POWER7 information

Unlocking the activation code interface

Read this topic, to understand how to unlock the activation code interface.

Keying errors during the entry of the 34-character activation code are simply flagged and the interface remains functional for as many times as it takes for the activation code to be keyed correctly. However, if the activation code is keyed correctly but is invalid (Invalid means that the activation code is properly formed and entered correctly but is not for a valid CoD function or is not for the server on which it is being entered), the firmware permits only five entry attempts. On the first four attempts, if the activation code is refused as invalid, the HMC provides a warning message. On the fifth entry attempt, the HMC warns of the last entry attempt before the activation code entry interface is locked, and confirms whether you want to proceed. On the fifth entry of an invalid activation code, the HMC locks the code interface.

Refer to the table below for recovery options. Contact the CoD Admin for a valid CoD activation code for the invalid code.

Note:

Server reboot clears the five invalid activation code attempts and unlocks the activation code interface; therefore, the five invalid activation code attempts accumulate since the last server reboot.

If Advance System Management Interface (ASMI) is used to enter the activation code, note that ASMI does not provide the invalid activation code warnings that the HMC does. After using ASMI to enter an invalid activation code five times, the activation code entry interface will be locked without warning.

Table 1. Recovery options for POWER5, POWER6 and POWER7 systems depending on the firmware level.
System	Procedure
POWER5	Reboot the server to unlock the activation code entry interface.
POWER6®	Contact the CoD Admin for the reset code. Enter the reset code to unlock the activation code entry interface and reset the count of invalid codes entered. Note that the CoD activation codes do not interoperate with VET activation codes and no reset code will unlock the VET activation code entry interface. Therefore, for Power6 firmware, the only recovery option for a locked VET activation code entry interface is to reboot the server.
POWER7®	For POWER7 Release 2 firmware, both the CoD and VET activation code entry interfaces remain locked for approximately one hour. Wait for one hour. You do not need to reboot the server or enter a reset code to unlock the activation code entry interface.

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Last updated: Thu, April 09, 2015