iSeries problem handling overview

The i5/OS™ licensed program helps you manage problems for both user- and system-detected problems that occur on local and remote iSeries™ servers.

Problem handling support includes:

• Messages with initial problem handling information
• Automatic alerting of system-detected problems
• Integrated problem logging and tracking
• First failure data capture (FFDC) support
• Electronic customer support service requisition
• Electronic customer support, program temporary fix (PTF) requisition

The iSeries server and its attached devices are able to detect some types of problems. These are called system-detected problems. When a problem is detected, several operations take place:

• An entry in the Product Activity Log is created
• A problem record is created
• A message is sent to the QSYSOPR message queue

Information is recorded in the error log and the problem record. When serious problems are detected, a spooled file of FFDC information is also created. The error log and the problem record might contain the following information:

• Vital product data
• Configuration information
• Reference code
• The name of the associated device
• Additional failure information

User-detected problems are usually related to program errors that can cause any of the following problems to occur:

• Job problems
• Incorrect output
• Messages indicating a program failure
• Device failure not detected by the system
• Poor performance

When a user detects a problem, no information is gathered by the server until problem analysis is run or you select the option to save information to help resolve a problem from the Operational Assistant USERHELP menu.

The iSeries server tracks both user- and system-detected problems using the problem log and problem manager. A problem state is maintained from when a problem is detected (OPENED) to when it is resolved (CLOSED) to assist you with tracking.