IBM Dynamic System Analysis
IBM Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) collects and analyzes system information to
aid in diagnosing server problems.
DSA collects the following information about the server:
v Drive health information
v Event logs for ServeRAID controllers and service processors
v Hardware inventory, including PCI and USB information
v Installed applications and hot fixes (available in DSA Portable only)
v Kernel modules (available in DSA Portable only)
v Light path diagnostics status
v Network interfaces and settings
v Performance data and details about processes that are running
v RAID controller configuration
v Service processor (integrated management module) status and configuration
v System configuration
v Vital product data and firmware information
v IMM configuration information
v IMM enviromentals information
v Option card driver and firmware information
For system-specific information about the action that you should take as a result of
a message that DSA generates, see Appendix C, “DSA diagnostic test results,” on
page 685.
If you cannot find a problem by using DSA, see “Solving undetermined problems”
on page 104 for information about testing the server.
Note: DSA Preboot might appear to be unresponsive when you start the program.
This is normal operation while the program loads.
Make sure that the server has the latest version of the DSA code. To obtain DSA
code and the Dynamic System Analysis Installation and User's Guide,goto
http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-DSA.
DSA editions
The editions of Dynamic System Analysis are DSA Portable and DSA Preboot.
v 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.
v 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 IBM
ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator (BoMC). For more details, see the BoMC
User Guide at http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/
Chapter 3. Troubleshooting 77