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Kernel Extensions and Device Support Programming Concepts
Starting a System Dump
Attention: Do not start a system dump if the flashing
888 number shows in your operator panel display. This number indicates
your system has already created a system dump and written the information
to your primary dump device. If you start your own dump before copying the
information in your dump device, your new dump will overwrite the existing
information. For more information, see
Checking the Status of a System Dump.
A user-initiated dump is different from a dump initiated by an unexpected
system halt because the user can designate which dump device to use. When
the system halts unexpectedly, a system dump is initiated automatically to
the primary dump device.
You can start a system dump by using one of the methods listed below.
You have access to the sysdumpstart command and can start a dump using one of these methods:
Using the Command Line
Use the following steps to choose a dump device, initiate the system dump,
and determine the status of the system dump:
Note
You must have root user authority to start a dump by using
the
sysdumpstart command.
- Check which dump device is appropriate for your system (the primary or
secondary device) by using the following sysdumpdev command:
sysdumpdev -l
This command lists the current dump devices. You can use the sysdumpdev command to change device assignments.
- Start the system dump by entering the following sysdumpstart command:
sysdumpstart -p
This command starts a system dump on the default primary dump device. You
can use the -s flag to specify the secondary dump device.
- If a code shows in the operator panel display, refer to Checking the Status of a System Dump.
If the operator panel display is blank, the dump was not started. Try again
using the Reset button.
Using SMIT
Use the following SMIT commands to choose a dump device and start the system
dump:
Note
You must have root user authority to start a dump using SMIT.
SMIT uses the
sysdumpstart
command to start a system dump.
- Check which dump device is appropriate for your system (the primary or
secondary device) by using the following SMIT fast path command:
smit dump
- Choose the Show Current Dump Devices option and
write the available devices on notepaper.
- Enter the following SMIT fast path command again:
smit dump
- Choose either the primary (the first example option) or secondary (the
second example option) dump device to hold your dump information:
Start a Dump to the Primary Dump Device
OR
Start a Dump to the Secondary Dump Device
Base your decision on the list of devices you made in step 2.
- Refer to Checking the Status of a System Dump if a value shows in the operator
panel display. If the operator panel display is blank, the dump was not started.
Try again using the Reset button.
Note
To start a dump with the
reset button or a key sequence you must have the key switch, or mode switch,
in the Service position, or have set the Always Allow System Dump value to
true. To do this:
- Use the following SMIT fast path command:
smit dump
- Set the Always Allow System Dump value to true. This is essential on systems
that do not have a mode switch.
Using the Reset Button
Start a system dump with the Reset button by doing the following (this
procedure works for all system configurations and will work in circumstances
where other methods for starting a dump will not):
- Turn your machine's mode switch to the Service position, or set Always
Allow System Dump to true.
- Press the Reset button.
Your system writes the dump information to the primary dump device.
Note
The procedure for using the reset button can vary, depending
upon your hardware configuration.
Using Special Key Sequences
Start a system dump with special key sequences by doing the following:
- Turn your machine's mode switch to the Service position, or set Always
Allow System Dump to true.
- Press the Ctrl-Alt 1 key sequence to write the dump information to the
primary dump device, or press the Ctrl-Alt 2 key sequence to write the dump
information to the secondary dump device..
Note
You can start a system dump by this method only on the native keyboard.
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