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Diagnostic tools

The section introduces available tools to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related problems.

  • Light path diagnostics

    Use light path diagnostics to diagnose system errors quickly. See Light path diagnostics for more information.

  • Event logs

    The event logs list the error codes and messages that are generated when an error is detected for the subsystems IMM2.1, POST, DSA, and the server baseboard management controller. See Event logs for more information.

  • Integrated management module II

    The integrated management module 2.1 (IMM2.1) combines service processor functions, video controller, and remote presence and blue-screen capture features in a single chip. The IMM provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the IMM event log, and alerts you to the problem. Optionally, the IMM also provides a virtual presence capability for remote server management capabilities. The IMM provides remote server management through the following industry-standard interfaces:

    • Intelligent Platform Management Protocol (IPMI) version 2.0
    • Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 3
    • Common Information Model (CIM)
    • Web browser

    For more information about the integrated management module 2.1 (IMM2.1), see Using the integrated management module, Integrated management module 2.1 (IMM2.1) error messages, and the Integrated Management Module II User’s Guide at the Integrated Management Module II User’s Guide .

  • Dynamic System Analysis

    DSA Preboot and LXCE OneCLI are available for diagnosing problems.

    DSA Preboot

    DSA Preboot diagnostic program is stored in the integrated USB memory on the server. DSA Preboot collects and analyzes system information to aid in diagnosing server problems, as well as offering a rich set of diagnostic tests of the major components of the server. DSA Preboot collects the following information about the server:

    • Drive health information
    • Event logs for ServeRAID controllers and service processors
    • IMM2.1 configuration information
    • IMM2.1 environmental information
    • Installed hardware, including PCI and USB information
    • Light path diagnostics status
    • Microprocessor, input/output hub, and UEFI error logs
    • Network interfaces and settings
    • Option card driver and firmware information
    • RAID controller configuration
    • Service processor (integrated management module) status and configuration
    • System configuration
    • Vital product data, firmware, and UEFI configuration

    DSA Preboot also provides diagnostics for the following system components (when they are installed):

    1. Emulex network adapter
    2. IMM I2C bus
    3. Memory modules
    4. Microprocessors
    5. Optical devices (CD or DVD)
    6. SAS or SATA drives
    7. LSI controller
    8. Broadcom network adapter
    9. FusionIO storage
    10. Intel GPU
    11. Nvidia GPU

    See Running the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs for more information on running the DSA Preboot program on the server.

  • Troubleshooting by symptom

    These tables list problem symptoms and actions to correct the problems. See Troubleshooting by symptom for more information.

  • Light path diagnostics
    Light path diagnostics is a system of LEDs on various external and internal components of the server that leads you to the failed component. When an error occurs, LEDs are lit on the operator information panel on the front of the server, then on the failed component. By viewing the LEDs in a particular order, you can often identify the source of the error.
  • Event logs
    Error codes and messages displayed in POST event log, system-event log, integrated management module (IMM2.1) event log, and DSA event log.
  • POST
    When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of the server components and some optional devices in the server. This series of tests is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
  • Dynamic System Analysis
    Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) collects and analyzes system information to aid in diagnosing server problems.