Didn't IBM once store system information in the control panel? When a system was powered down for too long, the power for the cache memory ran out, and you needed to enter it again on next IPL.
Hmm, maybe this is what I'm thinking....
http://archive.midrange.com/midrange-l/200307/msg01368.html
Eric
-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of SJL
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:21 PM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: 170 - Power it off or keep it powered on?
Bonnie Lokenvitz wrote:
We have a 170 at V5R1 that is not used other than for static storage.
The data was replicated to our 520 two years ago.
Is there any reason not to power it off until that time that someone
thinks they need to pull something from it?
Or would it be better to leave it powered on?
Then Jerry Adams wrote:
I've heard that somewhere along the line (forget which VxR it was), but
think it was V4) that if the system was not powered on after so many
days (30? 60?) that, when you did power it on it said something about
the license was expired. You can set up a power on/off schedule (GO
POWER) to automatically bring it up for , say, 30 minutes and then power
itself off on a regular basis. (And, if it's sitting in someone else's
office, you might schedule this in the middle of some day just for kicks
and grins - otherwise late at night should do.)
Then Al Barsa wrote:
This is correct.
Al:
According to IBM:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/iseries/v5r3/index.jsp?topic=/rzal2/rzal2chgpwd.htm
<Snip>
When you install the OS/400(R) licensed program, the licensed program runs a check to
detect system model changes, certain service conditions, and ownership changes. If the
licensed program detects these changes or conditions, you are prompted to enter the system
password before the IPL (initial program load) can continue. If no changes or conditions
are recognized, the IPL continues without a request for the system password.
You must enter the correct system password to complete the IPL. If the system password is
not available, you or your service representative may temporarily bypass entering the
system password for a limited time. When the bypass period starts, immediately contact
your IBM(R) service representative or Business Partner to send you the correct system
password.
</Snip>
Al -
What is correct?
I know that I have seen this discussed before, but I've searched through the archives and
I haven't yet found a definitive answer to the following:
Having a machine powered down for _too_ long will trigger the system password, and having
the machine powered down for too long is a trigger to the OS upon IPL that it has probably
been retired and sold and is now sitting in a warehouse somewhere. So how many days does
it have to be powered down for IBM to arbitrarily decide that ownership has changed? And
to which versions of the OS does this apply?
Regards,
Steve
midrange.com
