Collecting Data for IBM Spectrum Control: Switch/Fabric problems

Answer

Collecting problem data early, even before opening the PMR, helps IBM® Support quickly determine if:

• Symptoms match known problems (rediscovery).
• There is a non-defect problem that can be identified and resolved.
• There is a defect that identifies a workaround to reduce severity.
• Locating root cause can speed development of a code fix.

	Gathering general information
	Manually Gathering General Information
	Gathering TPC Switch/Fabric Information
	Submitting Information to IBM Support
	On-line Self-Help Resources
	Related Information

Note: Typically the service tool should be run without specifying any options for customization, unless otherwise directed by support.

• TPC Server Service Logs:
• IBM Tivoli Storage Productivity Center 5.2.0-5.2.7 Service tool
• IBM Spectrum Control 5.2.8+ service tool
• Screenshot showing problem
• Related error messages
• Description of the problem to include timeline, duration of problem, reproducibility, impact to your operations, etc.

• Details of operating system levels including patch level
• TPC Server specific version (ex: 5.2.15)
• Netstat -an output

• Confirm that the Storage Resource Agent is connected to the fabric where you're seeing the problems, by making sure that the agent's HBA has a fiber connection to the fabric in question and not some other fabric.
• HBA make, model, firmware, and driver version
• Screenshot showing the problem.
• A brief description of what you expect to see versus what you actually are seeing
• Advise whether there's a firewall between the TPC server and related Storage Resource agents
• Java version installed on system where TPC GUI/topology viewer is installed (run Java -version from the windows command prompt or Unix shell prompt, and capture the output in a text file)

• Review up-to-date product information:
• IBM Spectrum Control product support page
• Utilize the IBM Electronic Service Request (ESR) tool to access the IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center Support team when requiring assistance from IBM.
• IBM Support Portal is a unified, customizable view of all technical support tools and information for all IBM systems, software, and services. It succeeds all legacy IBM technical support sites, including the IBM Software Toolbar.