Providing problem determination information using FTP

The problem determination information that you collect when you process the mkpe and offloadss commands is forwarded automatically using FTP to IBM support personnel. Because FTP is not a 100% reliable transport protocol, files that are sent by FTP are also saved on the storage management console. These saved files are automatically managed so that they do not accumulate and take up too much disk space on the storage management console.

To use the FTP feature of the mkpe and offloadss commands, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

The mkpe and offloadss commands can only be initiated from the DSCLI client installed locally on the management console connected to the target storage unit.
The server enclosures must be powered on and functioning.
There must be an active IP connection between your storage management console and both processor cards.
Adequate disk space must exist on your storage management console.
The storage management console must be connected to the Internet, and its firewall must allow FTP to the IBM support Web address.
You must have administrator authority to initiate and follow through with this process.

Note: The mkpe and offloadss commands only work when the DS CLI is installed on the storage management console PC. This is because the programs that gather and send the problem determination information to IBM, only exist on the storage management console PC.

The mkpe command collects the PE package data and presents the information in a summary format. The offloadss command collects the statesave data, which contains additional detailed information. Generally, when IBM support personnel request the PE package, they also request that you provide the statesave information. There are occasions, however, when only the PE package is needed for analysis.

Notes:

On a typical installation, MR1750_SM_HOME is set to C:\Program Files\IBM\DS6000StorageManager\SM.
Statesave files and PE packages are copied to the management console in subdirectory %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM before they are sent to IBM.
Statesave files and PE package files that have been sent by FTP to IBM can be found in the management console subdirectory, %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM\sent\.
The examples provided in this task are based on a Windows environment.

Perform the following steps to create PE package and statesave files and to automatically provide the requested information to IBM support personnel through the FTP process. The example commands in this task are shown in two formats. The first format shows the type of information that the command requires. The second format provides the command with declared values for the variables.

Issue the mkpe command to create the PE package file. Enter the mkpe command from the dscli prompt with the following parameters and variables:
dscli>mkpe -retry count storage_image_ID

Example
```
dscli>mkpe -retry 3 IBM.1750-75FA120 
```
Note: Use the -retry parameter when you want the FTP process to attempt to send the files more than once. You can specify a value of 0 - 3, with 0 being the default value.
A successful process of this example command displays the following message:
```
The following PE package successfully generated and copied 
from 1750-68FA120:
	c:/Program_Files/IBM/DS6000StorageManager/SM/send2IBM/175051113AB15A.
IBM.0.NOPMH.20050328223544.cl0.pe.zip
	c:/Program_Files/IBM/DS6000StorageManager/SM/send2IBM/175051113AB15A.
IBM.0.NOPMH.20050328223807.cl1.pe.zip

	PE package successfully sent to IBM:
 	175051113AB15A.IBM.0.NOPMH.20050328223544.cl0.pe.zip

	PE package successfully sent to IBM:
  175051113AB15A.IBM.0.NOPMH.20050328223807.cl1.pe.zip


	mkpe successfully completed.
```
Notes:
1. The PE package information is collected on the management console subdirectory %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM and using FTP, is automatically sent to the IBM support Web address.
2. Files that are sent by FTP are automatically moved to the management console subdirectory, %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM\sent\.
Issue the offloadss command to create the statesave file. Enter the offloadss command at the dscli command prompt with the following parameters and variables:
dscli>offloadss -retry count storage_image_ID

Example
```
dscli>offloadss -retry 3 IBM.1750-68FA120
```
Note: Use the -retry parameter when you want the FTP process to attempt sending the files more than once. You can specify a value of 0 - 9, with 0 being the default value.
A successful process of this example command displays the following message:
```
offloadss: The following files offloaded from 1750-68FA120:
	/Program Files/IBM/DS6000StorageManager/SM/send2IBM/
175051113AB15A.IBM.0.NOPMH.20050327243603.cl0.dumptrace.tgz
	

	offloadss: statesave FTPed to IBM:
	175051113AB15A.IBM.0.NOPMH.20050327243603.cl0.dumptrace.tgz
	
	offloadss: successfully completed.
```
Notes:
1. The statesave information is collected on the management console subdirectory %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM and automatically sent to the IBM support Web address.
2. The files that are sent by FTP are automatically moved to the management console subdirectory %MR1750_SM_HOME%\send2IBM\sent\.

If the automatic process that sends files by FTP is not available, you can use the sendpe or sendss commands at a later time. Or, contact IBM support personnel. You might be asked to use the following process:

Open a DOS window on the management console and change directories (cd) to the location of the files to be sent to IBM. For example, c:\program files\IBM\DS6000\SM\send2IBM
Type ftp testcase.software.ibm.com at the command prompt and press Enter. A prompt for user is displayed.
Type ftp at the user prompt and press Enter. The password prompt is displayed.
Type your e-mail address at the password prompt and press Enter. The command prompt is displayed.
Type bin and press Enter. It is important that you type bin to avoid the corruption of files.
Type cd /ssd/toibm/sharkdumps at the command prompt and press Enter. The command prompt at the ssd/toibm/sharkdumps directory is displayed.
Type mput *.* at the command prompt and press Enter. The file names that can be sent to IBM are displayed one at a time.
Answer y (yes) or n (no) to each file name that is presented to denote whether you want to transfer the file.

Notes:

You are not able to do a dir or ls command to validate that the file have been transferred.
You are not able to transfer the same file twice. If a situation arises where this needed, rename the file and then transfer it. Provide an e-mail to IBM support explaining this circumstance.