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How to generate and collect a SNAP log archive needed by IBM Power Hardware Support from AIX or VIOS LPAR.

By Atanas Yordanov posted 18 days ago

  

Summary

How to generate, collect and upload to IBM a SNAP log archive from AIX or VIOS LPAR.

Objective

This support page provides steps to generate and collect a SNAP archive when it is needed by IBM Power Hardware Support representatives.

Environment

AIX or VIOS LPAR.

Steps

- Generate a SNAP archive:

1. AIX environment:

Log as root into the partition.

Run snap -aZc to generate the new SNAP:

# snap -aZc

Flags:

-a Gathers all system configuration information except HACMP-specific data.
-Z Excludes OS-generated dumps as they are not needed by IBM Power Hardware Support. Excluding the system dumps will significantly reduce the archive size. This flag can be used on AIX 6.1 and later. If the AIX LPAR is with OS version below 6.1 this option can be ignored.
-c Creates a compressed pax image (snap.pax.Z file) of snap known component subdirectories in the /tmp/ibmsupt directory tree.

The SNAP is created in the directory /tmp/ibmsupt

2. VIOS environment:

Log on VIOS as padmin.

Run snap to create a file called 'snap.pax.Z'.

$ snap

Usage of any flags (options) after the 'snap' command in a VIOS is not needed in order to generate a full SNAP archive.

The SNAP is created in the directory /home/padmin

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Collect and transfer to IBM the SNAP archive.

1. Collection:

Many 3rd-party applications can be used to obtain the file to a PC/Laptop/Notebook like: "PuTTY" Secure Copy (pscp) utility, WinSCP, FileZilla, and so on.
Make sure that the device has a network connection to the AIX/VIOS LPAR in question.
Use the <ls> command to obtain the newly generated SNAP archive.
When the archive is transferred to a PC/Laptop or any other location, it must be transferred in BINARY mode.
Renaming the SNAP archives: For proper decoding of the file, the section '.pax.Z' at the end must remain unchanged.

2. Upload data to IBM:

To upload logs or data to IBM, use the CSP Portal or ECuRep.

Enhanced Customer Data Repository (ECuRep) is a secure and fully supported data repository with problem determination tools and functions.

It updates IBM Support cases and maintains full data lifecycle management.

This server-based solution is used to exchange data between IBM customers and IBM Technical Support.

ECuRep supports several methods for sending data to IBM. The file size of your data largely determines the methods available for use.

For Web access, you need to authenticate with your IBMid.

Enhanced Customer Data Repository (ECuRep) - Overview

Additional Information

To upload the SNAP archive to ECuRep to an existing Salesforce case use the following link:

https://www.secure.ecurep.ibm.com/app/upload_sf

Use the ticket ID number: TSXXXXXXXXX

When it is uploaded to ECuRep, IBM Power Hardware Support is immediately notified.

Related Information

How to collect AIX or AIX VIOS snap data (Hardware Cases)


#AIX
#HowTo
#PowerVM
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