IBM zBX hardware management and operational controls

Abstract

The IBM zEnterprise A Unified Resource Manager support for the IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter A Extension (zBX) hardware management and operational controls was established as an extension of the z196 system. System z hardware control design principles of concurrency, security, and automatic configuration were mainstays for the extended and new support for the zBX hardware and controls. This paper describes the hardware integration approach and different aspects of management: change, problem, serviceability, configuration, operations, performance, and business. In addition, included in this paper are details of the zBX firmware, components within the zBX blades, and the automation interfaces used between the hardware management console, Support Element, and the zBX components.

Innovations in infrastructure firmware for the IBM z13

“…The majority of I/O topology information, such as I/O interconnects, coupling connections, or the redundant cables of the Flash Express feature, are sensed via the CPC firmware during or after Initial Microcode Load (IML). Additional controllers such as the Advanced Management Modules (AMM) in zBX have to be supported [15]. Hierarchies became more dynamic, where FRUs are the base for other FRUs, such as Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) modules on I/O FRUs.…”

“…The zBX FoD support, for example, offers controls for the maximum number of entitlements for a specific blade server type. The main problem to be addressed was the requirement to manage a zBX Mod 004 without a connected CPC (see [15] for an overview on the previous design). However, there were other challenges to overcome: the introduction of a new SE hardware platform, the requirement to provide a common solution for both the zBX and the CPC, and the Primary and Alternate SE environment.…”