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1# Multiple Chassis
2
3## Overview
4
5A BMC-based system can contain one or more chassis. A chassis is typically a
6physical enclosure that contains system components such as CPUs, fans, power
7supplies, and PCIe cards.
8
9A chassis can be stand-alone, such as a tower or desktop. A chassis can also be
10designed to be mounted in an equipment rack.
11
12For the `phosphor-regulators` application, the term "single chassis system"
13means the system type has a maximum configuration of one chassis. If the system
14type has a maximum configuration of multiple chassis, then it is considered a
15"multiple chassis system" even if the current system only contains one chassis.
16
17`phosphor-regulators` only supports powering on and off the entire system. It
18does not support powering on/off individual chassis independent of the rest of
19the system.
20
21## Defining the chassis in a system
22
23The [JSON configuration file](config_file/README.md) contains an array of one or
24more [chassis](config_file/chassis.md) objects. Each chassis object corresponds
25to a physical chassis in the system.
26
27## Differences between single and multiple chassis systems
28
29### System and chassis power state
30
31In a single chassis system, the system and chassis power state are identical.
32Both are either on or off.
33
34In a multiple chassis system, each chassis has its own power state. Even if the
35system is on, an individual chassis may be off. This can occur if that chassis
36does not have input power or has a critical hardware problem.
37
38See [Chassis Status](../phosphor-power-sequencer/docs/chassis_status.md) for
39more information.
40
41### Configuration
42
43In a single chassis system, regulator configuration is always performed on the
44chassis.
45
46In a multiple chassis system, regulator configuration will only be performed on
47chassis with the proper status. For example, a chassis that is missing or has no
48input power cannot be configured.
49
50See [Regulator Configuration](configuration.md) for more information.
51
52### Monitoring
53
54In a single chassis system, regulator monitoring is always performed on the
55chassis.
56
57In a multiple chassis system, regulator monitoring will only be performed on
58chassis with the proper status. For example, a chassis that is missing or has no
59input power cannot be monitored.
60
61See [Regulator Monitoring](monitoring.md) for more information.
62