IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Chapter 6. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5 253

6.8.3 IMM communications troubleshooting

The Integrated Management Module User Guide is an excellent guide to help you with every

aspect of configuring and using the IMM. Download the guide from this website:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5079770

Most communication errors are due to network switch configuration options, such as blocked

ports or VLAN mismatches. The following procedure shows you how to determine this type of

problem by connecting directly to the IMM port with a mobile computer and Ethernet patch

cable and pinging and then starting a web session.

If you can ping the IMM, you have a good direct network link. If the web session fails, go

through the following steps:

1. Try another web browser.

2. Directly access the Integrated Management Module configuration panel and reset the IMM

in F1-Setup by selecting System Settings  Integrated Management Module  Reset

IMM. You will have to wait about 5 minutes for the IMM to complete enough of its reboot to

allow you to ping it. This IMM reset will have no impact on the operating system that is

running on the server.

3. Try clearing the web browser cache.

4. Load the factory default settings back on the IMM through F1-Setup by selecting System

Settings  Integrated Management Module  Reset IMM to Defaults. The IMM will

need to be reset again after the defaults are loaded.

5. Contact IBM support.

6.8.4 IMM functions to help you perform problem determination

This section provides additional problem determination tips for the IMM. This section covers

the following topics:

򐂰 “System Status”

򐂰 “Virtual light path diagnostics” on page 255

򐂰 “Hardware event log” on page 256

򐂰 “Remote control” on page 257

System Status

The first panel that you will see after completing the login and the session timeout limits panel

is the System Status panel, as shown in Figure 6-30 on page 254. This panel provides a

quick summary review of the hardware status of the server.

A green circle indicates that all is working from a strict hardware point of view. The IMM can

check on the status of server components, the ServeRAID controllers, and PCIe interfaces to

most PCIe adapters. It does not check on the functional status of most PCIe adapters with

regard to their hardware connections to external devices. You will need to refer to the system

event log from within the operating system or the switch logs of the network and fibre switches

to which the server is connected to resolve connectivity issues.

Crossover cable: The management port is a 10/100 Ethernet port, so if your mobile

computer does not have a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port on it, you will need to replace the

patch cable with a 10/100 crossover cable. Only a 1Gb Ethernet port has the ability to

auto-negotiate medium-dependent interface crossover (MDIX) when they auto-negotiate

speed and duplex.

254 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Figure 6-30 Integrated Management Module System Status

When an actual hardware error is detected in the server, the system status is represented by

a red X. The System Health Summary will provide information about the errors presently

unresolved in the server, as shown in Figure 6-31 on page 255.

Chapter 6. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5 255

Figure 6-31 IMM System Status with a hard drive failure

Virtual light path diagnostics

If you are standing in front of the server, it is easy to track this problem by noticing the first tier

of light path diagnostics, with the error light on the operator panel at the front of the server and

on the rear of the server.

Pulling out the front operator panel reveals the second tier of light path diagnostics (as shown

in Figure 6-32) that indicates the hardware subsystem that is experiencing the error.

Figure 6-32 Tier 2 of light path diagnostics