The SP system includes command line interfaces that allow you to perform the SP System Monitor functions without using a graphical user interface. With the spmon and hmmon commands you can query the value of a state variable or monitor that variable for a change in state. With the spmon and hmcmds commands you can control the nodes, frames and switches. The hmmon and hmcmds commands provide equivalent function to the spmon command but provide a more compact interface than spmon that can be appropriate in scripts. The spmon command is provided for compatibility with earlier SP software releases.
By default, these commands operate at a system partition level. That is, they work only on nodes in the current system partition. (To determine the current partition, issue the spget_syspar command.)
Each of the commands has a -G flag that removes system partition boundaries, allowing the command to work on any hardware in the SP system. The -G option is always needed to monitor or control frame or switch hardware. Frames and switches are considered to be outside all system partitions.
Before using any SP System Monitor command your identity must be authenticated. Use the k4init or the dce_logincommand to log in to the SP authentication services. If your site uses an alternative to the SP authentication services, you must use authentication procedures appropriate to such an alternative. (Refer to Chapter 2, Security features of the SP system for more information on SP authentication services.)
See the book PSSP: Command and Technical Reference for a complete description of all SP System Monitor commands.