meter rack (#0555 - supported only)
The 1.3-meter rack (#0555) is a 25 EIA unit rack. The rack is the same rack
delivered when you order the 7014-S25 rack.
1.8-meter rack (#0551)
The 1.8-meter rack (#0551) is a 36 EIA unit rack. The rack that is delivered as
feature 0551 is the same rack delivered when you order the 7014-T00 rack; the
included features may be different. Some features that are delivered as part of the
7014-T00 must be ordered separately with the feature 0551. Order the feature 0551
only when required to support rack integration of MES orders prior to shipment from
IBM.
2.0-meter rack (#0553)
The 2.0-meter rack (#0553) is a 42 EIA unit tall rack. The rack that is delivered as
feature 0553 is the same rack delivered when you order the 7014-T42 rack; the
included features may be different. Some features that are delivered as part of the
7014-T42 must be ordered separately with the feature 0553. Order the feature 0553
only when required to support rack integration of MES orders prior to shipment from
IBM.
IBM Power Systems Deployment-ready Services
IBM offers a portfolio of integration, configuration, and customization services for
IBM Power SystemsTM. These Deployment-ready Services are designed to accelerate
customer solution deployment and reduce related resources and cost. Offerings
include:
• Integration
– Component integration
– Rack integration
– Operating system preinstallation
– Unit personalization
– Third-party hardware/software installation
– Customer-specified placement
• Asset tagging: Standard tagging Radio Frequency Item Device (RFID)
• Special packaging: Box consolidation
• System customization: Remote access partitioning customized operating system/
firmware
For more information on Deployment-ready Services, refer to
http://www.ibm.com/power/deploymentreadyservices/
Reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features
Reliability, fault tolerance, and data correction
The reliability of systems starts with components, devices, and subsystems
that are designed to be highly reliable. The POWER7 processor SCM uses lowervoltage technology, improving reliability with stacked latches to reduce soft error
(SER) susceptibility. During the design and development process, subsystems go
through rigorous verification and integration testing processes. During system
manufacturing, systems go through a thorough testing process to help ensure the
highest level of product quality.
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The system cache and memory offer ECC (error checking and correcting) faulttolerant features. ECC is designed to correct environmentally induced, single-bit,
intermittent memory failures and single-bit hard failures. With ECC, the likelihood
of memory failures will be reduced. ECC also provides double-bit memory error
detection that helps protect data in the event of a double-bit memory failure.
The AIX and IBM i operating systems provide disk drive mirroring and disk drive
controller duplexing. The Linux operating system supports disk drive mirroring
(RAID 1) through software, while other RAID protection schemes are provided via
hardware RAID adapters.
The Journaled File System, also known as JFS or JFS2, helps maintain file system
consistency and reduces the likelihood of data loss when the system is abnormally
halted due to a power failure. JFS, the recommended file system for 32-bit kernels,
now supports extents on the Linux operating system. This feature is designed to
reduce or eliminate fragmentation. Its successor, JFS2, is the recommended file
system for 64-bit kernels.
With 64-bit addressing, a maximum file system size of 32 TB and maximum file
size of 16 TB, JFS2 is highly recommended for systems running the AIX operating
system.
Memory error correction extensions
The memory has single-bit-error correction and double-bit-error detection ECC
circuitry. The ECC code is also designed such that the failure of any one specific
memory module within an ECC word by itself can be corrected absent any other
fault.
Memory protection features include scrubbing to detect errors, a means to call for
the deallocation of memory pages for a pattern of correctable errors detected, and
signaling deallocation of a logical memory block when an error occurs that cannot be
corrected by the ECC code.
Fault monitoring functions
• When a POWER7 processor-based system is initially powered on, BIST (builtin self-test) and POST (power-on self-test) check processor, cache, memory,
and associated hardware required for proper booting of the operating system.
If a noncritical error is detected or if the errors occur in resources that can be
removed from the system configuration, the restarting process is designed to
proceed to completion. The errors are logged in the system nonvolatile RAM
(NVRAM).
• Disk drive fault tracking is designed to alert the system administrator of an
impending disk drive failure before it impacts customer operation.
Mutual surveillance
The Service Processor monitors the operation of the firmware during the boot
process, and also monitors the HypervisorTM for termination. The Hypervisor
monitors the Service Processor and will perform a reset/reload if it detects the loss
of the Service Processor. If the reset/reload does not correct the problem with the
Service Processor, the Hypervisor will notify the operating system and the operating
system can take appropriate action, including calling for service.
Environmental monitoring functions
POWER7 based servers include a range of environmental monitoring functions:
• Temperature monitoring warns the system administrator of potential
environmental-related problems by monitoring the air inlet temperature. When
the inlet temperature rises above a warning threshold, the system initiates an
orderly shutdown. When the temperature exceeds the critical level or if the
temperature remains above the warning level for too long, the system will shut
down immediately.
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• Fan speed is controlled by monitoring actual temperatures on critical components
and adjusting accordingly. If internal component temperatures reach critical
levels, the system will shut down immediately, regardless of fan speed. When a
redundant fan fails, the system calls out the failing fan and continues running.
