Specifications

186 IBM Power 770 and 780 Technical Overview and Introduction
error log and the AIX configuration data. IBM i has a service tools problem log, IBM i history
log (QHST), and IBM i problem log.
These are the modes:
򐂰 Service mode
Requires a service mode boot of the system and enables the checking of system devices
and features. Service mode provides the most complete checkout of the system
resources. All system resources, except the SCSI adapter and the disk drives used for
paging, can be tested.
򐂰 Concurrent mode
Enables the normal system functions to continue while selected resources are being
checked. Because the system is running in normal operation, certain devices might
require additional actions by the user or diagnostic application before testing can be done.
򐂰 Maintenance mode
Enables the checking of most system resources. Maintenance mode provides the same
test coverage as service mode. The difference between the two modes is the way that
they are invoked. Maintenance mode requires that all activity on the operating system be
stopped. The shutdown -m command is used to stop all activity on the operating system
and put the operating system into maintenance mode.
The System Management Services (SMS) error log is accessible on the SMS menus.
This error log contains errors that are found by partition firmware when the system or
partition is booting.
The service processor’s error log can be accessed on the ASMI menus.
You can also access the system diagnostics from a Network Installation Management
(NIM) server.
The IBM i operating system and associated machine code provide Dedicated Service Tools
(DST) as part of the IBM i licensed machine code (Licensed Internal Code) and System
Service Tools (SST) as part of the IBM i operating system. DST can be run in dedicated
mode (no operating system loaded). DST tools and diagnostics are a superset of those
available under SST.
The IBM i End Subsystem (ENDSBS *ALL) command can shut down all IBM and customer
applications subsystems except the controlling subsystem QTCL. The Power Down System
(PWRDWNSYS) command can be set to power down the IBM i partition and restart the
partition in DST mode.
You can start SST during normal operations, which leaves all applications up and running
using the IBM i Start Service Tools (STRSST) command (when signed onto IBM i with the
appropriately secured user ID).
With DST and SST you can look at various logs, run various diagnostics, or take several
kinds of system dumps or other options.
Note: When you order a Power System, a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM might be optional. An
alternate method for maintaining and servicing the system must be available if you do not
order the DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM.