Functional differences between system ports and serial ports

Integrated POWER5 system ports are similar to serial ports except that system ports are available only for specifically supported functions.

System ports are disabled when a Hardware Management Console (HMC) port is connected to an HMC. Either the HMC ports can be used or the system ports can be used, but not both.

Even when no HMC is attached, integrated system ports are limited to serial-connected TTY console function. They work properly only with approved call-home modems, async terminals, and certain UPSs. Attachment of any other serial devices (including system-to-system connections for HACMP) requires a serial port adapter in a PCI slot.