Merging scalable nodes into single-partition merged system using service processors of nodes

Abstract

Controlling the merging of nodes into a single-partition merged system using the nodes' service processors is disclosed. The system runs a single instance of an operating system. A user communicates with a service processor of a predetermined boot node to enter partition configuration information for the system without using a dedicated console. The partition configuration information is stored by the service processor of the boot node, and transmitted from the service processor of the boot node to the service processors of predetermined secondary nodes. The service processor of each secondary node then stores the partition configuration information. At reset, power-up, or power-down of any secondary node, the reset, power-up or power-down is conveyed to the service processor of the boot node, which resets, starts up, or shuts down the system, including transmitting commands to the service processors of the secondary nodes to individually reset, start up, or shut down.

1 . A single-partition merged system on which a single instance of an operating system (OS) is runnable, comprising:
 at least one predetermined secondary node, each secondary node having a service processor to manage startup and shutdown of the secondary node; and,   a predetermined boot node having a service processor to manage at least one of reset, startup, and shutdown of the boot node and to supervise at least one of reset, startup, and shutdown of the at least one secondary node by sending a respective reset, startup, or shutdown command to the at least one secondary node,   wherein a user communicates partition configuration information for the single-partition merged system with the service processor of the boot node,   wherein the service processor of the boot node transmits the partition configuration information to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node,   wherein the partition configuration information specifies at least which of the plurality of nodes is to be a primary node of the single-partition merged system to be constructed and which of the plurality of nodes are to be secondary nodes of the single-partition merged system to be constructed, and   wherein the plurality of nodes are merged into the single-partition merged system that is configured based on the partition configuration information, each node having at least a primary processor other than the service processor of the node.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a user communicates the partition configuration information for the single-partition merged system with the service processor of the boot node via one of a web page user interface and a console management application without using a dedicated console. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the service processor of the boot node stores the partition configuration information and conveys the partition configuration information to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node for storage. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one secondary node comprises a power control, user actuation of the power control resulting in transmission of a corresponding command to the service processor of the boot node to process and to send a power-related command to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein receipt of a power command by any of the at least one secondary node results in transmission of a corresponding command to the service processor of the boot node to process and to send a power-related command to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one secondary node comprises a reset control, user actuation of the reset control resulting in transmission of a corresponding command to the service processor of the boot node to process and to send a reset-related command to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein receipt of a reset command by any of the at least one secondary node results in transmission of a corresponding command to the service processor of the boot node to process and to send a reset-related command to the service processor of each of the at least one secondary node. 
   
   
       8 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 a computer-readable recordable data storage medium; and,   means in the medium for transmitting partition configuration information for a single-partition merged system of a plurality of nodes from a service processor of a boot node to a service processor of each of at least one secondary node and for storing the partition configuration information by the service processor of the boot node,   wherein a user communicates the partition configuration information for the single-partition merged system with the service processor of the boot node,   wherein the partition configuration information specifies at least which of the plurality of nodes is to be a primary node of the single-partition merged system to be constructed and which of the plurality of nodes are to be secondary nodes of the single-partition merged system to be constructed, and   wherein the plurality of nodes are merged into the single-partition merged system that is configured based on the partition configuration information, each node having at least a primary processor other than the service processor of the node.   
   
   
       9 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the means is further for interacting with the user without a dedicated console to set up the partition configuration at the service processor of the boot node. 
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the means is further for starting up the single-partition merged system by the service processor of the boot node, including transmitting a startup command from the service processor of the boot node to the service processor of each secondary node. 
   
   
       11 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the means is further for shutting down the single-partition merged system by the service processor of the boot node, including transmitting a shutdown command from the service processor of the boot node to the service processor of each secondary node. 
   
   
       12 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the means is further for resetting the single-partition merged system by the service processor of the boot node, including transmitting a reset command from the service processor of the boot node to the service processor of each secondary node.