Communications trace and communication problems

You might sometimes need to obtain an error log printout or communications trace data that your IBM® service representative can review. For the line trace, someone familiar with the protocol used on the line might need to review the files. To perform a communications trace, you must have IBM *SERVICE special authority or be authorized to the Service Trace function of i5/OS™ through iSeries™ Navigator. See iSeries Security Reference (SC41-5302), Chapter 4 User Profiles, for more information on this special authority.

Use the communications trace function in the following situations:

• Message information or other problem analysis is not sufficient to identify a problem
• Communications support personnel suspects a protocol error
• To verify that the system sends and receives valid data

You can trace multiple lines from each workstation by using the communications trace option. The system traces a maximum of two lines on the same communications controller subsystem at the same time. Only one trace can exist for the same configuration object at the same time. The system supports all line speeds and protocols.

For more information about these tests, contact your IBM service representative.