When a nonredundant fan fails, the system shuts down immediately.
Availability enhancement functions
The POWER7 family of systems continues to offer and introduce significant
enhancements designed to increase system availability.
POWER7 processor functions
As in POWER6, the POWER7 processor has the ability to do processor instruction
retry and alternate processor recovery for a number of core-related faults. This
significantly reduces exposure to both hard (logic) and soft (transient) errors in
the processor core. Soft failures in the processor core are transient (intermittent)
errors, often due to cosmic rays or other sources of radiation, and generally are not
repeatable. When an error is encountered in the core, the POWER7 processor will
first automatically retry the instruction. If the source of the error was truly transient,
the instruction will succeed and the system will continue as before. On IBM systems
prior to POWER6, this error would have caused a checkstop.
Hard failures are more difficult, being true logical errors that will be replicated
each time the instruction is repeated. Retrying the instruction will not help in this
situation. As in POWER6, POWER7 processors have the ability to extract the failing
instruction from the faulty core and retry it elsewhere in the system for a number
of faults, after which the failing core is dynamically deconfigured and called out for
replacement. These systems are designed to avoid a full system outage.
POWER7 single processor checkstopping
As in POWER6, POWER7 provides single processor checkstopping. This significantly
reduces the probability of a fault in any one processor affecting total system
availability.
Partition availability priority
Also available is the ability to assign availability priorities to partitions. If an
alternate processor recovery event requires spare processor resources in order
to protect a workload, when no other means of obtaining the spare resources is
available, the system will determine which partition has the lowest priority and
attempt to claim the needed resource. On a properly configured POWER7 processorbased server, this allows that capacity to be first obtained from, for example, a test
partition instead of a financial accounting system.
POWER7 cache availability
The POWER processor-based line of servers continues to be at the fore-front of
cache availability enhancements. The L3 cache is now integrated on the POWER7
processor. The POWER7 processor provides both L2 and L3 cache line delete
functions.
Special uncorrectable error handling
Special Uncorrectable Error (SUE) handling was an IBM innovation introduced for
POWER5TM processors, where an uncorrectable error in memory or cache does not
immediately cause the system to terminate. Rather, the system tags the data and
determines whether it will ever be used again. If the error is irrelevant, it will not
force a checkstop.
PCI extended error handling
PCI extended error handling (EEH)-enabled adapters respond to a special data
packet generated from the affected PCI slot hardware by calling system firmware,
which will examine the affected bus, allow the device driver to reset it, and continue
without a system reboot. For Linux, EEH support extends to the majority of
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frequently used devices, although some third-party PCI devices may not provide
native EEH support.
Predictive failure and dynamic component deallocation
Servers with POWER processors have long had the capability to perform predictive
failure analysis on certain critical components such as processors and memory.
When these components exhibit certain symptoms that may indicate a failure is
imminent, the system can dynamically deallocate and call home, when enabled,
about the failing part before the error is propagated system-wide. In many cases,
the system will first attempt to reallocate resources in such a way that will avoid
unplanned outages. In the event that insufficient resources exist to maintain full
system availability, these servers will attempt to maintain partition availability by
user-defined priority.
Uncorrectable error recovery
When the auto-restart option is enabled, the system can automatically restart
following an unrecoverable software error, hardware failure, or environmentally
induced (ac power) failure.
Serviceability
The purpose of serviceability is to repair the system while attempting to minimize
or eliminate service cost (within budget objectives), while maintaining high
customer satisfaction. Serviceability includes system installation, MES (system
upgrades/downgrades), and system maintenance/repair. Depending upon the
system and warranty contract, service may be performed by the customer, an IBM
representative, or an authorized warranty service provider.
The serviceability features delivered in this system provide a highly efficient service
environment by incorporating the following attributes
• Design for Customer Set Up (CSU), Customer Installed Features (CIF), and
Customer Replaceable Units (CRU)
• Error detection and Fault Isolation (ED/FI)
• First Failure Data Capture (FFDC)
• Converged service approach across multiple IBM server platforms
Service environments
The HMC is a dedicated server that provides functions for configuring and managing
servers for either partitioned or full-system partition using a GUI or command-line
interface (CLI). An HMC attached to the system allows support personnel (with
client authorization) to remotely log in to review error logs and perform remote
maintenance if required.
The POWER7 processor-based platforms support two main service environments:
• Attachment to one or more HMCs is a supported option by the system. This is the
default configuration for servers supporting logical partitions with dedicated or
virtual I/O. In this case, all servers have at least one logical partition.
• No HMC. There are two service strategies for non-HMC systems
– Full system partition: A single partition owns all the server resources and only
one operating system may be installed.
– Partitioned system: In this configuration, the system can have more than
one partition and can be running more than one operating system. In this
environment, partitions are managed by the Integrated Virtualization Manager
(IVM), which provides some of the functions provided by the HMC.
Service Interface
The Service Interface allows support personnel to communicate with the service
support applications in a server using a console, interface, or terminal. Delivering
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