Planning to convert the expansion unit

An expansion unit conversion causes changes to the server resources.

The converted expansion units report in to the system with new bus numbers. The new bus numbers are assigned to the primary partition by default and need to be assigned to the correct partition before the partition can be powered on.

A 5065 expansion unit contains only one bus. After the conversion, the 5074 expansion unit has two buses reporting in to the system. A 5066 expansion unit contains two buses. After the conversion, four buses report in to the system. The combined function I/O processors in the 5065 or 5066 expansion units are replaced with new combined function I/O processors and these are positioned as planned with the LPAR Validation Tool (LVT). Significant I/O rearrangement may occur with this conversion.

Nonconverted 5065 and older SPD-based expansion units may have bus numbering changes if the converted expansion unit is removed. Read the SPD cabling information to determine if any SPD-based expansion units remaining in the configuration after the conversion obtain a new bus number.

Some new resource names may be created. The new resource names need to be reassigned or renamed as appropriate.

Before you begin: Before you start the expansion unit conversion or resource name planning, you need to have the following required items:

Valid output from the Logical Partition Validation Tool (LVT).

Use the LVT tool with your IBM^® marketing representative or business partner during the order process. Print the LVT output before beginning the expansion unit conversion procedures.

A current backup of the data on all partitions of the server.

Use the GO SAVE option 21 procedure to back up all partitions of the server. This is vital for recovery should you experience errors during the expansion unit conversion.

The expansion unit conversion procedures help determine the partition to which the new bus numbers should be assigned and how to handle resource names. These procedures assume a familiarity with the iSeries™ server and a high level of experience with logical partitions.

SPD cabling
During a model upgrade or an expansion unit conversion of a partitioned system (moving a partition from one server to another or changing an expansion unit from a 5065 to a 5074), an SPD bus might be removed.

Parent topic:

Converting expansion units for a partitioned server