The AIX Diagnostic Package contains programs that are called Tasks. Tasks can be thought of as "performing a specific function on a resource"; for example, running diagnostics, or performing a service aid on a resource. This chapter describes the Tasks available in AIX Diagnostics Version 4.3 and later.
Tasks are represented by an entry in the Predefined Diagnostic Task object class (PDiagTask).
To perform a Task, select the following from the Function Selection Menu:
Note: Many of these programs work on all system model architectures. Some programs are only accessible from Online Diagnostics in Service or Concurrent mode, others may be accessible only from Standalone Diagnostics. While still other programs may only be supported on a particular system architecture, such as CHRP (Common Hardware Reference Platform), or RSPC (PowerPC Reference Platform).
The Diagnostic Task Matrix shows all 4.3 supported tasks and their supported platforms.
Some task IDs are reserved by use by the Diagnostic Controller.
The following is a list of all known Tasks supported as of AIX 4.3:
Note: Online Service Mode only.
This service aid allows access to the AIX command line. To use this service aid the user must know the root password (when a root password has been established).
This service aid allows verification of backup media and devices. It presents a menu of tape and diskette devices available for testing and prompts for selection of the desired device. It then presents a menu of available backup formats and prompts for selection of the desired format. The supported formats are tar, backup, and cpio. After the device and format are selected, the service aid backups a known file to the selected device, restores that file to /tmp, and compares the original file to the restored file. The restored file is also left in /tmp to allow for visual comparison. All errors are reported.
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
This service aid controls how the system tries to recover from a system crash.
Use this service aid to display and change the following settings for the Reboot Policy.
Note: Because of system capability, some of the following settings may not be displayed by this service aid.
Enter a number that is 0 or greater.
Note: A value of 0 indicates 'do not attempt to reboot' to a crashed system.
This number is the maximum number of consecutive attempts to reboot the system. The term "reboot", in the context of this service aid, is used to describe bringing system hardware back up from scratch, for example from a system reset or power on.
When the reboot process completes successfully, the reboot attempts count is reset to 0, and a "restart" begins. The term "restart", in the context of this service aid, is used to describe the operating system activation process. Restart always follows a successful reboot.
When a restart fails, and a restart policy is enabled, the system attempts to reboot for the maximum number of attempts.
When 'Use the O/S Defined Restart Policy' is set to Yes, the system attempts to reboot from a crash if the operating system has an enabled Defined Restart or Reboot Policy.
When 'Use the O/S Defined Restart Policy' is set to No, or the operating system restart policy is undefined, then the restart policy is determined by the 'Supplemental Restart Policy'.
The 'Supplemental Restart Policy', if enabled, is used when the O/S Defined Restart Policy is undefined, or is set to False.
When surveillance detects operating system inactivity during restart, an enabled 'Supplemental Restart Policy' causes a system reset and the reboot process begins.
When enabled, Call-Out Before Restart allows the system to call out (on a serial port that is enabled for call out) when an operating system restart is initiated. Such calls can be valuable if the number of these events becomes excessive, thus signalling bigger problems.
When enabled, 'Unattended Start Mode' allows the system to recover from the loss of AC power.
If the system was powered-on when the AC loss occurred, the system reboots when power is restored. If the system was powered-off when the AC loss occurred, the system remains off when power is restored.
This service aid may be accessed directly from the AIX command line, by entering:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uspchrp -b
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
The Remote Maintenance Policy includes modem configurations and phone numbers to use for remote maintenance support.
Use this service aid to display and change the following settings for the Remote Maintenance Policy.
Note: Because of system capability, some of the following settings may not be displayed by this service aid.
Enter the name of a modem configuration file to load on either serial port 1 (S1) or serial port 2 (S2). The modem configuration files are located in the directory /usr/share/modems. If a modem file is already loaded, it is showed by 'Modem file currently loaded'.
This is the name of the file that is currently loaded on serial
port 1 or
serial port 2.
Note: These settings are only shown when a modem file is loaded for a serial port.
Call In allows the Service Processor to receive a call from a remote terminal.
Call Out allows the Service Processor to place calls for maintenance.
A list of line speeds is available by using 'List' on the screen.
