IBM LTO - How to Take a IBM LTO Drive Dump From Ethernet, Without Using IBM Offline Tool ITDT for IBM LTO 5 and Above

Asset ID:	1-71-1926018.1
Update Date:	2017-10-26
Keywords:

Solution Type Technical Instruction Sure

Solution 1926018.1 : IBM LTO - How to Take a IBM LTO Drive Dump From Ethernet, Without Using IBM Offline Tool ITDT for IBM LTO 5 and Above

Applies to:

IBM LTO6 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
3rd-Party Hardware - Version Not Applicable to Not Applicable [Release N/A]
IBM LTO7 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
IBM LTO5 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Goal

To capture a drive dump using the ethernet port.

To capture a dump on the drive using the ethernet interface follow the steps below.

Solution

Please have the customer connect to the service "Ethernet" port on the back of the drive with a Crossover Ethernet cable.

Note: With the newer laptops you do not need a crossover cable.

Note: There are 2 Ethernet ports on the back of the IBM LTO5 and LTO6 drives. An "Encryption" labeled port and then a service port that is labeled "Ethernet".

Determining Firmware Level and Capturing Drive Dump

Customers are responsible for updating Firmware but can ask for assistance from their Oracle Service reps. For optimum performance-

The customer must obtain the latest level of firmware for Oracle sold IBM drives units by downloading the firmware from the Oracle 'edelivery' site or service folks from Oracle 'SAC' web site.
The ITDT utility (see “Updating Firmware” on user or service manuals) can be used to update the firmware level as well as to capture a drive dump which may be requested by technical support to aid in problem analysis.

For instructions about updating firmware from a server that uses an IBM tape device driver, refer to the IBM Tape Device Drivers Installation and User's Guide.
To update firmware from a server that uses a non-IBM tape device driver, refer to the documentation for that device driver.

Perform the following steps to determine the current firmware level installed on the drive.

1. Use the ITDT utility to view the current drive firmware level.

Contact Oracle Tape Technical Support to acquire this tool.

Download the required tool version from the Tape Support website: IBM ITDT tools are listed under the "Reference" -> "Tape Product Tools" -> "OEM Drives" section on TapeSupport (https://tapesupport.us.oracle.com/Procedures/tools_main.php#OEM Drives).

Note: For the Windows versions of IBM ITDT tools, MOS won't allow you to post an ".exe" or ".msi" file so we had to add a ".txt" file extension to the end of them so please make sure the customer is aware that after they download the file from MOS they will have to take the ".txt" file extension off.

2. Compare this level with the latest available firmware level by visiting the same website. For additional information about using the ITDT utility, see “Updating Firmware” on page 2-5.

Note: The ITDT utility can be used to either update drive firmware to the latest level or to capture drive dumps from a drive which may be experiencing problems.

To capture a dump on the drive using the ethernet interface follow the steps below:

Note: The drive uses a limited version of FTP protocol to communicate on the ethernet interface. It is recommended to use a simple, command line FTP session, such as the DOS command prompt, when communicating with the drive.

1. Obtain the latest drive firmware from the web, as described above.
2. Connect an ethernet patch cable to the drive's ethernet interface and to a computer.

Note- In order to meet electromagnetic immunity requirements, a shielded ethernet cable is required.

3. Create an FTP session between the drive and the computer. The drive's IP address: 169_254_0_3.
4. At the user prompt, type guest and press Enter.
5. At the password prompt, press Enter. No response is needed.
6. Type bin to set the communication mode to binary.
7. Type mget *.dmp to transfer a drive dump to the computer.

Note - If a dump already exists, the drive will show you the dump name and ask if you want to transfer it to the computer. Type y to transfer the existing dump or n to skip this dump file. Then the drive will ask if you want a forced dump. Type y to force a dump and to transfer the forced dump to the computer, or type n to skip forcing a dump.

8. Type quit to end the FTP session.
9. Remove ethernet patch cable from the drive's ethernet interface and the computer.
10. send the captured files to Oracle Tape support for review.

Attachments

This solution has no attachment