Performing an IBM i5/OS main storage dump

A main storage dump is a collection of data from the i5/OS^(R)'s main storage. It can be manually initiated when the system administrator suspects a system wait or loop, or automatically by the server firmware as the result of a system failure.

Note:

Before performing a main storage dump, collect any reference code information from the control panel or the HMC.

Related tasks
Using the HMC to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump
Learn how to use the HMC to perform an IBM^(R) i5/OS main storage dump.
Using the control panel to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump
Learn how to use the control panel to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump.

Using the HMC to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump

Learn how to use the HMC to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump.

Note:

Before performing a or main storage dump, collect any reference code information from the control panel or the HMC.

Follow these steps to perform a main storage dump from an HMC:

Note:

If a main storage dump occurred automatically, go to Managing dumps for information on how to copy, report, or delete a dump.

In the navigation area, open Server and Partition.
Select Server Management.
In the contents area, expand Partitions.
Right-click the logical partition and select Restart Partition.
Select Dump.
Click OK.
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 an IBM i5/OS main storage dump

Learn how to use the control panel to perform an IBM i5/OS main storage dump.

Note:

Before performing a or main storage dump, collect any reference code information from the control panel or the HMC.

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

Verify that no interactive jobs are running.
On the control panel, select Manual mode.
Use the increment or decrement buttons to select function 22 (main storage dump).
Press Enter on the control panel.
Is 00000000 or FF displayed on the control panel for more than 30 seconds?
- Yes: The service processor or server firmware is not responding to a request from the control panel. Contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider. This ends the procedure.
- No: An attention SRC A1xx 3022 is displayed, which indicates that function 22 has been selected. Continue with the next step.
Perform the following steps on the control panel:
1. Reselect function 22.
2. Press Enter.
3. Switch back to Normal mode and wait for the dump to complete. If function 22 was selected, the appearance of an A2D0 3000 on the console indicates that a successful user-initiated main storage dump was performed. (A B6xx xxxx reference code indicates that a successful i5/OS initiated main storage dump was performed.
For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.