First Failure Support Technology (FFST)

First Failure Support Technology (FFST) for IBM MQ provides information about events that, in the case of an error, can help IBM support personnel to diagnose the problem.

First Failure Data Capture (FFDC) provides an automated snapshot of the system environment when an internal event occurs. In the case of an error, this snapshot is used by IBM support personnel to provide a better understanding of the state of the system and IBM MQ when the problem occurred.

The information about an event is contained in an FFST file. In IBM MQ, FFST files have a file type of FDC. FFST files do not always indicate an error. An FFST might be informational.

Monitor and housekeeping

Here are some tips to help you with managing FFST events:

• Monitor FFST events for the system, and ensure that appropriate and timely remedial action is taken when an event occurs. In some cases, the FDC files might be expected and can therefore be ignored, for example FFST events that arise when IBM MQ processes are ended by the user. By appropriate monitoring, we can determine which events are expected, and which events are not.
• FFST events are also produced for events outside IBM MQ. For example, if there is a problem with the IO subsystem or network, this problem can be reported in an FDC type file. These types of event are outside the control of IBM MQ and you might need to engage third parties to investigate the root cause.
• Ensure that good housekeeping of FFST files is carried out. The files must be archived and the directory or folder must be cleared to ensure that only the most recent and relevant FDC files are available, should the support team need them.

• FFST: IBM MQ classes for JMS
  Describes the name, location, and contents of the First Failure Support Technology ( FFST ) files that are generated by the IBM MQ classes for JMS.
• FFST: IBM MQ for Windows
  Describes the name, location, and contents of the First Failure Support Technology ( FFST ) files for Windows systems.
• FFST: IBM MQ for UNIX and Linux systems
  Describes the name, location, and contents of the First Failure Support Technology ( FFST ) files for UNIX and Linux systems.
• FFST: IBM MQ for IBM i
  Describes the name, location, and contents of the First Failure Support Technology ( FFST ) files for IBM i systems.
• FFST: IBM MQ client for HP Integrity NonStop Server
  Describes the name, location, and contents of the First Failure Support Technology™ (FFST™) files for HP Integrity NonStop Server systems.
• FFDC configuration for XMS .NET applications
  For the .NET implementation of XMS, one FFDC file is produced for each FFDC.

Parent topic: IBM MQ Troubleshooting and support

Related concepts

• Troubleshooting overview
• Use error logs
• Problem determination on z/OS

Related tasks

• IBM MQ Troubleshooting and support
• Use trace
• Searching knowledge bases
• Contacting IBM Software Support