topic Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM? in Operating System - OpenVMS

what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Davor_7 — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 03:29:38 GMT

according to the document
SYS_EXER is used to exercise the entire system
TEST is used to test the entire system

what's the difference between them?

the HW is ES40 model 2
SRM firmware V6.8-1

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Alex Daniels — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 11:52:47 GMT

On that box, TEST repeats some of the tests it does when it powers up.

Specifically it tests the configuration of the devices in the system.

Type test and you will see similar output as to part of the power up.

It can also do console loopback tests with the -lb argument, but then you'll want a loopback connector in COM2 and the parallel port.

Also if the console is set to serial and you have something in the VGA it'll display "compaq" or whatever all over it.

SYS_EXER is entirely different, it runs concurrent tests (unlike TEST), and tests of the core system. You can also run multiple instances of sys_exer at once, depending on your box's resources.

It does not give any output unless there is an error.

I would not expect you would need to init after using 'test' you will after using sys_exer.

sys_exer is typically left running for extended periods of time, 'test' as you will see if you run it, ends quite quickly if there are no errors.

I would also add, that I personally would not currently be running V6.8 firmware on that box. V7.1 is the current.

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Davor_7 — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 02:54:40 GMT

so, as what you said "It does not give any output unless there is an error."

how much time must i wait to ensure there's no error?

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Alex Daniels — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 02:58:53 GMT

Totally depends on the nature of the error, I've run SYS_EXER and seen errors pretty much right away.

Other times I've left it for a week and seen nothing, then on booting found problems.

VMS running UETP will be a better system exerciser then SYS_EXER, although that not to say SYS_EXER doesn't have it's uses.

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Davor_7 — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 03:26:32 GMT

what's UETP?
didnot see that in SRM command list...

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Alex Daniels — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 03:42:29 GMT

There are a lot of undocumented things in SRM.

On your ES40 for example there are the 'info' commands, I believe they are or were undocumented.

However UETP runs under VMS once it is booted. My point was that in some cases you are more likely to find a problem, with that rather than with SYS_EXER.

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Davor_7 — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 04:29:52 GMT

ok, thanks

btw, "info" is documented:)
but not archived by HP~

Re: what's the diff between SYS_EXER and TEST in SRM?

Davor_7 — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 04:30:37 GMT

correct it... "info" is not in official HP document. but still archived in HP website