Controls and monitors the mirror module for remote maintenance.
mirrord
The mirrord daemon controls and monitors the mirror module. The mirror daemon and mirror module work together to provide console mirroring, which is the two-way echoing of commands between the local operator's system console and a remote service expert's console. The local console, or BUMP console, is connected to line S1, and the remote console is connected to line S2 using a modem. The mirrord daemon is used to perform remote service support when the operating system is running.
Note: To use remote service, the Software Error Logging and Dump Service Aids Package must be installed, remote service support must be valid, and the remote authorization flag must be set.
Normally, the mirrord daemon is started during the boot phase, just after the console configuration, but it can also be started from the command line. If the remote service support flag is not set (no remote service agreement) or if the remote authorization flag is not set, the daemon does nothing and exits.
If both flags are set, the daemon checks the key mode switch. If the switch is in the Normal or Secure position, the daemon sleeps until the key is placed in the Service position. When the key is placed in the Service position, the daemon wakes up and checks the remote authorization flag and that the tty lines S1 and S2 (special files /dev/ttyS1 and /dev/ttyS2) are managed by streams. If one of these checks fails, mirrord cannot perform console mirroring and returns a message explaining why not. If the checks pass, mirrord creates a lock file /etc/locks/mirror, kills processes belonging to line S2, pushes the mirror module, initializes line S2, and starts echoing in the mirror module. Regardless of the key mode switch, applications belonging to line S1 are never affected.
If the mode switch is already in the Service position and line S2 is connected when the daemon is started, the daemon simply pushes the mirror module (if necessary) and activates the echo mode. The daemon does not kill processes belonging to /dev/ttyS2 in this case, since a remote service session may be underway. The modem used for the line S2 connection is configured according to the file /usr/share/modems/mir_modem, and its tty is configured according to the file /usr/lib/mir_tty. Normally, these files are installed by service personnel and do not need to be modified.
If the mirrord command is executed when the daemon is already installed, an error message is returned.
The portmir command (available in AIX 4.2.1 and later) can be used on most systems to mirror the console.
Note: The mirrord command works only on multiprocessor systems with Micro Channel I/O. For IBM systems, this includes the IBM 7012 Model G Series, the IBM 7013 Model J Series, and the IBM 7015 Model R Series.
The daemon can be stopped using the SIGTERM or SIGKILL signals.
To start the daemon from the command line, simply enter:
mirrord
The portmir command.
System Management Tools and Applications in the AIX 5L Version 5.1 Installation Guide details the contents of the optional software package which must be installed.