Learn more about the attention light and how you can use it to identify a problem.
The attention indicator is activated whenever server firmware or logical partitions detect an event that is logged as a service action. The service action might be correctable by the system administrator, or it might require involvement of a service provider to do problem determination or exchange parts. The attention indicator is therefore a visual prompt to check the serviceable event logs.
All serviceable events will activate the attention indicator, and will prompt notification functions (if this feature is configured) in the operating systems or the HMC depending on where the error occurred, and if the server is managed by an HMC.
The diagnostics in the server's firmware and in the operating systems determine if the event is severe enough that it should be reported to service and support, if electronic reporting has been configured. All serviceable events cause the attention indicator to be activated and the notification function to be prompted, including pager or e-mail, if it has been configured. Serviceable events that require a service provider will automatically prompt an electronic problem report to service and support if electronic problem reporting to service and support is configured.
- Configuration errors, such as I/O adapters in the wrong slot.
- Ambient air temperature problems.
- Loss of communication between the server and the HMC where the most likely cause is a network problem
- An IBM® i5/OS® logical partition is posting an attention system reference code.
- Adapter and device failures in an operating system
- Power supply failures in the server and I/O expansion units
The system attention indicator is designed to be activated when a serviceable event occurs and thereby provide a visual indication that the serviceable event logs have a new event. The administrator can then deactivate the system attention indicator using the HMC or the operating system depending on your environment. This allows the administrator to be alerted to a new problem if a new problem occurs. It is not necessary to wait until a problem is resolved before deactivating the system attention indicator. Deactivation is at the administrator's discretion.
- To use the HMC, see Activating and deactivating LEDs.
- To use the AIX diagnostics, see Resetting the LEDs in AIX.
- Serviceable event detected by server firmware: The system attention indicator is activated and a serviceable event log is passed to the operating systems and to the HMC, if you have one. The HMC will provide notification and electronic problem reporting functions if the system is managed by an HMC. Otherwise, the operating system provides the notification and electronic problem reporting function.
- Serviceable event detected by AIX® and Linux®: The server or logical partition's
attention indicator is activated, which also causes the system attention indicator
on the server to be activated. The server or logical partition's attention
indicator can be deactivated from the console in the diagnostic tools.
- For HMC managed systems, the logical partition's attention indicator is on the HMC with the logical partition management functions. The serviceable event is sent to the HMC, and the HMC notification and electronic problem reporting functions are triggered.
- For systems not managed by the HMC, the AIX or Linux notification and problem reporting functions are triggered.
- Serviceable event detected by i5/OS: The logical partition's attention
indicator is activated, which also causes the system attention indicator on
the server to be activated. The logical partitions attention indicator can
be deactivated from the partition's console in the SST/DST Service Action
Log, under Hardware Service Manager, by Acknowledging the serviceable events.
- For HMC managed systems the logical partition's attention indicator is on the HMC with the logical partition's management functions. The serviceable event is sent to the HMC. The i5/OS logical partition's notification and electronic problem reporting functions are prompted. This allows the i5/OS automatic fix download functions to be utilized if configured.
- For systems not managed by an HMC, the i5/OS notification and problem reporting functions are triggered.
- If the system attention indicator is on (lit continuously), and there is not a reference code displayed in function 11 on the control panel or on the HMC, it means that you have a serviceable event in one of the logical partitions. See Beginning problem analysis.
- If the system attention indicator is on (lit continuously), and there is a reference code displayed in function 11 on the control panel or on the HMC, it means you need to analyze the problem. See Beginning problem analysis.
Where you view the attention light on your server will depend on the model you have. Also, if you have an HMC and your physical attention light illuminates, you will be notified with an attention icon that is displayed over the icon of the server that is affected. If there are logical partitions, the attention icon might also be seen over the logical partition that requires service. The attention icon is a yellow triangle with an exclamation point [!]. When this icon is shown, check the physical attention light to verify that it is on.
