Chapter 1 Introduction - Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 6804 Troubleshooting Manual

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Introduction
This guide describes how to use the ExtremeWare hardware diagnostics suite to test and validate the
operating integrity of Extreme Networks switches. The tools in the diagnostic suite are used to detect,
isolate, and treat faults in a system.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Diagnostics: A Brief Historical Perspective on page 12
• Overview of the ExtremeWare Diagnostics Suite on page 13
• Supported Hardware on page 13
• Applicable ExtremeWare Versions on page 13
Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to provide information and guidelines to assist you in implementing the
diagnostic suite within ExtremeWare. The Extreme Networks diagnostic software is intended to identify
possible faulty hardware or software error conditions and—depending on how the various diagnostics
features are configured—take the appropriate preconfigured action. The action might be to enable the
switch to write informative error messages to the switch log, attempt to recover itself and continue
operating, or simply remove the suspect system component from service.
It is important to note that while each diagnostic test—by itself—is not complicated, system
configuration, as a whole, must be evaluated to ensure ongoing, expected behavior both with the switch
and across the network itself. For example, in implementing the diagnostic suite, you must take into
consideration these operational variables:
• Redundancy mechanisms implemented
• Levels of redundancy within the network
• Acceptable outage windows (scheduled and unscheduled)
Advanced System Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide 11