Very Computer

Hello,

Is it possible to use the service director without registering it with
IBM. We have a machine (43P - 140 Mhz) with no warranty...the manual
says that the service director is a part of the IBM warranty. And we
can't use it without registering.
We want to use it for notifing certain persons at a system failure
without placing a call directly with IBM.

Thanks in advance,

Kris Welleman

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

It has been a few years since I was supporting service director so my
info might be out of date.

Registerring SD, puts that system into the IBM's database of supported
systems and their service contracts.  That means that when you have a
problem, service director will call IBM.  If there is a valid contract
(ie registered), IBM will do what is needed to provide service and
maintenance, including dialing in if your system supports that.

Now...

1) If you have a full system failure, SD won't do anything for you.  If
   your system is to the ground, no software is running, no dialout will
   occur.  SD is more for preventitive maintenance.  If a disk seems to
   be going bad, call support to fix it before real problems start.

2) In theory, you could put one of YOUR phone numbers in the field for
   SD to dial.  But when the system calls that number, the person will
   only hear "machine" language... probably a beeps spread out waiting
   for return beeps.  If this is what you want great.  I don't think
   you need to register to allow SD to dial out.  You only need to be
   registerd to have it WORK with the IBM SD database.

3) There could be many methods for notifying an admin about an error,
   as long as you are willing to spend time and effort programming it.
   With HACMP, HANFS, etc, you can setup all sorts of notifications
   and get the easy interface to "Automatic Error Notification".
   I believe (although not positive) that the AEN is already a function
   of AIX, but HACMP gives the interface to use it.  If you are good
   with ODM and you understand AEN, you MIGHT be able to use it
   without HACMP.

   The nice thing about HACMP is, it can be used to notify a user of
   network adatper failures, network failures, PROCESSOR FAILURES, and
   with AEN, just about any other failure you want to look for.

 - Matt

--

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