Control panel function code comparison for the RCP, VCP, and HMC

Learn about which function codes are supported by the remote control panel (RCP), virtual control panel (VCP), or HMC .

There are few functional differences among the remote control panel (RCP), virtual control panel (VCP), and physical control panel. The main difference is in how they can or cannot be used to power up the server. For example, consider the following:

The physical control panel can be used to power up the server.
The virtual control panel and the LAN-connected remote control panel cannot be used to power up the server.

If you are managing the system with the Hardware Management Console (HMC), use the HMC to perform control panel functions. The HMC affects the physical control panel in the following ways:

Except for some limited auto-platform override function, such as Auto Power On Restart and Timed Power On, the system operating mode value no longer has meaning.
The OS IPL type value is disabled in functions 01 and 02.
Functions 11-19 do not display partition system reference codes (SRCs). They continue to display SRCs from the platform LIC.
Functions 21, 22, 34, and 65-70 are not selectable on the physical control panel.

The following table describes the control panel function codes and whether the virtual control panel, remote control panel, and HMC support them.

Notes:

Some control panel functions might not be available on all system types.
The x can be any number 0 through 9, any letter A through F, or a blank.
If you cannot change the Function/Data display or complete the selected function, see Beginning problem analysis.

Table 1. Control panel function code comparison for the RCP, VCP, and HMC
Function code	Virtual control panel function and LAN-connected remote control panel	HMC	Function description
01	Yes	Yes	Displays the current IPL parameters. Displays an HMC-managed indicator.
02	Yes	Yes. Initiates a slow boot.	Used to select the IPL type, system operating mode, IPL speed, and firmware IPL mode.
03	Yes	Yes	Starts an IPL to load the system. The IPL uses the selected IPL options.
04	Yes	Yes	Lamp test; all displays and indicators are lit.
05 through 06	No	Not applicable	Reserved.
07	Not applicable	Yes	Allows you to perform SPCN service functions.
08	Yes	Yes	Fast power off. For more information, see the following: Powering off the system. Powering off the partition.
09 through 10	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
11 through 19	Yes	Yes	Displays a system reference code (SRC) on the control panel.
20	Yes	Yes	Displays the machine type, model, processor feature code, processor class indicator, and IPL path description.
21	Yes	Yes	Causes the Use Dedicated Service Tool (DST) display to appear on the system console. To exit the DST, select the Resume operating system display option.
22	Yes	Yes	Forces a partition dump. First, see Function 34: Retry partition dump. To perform a system main storage dump, see Performing dumps.
23	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
24	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
25	Yes	Yes	Uses service switches 1 and 2 to enable or disable functions 50 through 70.
26	Yes	Not applicable	Uses service switches 1 and 2 to enable or disable functions 50 through 70.
27 through 29	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
30	Not applicable	No. This function is intended to be used from the physical control panel when no HMC is available.	Displays CEC FSP IP address and location.
31 through 33	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
34	Yes	Yes	Retries the partition dump.
35 through 41	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
42	Not applicable	No	Performs a platform dump.
43	Not applicable	No	Performs a service processor dump.
44 through 49	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
50 through 53	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
54	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
55	Not applicable	Not applicable	Platform dump override.
56 through 62	Not applicable	Reserved	Reserved.
63	Not applicable	Yes	System status SRC trace.
64	Not applicable	Yes	Service processor diagnostic status SRC trace.
65	Yes	Yes	Deactivates remote service.
66	Yes	Yes	Activates remote service.
67	Yes	Yes	Disk unit I/O processor (IOP) reset/reload is enabled only by specific disk unit SRCs.
68	Yes	Yes	Concurrent maintenance power domain power off.
69	Yes	Yes	Concurrent maintenance power domain power on.
70	No	Initiated by specific error conditions.	IOP dump.
Power button	Power button in graphical interface for powering off the server only.	For information about using the HMC to power on the server, see Powering on the managed system.	OFF = Delayed power off ON = Immediate power on (can be timed power on)
Attention light	Yes	Not applicable	Attention state LED.
Power indicator	Power indicator in graphical interface.	Not applicable	Lit when power is fully operational.