Commands Reference, Volume 5

sysdumpstart Command

Purpose

Provides a command line interface to start a kernel dump to the primary or secondary dump device.

The sysdumpstart command provides a command line interface to start a kernel dump to the primary or secondary dump device. When the dump completes, the system halts. Use the crash command to examine a kernel dump. Use the sysdumpdev command to reassign the dump device.

During a kernel dump, the following values can be displayed on the three-digit terminal display as follows:

0c0	Indicates that the dump completed successfully.
0c1	Indicates that an I/O occurred during the dump. This value only applies to AIX 4.2.1 or later.
0c2	Indicates that the dump is in progress.
0c4	Indicates that the dump is too small.
0c5	Indicates a dump internal error .
0c6	Prompts you to make the secondary dump device ready. This value does not apply for AIX 4.2.1 or later.
0c7	Indicates that the dump process is waiting for a response from the remote host.
0c8	Indicates that the dump was disabled. In this case, no dump device was designated in the system configuration object for dump devices. The sysdumpstart command halts, and the system continues running.
0c9	Indicates that a dump is in progress.
0cc	Indicates that the system switched to the secondary dump device after attempting a dump to the primary device. This value only applies to AIX 4.2.1 or later.

You can use the Web-based System Manager Devices application (wsm devices fast path) to run this command. You could also use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) smit sysdumpstart fast path to run this command.

Flags

-f	Suppresses the prompt to make the secondary dump device ready. This flag does not apply to AIX 4.2.1 or later.
-p	Initiates a system dump and writes the results to the primary dump device.
-s	Initiates a system dump and writes the results to the secondary dump device.

Security

Access Control: Only the root user can run this command.

Examples

To start a kernel dump to the primary dump device, enter:
```
sysdumpstart -p
```
To start a kernel dump to the secondary dump device, enter:
```
sysdumpstart -s
```

Related Information

System Dump Facility in AIX 5L Version 5.1 Kernel Extensions and Device Support Programming Concepts.

The sysdumpdev command.

For information on installing the Web-based System Manager, see Chapter 2: Installation and System Requirements in AIX 5L Version 5.1 Web-based System Manager Administration Guide.