Service manual

Overview 1-1
Chapter 1
Overview
The AlphaServer GS160/320 systems support the removal and addition of CPU
modules while the system is powered on and applications are running. This
chapter provides background information so that one can safely service these
machines and understand requirements about which CPUs can go where.
Chapter 2 outlines the procedures and gives specific operating system examples
of replacing a CPU in a running system.
Questions and Answers
What is the advantage of online service?
These systems were designed to provide high availability, so that the operating
systems can continue to run while parts of the machine can be serviced or
upgraded. Some components can be replaced while the operating system
continues to run and power is present in the area where the component is to be
replaced. In other cases power is removed from the area that is to be serviced,
but other parts of the system remain powered on.
The online addition and removal of CPU modules means that a faulty CPU
module can be replaced while the operating system and applications continue to
run. In addition, the CPU capacity can be expanded without any downtime.
What is required for online service of CPUs?
The system must be running versions of firmware, operating systems, and
WEBES that support this function. See Table 1–1. Also, with Tru64 UNIX
Compaq Analyze must be running in auto analysis mode to support indictment
of faulty CPUs (Compaq Analyze is one of the WEBES (Web-Based Enterprise
Services) tools. OpenVMS does not support indictment.
Table 1–1 Minimum Versions Required
Tru64 UNIX OpenVMS SCM & SRM WEBES
V5.1A V7.3 * V6.0 V4.0
*Remove and replace only.