Chapter 5. Using the Standalone and Online Diagnostics
The diagnostics consist of Standalone Diagnostics and Online Diagnostics. Standalone Diagnostics are packaged on removable media and must be booted before they can be run. If booted, they have no access to the AIX error log or the AIX configuration data.
Online Diagnostics, when installed, reside with AIX on the disk or server. They can be run in any of the following ways:
vBooted in single user mode (called service mode)
vRun in maintenance mode (called maintenance mode)
vConcurrently (called concurrent mode) with other applications.
The online diagnostics have access to the AIX error log and the AIX configuration data.
Standalone and Online Diagnostics Operating Considerations
Consider the following before using the diagnostics:
vRun Online Diagnostics in Service Mode when possible, unless otherwise directed. The Online Diagnostics perform additional functions, compared to Standalone Diagnostics. This ensures that the error state of the system is captured in NVRAM for your use in fixing the problem. The AIX error log and certain SMIT functions are only available when diagnostics are run from the disk drive.
vWhen you run Online Diagnostics, device support for some devices might not have been installed. If this is the case, that device does not appear in the resource list.
vWhen you run Standalone Diagnostics, device support for some devices might 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 has been processed.
vSupport 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 may 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 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
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