Starting SST and DST for logical partitions

You must configure Service Tools user IDs before starting system service tools (SST) or dedicated service tools (DST).

For more information on how to configure user ID, refer to logical partition authority.

Starting SST on the primary partition or a secondary partition

You can start system service tools (SST) by typing the Start System Service Tools (STRSST) command and pressing Enter at an IBM® i command line. You can start SST on any primary or secondary partition workstation.

Parent topic: Managing logical partitions by using System i Navigator, DST, and SST
Related concepts:
Changing the operating mode for a logical partition
Related tasks:
Logical partition authority
Restarting a system with logical partitions

Starting DST on the primary partition

When you start dedicated service tools (DST), make sure that the primary partition console is at a sign on display to prevent jobs from ending abnormally. As an alternative, you can perform the following steps on the logical partition. You only need to perform these steps once since the system maintains changes across initial program loads (IPLs):

  1. In System i® Navigator, expand My Connection.
  2. Select the physical system with which you want to work.
  3. Expand Configuration and Service and select System Values.
  4. Select Devices and the Recovery tab.
  5. Select End the job and send message to QHST log (*ENDJOBNOLIST). Select Produce a job log if you want the message sent to both the job log and the QHST log (*ENDJOB).

Completing Time Out Interval (QDSCJOBITV)

To complete a Time Out Interval (QDSCJOBITV) follow these steps:

  1. In System i Navigator, expand My Connection.
  2. Select the physical system with which you want to work.
  3. Expand Configuration and Service and select System Values.
  4. Select Jobs and the Interactive Jobs tab.
  5. Select Disconnect Jobs and set the system value to 5 minutes.

For more information on how to use system values in System i Navigator, refer to IBM i system values.

To start DST on the primary partition use the control panel to put the system in manual mode and select option 21. The system will prompt you for a user ID and password. For more information on obtaining an ID and password, refer to Configuring service tools user IDs.

Starting DST on a secondary partition from DST on the primary partition

Follow these steps to start DST on a secondary partition:

  1. Start DST on the primary partition.
  2. Select option 11 (Work with system partitions).
  3. Select option 2 (Work with partition status).
  4. Use your cursor to select the secondary partition for which you want DST.
  5. Select option 10 (Mode manual) if the secondary partition is not already in manual mode.
  6. Press F23 for more options.
  7. Select option 21 (Force dedicated service tools). The secondary partition console will experience a device I/O error and end abnormally. This is normal.
  8. The DST display will appear on the workstation that is acting as console for the secondary partition. Sign on to DST.
  9. Before you leave DST, set the secondary partition back to normal mode if you want the next IPL too be unattended.

Forcing DST from SST

You can force DST to start from SST if the logical partition is not in secure mode. On the primary partition, you can force DST for itself or any of the secondary partitions. On a secondary partition you can force DST to start on itself.

When you force DST from the system control panel of the Work with Partition Status display, you cancel the current job on the partition console.

Attention: If you perform an IPL on the logical partition before you exit DST, the next IPL will be abnormal. To avoid an abnormal IPL, exit DST before you perform the IPL. Then sign on to that logical partition and perform the IPL.

These steps affect how the system stops active jobs when you start DST, including the system partition's service function. You may need to wait five minutes before starting service functions in DST that were active in SST when you entered option 21.

To force DST from SST follow these steps:

  1. Use the STRSST command to start SST.
  2. Select option 5 (Work with system partitions).
  3. Select option 2 (Work with partition status).
  4. Use the cursor to select the logical partition on which you want DST.
  5. If the partition is not in manual mode, select option 10 (Mode manual).
  6. Select option 21 (Force DST). If you are forcing DST from the logical partition workstation where you want DST, the workstation will experience a device I/O error and end abnormally. This is normal.
  7. Sign on to DST.
  8. Before you exit DST, set the logical partition back to normal mode if you want the next IPL to be unattended.