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i5/OS Diagnostic Tools for System Administrators: An A to Z Reference for Problem Determination

An IBM Redbooks publication

Note: This is publication is now archived. For reference only.

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Published on 31 March 2008, updated 15 April 2008

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ISBN-10: 0738486779
ISBN-13: 9780738486772
IBM Form #: SG24-8253-01


Authors: Susan Powers, Andrei Matetic and Mark Roy

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    Abstract

    Although the System i servers rate over a 99.9% availability factor, there are times when problems occur. Some problems limit the use of a device, program, or application. More severe and pervasive problems limit the use of more components. In either circumstance, the amount of time a component is unavailable relates directly to the actions taken to manage the situation. The ability to resolve problems depends on the tools that are available, the knowledge (and attitude) of the worker, the symptoms and nature of the problem at hand, and other factors.

    This book is designed to introduce you to the problem determination aids used in an i5/OS® environment. You can become familiar with the tools that are available and the instructions for how each one works. As proficiency is built with the use of each tool and familiarity with the procedures, efficiency of the system operator and service personnel increases.

    Consider this book a “Don’t Panic, Read Me First” guide to help you support System i models. It discusses problem analysis, problem determination, and problem source identification. And it offers you step-by-step instructions that show you how to use the i5/OS problem determination aids to produce detailed problem information.

    Table of Contents

    Part 1. Service tools for operators

    Chapter 1. Problem determination overview

    Chapter 2. System information documents

    Chapter 3. Easy data collection

    Chapter 4. Collecting messages

    Chapter 5. Job information, job logs, and spooled files

    Chapter 6. Collecting the history log (QHST)

    Chapter 7. Problem log and Save APAR Data

    Chapter 8. Power problems

    Part 2. Service provider and advanced operator service aids

    Chapter 9. Initial program load (IPL)

    Chapter 10. Main storage dumps

    Chapter 11. Tracing jobs

    Chapter 12. Communications problem determination

    Chapter 13. Collecting a communications trace

    Chapter 14. Advanced trace function: Watch support

    Chapter 15. Java Virtual Machine problem determination

    Chapter 16. Collecting HTTP server logs

    Chapter 17. Collecting HTTP server traces

    Chapter 18. Dumping a job

    Chapter 19. Dumping an object

    Chapter 20. Collecting an input/output processor (IOP) dump

    Chapter 21. Tracing the Licensed Internal Code

    Chapter 22. Collecting Licensed Internal Code (LIC) logs

    Chapter 23. Using System Service Tools (SST)

    Chapter 24. Using Dedicated Service Tools (DST)

    Chapter 25. Collecting the Product Activity Log

    Chapter 26. Service Director

    Chapter 27. Submitting a problem report

    Chapter 29. Technical databases and logging problems

    Chapter 30. Collecting program temporary fix (PTF) levels

    Appendix A. Quick reference to data collection commands

    Appendix B. Start Remote Support

    Appendix C. E-mailing document collections

    Appendix D. Client Access console

    Appendix E. Using the control panel

    Appendix F. Using system flight recorders

    Appendix G. PTF delivery over the Internet

    Appendix H. Copying displays to another display

    Appendix I. Damaged objects

    Appendix J. Web sites related to System i problem determination

    Appendix L. Problem Information

    Appendix M. EBCDIC, HEX, and ASCII conversion charts

     

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