Field core override function overview
The factory uses the field core override function to reduce the number of processor cores when feature code 2319, Factory deconfiguration of one core, is ordered with a new system.
On specified Power System servers, the field core override function is available on the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI). The feature code must be ordered when a new system is ordered, and it cannot be ordered as a miscellaneous equipment specification (MES) after a system is installed. The feature code instructs the factory to reduce the number of active processor cores in the system to reduce software licensing costs. Each feature code 2319 that is ordered reduces the number of processor cores by one.
The field core override function indicates the number of cores that are active in the system. With the field core override function, you can increase or decrease the number of active processor cores in the system. The system firmware sets the number of active processor cores to the entered value. The value takes effect during the next system boot operation. The field core override value can be changed only when the system is powered off.
You must use this function to increase the number of active processor cores due to increased workload on the system. For example, consider a system that has eight active processor cores. When the system was ordered, six feature codes were ordered, which reduced the number of active cores to two. If the workload on the system increased and you wanted to activate two additional cores for a total of four active cores, you would set the field core override value to 4. The new value would go into effect during the next system boot operation. The allocation of processors to logical partitions must be reviewed after the system boot operation.
If several processor cores are configured, the system continues to run with a single core and the core is unconfigured at run time due to the recovered error threshold being exceeded or due to an unrecoverable machine check. The field core override function affects the number of cores when the system is powered on. If a runtime error occurs on a processor core, the field core override function does not affect the remaining cores on the system. On the next boot operation, after a runtime error on a processor core, the system unconfigures the core and uses spare cores that are not activated with the field core override value in the previous boot operation.
If the vital product data (VPD) card and the service processor are replaced, the field core override value must be reentered. After adding a processor card, you must set the field core override value to the number of configured cores and ensure that the number of software licenses on the resulting system is in compliance with the software terms and conditions.
In the processor deconfiguration function on the ASMI, cores that are unconfigured by the field core override function are displayed as system deconfigured, and the error type is displayed as By Association. If a processor core fails and if a processor core is unconfigured by the system, the error type is displayed as Fatal or Predictive, and the error type is not displayed as By Association.
