Description

Run the following command, and check for the highlighted fields below.

# prtconf
System Model: IBM,8233-E8B
Machine Serial Number: 0620A6P
Processor Type: PowerPC_POWER7 <<<<
Processor Implementation Mode: POWER 7
Processor Version: PV_7_Compat  <<<
Number Of Processors: 1
Processor Clock Speed: 3000 MHz
CPU Type: 64-bit
Kernel Type: 64-bit
LPAR Info: 4 rdgp750-01-core71
Memory Size: 16384 MB
Good Memory Size: 16384 MB
Platform Firmware level: AL710_083
Firmware Version: IBM,AL710_083
Console Login: enable
Auto Restart: true
Full Core: false

The "Processor Type" field indicates the physical processor type, whereas the "Processor Implementation Mode" can report a lower version mode, for example, for supportability with Storage Foundation (SF) products. As described below, a POWER7 machine can be configured to run in POWER6 compatibility mode.

POWER7 is the latest processor type. For SF products to support POWER7 mode requires that you run at least SF 5.0MP3RP4 or SF 5.1RP1HF2. If you are running earlier SF products, POWER7 LPARs have to be run in POWER6-compatibility mode. Support for POWER6 CPUs requires at least SF 5.0MP1RP2.

Where applicable, the processor mode can be changed by logging into the Hardware Management Console (HMC), and changing the partition definition and rebooting the LPAR.