Chapter 6. Using the Online and Standalone Diagnostics

Diagnostic Sources

The diagnostics consist of Standalone Diagnostics and Online Diagnostics. Stand-
alone Diagnostics are packaged on removable media. They must be booted or
mounted before they can be run. If booted, they have no access to the AIX Error
Log or the AIX Configuration Data. However, if mounted, they have access to the
AIX Error Log and the AIX Configuration Data. Online Diagnostics, when installed,
reside with AIX in the file system. They can be booted in single user mode (referred
to as service mode), run in maintenance mode, or run concurrently with other appli-
cations. They have access to the AIX Error Log and the AIX Configuration Data.

Standalone and Online Diagnostics Operating Considerations

Note: When possible, run Online Diagnostics in Service Mode. Online Diagnostics
perform additional functions compared to Standalone Diagnostics.
The following items identify some things to consider before using the diagnostics:
1. When diagnostics are installed, the device support for some devices may not get
installed. If this is the case, that device does not appear in the diagnostic test
list when running disk based diagnostics.
2. Support for some TTY terminals is optionally installed. If you attach a TTY ter-
minal to a system to run diagnostics be aware that it may not work properly since
the AIX support for the terminal may not be installed.

Selecting a Console Display

When you run Standalone Diagnostics and under some conditions Online Diagnos-
tics, you need to select the console display. The diagnostics display instructions on
any graphics display and the terminal attached to the Serial 1 port.

Identifying the Terminal Type to Diagnostics

Note: This is not the same as selecting a console display.
When you run diagnostics, the diagnostics must know 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 graphical displays.
Chapter 6. Using the Online and Standalone Diagnostics 6-1