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Accessing a mini-dump using IBM Fault Analyzer inside IBM Developer for z/OS v16

  

This tutorial shows how to access a mini-dump inside of a Fault Entry using IBM Fault Analyzer inside IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz) version 16. IBM Fault Analyzer (FA) makes ABEND root-cause analysis simpler and more effective, generating easy-to-read reports and analysis artifacts with minimal user input. These resources are stored on the host and are accessible through the IDz GUI tool. 

Prerequisites

To take advantage of this feature, you need:

  • IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz) software, installed and configured with a connection to an MVS LPAR

  • Basic understanding of IDz navigation concepts, including the context menu (check out our no-charge IDz Remote Training options)

  • Access to IBM Fault Analyzer Eclipse plug-in*, installed and shell-sharing in IDz. *Minimum version required: v15

  • Access to application source and related data resources on MVS LPAR

Estimated time

Accessing FA, specifying a Fault History file, investigating an ABEND, and accessing a mini-dump should take about 5 minutes.

Steps

In this example, we will be looking at an existing ABEND, reviewing the FA report, and accessing the mini-dump.

  1. To begin, open IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz) and specify the workspace you would like open IDz with.

  2. From the open workbench, navigate to the top menu bar and choose Window > Perspective > Open Perspective > Other.
  3. From the pop-up menu, left-click Fault Analyzer to select the relevant perspective, then click Open.
  4. From the Fault Analyzer perspective, navigate to the upper right corner to the Systems Information view. From there, find the connection you will be accessing FA on, expand it, and expand Fault Analyzer for z/OS. Right-click on Browse History Files and select Add New History File.
  5. From the pop-up dialog, enter the dataset name for the Fault Analyzer History File. The Fault History file will appear in the Browse History Files folder.
  6. Double-click on the Fault History file. This will bring up the Fault History view.
  7. From the Fault History view, find and double-click a Fault Entry. This opens the Fault Analyzer report in the Editor View.
  8. View the report. When finished, navigate back to the Fault History view, locate the Fault Entry you previously selected, and notice this time that there is an expand arrow next to the Fault ID in the Fault History view. Expand the Fault Entry by clicking the expand arrow. This opens the detailed view for the Fault Entry you selected.
  9. Double-click on the minidump. This opens the minidump in the Editor View.

To learn more helpful techniques and tips, please consider attending the IDz Distance Learning course, a no-charge, instructor-led enablement program that is held quarterly by Chris Sayles. The program has just been expanded this semester to include two new learning tracks, all at no cost to the attendee. 

Comments

Wed March 20, 2024 07:41 AM

Not able to download FA plugin from IBM download site.