Management of a scalable computer system
A method and system for remotely managing a scalable computer system is provided. Elements of an associated tool are embedded on a server and associated console. A service processor for each partition is provided, wherein the service processor supports communication between the server and the designated partition. An operator can discover and validate availability of elements in a computer system. In addition, the operator may leverage data received from the associated discovery and validation to configure or re-configure a partition in the system that support projected workload.
1 . A method for computer management comprising:
creating a scalable computer system from an unassigned scalable node;
remotely managing a scalable function in said system; and
remotely managing a scalable partition function within a partition of said system.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said scalable function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a scalable node into said scalable system, removing a node from said scalable system, discovering topology of said scalable system, validating wiring of said scalable system, creating a scalable partition in said scalable system, and combinations thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said scalable partition function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a node into said partition, removing a node from said partition, setting a primary node in said partition, configuring a remote I/O enclosure, performing a power management task, and combinations thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step managing a managing a scalable partition function includes automating partition failover in conjunction with a predefined event.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising discovering topology of said scalable system.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of discovering topology includes issuing a ping from one node across one or more ports of said node.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of creating a scalable system includes said pinging node and each scalable node responding to said pinging node.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising validating wiring of said scalable system.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of validating wiring includes issuing a ping to all ports of all nodes in said scalable system.
10 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising issuing a discovery report subsequent to discovering topology of said system.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said discovery report includes data selected from a group consisting of: indication of discovery success or failure for each node, discovery time, and combinations thereof.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising issuing a validation report subsequent to verification of wiring of said ports.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said validation report includes data selected from a group consisting of: ping response validation, indication of validation success or failure for each port, validation time, and combinations thereof.
14 . An article comprising:
a computer-readable signal-bearing medium;
means in the medium for creating a scalable computer system from an unassigned node;
means in the medium for remotely managing a scalable function; and
means in the medium for remotely managing a scalable partition function with a partition of said system.
15 . The article of claim 14 , wherein said medium is selected from a group consisting of: a recordable data storage medium, and a modulated carrier signal.
16 . The article of claim 14 , wherein said scalable function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a scalable node into said scalable system, removing a node from said scalable system, discovering topology of said scalable system, validating wiring of said scalable system, creating a scalable partition in said scalable system, and combinations thereof.
17 . The article of claim 14 , wherein said scalable partition function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a node into said partition, removing a node from said partition, setting a primary node in said partition, configuring a remote I/O enclosure, performing a power management task, and combinations thereof.
18 . The article of claim 14 , wherein said means for managing a scalable partition function includes automating partition failover in conjunction with a predefined event.
19 . The article of claim 14 , further comprising means in the medium for discovering topology of said system.
20 . The article of claim 19 , wherein said means for discovering system topology includes a ping adapted to be issued from one node across one or more ports of said node.
21 . The article of claim 20 , wherein said means in the medium for creating a scalable system includes placing said pinging node and each scalable responding node into said system.
22 . The article of claim 21 , further comprising means in the medium for validating wiring of said scalable system.
23 . The article of claim 22 , wherein said means for validating wiring of said scalable system includes issuing a ping to all ports of all nodes in said system.
24 . The article of claim 19 , further comprising means in the medium for issuing a discovery report subsequent to discovering topology of said system.
25 . The article of claim 24 , wherein said discovery report includes data selected from a group consisting of: indication of discovery success of failure for each node, discovery time, and combinations thereof.
26 . The article of claim 22 , further comprising means in the medium for issuing a validation report subsequent to verification of wiring of said ports.
27 . The article of claim 26 , wherein said validation report includes data selected from a group consisting of: ping response validation, indication of validation success or failure for each port, validation time, and combinations thereof.
28 . A computer management tool comprising:
a coordinator adapted to create a scalable computer system from an unassigned node;
a remote function manager adapted to control a scalable function; and
a remote partition manager adapted to control a scalable partition function within a partition.
29 . The tool of claim 28 , wherein said scalable function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a scalable node into said scalable system, removing a node from said scalable system, discovering topology of said scalable system, validating wiring of said scalable system, creating a scalable partition in said scalable system, and combinations thereof.
30 . The tool of claim 28 , wherein said scalable partition function is selected from a group consisting of: inserting a node into said partition, removing a node from said partition, setting a primary node in said partition, configuring a remote I/O enclosure, performing a power management task, and combinations thereof.
31 . The tool of claim 28 , wherein said remote partition manager is adapted to automate partition failover in association with a predefined event.
32 . The tool of claim 28 , further comprising a topology discovery tool adapted to determine members nodes of said system.
33 . The tool of claim 32 , wherein said topology discovery tool is adapted to include communicating nodes as members in said system.
34 . The tool of claim 32 , further comprising a validation tool adapted to corroborate wiring of said system.
35 . The tool of claim 34 , wherein said validation tool issues a ping to all ports of all nodes in said system.
36 . The tool of claim 32 , further comprising a topology discovery report adapted to be issued subsequent to said member node determination.
37 . The tool of claim 36 , wherein said topology discovery report includes data selected from a group consisting of: indication of discovery success or failure for each node, discovery time, and combinations thereof.
38 . The tool of claim 34 , further comprising a validation report adapted to be issued subsequent to corroboration of said wiring.
39 . The tool of claim 38 , wherein said validation report includes data selected from a group consisting of: ping response validation, indication of validation success or failure for each port, validation time, and combinations thereof.