HP NetServer DiagTools, DiagTools Capabilities

Chapter 4

Diagnostics

HP NetServer DiagTools

The purpose of hardware diagnostic software is to provide tools for checking hardware problems. By design, diagnostic software executes simple tests of each hardware component in turn. Usually, such tests create assurance that hardware is not the source of system problems. This allows the user to eliminate hardware as the cause of the problem and to focus on operating system configuration parameters, network connections, and application software configuration parameters as the source of the problem.

If hardware problems are confirmed, the diagnostic software program can sometimes detect and diagnose the subsystem or specific system component that is the cause of the problem. In addition, diagnostic tools can capture information that allows support personnel to quickly assess the condition of system.

In order to be effective, diagnostic software tools must be used in the context of a wider troubleshooting procedure.

DiagTools Capabilities

DiagTools for HP NetServers is a set of off-line diagnostic tests, including tests for system and processor components, memory and storage elements, ports, and input/output devices. DiagTools is supplied on the HP NetServer Navigator CD-ROM .

The user prepares DiagTools software for use by transferring it to diskette. Then the DiagTools diskette is used to boot the server. A basic suite of tools checks key HP NetServer components, and a menu of advanced tests is available for in-depth testing.

DiagTools has the ability to test the following components:

l	system board	l	processors
l	memory modules	l	hard disk drives
l	flexible disk drives	l	keyboards
l	serial ports	l	parallel ports
l	video monitor	l	CD-ROM drives

DiagTools is an off-line diagnostic tests. Off-line diagnostics do not use the main operating system (OS) of the HP NetServer. The alternate DiagTools OS has far fewer features than the full-fledged OS. Thus, its capabilities are limited to a set of basic tests and a series of advanced tests. In addition, DiagTools does not use any tests that might write over and thus destroy user data. Tests that require user inputs or decisions are left to the advanced series of tests.

You can use DiagTools to perform the tasks listed below:

•display a high-level inventory of the system under test

•save and print a detailed inventory of hardware components

•conduct a basic test of components listed in the system inventory

•display “PASSED” or “FAILED” overall results of basic tests

•record detailed test results of basic system tests

•display a menu of advanced tests

•select and run one or a series of advanced tests

•add the record of results of advanced tests to the record of basic tests

•view a list to locate the meaning of a specific error code

•view one or more steps to help confirm and isolate error conditions

•browse the Support Ticket, which contains the detailed inventories and test results