This
example scenario does not cover the process of installing the physical
resources; this is typically performed by an HP field engineer.
Instead, the purpose of this example is to illustrate the nPartition
management applications with a practical example.
The initial configuration of the complex is shown in Table 1.
The HP nPartition server used in this scenario is an rx8620 with two
cells. The two cells are contained in a single nPartition which is
named rex01. There are two I/O chassis in the server and both are in
use by the rex01 nPartition.
Table 1. Initial Complex Configuration
| nPartition Name | Cells | I/O Chassis |
|---|
| rex01 | cab0, cell0 | cab0, bay0, chassis0 |
| | cab0, cell1 | cab0, bay0, chassis1 |
Table 2
shows the configuration of the complex after the hardware upgrade
scenario is complete. Two new cells will be added to the server, and an
I/O expansion cabinet containing two I/O chassis will also be part of
the upgrade. Notice that the rex01 nPartition is extended with a
portion of the newly added hardware and an additional nPartition,
rex02, is created with the remaining hardware resources.
Table 2. Final Complex Configuration
| nPartition Name | Cells | I/O Chassis |
|---|
| rex01 | cab0, cell0 | cab0, bay0, chassis0 |
| | cab0, cell1 | cab0, bay0, chassis1 |
| | cab0, cell2 | cab8, bay0, chassis0 |
| rex02 | cab0, cell3 | cab8, bay0, chassis1 |
Viewing the Configuration of an nPartition Complex
The
first step in performing the hardware upgrade is viewing the current
configuration of the complex. There are three primary mechanisms for
viewing the configuration of an HP nPartition server:
Each
of these mechanisms exposes the SCCD and PCD data in slightly different
ways. The MP's interface provides high-level information about the
configuration of the complex and very detailed information about the
status of the hardware components.
Finally, the Partition Manager GUI provides graphical views of the
system configuration and status. While all three of these mechanisms
can be used to view the configuration of an nPartition complex,
Partition Manager will be used in this example.
The Partition Manager screen shown in Figure 1
is the first screen displayed in Partition Manager when the tool is
started. This view shows a hardware representation of the complex, rex
complex, along with the nPartition configuration and the status of the
components. This screen shows the complex configuration as documented
in Table 1.
A single nPartition, rex01, contains two cells. Each of the cells is
connected to an I/O chassis. The rex01 nPartition is active, as
indicated by icons next to each of the hardware components. It is also
evident that cell slots 2 and 3 are empty. Cells will be added to each
of these empty slots as part of this example scenario.
Partition
Manager color-codes the nPartitions and assigned hardware resources to
assist in distinguishing resource assignment. In addition to
color-coding, each hardware resource has a small icon with a number
indicating nPartition assignment. In this example, rex01 is assigned
nPartition id 0 (zero); therefore, the circle next to the resources
assigned to the nPartition contains a zero. Available or empty cell and
I/O chassis slots contain an “A” in the circle to indicate the resource
is not assigned to any nPartition and is therefore available.
Figure 2
shows another view of the rex complex, this time focusing on a detailed
view of the cells. This view is available by selecting the “cells” tab
at the top of the screen. The upper portion of the page provides
several tables with summary information for the cells, CPUs, and memory
in the complex. From the cells table it is clear there are two active
cells and two absent cells. The two absent cell slots will be populated
with new hardware in this scenario.
In
addition to the summary tables, each CPU, including multi-core CPUs, is
shown, as is the status of each CPU. Every DIMM is shown with its size
and status. The label alongside the DIMM slot is the actual silk-screen
label found on the physical cell board. Should any CPU or DIMM be
deconfigured or failed, this screen provides vital information in the
process of troubleshooting and physical repair because an administrator
can quickly determine the problem area.
