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  • 1.  Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Wed January 14, 2026 11:49 AM

    Has anyone used the imbedded gzip NX processor?  I'm not able to get it to work on a small P9 system.

    System Model: IBM,9009-41A
    Machine Serial Number: xxxxxxxx
    Processor Type: PowerPC_POWER9
    Processor Implementation Mode: POWER 9
    Processor Version: PV_9_Compat
    Number Of Processors: 1
    Processor Clock Speed: 2300 MHz
    CPU Type: 64-bit
    Kernel Type: 64-bit
    LPAR Info: 1 xxxxxxxxx
    Memory Size: 29696 MB
    Good Memory Size: 29696 MB
    Platform Firmware level: VL950_179
    Firmware Version: IBM,FW950.E0 (VL950_179)
    Console Login: enable
    Auto Restart: true
    Full Core: true
    NX Crypto Acceleration: Capable and Enabled
    In-Core Crypto Acceleration: Capable, but not Enabled

    Checking the nx processor availability with nxstat:

    nxsstat -S reports 

    nx_accel_mask = 0

     ** No accelerators available **
     ** Accelerators are not available for partitions in POWER9_base mode

    There seems to be a discrepancy for mode between prtconf and nxstat? 

    zlibNX.rte is installed along with pigz 



    ------------------------------
    Jim Rinn
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 12:25 AM

    Hi Jim

    Looks like the LPAR is in power9_base mode. Check this from the HMC:

    lssyscfg -r lpar -m <system_name> -F name,curr_lpar_proc_compat_mode

    If it shows power9_base, you need to set the compat mode in the profile to "power9" and re-activate the lpar from the modified profile (not just reboot).



    ------------------------------
    Chris Wickremasinghe
    IBM
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 12:39 AM
    Thanks for the response.

    No HMC for this system.  This is a standalone bare metal system with whatever settings the firmware decides for the LPAR is what we get. 

    The prtconf shows LPAR is in Power9 mode not base mode but the nxstat does.  There seems to be some discrepancy between prtconf and nxstat.

    I also have a P10 halfwide system with no HMC.  Nxstat reports the embedded processor is available and appears to work based on pigz results.





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 03:57 AM

    The numerical version number for Power9 and Power9_base are actually same from OS point of view.

    Hence, unfortunately,  tools like prtconf etc cannot distinguish between P9_base and P9 mode.

    Looking from HMC at the processor compatibility mode or nxstat command are the only options to distinguish between the two.



    ------------------------------
    KOKIL DEURI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 04:57 AM

    I've had the NX accelerator working on Power9, HMC attached though.  It did require updating to a level of AIX 7.2 that supported POWER9 mode and changing the LPAR into POWER9 mode.  I'm not sure how to have a non-HMC managed P9 go into POWER9 mode.  What is the OS level that you're running?



    ------------------------------
    Phill Rowbottom
    Unix Consultant
    Service Express
    Bedford
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 08:25 AM

    power9 servers have power9_base mode by default. AFAIK there is no supported way to change that without an HMC.

    You may want to open a support case to check.

    HTH.



    ------------------------------
    Chris Wickremasinghe
    IBM
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Thu January 15, 2026 06:12 AM

    Hi ,

    i think processor Compatibility Mode should be power9 and require LPAR reactiviation again , after that check nx_accel_mask becomes non-zero and it should report GZIP=accelerator availabe

    Thank you



    ------------------------------
    Anas AlSaleh
    IBM Power Systems Software Specialist
    Saudi Business Machines ( SBM )
    Riyadh
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Imbedded NX processor

    Posted Mon January 19, 2026 07:12 AM

    I would also like to point out that there are two separate things: "NX crypto" and "NX gzip".

    If you are looking at prtconf output:

    NX Crypto Acceleration: Capable and Enabled  <---------

    This line is for NX Crypto and NOT for NX gzip

    For gzip (NX compression), you have to rely on the nxstat command.



    ------------------------------
    KOKIL DEURI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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