This is the number of the service center computer. The service center usually includes a computer that takes calls from systems with call-out capability. This computer is referred to as "the catcher". The catcher expects messages in a specific format to which the Service Processor conforms. For more information about the format and catcher computers, refer to the README file in the AIX /usr/samples/syscatch directory. Contact the service provider for the correct telephone number to enter here.
This is the number of the System Administration Center computer (catcher) that receives problem calls from systems. Contact the system administrator for the correct telephone number to enter here.
This is the number for a pager carried by someone who responds to problem calls from your system.
This is the number for a telephone near the system, or answered by someone responsible for the system. This is the telephone number left on the pager for callback.
This is the number to which your system's modem is connected. The service or administration center representatives need this number to make direct contact with your system for problem investigation. This is also referred to as the Call In phone number.
This number could be used by a service provider for record keeping and billing.
This is set to either 'first' or 'all'. If the call out policy is set to 'first', call out stops at the first successful call to one of the following numbers in the order listed:
If Call Out Policy is set to 'all', call out attempts to call all of the following numbers in the order listed:
These settings apply to the RETAIN service function.
These settings are functions of the service provider's catcher computer.
This is the number of times the system should retry calls that resulted in busy signals.
This is the name given to the system and is used when reporting problem messages.
Note: Knowing the system name aids the support team to quickly identify the location, configuration, history, etc. of your system.
This service aid may be accessed directly from the AIX command line, by entering:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uspchrp -m
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
This service aid allows the user to power on a system by telephone from a remote location. If the system is powered off, and Ring Indicate Power On is enabled, the system powers on at a predetermined number of rings. If the system is already on, no action is taken. In either case, the telephone call is not answered and the caller receives no feedback that the system has powered on.
Use this service aid to display and change the following settings for the Ring Indicate Power On Policy.
Note: Because of system capability, some of the following settings may not be displayed by this service aid.
This service aid may be accessed directly from the AIX command line, by entering:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uspchrp -r
Note: Runs on RSPC systems units only.
This service aid allows the user to display and change the NVRAM settings for the Ring Indicate Power On capability of the service processor.
The settings allows the user to:
Note: Runs on RSPC systems units only.
This service aid allows you to display and change the NVRAM settings for the service processor.
This service aid supports the following functions:
This selection allows you to display and change the NVRAM settings for the surveillance capability of the service processor.
The settings allow you to:
The current settings are read from NVRAM and displayed on the screen. Any changes made to the data shown are written to NVRAM.
Use this selection when setting the NVRAM for a modem attached to any of the Service Processor's serial ports. The user inputs the file name of a modem configuration file and the serial port number. The formatted modem configuration file is read, converted for NVRAM than loaded into NVRAM. Refer to the "Service Processor Installation and User's Guide" for more information.
This selection allows the user to display and change the NVRAM settings for the Call In/Call Out capability of the service processor.
The settings allows the user to:
This selection allows you to display and change the NVRAM settings that are site specific for the call in/call out capability of the service processor.
The site specific NVRAM settings allow you to:
The current settings are read from NVRAM and displayed on the screen. Any changes made to the data shown are written to NVRAM.
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
This service aid monitors the system for hang conditions, that is, hardware or software failures that cause operating system inactivity. When enabled, and surveillance detects operating system inactivity, a call is placed to report the failure.
Use this service aid to display and change the following settings for the Surveillance Policy.
Note: Because of system capability, some of the following settings may not be displayed by this service aid.
This is the maximum time between heartbeats from the operating system.
This is the time to delay between when the operating system is in control and when to begin operating system surveillance.
Set this to Yes if the changes made to the settings in this menu are to take place immediately. Otherwise the changes takes place beginning with the next system boot.
This service aid may be accessed directly from the AIX command line, by entering:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uspchrp -s
This selection invokes the Diagnostic Package Utility Service Aid which allows the user to perform the following action:
The Standalone Diagnostic Package Configuration Diskette allows the following to be changed when running diagnostics from removable media:
The refresh rate used by the standalone diagnostic package is 60Hz. If the display's refresh rate is 77Hz, then set the refresh rate to 77.
A console configuration file that allows a terminal attached to any RS232 or RS422 adapter to be selected as a console device can be created using this service aid. The default device is a RS232 tty attached to the first standard serial port (S1).
This service aid provides a tool for configuring and removing dials/LPFKs to the asynchronous serial ports.
