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DSA editions

Two editions of Dynamic System Analysis are available.

  • DSA Portable

    DSA Portable Edition runs within the operating system; you do not have to restart the server to run it. It is packaged as a self-extracting file that you download from the Web. When you run the file, it self-extracts to a temporary folder and performs comprehensive collection of hardware and operating-system information. After it runs, it automatically deletes the temporary files and folder and leaves the results of the data collection and diagnostics on the server.

    If you are able to start the server, use DSA Portable.

  • DSA Preboot

    DSA Preboot runs outside of the operating system; you must restart the server to run it. It is provided in the flash memory on the server, or you can create a bootable media such as a CD, DVD, ISO, USB, or PXE using the ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator (BoMC). For more details, see the BoMC User Guide at the Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) for Lenovo x86 servers website. In addition to the capabilities of the other editions of DSA, DSA Preboot includes diagnostic routines that would be disruptive to run within the operating-system environment (such as resetting devices and causing loss of network connectivity). It has a graphical user interface that you can use to specify which diagnostics to run and to view the diagnostic and data collection results.

    DSA Preboot provides diagnostics for the following system components, if they are installed:
    • Broadcom network adapter
    • Optical devices (CD or DVD)
    • Tape drives (SCSI, SAS, or SATA)
    • Memory
    • Microprocessor
    • Checkpoint panel
    • I2C bus
    • SAS and SATA drives

    If you are unable to restart the server or if you need comprehensive diagnostics, use DSA Preboot.

    The Lenovo System x3630 M4 server comes with DSA Preboot diagnostics code on the integrated USB flash memory. Utilities are available to reset and update the diagnostics code on the integrated USB flash device, if the diagnostic partition becomes damaged and does not start the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs. For more information and to download the utilities, go to the Lenovo Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) website.