Troubleshoot With Diagnostic Tools
The server and its accompanying software and firmware contain diagnostic tools and features that can help you isolate component problems, monitor the status of a functioning system, and exercise one or more subsystem to disclose more subtle or intermittent hardware-related problems.
Each diagnostic tool has its own specific strength and application. Review the tools listed in this section and determine which tool might be best to use for your situation. After you determine the tool to use, you can access it locally, while at the server, or remotely. The selection of diagnostic tools available for your server range in complexity from a comprehensive validation test suite (Oracle VTS) to a chronological event log (Oracle ILOM event Log). The selection of diagnostic tools also includes standalone software packages, firmware-based tests, and hardware-based LED indicators.
The following table summarizes the diagnostic tools that you can use when troubleshooting or monitoring your server.
Table 2-3 Diagnostic Tool Selection
| Diagnostic Tool | Type | What It Does | Accessibility | Remote Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Oracle ILOM Oracle ILOM Documentation |
SP firmware Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) management software |
Oracle ILOM event Log. Monitors environmental condition and component functionality sensors, generates alerts, performs fault isolation, and provides remote access. |
Can function in either Standby power mode or Main power mode and is not OS dependent. Local Oracle ILOM command-line access using a serial connection Support for Ethernet access to the SP through a dedicated management port (NET MGT) and optionally through the host NET0 Ethernet port (sideband management) |
Remote and local access. IPMI 2.0-compliant remote management capabilities Support for remote KVMS (keyboard, video, mouse, and storage) over IP |
|
Hardware-based LED indicators |
System indicators and sensors Hardware and SP firmware |
Indicates status of overall system and particular components. |
Available when system power is available. |
Local, but sensor and indicators are accessible from Oracle ILOM web interface or command-line interface (CLI). |
|
Power-On Self-Test (POST) Oracle x86 Servers Administration, Diagnostics, and Applications Documentation |
Host firmware |
Tests core components of system: CPUs, memory, and motherboard I/O bridge integrated circuits. |
Runs on startup. Available when the operating system is not running. |
Local, but can be accessed through Oracle ILOM Remote System Console Plus. |
|
UEFI Diagnostics |
SP firmware |
Tests and detects problems on all processors, memory, disk drives, and network ports. |
Use either the Oracle ILOM web interface or the command-line interface (CLI) to run UEFI diagnostics. |
Remote access through Oracle ILOM Remote System Console Plus. |
|
Oracle ILOM SP/Diag shell |
SP firmware |
Allows you to run HWdiag commands to check the status of a system and its components, and access HWdiag logs. |
Can function on Standby power and when operating system is not running. |
Local, but remote serial access is possible if the SP serial port is connected to a network-accessible terminal server. |
|
Oracle Linux commands |
Operating system software |
Displays system information. |
Requires operating system. |
Local, and over network. |