Using the ASMI to perform a system dump

Control how frequently a system dump is performed and the amount of data collected from the hardware and server firmware.

1. Perform a controlled shutdown of the operating system if possible.
2. On the ASMI Welcome pane, specify your user ID and password, and click Log In.
3. In the navigation area, expand System Service Aids and click System dump.
4. From the selection list labeled Dump policy, select the policy to determine when an automatic system dump is collected.

   The dump policy is used whenever a system error condition is automatically detected by the system. In addition to the dump policy, the platform firmware determines whether a dump is recommended, based on the type of error that has occurred. This recommendation is combined with the dump policy to determine if a system dump will be initiated.

   The dump policy includes the following options:

   As needed

   Collects the dump data only for specific reasons. This is the default setting for the dump policy.

   Always

   Collects the dump data after the system locks up or after a checkstop. This setting overrides the firmware recommendation and forces a system dump, even when it is not recommended.

   Note: The dump policy only defines when a system dump is performed. It does not define what to dump nor the size of the information to be dumped. Those parameters are controlled by the Hardware content settings.
5. Select the policy to determine how much data to dump from the selection list labeled Hardware content.

   The system firmware makes a recommendation for the dump content based on the type of error that has occurred. This recommendation is combined with the hardware content to determine how much dump data is actually collected.

   The dump policy includes the following options:

   • Automatic Collects dump data automatically. The firmware decides which dump content is best, depending on the type of failure. This is the default setting for the hardware content.
   • Minimum Collects the minimum amount of dump data. Collection of hardware dump data can be time-consuming. This selection allows the user to minimize the content of the hardware portion of the system dump. It also allows the system to reboot as quickly as possible.
     Note: If this option is selected, the debug data collected for some errors may be insufficient. The capturing of relevant error data for some errors may be sacrificed for less system downtime.
   • Medium Collects a moderate amount of hardware error data. More data is captured with this setting than the minimum setting, and less time is needed for dump data collection in comparison to the maximum setting.
   • Maximum Collects the maximum amount of hardware error data. This setting gives the most complete error coverage but requires more system downtime in relation to the other policies. It is expected to be used in rare cases by authorized service providers if you are willing to sacrifice reboot speed for error capture on a first failure, or if difficult problems are being analyzed.
     Note: If this option is selected, the collection of hardware dump data can be time-consuming, especially for systems with a large number of processors.
6. In the Server firmware content field, select the content level that indicates the amount of data to dump for the server firmware portion of the system dump.
7. Click Save settings to save the setting changes.

   To save the setting changes and instruct the system to immediately process a dump with the current settings, click Save settings and initiate dump.

   For information about copying, reporting, and deleting the dump, see managing dumps.