22 SPARC Enterprise T5440 Server Service Manual • June 2011
■“Oracle VTS Software Packages” on page45
■“Useful Oracle VTS Tests” on page46
■SPARC Enterprise T5440 Server Administration Guide
POST Fault Management Overview
Power-on self-test (POST) is a group of PROM-based tests that run when the server is
powered on or reset. POST checks the basic integrity of the critical hardware
components in the server (CMP, memory, and I/O subsystem).
POST tests critical hardware components to verify functionality before the system
boots and accesses software. If POST detects a faulty component, the component is
disabled automatically, preventing faulty hardware from potentially harming any
software. If the system is capable of running without the disabled component, the
system will boot when POST is complete. For example, if one of the processor cores
is deemed faulty by POST, the core will be disabled. The system will boot and run
using the remaining cores.
You can use POST as an initial diagnostic tool for the system hardware. In this case,
configure POST to run in maximum mode (diag_mode=service, setkeyswitch=
diag, diag_level=max) for thorough test coverage and verbose output.