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Chapter 5. Using the Standalone and Online Diagnostics
The diagnostics consist of standalone diagnostics and online diagnostics. The
standalone diagnostics must be booted before they are run. If booted, they have no
access to the AIX error log or the AIX configuration data.
Online diagnostics, when installed, are resident with AIX on the disk or server. They can
be booted in single user mode (called
service mode
), run in maintenance mode (called
maintenance mode
), or run concurrently (called
concurrent mode
) with other
applications. They have access to the AIX error log and the AIX configuration data.
Attention: If this system unit is attached to another system, be sure you isolate this
system unit before stopping the operating system or running diagnostic programs.
Some system cabling changes (such as installing wrap plugs or removing a device from
the configuration) may require action by the operator of the attached system before
making the cabling changes on this system.
Standalone and Online Diagnostics Operating Considerations
Consider the following before using the diagnostics:
v Run online diagnostics in service mode when possible, unless otherwise directed.
The online diagnostics perform additional functions compared to standalone
diagnostics. The AIX error log and certain SMIT functions are only available when
diagnostics are run from the disk drive.
v When running online diagnostics, device support for some devices may not have
been installed. If this is the case, that device does not appear in the resource list.
v When running standalone diagnostics, device support for some devices may be
contained on supplemental diagnostic media. If this is the case, the device does not
appear in the resource list when running diagnostics unless the supplemental media
have been processed.
v 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 display instructions on any
graphics display and the terminal attached to the S1 serial port.
Identifying the Terminal Type to the Diagnostics Programs
Note: This is a different function from selecting a firmware console display.
When you run diagnostics, you must identify what 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 adapter-attached displays.
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