USB interface cannot be used to escape into standalone mode with RSA II-EXA - IBM eServer xSeries 440, 445

Resolving The Problem

RETAIN tip: H182172

The USB interface cannot be used to escape (Esc) into standalone mode. When trying to hit ESC (Escape) to enter standalone mode on a multinode server the USB Keyboard or remote access through the RSA II-EXA will not work.

The system may be any of the following IBM eServer systems:

• an IBM eServer xSeries 445, type 8870, any model.
• an IBM eServer xSeries 440, type 8687, any model.

The system is configured with the following option(s):

• sixteen (16) processors.
• an IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA, Option part number (p/n) 13N0382, Field Replacement Unit (FRU) p/n 73P9246.

Use the Locally attached non USB Keyboard.

The ESC key must be hit during POST to allow Multinode servers to enter Standalone mode. The Esc key will not work when using the USB interface during POST. This pertains to all xSeries 440 and xSeries 445 servers using a USB Keyboard and all xSeries 445 Servers with the RSA II-EXA Service Processor using remote access. For remote access the RSA II-EXA use the USB Interface. The USB interface is not initialized until after the system Chipset is enabled. This is a known design limitation for the IBM eServer xSeries 440, 445 and 455 multinode servers.