User`s guide

FS0054601-00 E 10-1
Section 10
Performing Diagnostics
Diagnostic tests interrupt normal adapter operations. The adapter’s state before the
tests are restored at the completion of the testing. Note the following:
■ Run these tests when no other activities are required of the adapter.
■ Tests read and write to sensitive areas on the adapter.
■ Disruption of some diagnostic tests may require a complete update of the
adapter’s critical memory areas.
NOTE: Although SANblade Manager protects against normal operation
interruption and testing disruption, it is your responsibility to ensure that
the diagnostics are run without causing interruptions to other processes
and disruptions to the actual testing process.
The following diagnostic tests are available:
■ Loopback Test. The loopback test is external to the adapter; you will need to
install a loopback connector to perform the test. The test evaluates the ports
(transmit and receive transceivers) on the adapter. More specifically, the
loopback test transmits and receives (loopback) the specified data and checks
for the frame CRC, disparity, and length errors.
Perform the following steps to run a loopback test:
1. Prepare for the test (see section 10.1).
2. Set the diagnostic test parameters (see section 10.2).
3. Run the diagnostic test (see section 10.3).
4. View the diagnostic test results (see section 10.4).
5. Prepare for normal adapter operations (see section 10.5).
■ Read/Write Buffer Test. The read/write buffer test sends specified data through
the SCSI Write Buffer command to a target device. It then reads the data back
through the SCSI Read Buffer command and compares the data for errors. The
test also compares the link status of the device before and after the read/write
buffer test. If errors occur, the test indicates a broken or unreliable link between
the adapter and the device.
Perform the following steps to run a read/write buffer test:
1. Prepare for the test (see section 10.1).
2. Set the diagnostic test parameters (see section 10.2).
3. Run the diagnostic test (see section 10.3).
4. View the diagnostic test results (see section 10.4).