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TOC a system (how to?)

 
Joe Profaizer
Super Advisor

TOC a system (how to?)

What's the proper method to TOC a system? Should I do an orderly halt, then use the "TC" command at the GSP? If not, please advise.

Thanks,

..JOe
9 REPLIES 9
harry d brown jr
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

shutdown -h -y 0 first
then in gsp (control-b from console) (login if you have to),
then enter "RS" and then a "Y" when it prompts you.
Live Free or Die
Santosh Nair_1
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

That all depends on why you're TOCing the system. If you're trying to capture some hung process, then you'd probably want to shutdown as much as you can and the go into the GSP and tc the system. This should produce system crash which you can send off to HP for analysis.

-Santosh
Life is what's happening while you're busy making other plans
Patrick Wallek
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

Depends on what type of system you are on.

Some systems will have a button on the rear of the system, that when pushed, will TOC the system.

Here's a good document for you from the TKB:

How do I force a dump on my system?
DocId: KBRC00003780

Updated:10/19/00 12:14:00 PM

PROBLEM

I need to know the procedure to force a dump on a D, K, and N-class system.

RESOLUTION

The procedure to force a dump on these boxes the procedure are
generally the same. You can use a Transfer of Control (TOC) to
test the saving of a crash dump. To protect the user file
systems, shutdown to single user mode, and be sure that all file
systems (except root) are un-mounted.

To do a TOC on a K-Class server:
1. Turn the keyswitch to 'service'.
2. CTRL B
3. CM> tc

Generally your choices are the following:
- Press the TOC button on the Core I/O Board or on rear of CPU
- Set SERVICE/NORMAL switch on AP card to SERVICE position.
At console: press Ctrl-b; at CM> type TC

The D-class has a TOC button on the back (bottom of core I/O board).
The K-Class has a Key that needs to be turned to "Service Mode",
however the the D-class does not.

If the system has a graphics console, it may have a button on the back.

ALT KEYWORDS
transfer of control force dump crash
Joe Profaizer
Super Advisor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

I'm on an L2000 and have been told by HP to TOC the system so that the system updates the stable storage correctly with the dumps configuration information so that the next dump will go smoothly.

Please advise.

Thanks,

..Joe
Sridhar Bhaskarla
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

Joe,

If you are asked to a TOC, you are not supposed to bring down any of the processes. You need dump the system image as it is. Just go the console,hit control-b and then do a "tc". This is going to dump the core and will produce crash. You need to either run Q4 or pass the crash dump onto HP for analysis.
"rs" will simply reset the system.

-Sri
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try
Sridhar Bhaskarla
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

With your latest message, I understood that you might be trying to test your dump device configuration by forcing the system to crash and hence dumping the core to see if the dumpdevice collected the core.

If this is the case as it is only for testing, you can bring down the application, unmount all the application file systems (even you can get into single user mode) and then do ctrl-b and tc.

I don't believe doing a TOC will update the stable storage (??).

-Sri
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try
paul courry
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

STOP!!!

Let's get something straight here..............

An RS will reboot the system and WILL INITIALIZE THE RAM, thus destroying everything (including the reason that the system hung). This is the *normal* way to boot the system.

A TC (or TOC also known as a Transfer of CONTROL) WILL LEAVE THE CONTENTS OF RAM INTACT. This method of booting the system is used when you need to DUMP the contents of RAM to tape or a disc drive for analysis by HP.

If the system has hung and HP wants you to do a TC so a dump of the RAM can be made and analyzed, do EXACTLY that. To do a shutdown, reboot or init will alter the contents of RAM and make HP's job of analysis impossible.

BTW, Patrick has it dead on. I'm just clarifying RS, TC and what each does and when to use it.
Sridhar Bhaskarla
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

Who exactly is running here to be "stop"ped?. Only my messages appear before your "STOP" and it didn't sound good to me. Check out my earlier message on tc and rs.

Only part that didn't make sense is "updates the stable storage correctly" as told by HP in Joe's message.

I guess HP is trying to see if the crash dump configuration is working properly or not. We don't need to screw up the system/application just to test the crash dump.

-Sri
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try
Bill McNAMARA_1
Honored Contributor

Re: TOC a system (how to?)

fyi the superdome introduces a new one: RR !
Reconfig Reset!

very nice.

You can TOC either with the push buttons, or the tc command.

Usually during 'normal' use a tc is used to force a crash dump so you can figure out which process is hanging your system.

man boot / pdc / isl for more on boot seq..
It works for me (tm)