Since version 4.1.3 a tty must be defined on the async port before the Dials and LPFKs can be configured on the port. Before version 4.2 the Dials and LPFKs could only be configured on the standard serial ports. At version 4.2 the Dials and LPFKs can be configured on any async port.
This selection invokes the SMIT utility to allow Dials and LPFKs configuration. A tty must be in the available state on the async port before the Dials and LPFKs can be configured on the port. The task allows an async adapter to be configured, then a tty port defined on the adapter, and then Dials and LPFKs can be defined on the port.
This task invokes the SMIT Update Software by Fix (APAR) task. The task allows the input device and APARs to be selected. Any APAR can be installed using this task.
This task allows the selection of diskette or hardfiles to be certified. Hardfiles can be connected either to a SCSI adapter(non RAID) or a PCI SCSI RAID adapter. The usage and certify criteria for a hardfile connected to a non RAID SCSI adapter are different from those for a hardfile connected to a PCI SCSI RAID adapter.
This selection provides a way to verify the data written on a diskette. When this service aid is selected, a menu asks you to select the type of diskette being verified. The program then reads all of the ID and data fields on the diskette one time and displays the total number of bad sectors found.
Certify reads all of the ID and data fields. It checks for bad data and counts all errors encountered. If more than 10 hard data errors or more than 1 hard equipment error is found, the user is prompted to replace the drive. One or less recovered data errors per megabyte is normal. More than one recoverable data error per megabyte suggests that the disk should be formatted and certified. Disk errors are not logged during certify.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < deviceName > -T "certify"
This function is used to certify physical disks attached to a PCI SCSI RAID adapter. Certify reads the entire disk and checks for recovered errors, unrecovered errors and reassigned errors. If these errors exceed the threshold values, the user is prompted to replace the physical disk.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < RAID adapterName > -T "certify {-l < chID > | -A}"
The Format Media task supports the selection of diskettes, hardfiles or optical media. Each is described below.
Writes all of the disk. The pattern put on the disk is device dependent, i.e. some drives may put all 0s, while some may put hexadecimal number 5F. No bad block reassignment occurs.
Does the same function as Format. After the format is completed, Certify is run. This certify reassigns all bad blocks encountered.
This option can be used to overwrite (remove) all data currently stored in user-accessible blocks of the disk. The Erase Disk option writes one or more patterns to the disk. An additional option allows data in a selectable block to be read and displayed on the system console.
To use the Erase Disk option, specify the number (0-3) of patterns to be written. Select the patterns to be written; the patterns are written serially. That is, the first pattern is written to all blocks. Then the next pattern is written to all blocks, overlaying the previous pattern. A random pattern is written by selecting the "Write random pattern?" option.
The Erase Disk service aid has not been certified as meeting the Department of Defense or any other organizations security guidelines. The following steps should be followed if the data on the drive is to be overwritten:
For a newly installed drive, you can insure that all blocks on the drive is overwritten with your pattern if you use the following procedure:
Note: If you use the "Format and Certify" option, there may be some blocks which get placed into the grown defect MAP.
Note: Using the same version of the service aid is only critical if there were any bad blocks found in step 3.
Note: If there are differences between the saved data and the newly obtained data, then all sectors on this drive cannot be overwritten. The new bad blocks are not overwritten.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < deviceName > -T "format
[-s* fmtcert | erase -a {read | write}] [-F]"
Note: Erase option in command line mode uses default values. To selectively read or write, use diag in console mode.
This function formats the physical disks attached to a PCI SCSI RAID adapter. It may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < RAID adapterName > -T "format {-l < chId > | -A }"
Formats the media without certifing. This option does not reassign the defective blocks. It also does not erase the data on the media. It takes approximately 1 minute to format the media. Using this option is a quick way to format the media after cleaning the disk.
Formats and certifies the media. This option does reassign the defective blocks. It also erases all the data on the media.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < deviceName > -T "format
[-s {initialize | fmtcert} ]"
This function formats a diskette by writing patterns to it.
This selection checks the number of spare sectors available on the optical disk. The spare sectors are used to reassign when defective sectors are encountered during normal usage or during a format and certify operation. Low availability of spare sectors shows that the disk needs to be backed up and replaced. Formatting the disk does not improve the availability of spare sectors.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < deviceName > -T chkspares
This selection allows you to recover data from an old drive when replacing it with a new drive. The service aid only supports copying from a drive to another drive of similar size. This service aid cannot be used to update to a different size drive. The migratepv command should be used when updating drives. The service aid recovers all LVM software reassigned blocks. To prevent corrupted data from being copied to the new drive, the service aid aborts if an unrecoverable read error is detected. To help prevent possible problems with the new drive, the service aid aborts if the number of bad blocks being reassigned reaches a threshold.
Note: Use the migratepv command when copying the contents to other disk drive types. This command also works when copying SCSI disk drives or when copying to a different size SCSI disk drive. Refer to "System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices" for a procedure on migrating the contents of a physical volume.
The procedure for using this service aid requires that both the old and new disks be installed in or attached to the system with unique SCSI addresses. This requires that the new disk drive SCSI address must be set to an address that is not currently in use and the drive be installed in an empty location. If there are no empty locations, then one of the other drives must be removed. Once the copy is complete, only one drive may remain installed. Either remove the target drive to return to the original configuration, or perform the following procedure to complete the replacement of the old drive with the new drive.
To prevent problems that may occur when running this service aid from disk, it is suggested that this service aid be run from the diagnostics that are loaded from removable media when possible.
This selection allows the user to display and alter information on a disk sector. Care must be used when using this service aid because inappropriate modification to some disk sectors may result in total loss of all data on the disk. Sectors are addressed by their decimal sector number. Data is displayed both in hex and in ASCII. To prevent corrupted data from being incorrectly corrected, the service aid does not display information that cannot be read correctly.
This service aid allows the bootlist to be displayed, altered, or erased.
The system attempts to perform an IPL from the first device in the list. If the device is not a valid IPL device or if the IPL fails, the system proceeds in turn to the other devices in the list to attempt an IPL.
This service aid displays the item header only for all installed resources. Use this service aid when there is no need of seeing the VPD. (No VPD is displayed.)
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
This service aid displays the environmental sensors implemented on a CHRP system. The information displayed is the sensor name, physical location code, literal value of the sensor status, and the literal value of the sensor reading.
The sensor status can be any one of the following:
This service aid can also be run as a command. The command can be used to list the sensors and their values in a text format, list the sensors and their values in numerical format, or a specific sensor can be queried to return either the sensor status or sensor value.
The command can be run by entering one of the following:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -l | -a
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -t token -i index [-v]
<token> <index> <status> <measured value> <location code>
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -l
Sensor Token = Fan Speed
Status = Normal
Value = 2436 RPM
Location Code = F1
Sensor Token = Power Supply
Status = Normal
Value = Present and operational
Location Code = V1
Sensor Token = Power Supply
*Status = Critical low
Value = Present and not operational
Location Code = V2
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -a
3 0 11 87 P1
9001 0 11 2345 F1
9004 0 11 2 V1
9004 1 9 2 V2
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -t 9004 -i 1
9
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uesensor -t 9004 -i 1 -v
2
This service aid displays all installed resources along with any VPD for those resources. Use this service aid when you want to look at the VPD for a specific resource.
Use this service aid to display the Display/Alter VPD Selection Menu. The menu lists all resources installed on the system. When a resource is selected a menu is displayed that lists all the VPD for that resource.
Note: The user cannot alter the VPD for a specific resource unless it is not machine readable.
This task invokes SMIT to provide the following options:
The supported drawer types are:
This task invokes SMIT to display information about the installed software and provides the following functions:
Use this task to add resources back to the resource list.
Note: Only resources that were previously detected by the diagnostics and deleted from the Diagnostic Test List is listed. If no resources are available to be added, then none are listed.
Use this task to delete resources from the resource list.
Note: Only resources that were previously detected by the diagnostics and have not been deleted from the Diagnostic Test List are listed. If no resources are available to be deleted, then none are listed.
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
This task displays the firmware device node information that appears on CHRP platforms. The format of the output data does not necessarily be the same between different levels of AIX. It is intended to be used to gather more information about individual or particular devices on the system.
Note: The Machine Check Error Log Service Aid is available only on Standalone Diagnostics.
