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Installing and using the baseboard management controller utility
programs
The baseboard management controller provides environmental monitoring for the
server. If environmental conditions exceed thresholds or if system components fail,
the baseboard management controller lights LEDs to help you diagnose the
problem and also records the error in the BMC system event log.
Also use the baseboard management controller to establish a Serial over LAN
(SOL) connection to manage servers from a remote location. You can remotely view
and change the BIOS settings, restart the server, identify the server, and perform
other management functions. Any standard Telnet client application can access the
SOL connection.
Use the baseboard management controller firmware update utility program to
download a baseboard management controller firmware update. The firmware
update utility program updates the baseboard management controller firmware only
and does not affect any device drivers.
To download the utility program, go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/
xseries/index.html; then, copy the Flash.exe file to a firmware update diskette.
Notes:
1. The server Ethernet ports are set to DHCP by default. The BMC MAC address
2. To ensure proper server operation, be sure to update the server baseboard
Using the SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program
Use the SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program to view or change SAS controller
settings.
To start the SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program, complete the following steps:
1. Turn on the server.
2. When the message Press <CTRL><A> for Adaptec SAS/SATA Configuration
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to configure the controller settings.
Go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html to check for
the latest version of the SAS firmware.
Configuring the Ethernet controller
The Ethernet controller is integrated on the system board. It provides an interface
for connecting to a 10-Mbps, 100-Mbps, or 1-Gbps network and provides full-duplex
(FDX) capability, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data on
the network. If the Ethernet ports in the server support auto-negotiation, the
controller detects the data-transfer rate (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, or 1000BASE-T)
and duplex mode (full-duplex or half-duplex) of the network and automatically
operates at that rate and mode.
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IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 E Type 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide
can be found on a tag on the front of the server. Once you have deployed the
server, remove the BMC MAC address tag so that it does not impede airflow
through the front of the server.
management controller firmware before updating the BIOS code.
Utility appears, press Ctrl+A. If an administrator password has been set, you
are prompted to type the password.
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