53-2
Software Configuration Guide—Release 15.0(2)SG
OL-23818-01
Chapter 53 Onboard Failure Logging (OBFL)
Restrictions for OBFL
Restrictions for OBFL
They include:
Software Restrictions—If a device (router or switch) intends to use linear flash memory as its OBFL
storage media, Cisco IOS software must reserve a minimum of two physical sectors (or physical
blocks) for the OBFL feature. Because an erase operation for a linear flash device is done on
per-sector (or per-block) basis, one extra physical sector is needed. Otherwise, the minimum amount
of space reserved for the OBFL feature on any device must be at least 8 KB.
Firmware Restrictions—If a line card or port adapter runs an operating system or firmware that is
different from the Cisco IOS operating system, the line card or port adapter must provide device
driver level support or an interprocess communications (IPC) layer that allows the OBFL file system
to communicate to the line card or port adapter. This requirement is enforced to allow OBFL data to
be recorded on a storage device attached to the line card or port adapter.
Hardware Restrictions—To support the OBFL feature, a device must have at least 8 KB of
nonvolatile memory space reserved for OBFL data logging.
Information About OBFL
Overview of OBFL, page 53-2
Information about Data Collected by OBFL, page 53-2

Overview of OBFL

The Onboard Failure Logging (OBFL) feature collects data such as operating temperatures, hardware
uptime, interrupts, and other important events and messages from system hardware installed in a Cisco
router or switch. The data is stored in nonvolatile memory and helps technical personnel diagnose
hardware problems.

Information about Data Collected by OBFL

OBFL Data Overview, page 53-2
Temperature, page 53-3
Operational Uptime, page 53-4
Interrupts, page 53-7
Message Logging, page 53-8

OBFL Data Overview

The OBFL feature records operating temperatures, hardware uptime, interrupts, and other important
events and messages that can assist with diagnosing problems with hardware cards (or modules) installed
in a Cisco router or switch. Data is logged to files stored in nonvolatile memory. When the onboard
hardware is started up, a first record is made for each area monitored and becomes a base value for
subsequent records. The OBFL feature provides a circular updating scheme for collecting continuous
records and archiving older (historical) records, ensuring accurate data about the system. Data is