When a machine check occurs, information is collected and logged in a NVRAM error log before the system unit shuts down. This information is logged in the AIX error log and cleared from NVRAM when the system is rebooted from either hard disk or LAN. The information is not cleared when booting from Standalone Diagnostics. When booting from Standalone Diagnostics, this service aid can take the logged information and turn it into a readable format that can be used to isolate the problem. When booting from the hard disk or LAN, the information can be viewed from the AIX error log using the Hardware Error Report Service Aid. In either case the information is analyzed when running the sysplanar0 diagnostics in Problem Determination Mode.
Note: This service aid is not available when you load the diagnostics from a source other than a disk drive or from a network. However, on a CHRP system, this service aid is available to display previous diagnostic results using NVRAM in standalone mode.
Each time the diagnostics produce a service request number (SRN) to report a problem, information about that problem is logged. The service representative can look at this log to see which SRNs are recorded. This log also records the results of diagnostic tests that are run in loop mode.
When this service aid is selected, information on the last problem logged is displayed. The arrow keys can be used to look at information about previous problems.
This information is not from the error log maintained by the AIX operating system. This information is stored in the /etc/lpp/diagnostics/data/*.dat files.
This task displays the Customized Device Attributes associated with a selected resource. This task is similar to running the lsattr -E -l resource command.
The Display or Change Diagnostic Run Time Options task allows the diagnostic run time options to be set.
Note: The run time options are used only when selecting the Run Diagnostic task.
The run time options are:
This option allows the user to select whether the DIAGNOSTIC MODE SELECTION MENU is displayed or not (the default is yes).
This option allows the user to select if the Advanced Diagnostics should be included or not (the default is no).
This option allows the user to select if the Error Log Analysis (ELA) should be included or not (the default is no).
This option allows the user to select if the diagnostic should be run in loop mode or not (the default is no).
Note: This option is only displayed when running Online Diagnostics in Service Mode.
This service aid provides a means of adjusting system display units by providing displayable test patterns. Through a series of menus the user selects the display type and test pattern. After the selections are made the test pattern is displayed.
This service aid provides a means of executing a "generic" script from a diskette. The intended purpose for this "generic" script is to load microcode to a supported resource. This script is responsible for executing whatever program is required in order to download the microcode onto the adapter or device.
This service aid is supported in both concurrent and standalone modes from disk, LAN, or removable media.
On entry, the service aid displays information about what it does. It then asks for a "Genucode" diskette to be inserted into the diskette drive. The diskette must be in tar format. The service aid then restores the script file, "genucode", to the /tmp directory. Then the script is executed. The script must at that point then pull off any other needed files from the diskette. The script should then exec whatever program is necessary in order to perform its function. On completion, a status code is returned, and the user is returned to the service aid.
The genucode script should have a #!/bin/ksh line at the beginning of the file. Return status of 0 should be returned if the program was successful, else a non-zero status should be returned.
This service aid provides a tool for viewing the hardware error log. It uses the errpt command.
The Display Error Summary and Display Error Detail selection provide the same type of report as the errpt command. The Display Error Analysis Summary and Display Error Analysis Detail selection provide additional analysis.
This task invokes SMIT to allow the identification and configuration of ISA adapters on systems that have an ISA bus and adapters.
Diagnostic support for ISA adapters not shown in the list may be supported from a Supplemental Diskette. ISA adapter support can be added from a Supplemental Diskette with the Process Supplemental Media task.
Whenever an ISA adapter is installed, this Service Aid must be run and the adapter configured before the adapter can be tested. This Service Aid must also be run (and the adapter removed) whenever an ISA adapter is physically removed from the system.
If diagnostics are run on an ISA adapter that has been removed from the system,the diagnostics fail.
ISA adapters cannot be detected by the system.
Note: When using this service aid choose the option that places the adapter in the "Defined State". Do not select the option that places the device in the "Available State.
This selection is used to exercise the LAN communications adapters (Token-Ring, Ethernet, and (FDDI) Fiber Distributed Data Interface). The following services are available:
This selection provides a way to copy device microcode to a device. It is used to update the microcode on a device. It presents a list of devices that use microcode. The device on which the microcode is to be installed is selected. The service aid instructs the user on its use.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The usage statement for a PCI SCSI RAID adapter is different from other devices that support this task. The following usage statements describe the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < RAID adapterName > -T "download [-B] [-D] [-P]"
Usage:
diag -c -d < RAID adapterName > -T "download {-l < chID > | -A} [-D][-P]"
Usage:
diag -c -d < deviceName > -T "download [-s diskette]
[-s diskette] [-l previous] [-t* boot]
[-F]"
This selection identifies physical disks connected to a PCI SCSI-2 F/W RAID adapter.
