IBM-FRU - question

[chrissie]

Maybe we have had this question in the past, i dont know:

Why did IBM use some Processor-FRUs multiple times?

The FRU 26H2201 was used at IBM26BL 486DX2-V80GP, (IBM26486DX2-V150GA relabled), IBM26486-V266GA, IBM26486-V466GA, and IBM26486-V280GA.

What is behind it?

Happy new Year

[CPUShack]

Its interesting, notwithstanding counterfeits, IBM seemed to use the FRU to ID the package/die revision not the speed.

So that chip could be tested/marked as several speed/voltages, but physically it was identical, and thus the same FRU

[chrissie]

Ookayy, that´s interresting, I feared that there were a lot of fakes around

Thanks John

Happy new year

[cuttingedgecs]

FRUs are used on most IBM parts, not just CPUs. From what I've seen, they represent a level of capability to perform a set task. So for instance, they may want a hard drive for a range of servers that has to be of a certain capacity, interface, and transfer rate. That spec is given an FRU, and any drive that conforms to that spec that is sold in those servers and conforms to that base spec is labelled with that FRU. So the drives can come from different manufacturers, and will usually end up being faster towards the end, and for the purpose of spares may end up being higher capacity too - but all labelled with the same FRU. In this way you can also have the one part have multiple FRUs as well, where it is primarily used for one purpose, but is also a spare to replace a lower spec part.

[rjluna2]

What IBM called them FRU are Field Replacement Units where technician goes out in the field to service customer's machine. They need part number quickly identified to call to replace the part in their database. Even some of the components in the assembly do contains other FRU as well.