User`s guide

5-1
Using the Online and Standalone Diagnostics
Chapter 5. Using the Online and Standalone
Diagnostics
The diagnostics consist of Online Diagnostics and Standalone diagnostics.
Online Diagnostics, when they are installed, reside with AIX in the file system. They can be
booted:
• in single user mode (referred to as service mode)
• run in maintenance mode (referred to as maintenance mode)
• run concurrently (referred to as concurrent mode) with other applications.
If the system is not booted, the Online Diagnostics have access to the AIX error log and the
AIX configuration data.
Standalone Diagnostics are packaged on removable media and must be booted before they
can be run. If booted, they have no access to the AIX error log or the AIX configuration data.
Online and Standalone Diagnostics Operating Considerations
Note: When possible, run Online Diagnostics in service mode. Online Diagnostics perform
additional functions, compared to Standalone Diagnostics. Running Online
Diagnostics in service mode ensures that the error state of the system is captured in
NVRAM for your use in fixing the problem. The AIX error log and certain SMIT
functions are only available when diagnostics are run from the disk drive.
Consider the following items before using the diagnostics:
• When diagnostics are installed, the device support for some devices might not get
installed. If this is the case, that device does not appear in the diagnostic test list when
running disk–based diagnostics.
• Support for some TTY terminals is optionally installed. If you attach a TTY terminal to a
system to run diagnostics, it might not work correctly because the AIX support for the
terminal might not be installed.
Selecting a Console Display
When you run Standalone Diagnostics (and under some conditions, Online Diagnostics),
you must select the console display. The diagnostics can display instructions on any
graphical display and the terminal attached to the S1 serial port.
Identifying the Terminal Type to the Diagnostics
Note: This is a different task than selecting a console display.
When you run diagnostics, you must identify which type of terminal you are using. If the
terminal type is not known when the FUNCTION SELECTION menu is displayed, the
diagnostics do not allow you to continue until a terminal is selected from the DEFINE
TERMINAL option menu. Select lft for graphical displays.