This task may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
diag -c -d < pci RAID adapter > -T identify
This selection provides a tool for configuring periodic diagnostics and automatic error log analysis. A hardware resource can be chosen to be tested once a day, at a user specified time. If the resource cannot be tested because it is busy, error log analysis is performed. Hardware errors logged against a resource can also be monitored by enabling Automatic Error Log Analysis. This allows error log analysis to be performed every time a hardware error is put into the error log. If a problem is detected, a message is posted to the system console and a mail message sent to the user(s) belonging to the system group with information about the failure such as Service Request Number.
The service aid provides the following functions:
Diagnostic Supplemental Media contains all the necessary diagnostic programs and files required to test a particular resource. The supplemental is normally released and shipped with the resource as indicated on the diskette label. Diagnostic Supplemental Media must be used when the device support has not been incorporated into the latest Diagnostic CDROM.
This task processes the Diagnostic Supplemental Media. Insert the Supplemental Media when prompted, then press Enter. After processing has occurred, go to the Resource Selection list to find the resource to test.
Notes:
- This task is supported in Standalone Diagnostics only.
- Always process and test one resource at a time.
- Do not process multiple supplementals at a time.
More information on Diagnostic Supplemental Media can be found at the following link:Diagnostic Supplemental Media.
The Run Diagnostics task invokes the Resource Selection List menu. When the commit key is pressed, Diagnostics are run on all selected resources.
The procedures for running the diagnostics depends on the state of the Diagnostics Run Time Options. See Display or Change Diagnostic Run Time Options section.
The Run Error Log Analysis task invokes the Resource Selection List menu. When the commit key is pressed, Error Log Analysis is run on all selected resources.
Note: Runs on CHRP systems units only.
Use this service aid to save or restore the settings from Ring Indicate Power On Policy, Surveillance Policy, Remote Maintenance Policy and Reboot Policy.
This selection writes all of the settings for the hardware management policies to the file:
/etc/lpp/diagnostics/data/hmpolicies
This selection restores all of the settings for the hardware management policies from the contents of the file:
/etc/lpp/diagnostics/data/hmpolicies
This service aid may be accessed directly from the AIX command line, by entering:
/usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/uspchrp -a
This service aid provides a means to diagnose a SCSI Bus problem in a free-lance mode.
To use this service aid, the user should have an understanding of how a SCSI Bus works. This service aid should be used when the diagnostics cannot communicate with anything on the SCSI Bus and cannot isolate the problem. Normally the procedure for finding a problem on the SCSI Bus with this service aid is to start with a single device attached, ensure that it is working, then start adding additional devices and cables to the bus ensuring that each one works. This service aid works with any valid SCSI Bus configuration.
The SCSI Bus Service Aid transmits a SCSI Inquiry command to a selectable SCSI Address. The service aid then waits for a response. If no response is received within a defined amount of time, the service aid displays a timeout message. If an error occurs or a response is received, the service aid then displays one of the following messages:
When the SCSI Bus Service Aid is entered a description of the service aid is displayed.
Pressing the Enter key displays the Adapter Selection menu. This menu allows the user to enter which address to transmit the SCSI Inquiry Command.
When the adapter is selected the SCSI Bus Address Selection menu is displayed. This menu allows the user to enter which address to transmit the SCSI Inquiry Command.
Once the address is selected the SCSI Bus Test Run menu is displayed. This menus allows the user to transmit the SCSI Inquiry Command by pressing the Enter key. The service aid then indicates the status of the transmission. When the transmission is completed, the results of the transmission is displayed.
Notes:
- A Check Condition can be returned when there is nothing wrong with the bus or device.
- AIX does not allow the command to be sent if the device is in use by another process.
This service aid allows the user to choose a SCSI device or location from a menu and to identify a device, located in a 7027 system unit.
The service aid also does the following:
This service aid provides a means to obtain the status or maintenance information from a SCSD tape drive. Only some models of SCSI tape drive are supported.
The service aid provides the following options:
The time since the drive was last cleaned is displayed onto the screen. In addition, a message whether the drive is recommended to be cleaned is also displayed.
