Performing dumps

Learn more about the different types of dumps that can be performed and how to manage them, including copying, reporting, and deleting them.

Dumps can occur automatically after a failure or external reset, or after a manual request. The dump information provides valuable information on system status and should be reported to your next level of support or your hardware service provider.

In addition, there are other dumps that generate automatically. These include:

Performing a platform system or service processor dump

A platform system dump or service processor dump is performed when your next level of support or your service provider suspects a wait or loop in the server firmware.

Only perform a platform system or service processor dump under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system.

Note:
Before performing a platform system dump, collect any reference code information from the control panel or the HMC.

Using the HMC to perform a system dump

If your next level of support or your service provider suspects a wait or loop in the server firmware, they might request that you perform a system dump. You can use the HMC to perform a system dump, which is a collection of data from the server hardware and firmware.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS(R)).

Follow these steps to initiate a system dump.

  1. Perform a controlled shutdown of all partitions.
    Note:
    A system dump with abnormally terminate any running partitions.
  2. In the navigation area, open Systems Management.
  3. Select the server and open it.
  4. Select Serviceability.
  5. Select Manage Dumps.
  6. Select Action > Initiate System Dump. The dump is automatically saved to the HMC.
  7. For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.
Using the control panel to perform a system dump

If your next level of support or your service provider suspects a wait or loop in the server firmware, they might request that you perform a system dump. If you do not have an HMC, you can use the control panel to perform a system dump, which is a collection of data from the server hardware and firmware.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

If you do not have an HMC, follow these steps to perform a system dump:

  1. Perform a controlled shutdown of the operating system.
    Note:
    A platform system dump with abnormally terminate any running partitions.
  2. On the control panel, select Manual mode.
  3. Use the increment or decrement buttons to select function 42 ( system dump).
  4. Press Enter on the control panel.
  5. Is 00000000 or FF displayed on the control panel for more than 30 seconds?
  6. Perform the following steps:
    1. Reselect function 42 and press Enter on the control panel.
    2. Switch back to Normal mode and wait for the dump to complete.
    3. Wait for the system to IPL again.
  7. For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.
Using the ASMI to perform a system dump

If your next level of support or your service provider suspects a wait or loop in the server firmware, they might request that you perform a system dump. You can use the ASMI to perform a system dump, which is a collection of data from the server hardware and firmware.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

To perform a system dump, see Initiating a system dump.

Performing a service processor dump

A service processor dump is a collection of data from a service processor either after a failure, external reset, or manual request.

Only perform a service processor dump under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

Using the HMC to perform a service processor dump

A service processor dump is a collection of data from a service processor either after a failure, external reset, or manual request. You can use the HMC to perform a service processor dump.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

Follow these steps to initiate a service processor dump.

  1. In the navigation area, open Systems Management.
  2. Select the server and open it.
  3. Select Serviceability.
  4. Select Manage Dumps.
  5. Select Action > Initiate System Dump. The dump is automatically saved to the HMC.
  6. For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.
Using the control panel to perform a service processor dump

A service processor dump is a collection of data from a service processor either after a failure, external reset, or manual request. If you do not have an HMC, you can use the control panel to perform a service processor dump.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

If you do not have an HMC, follow these steps to perform a service processor dump:

  1. On the control panel, select Manual mode.
  2. Use the increment or decrement buttons to select function 43 (service processor dump).
  3. Press Enter on the control panel.
  4. Is 00000000 or FF displayed on the control panel for more than 30 seconds?
  5. Perform the following steps:
    1. Reselect function 43 and press Enter on the control panel.
    2. Switch back to Normal mode, and wait for the dump to complete.
  6. For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.
Using the ASMI to perform a service processor dump

A service processor dump is a collection of data from a service processor either after a failure, external reset, or manual request. You can use the ASMI to perform a service processor dump.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS).

To perform a service processor dump, see Initiating a service processor dump.