xref: /openbmc/phosphor-power/phosphor-regulators/docs/multiple_chassis.md (revision 8b38b177315d40f1f9bc1e4d0784d45ea17cbd5c)
1*8b38b177SShawn McCarney# Multiple Chassis
2*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
3*8b38b177SShawn McCarney## Overview
4*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
5*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyA BMC-based system can contain one or more chassis. A chassis is typically a
6*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyphysical enclosure that contains system components such as CPUs, fans, power
7*8b38b177SShawn McCarneysupplies, and PCIe cards.
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9*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyA chassis can be stand-alone, such as a tower or desktop. A chassis can also be
10*8b38b177SShawn McCarneydesigned to be mounted in an equipment rack.
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12*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyFor the `phosphor-regulators` application, the term "single chassis system"
13*8b38b177SShawn McCarneymeans the system type has a maximum configuration of one chassis. If the system
14*8b38b177SShawn McCarneytype has a maximum configuration of multiple chassis, then it is considered a
15*8b38b177SShawn McCarney"multiple chassis system" even if the current system only contains one chassis.
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17*8b38b177SShawn McCarney`phosphor-regulators` only supports powering on and off the entire system. It
18*8b38b177SShawn McCarneydoes not support powering on/off individual chassis independent of the rest of
19*8b38b177SShawn McCarneythe system.
20*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
21*8b38b177SShawn McCarney## Defining the chassis in a system
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23*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyThe [JSON configuration file](config_file/README.md) contains an array of one or
24*8b38b177SShawn McCarneymore [chassis](config_file/chassis.md) objects. Each chassis object corresponds
25*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyto a physical chassis in the system.
26*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
27*8b38b177SShawn McCarney## Differences between single and multiple chassis systems
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29*8b38b177SShawn McCarney### System and chassis power state
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31*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a single chassis system, the system and chassis power state are identical.
32*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyBoth are either on or off.
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34*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a multiple chassis system, each chassis has its own power state. Even if the
35*8b38b177SShawn McCarneysystem is on, an individual chassis may be off. This can occur if that chassis
36*8b38b177SShawn McCarneydoes not have input power or has a critical hardware problem.
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38*8b38b177SShawn McCarneySee [Chassis Status](../phosphor-power-sequencer/docs/chassis_status.md) for
39*8b38b177SShawn McCarneymore information.
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41*8b38b177SShawn McCarney### Configuration
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43*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a single chassis system, regulator configuration is always performed on the
44*8b38b177SShawn McCarneychassis.
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46*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a multiple chassis system, regulator configuration will only be performed on
47*8b38b177SShawn McCarneychassis with the proper status. For example, a chassis that is missing or has no
48*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyinput power cannot be configured.
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50*8b38b177SShawn McCarneySee [Regulator Configuration](configuration.md) for more information.
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52*8b38b177SShawn McCarney### Monitoring
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54*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a single chassis system, regulator monitoring is always performed on the
55*8b38b177SShawn McCarneychassis.
56*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
57*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyIn a multiple chassis system, regulator monitoring will only be performed on
58*8b38b177SShawn McCarneychassis with the proper status. For example, a chassis that is missing or has no
59*8b38b177SShawn McCarneyinput power cannot be monitored.
60*8b38b177SShawn McCarney
61*8b38b177SShawn McCarneySee [Regulator Monitoring](monitoring.md) for more information.
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