Running Controller Diagnostics

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Important: If Diagnostics is run while a host is using the logical drives owned by the selected controller, the I/O directed to this controller path is rejected.

Use the Controller >> Run Diagnostics option to run various internal tests to verify that a controller is functioning properly.

Procedure

1

From the Subsystem Management Window, highlight a controller. Then, select either the Controller >> Run Diagnostics pull-down menu option, or Run Diagnostics from the right-mouse pop-up menu.

Result: The Run Diagnostics dialog is displayed.

2

Select the check boxes for the diagnostic tests to be run. Choose from the following:

  • Read Test
  • Write Test
  • Data Loopback Test

For a detailed description of each test, see Learn About Controller Diagnostics.

Important: The Data Loopback Test does not run on controllers that have SCSI connections between the controllers and drives. The Data Loopback Test will only run on controllers that have Fibre Channel connections between the controller and the drives.

3

To run the Data Loopback Test on a single channel, select a channel from the channel drop down list.

4

Select a Data Pattern file for the Data Loopback Test. Select Use Default Data Pattern to use the default Data Pattern or Use Custom Data Pattern file to specify another file.

Note: A custom Data Pattern file called diagnosticsDataPattern.dpf is provided on the root directory of the installation CD. This file may be modified, but the file must have the following properties to work correctly for the test:

  • The file values must be entered in hexadecimal format (00 to FF) with ONLY one space between the values.
  • The file must be no larger than 64 bytes in size. Smaller files will work but larger files will cause an error.

5

Select Run.

Result: The Confirm Run Diagnostics confirmation dialog is displayed.

6

Type Yes in the text box, then select OK.

Result: The selected diagnostic tests begin. When the tests are complete, the Status text box is updated with test results. The test results contain a generic, overall status message, and a set of specific test results. Each test result contains the following information:

  • Test (Read/Write/Data Loopback)
  • Port (Read/Write)
  • Level (Internal/External)
  • Status (Pass/Fail)

Note: Events are written to the Event Log when Diagnostics are started and when testing is completed. These events will help you to evaluate whether diagnostics testing was successful or failed and the reason for the failure. To view the Event Log, use the View >> Event Log pull-down menu option in the Subsystem Management Window.

7

Select Close to exit the dialog.

Important: When diagnostics are completed, the controller should automatically allow data to be transferred to it. However, if there is a situation where data transfer is not re-enabled, select the controller and use the Data Transfer >> Enable option.

Related Topics

Learn about Controller Diagnostics