i5/OS: Forcing a main storage dump on servers with logical partitions

When the server has a failure, it may create a main storage dump. A main storage dump copies the contents of the server's main storage to disk. It can be an important tool for problem analysis. When your server performs a main storage dump, contact your customer support representative.

On a server with logical partitions, there are two kinds of main storage dumps you can perform:

Failures in the primary partition caused by server processing hardware or main storage hardware will cause the entire server to fail. Software failures in a secondary partition will cause only that logical partition to fail.

A server failure may cause a server main storage dump. A secondary partition failure may cause a main storage dump only on that logical partition.

When you are directed to by customer support or your service representative, you can force a main storage dump on a server with logical partitions.

Main storage dump of the server

You should only perform a server main storage dump when directed by a service representative.

When you perform a server main storage dump, every active secondary partition will also perform a main storage dump. They will all then restart. This could take a long time.

A Work with Partition Status display will appear on the secondary partition's console unless a main storage dump was already in progress. In that case, a Main Storage Dump display will appear on the secondary partition console.

Main storage dump of a secondary partition

You should only perform a secondary partition main storage dump under the direction of a service representative. To preform a main storage dump on a secondary partition, you should be working with the remote control panel. Function 22 forces a main storage dump on the remote control panel.

In the event you cannot perform function 22 (Force main storage dump) on a secondary partition, perform a system main storage dump under the direction of your service representative. When the Main Storage Dump Occurred display appears on the primary partition's console, press Enter, and select option 6 (Dump all partitions). A main storage dump is initiated for each active partition and needs to be copied to disk for each partition.

Parent topic:

Situations requiring the assistance of a service representative