The required diskettes must be formatted for DOS. Writing the trace table may require several diskettes. The actual number of required diskettes is determined by the service aid based on the size of the trace table. The names of the data files is of the following format:
'TRACE[X].DAT' where 'X' is the a sequential diskette number. The complete trace table consists of the sequential concatenation of all the diskette data files.
The service aid provides options to display the log sense information to screen, to copy it to a DOS formatted diskette or to copy it to a file. The file name "LOGSENSE.DAT" is used when the log sense data is written on the diskette. The service aid prompts for a file name when the log sense data is chosen to be copied to a file.
This service aid may be run directly from the AIX command line. The following usage statement describes the syntax of the command:
Usage:
/usr/lpp/diagnostic/bin/utape [-h | -?]
[-c[-e] | -t | -l] -d < deviceName >
This service aid reads and displays the information in the CEREADME file from the diagnostics media. This file contains information that is not in the publications for this version of the diagnostics. It also contains information about using this particular version of diagnostics.
This service aid will present a menu if multiple CEREADME.{file}s are present in the /usr/lpp/diagnostic/ directory. This allows other non-related CEREADME files to be displayed containing information about unrelated functions.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the information in the file.
This service aid provides tools for diagnosing and resolving problems on SSA attached devices. The following tools are provided:
Note: Runs on CHRP system units only.
This selection updates the system or service processor flash for CHRP system units.
Further update and recovery instructions may be provided with the update. It is necessary to know the fully qualified path and file name of the flash update image file that was provided. If the flash update image file is on a diskette, the service aid can list the files on the diskette for selection.
Refer to the update instructions, or the system unit's service guide to determine the level of the system unit or service processor flash.
When run from online diagnostics, the flash update image file is copied to the /var file system. If there is not enough space in the /var file system for the flash update image file, an error is reported. If this occurs, exit the service aid, increase the size of the /var file system and retry the service aid. After the file is copied, a warning screen asks for confirmation to continue the update flash. Continuing the update flash reboots the system. The system does not return to diagnostics. The current flash image is not saved. After the reboot, the /var/update_flash_image can be removed.
When running from standalone diagnostics, the flash update image file is copied to the file system from diskette. The user needs to provide the image on a diskette since the user does not have access to remote file systems or any other files that are on the system. If enough space is not available, an error is reported stating additional system memory is needed. After the file is copied, a warning screen asks for confirmation to continue the update flash. Continuing the update flash reboots the system. The current flash image is not saved.
The update_flash command can be used in place of this service aid. It is located in the /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin directory.
Attention: The update_flash command reboots the entire system. Do not use this command if more than one user is signed onto the system.
The 7135 RAIDiant Array service aids contain the following functions:
This selection reads and checks each block of data in the LUN. If excessive errors are encountered the user is notified.
This selection allows the user to certify (check the integrity of the data) on drives designated as spares.
This selection is used to format a selected disk drive.
This selection allows the microcode on the 7135 controller to be updated when required.
This selection is used to update the microcode on any of the disk drives in the array.
This selection is used to update the contents of the EEPROM on a selected controller.
Use this selection when it is necessary to replace a controller in the array.
This function allows the remote support phone number to be displayed and altered.
This function displays a dialog screen that lists the states of all the BUMP (Bringup Micro-Processor) Diagnostic Flags. The states can be changed via the dialog screen.
This function allows the diagnostics modes and remote support phone number to be saved and restored. The location of the save area is to be defined.
This function updates the Flash EPROM.
This service aid is unique to the SMP system units and displays the states of the Physical and Electronic Keys. It also allows the electronic keys to be set.
This service aid is used to check the bit error rate for an ESCON adapter to assure that the link to the host system is functioning properly. To run the ESCON Bit Error Rate Service Aid, the adapter must be connected, configured, and on-line. If the adapter is not configured properly, the service aid is not able to check the bit error rate.
This service aid is unique to the SMP system units and provides the following functions:
This function displays or changes the state of available processors.
This function provides a tool for binding a process and all its threads to a specified processor.
This selection provides a tool for diagnosing Ethernet problems. This service aid is used to exercise the Ethernet adapter and parts of the Ethernet network. The service aid works by transmitting a data block to itself. This service aid works with a wrap plug or with any valid Ethernet network and can be used as a tool to diagnose Ethernet network problems.
When the Ethernet service aid is executed, one of the following messages is returned: