System Crashes in AIX 3.2

Contents

About this document

Getting the LED codes

Locate the dump

    sysdumpdev -L 

Check the sysdumpdev -L output for a valid time-stamp. If the time-stamp matches an approximate time of the system crash, proceed to the next section. If the time-stamp does not match OR the sysdumpdev command does not result in any output, a valid dump was not captured at this time. The section, "Forcing a system dump" provides more detailed information and steps to follow for this situation.

Submitting the testcase

Decide which method will be used to send the testcase.

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

• Overnight/US Mail
• Internet (ftp)
• VM (IBM internal customers only)

Overnight/US Mail

1. Run the snap command to collect required files.

   To gather all of the dump including kernel and general information, run the command:

       snap -gfkD -o /dev/rmt# 
   

2. Verify that the information is on the media.

   Use the following commands to verify that the media contain the appropriate files which are necessary to analyze a system crash/hang:

       tctl -f  /dev/rmt# rewind 
       tar -tvf /dev/rmt# 
   

   Following are the required files:

       -rw-r--r--   1 4530888 Jul 02 16:12 dump.Z 
       -rw-r--r--   1     180 Jul 02 16:11 dump.snap 
       -rw-r--r--   1 1270849 Jul 02 16:11 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.

3. Label the tape with the following information:

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

   IMPORTANT: If the person sending in this 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, process delays will occur.

   Acceptable tape media are 8mm, 4mm or 1/4" QIC tape.

4. Send the media via standard mail or overnight delivery to:

   NOTE: This address may change, so please verify this address by either obtaining the latest version of this document or verifying with your IBM software support organization.

   IBM Corp. / Zip 2900 / Bldg 42
   Attn: AIX Testcase Dept. J66S
   11400 Burnet Road
   Austin, TX 78758-3493
   Extension 3-4101
   

   If you specify Saturday delivery you must first make special arrangements with an AIX Support specialist (1-800-225-5249 or 1-800-call-aix); otherwise there could be a delay of several days.

Internet (ftp)

1. Create a compressed tar image of the testcase. Run:

       snap -gfkD -c 
   

   This will create a file called snap.tar.Z in the /tmp/ibmsupt directory.

2. Verify that the compressed file contains at least the following files to analyze a system crash/hang:

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

   In the output there should be three lines 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 
   

   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.

3. Sample file names for the tarred and compressed file follow:
   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)
    
4. Follow these 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 enter your complete email address following the formate 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.

Forcing a system dump

If the system has not dumped automatically, choose one of the two methods below to force a system dump. Notice one of the methods only works with certain configurations.

• Turn the key to service position, and press the reset button once. This method works for all system configurations.
• Turn the key to service position, hold down the left Ctrl and Alt keys, and press the "1" key on the numeric keypad. This method can only be used on a natively-attached keyboard; it can not be used on a TTY. Wait for disk activity to stop.

At this point, power off/on the system and go to the section "Locate the dump" of this document.