AIX

I have a 9111-520 (p5 520) that I inherited, on which I want to install AIX 5.3 or possibly 6.1.

I've installed AIX many times, on a variety of platforms, but this one isn't working for me. What I can't seem to figure out is how to set it up to boot the CD. I'm assuming there is something I have to do with the front panel - I just installed i5/OS on a similar box, and there's a dance that you have to do with the front panel on those in order to install. I used this page: IBM Systems Information Center but it sort of glossed over the install process.

I have a dumb terminal hooked to it, but I don't get any usable output; just a few random characters when it first starts, then nothing. It doesn't have a video card in it.

Also: does anyone know if a reference for manipulating the machine via the front panel?

There are serial ports for the service processor and for serial console access. Make sure you are connected to one of the latter. Choose 8N1 with 19200 (9600 for older models) baud to connect with an IBM nullmodem cable. Blue Laplink cables might work also. Garbled messages might be a result of wrong port, wrong speed, wrong cable or a combination of those.
While the server is powered off you should get by console into the ASMI from where you can power on and get the boot screens afterwards. The rest of the installation is just like any other pSeries. In case the server has the APV/PowerVM license installed you could install an IVM first and depending on hardware resources LPAR(s) second.

Turns out I had the wrong type of serial cable; went through the pile I had and found one that worked.

I would still like to find a guide for manipulating the front console.

Thanks!