Hi Everyone -

I finally got the refurbished p520 working. Below are my findings and what I did to make it a usable machine. Starting point for me was receipt of a server, and nothing else. My writings below may be long for some experienced people, but will be very useful guidance to newcomers who need to set up a p-series like I had to.

My thanks go out to everyone who responded and offered suggestions.
- Mike


October 26, 2007

Finally got the ASMI function to work. At least one Windows-based computer with serial-based access Hyperterminal or Putty is needed.

(The windows computer should have a dedicated network interface card to access the ASMI via the HMC1 port. A PCI 10/100 Mbps NIC (which I purchased later) should be available for commercial internet access. It will be designated as Eth2. That arrangement comes later.)

Use a serial cable between COM1 9-pin port of the personal computer to the IBM server's 9-pin ports of S1/T1 or S2/T2; they both work equally well. The cable I had required cutting it in two and rework the wiring: 2-3, 3-2; 4-6; 6-4; 5-5; 7-8; and 8-7. Pins 1 and 9 are not used. This results in a RS232 null modem with full handshaking. Use the cheapest volt-ohm-amp meter from Radio Shack to verify continuities.

From a no-power condition to powerdown condition, plug in the power cord and wait about 5 minutes or until the LED screen displays "01 N V=F". Connection can be made by Windows Hyperterminal or Putty via COM1 port, signal of 19200,8,N,1,Hardware. Note the unusually high bit rate of 19200. This is unique to the p-series servers. When the blank screen appears, press any key and read the login banner.

User default name is "admin"; password is factory default to "admin".

The serial ports work only in off mode (the p520 has power connection, but the ASMI white button has not been pressed).

IP default address for HMC1 is 192.168.2.147 after a full return-to-default reset. (IP default address for HMC2 is 192.168.3.147 after a full return-to-default reset. For me, that port will not be used.)

T5 and T6 ethernet ports do not work at this time. They are specifically designed for data transport to multi-terabyte storage arrays. These ports have fixed IP addresses and are coded to prevent being changed. Ignore them. You will need a PCI Ethernet card to get access to the Internet.

A Microsoft USB keyboard and mouse will not work; an IBM keyboard is needed.
A Microsoft mouse will not work; an IBM mouse is needed.
There will be no graphics display on the server's monitor; an IBM graphics card is needed.
There will be no ping ability to the Windows terminal; an IBM PCI network interface card is needed.

But through the serial port and null modem cable you can get some kind of feedback. Make use of IBM tech support right away; you paid for it.



Reference:
IBM Systems Information Center

As this is a refurbished machine, the ASMI LED screen shows that it was once connected to an HMC (it displays HMC=0). This display must be removed. To do that, the ASMI function must be used to reset all settings back to original conditions.

To reset all settings to factory defaults:
Log in via the serial modem cable.
Go to System Service Aids > Factory COnfiguration > Reset all Settings > Continue.

Give the server a long time, maybe 15 minutes, to finish its reset program.
If successful, the phrase "HMC=0" will be absent from the LED screen until it is purposely set in the future.

NOTE: Regardless of what you read in IBM literature for servers, clusters, and all that, an HMC is NOT needed for a single, simple, stand-alone server. I have seen multiple stand-alone p5xx servers accessed directly by serial cable, and keyboard and mouse, and they work just fine for their purpose.


2 Nov 2007:

Called IBM Tech support (1-800-IBM-SERV) today. Talked to a service rep for guidance and opinions.

Called IBM Sales at 1-800-388-7080, options 2, 1, 1 to order refurbished keyboard and mouse. Keyboard was part number 24P0440 (101-key keyboard, US English, black, USB connector, $150). Mouse was part number 3N6669 (black, optical, $40). Shipping was about $15, but I got them the next day.

Called XSNet.com Sales at 1-800-256-6133 to order a refurbished graphics card and a 10/100 Mbps NIC. Graphics card was IBM number 2849 (Power GXT135P, Graphics accelerator with digital support, PCI, $250). Ethernet card was IBM number 4962 (10/100 Mbps PCI Adapter 2, $150). Shipping was about $14, but they arrived from Atlanta, GA, within 36 hours via FedEx.

When looking at Internet vendors for additional parts, IBM parts start at ridiculously high prices, and only go up from there. Refurbished solid state parts like PCI cards (no moving parts) either work or they don't work. A new GXT135P card was listed at $550 from IBM sales when purchased new. The refurbished card works as good as the new one. If you need an expensive part, forget about the cost and just get it.

I placed the USB keyboard in USB T7 and the mouse in USB T8 (personal preference). Place the graphics card in PCI slot 2 and the 10/100 Mbps NIC in PCI slot 3 for optimum performance (per IBM).

The server I received had AIX 5.3 pre-loaded upon it. (I also paid for a new operating system DVD and one year of software maintenance support, about $1,200). And yes, I WILL get my money's worth out of them. 1-800-IBM-SERV is the starting point. Have your customer number in front of you. Work your way through the telephone menu. Eventually, you will talk to a live person.

The HMC1 port is accessible via the Windows computer web browser, such as Internet Explorer. You will need to manipulate the first Windows computer NIC to be the link to the HMC1 IP Address of 192.168.2.147 (the Hyperlink screen will depict this port to be Eth0; the Ethernet straight-through cable plugs into HMC1).

Set up the first NIC for the 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0 subnet. Default speed should be 100 Full Duplex. Connect the PC's first NIC to HMC1 with a straight-through Ethernet cable. Access the port using your web browser using a URL of https://192.168.2.147.

When you access the IBM server via the HMC1 address, an ASMI screen should appear. Become familiar with each menu option. The ASMI can also be reached from remote terminals on the network with a common web browser and by using the same URL address.

Update entries in c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts and
c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\networks files.

This allows the proper routing of packets based upon the destination IP address. The NIC-to-HMC1 access works in all modes of the server, power off, intermediate, and full-on.

When all parts are in place (this should be fairly obvious after working with all of them for a while) and a common high-resolution monitor is connected to the graphics card, use Hyperterm or Putty or the web browser to power-on the IBM server. Amazingly, everything worked right the first time for me.

After getting SMITTY access on the video screen, manipulate the 10/100 Ethernet PCI card address to be agreeable with your second NIC IP address (smitty screens will depict this port to be Eth2). Connect the PC's second NIC to the PCI 10/100 Mbps NIC with a straight-through Ethernet cable. This will take some decision on your part of what subnet to use, what subnet mask, and what IP Addresses are available. If you don't know this, call IBM Tech Support for help. You should be able to ping both directions between the Windows computer and the IBM server. Once ping replies come back as connected, access the Eth2 port using your web browser using a URL of your assigning.

At this time, everyone is on their own to manipulate and learn the AIX operating system.