System information

Running System Diagnostics
3-1
Chapter 3
Running System Diagnostics
This chapter tells how to run ROM-based diagnostics.
ROM-based diagnostics (RBDs), which are part of the console firmware, offer many
powerful diagnostic utilities, including the ability to examine error logs from the
console environment and run system- or device-specific exercisers.
AlphaServer 800 system RBDs rely on exerciser modules to isolate errors. The
exercisers run concurrently, providing maximum bus interaction between the console
drivers and the target devices. The console firmware allows you to run diagnostics
in the background (using the background operator “&” at the end of the command).
You run the diagnostics by using console commands.
NOTE: ROM-based diagnostics, including the test command, are run from the
SRM console (firmware used by OpenVMS and DIGITAL UNIX operating
systems). If you are running a Windows NT system, refer to Section 6.1.2
for the steps used to switch between consoles.
RBDs report errors to the console terminal and/or the console event log.