System Crashes in AIX 4.1 and 4.2

Unless the default dump configuration has been modified with the sysdumpdev command, the dump will be copied to /var/adm/ras/vmcore.x when the system is powered on.

NOTE: If /var is too small to hold the dump, the system will prompt the user to copy the dump to external media such as tape or pre-formatted diskettes. If a tape drive is not connected, the system will prompt for diskettes. Using diskettes is NOT a recommended method of collecting a dump. If you are unable to save the dump, IBM will not be able to determine what caused your system to crash.

    sysdumpdev -L 

Check the sysdumpdev -L output for a valid time-stamp. If the time-stamp matches an approximate time of the system crash, then go to the next section. If the time-stamp does not match OR if the sysdumpdev command does not result in any output, a valid dump was not captured at this time.

NOTE: Overnight and internet submissions are recommended. VM is not a preferred shipment method.

1. Place a blank tape in the tape drive. This step is applicable for users who copied the dump to tape or diskettes as well as users who copied the dump to a file in /var/adm/ras.

   If you are sending the dump on tape, acceptable media are 8mm, 4mm or 1/4" QIC tape.

2. Run:

       /usr/sbin/snap -gfkD -o /dev/rmt#. 
   

   This copies the unix file image and the error log needed for a complete dump analysis.

   NOTE: In the previous instructions, replace /dev/rmt# with the device name for your tape drive (usually /dev/rmt0).

3. Verify that the medium contains at least the following files to analyze a system crash or hang:

       tar -tvf /dev/rmt# 
   

   In the output, there should be three lines that look similar to the following:

   -rw-r--r--   1 user    group      36243456 Feb 21 10:05 dump.Z 
   -rw-r--r--   1 user    group           176 Feb 20 15:13 dump.snap 
   -rw-r--r--   1 user    group        933536 Feb 20 15:13 unix.Z 
   

   NOTE: The file dump.Z may be just dump, and the file unix.Z may be just unix. These files should also be greater than 0 in size. In this case, dump.Z = 453088 bytes and unix.Z = 1270849 bytes.

4. Ship the testcase per the following shipping instructions.
   1. Label the media.

          <customer name> 
          <pmr #, branch #> 
           tape block_size = <xxx> 
          <the command used to copy the information to tape> 
      

      NOTE: The tape block size can be obtained with the command:

          lsattr -El rmt# 
      

      The copy command is generally snap.

      IMPORTANT: If the person who is sending the testcase is NOT the person who reported the problem, be sure to include the name of the person who reported it. If the proper information is not on the package, then process delays will occur.

   2. Send the media to:

      IBM Corp. / Zip 2900 / Bldg 42
      Attn: AIX Testcase Dept. J66S
      11400 Burnet Road
      Austin, TX 78758-3493
      Extension 3-4050

      NOTE: If you specify Saturday delivery, you must first make special arrangements with an AIX Support specialist. Otherwise, there could be a delay of several days.

    zcat /tmp/ibmsupt/snap.tar.Z | tar -tvf - 

In the output, there should be three lines that look similar to the following:

-rw-r--r--   1 user    group      36243456 Feb 20 10:05 dump.Z 
-rw-r--r--   1 user    group           176 Feb 20 15:13 dump.snap 
-rw-r--r--   1 user    group        933536 Feb 20 15:13 unix.Z 

ad1000.tar.Z                    (item number.tar.Z)
1x234.001.tar.Z              (problem_report_#.branch_office_#.tar.Z)
1x234.1234567.tar.Z     (problem_report_#.customer_#.tar.Z)

Follow theses steps to ftp the file to the testcase repository:

1. Enter ftp 198.17.57.67 (or ftp testcase.boulder.ibm.com ).
2. At the login prompt enter anonymous.
3. At the password prompt enter your complete email address following the format customer@company.com.
4. Change to binary transfer mode. Enter bin.
5. Change into the aix directory. Enter, cd aix.
6. Use the put command to place the file. For example, put 1x234.001.tar.Z.
7. Enter ls -l to ensure the file lists in the contents of the directory.
8. Enter quit.

REMINDER: If you have absolutely no other available electronic method of sending a testcase, you can send it through VNET. This method only works for IBM internal customers. It is not automated, which could cause delays in testcase processing. FTP IS THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR SENDING TESTCASES.

The testcase should be combined into a single compressed tar archive and uploaded in BINARY format.

Please name the file PPPPPBBB TARZBIN, where PPPPP is the PMR number and BBB is the branch office number (without the b).

node = AUSVMR
userid = V3DEFECT