A Spectrum Of Tools; Table 1-1 Summary Of Diagnostic Tools - Sun Microsystems Sun Fire V440 Diagnostics And Troubleshooting Manual

A Spectrum of Tools

Sun provides a wide spectrum of diagnostic tools for use with the Sun Fire V440
server. These tools range from the formal, like SunVTS™ software, a comprehensive
validation test suite, to the informal, like log files that may contain clues helpful in
narrowing down the possible sources of a problem.
The diagnostic tool spectrum also ranges from standalone software packages, to
firmware-based power-on self-test (POST), to hardware LEDs that tell you when the
power supplies are operating.
Some diagnostic tools enable you to examine many systems from a single console,
others do not. Some diagnostic tools stress the system by running tests in parallel,
while other tools run sequential tests, enabling the system to continue its normal
functions. Some diagnostic tools function on standby power or when the system is
offline, while others require the operating system to be up and running.
TABLE 1-1
depth in this manual; some are discussed in greater detail in the Sun Fire V440 Server
Administration Guide. Some tools also have their own comprehensive documentation
sets. See the Preface for more information.
Summary of Diagnostic Tools
TABLE 1-1
Diagnostic Tool Type
Sun Hardware,
Advanced software,
Lights Out and
Manager firmware
(ALOM)
LEDs Hardware
POST Firmware
2 Sun Fire V440 Server Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide • July 2003
summarizes the full palette of tools. Most of these tools are discussed in
What It Does
Monitors environmental
conditions, generates alerts,
performs basic fault isolation,
and provides remote console
access
Indicate status of overall system
and particular components
Tests core components of system:
CPUs, memory, and motherboard
I/O bridge integrated circuits
Accessibility and Availability
Can function on standby
power and when the
operating system is not
running
Accessed from system
chassis. Available anytime
system power is available
Can be run on startup, but
default is no POST.
Available when the
operating system is not
running
Remote
Capability
Designed for
remote
access
Local, but
can be
accessed via
ALOM
Local, but
can be
accessed via
ALOM