POWER6 information

System power control network

Problems that are detected by the system power control network (SPCN) are reported to the operating system and logged.

The SPCN is a concept of power distribution and control for the IBM® i system. Problems detected by SPCN are reported to the operating system and logged. You can work with the SPCN information by selecting System Power Control Network (SPCN) under the hardware service manager function. For more information on how to work with the SPCN information under the hardware service manager, see SPCN menu flow.

SPCN power components

Most power components in a system contain an SPCN node. The SPCN node contains a microprocessor-based controller that controls and monitors the power in that node. The SPCN node functions in the SPCN network and connects the points necessary for controlling power, sending commands, and reporting status.

There is one primary node in a system. All other nodes are secondary nodes.

Primary node

The primary node is located in the system unit and is the controlling node in the network. This node is located on a separate card that is installed in the rear of the system or is part of the backplane in the PCI cage. The primary node is programmed to issue network commands and poll for status from secondary SPCN nodes in the network.

The primary node monitors the status of the power supplies, regulators, and backup power (BBU). The primary node is powered on as long as there is ac power to the frame. It communicates with the operating system by exchanging commands and network status.

The primary node collects command responses and error status from the secondary nodes and formats them for return to the operating system.

Secondary node

The secondary node is a microprocessor-based controller located on a card, or on a backplane.

Each secondary node is programmed to collect unit power status and respond to commands from the primary node. The secondary node also controls the unit's display panel. The following information is displayed on the unit display panel:
  • Normal - Type, model, serial number of the unit and type, model, serial number of the power controlling system
  • Error - Type, model, serial number of the unit and power reference code

In frames with a PCI system bus, the secondary node is located on a card in the PCI cage, or on the backplane.

SPCN addressing

Each unit in the SPCN network is identified and located by a four-character frame address and a two-character unit address. A frame address is assigned by the primary node or by the operating system and will usually be 3Cxx, where xx is any hex digit. A unit address is fixed and is either 00 or 01.


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Last updated: Wed, September 28, 2016