HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Introducing AutoRestart/XL
by Mark Slater
Commercial Systems Division
OPERATORLESS ENVIRONMENT
AutoRestart/XL (HP36375A) is available with this release of MPE XL.
AutoRestart/XL combines the new Dump to Disk software with the use of an
autoboot file to provide a truly operatorless environment. In the event
of a software failure, a system which incorporates the AutoRestart/XL
product will automatically collect failure state information and reboot
itself. You then need only notify the Response Center that a failure has
occurred and that a new dump is available for analysis.
Ease of Setup
In addition to the Dump to Disk software, AutoRestart/XL includes three
new utilities which simplify the installation and setup of the
AutoRestart/XL environment, as follows:
* BLDDUMP: establishes the Dump to Disk part of the environment and
preallocates a user specifiable number of dump files.
* DTODSIZ: assists the customer and HP in determining the correct size
of the file(s) to be preallocated by BLDDUMP for collection of
failure state information.
* FORMAT: generates an AUTOBOOT file which will serve as a boot script.
This allows the reSTART portion of the AutoRestart process to be
adapted to match your current manual method of reboot after failure.
Please consult the AutoRestart/XL User's Guide (P/N 36375-60002) for
explicit information on the use of these utilities.
Preallocation
By preallocating the disk file, which will receive the failure state
information in the event of a failure, AutoRestart/XL guarantees that the
dump will be taken even in the absence of human intervention. Also,
since the dump tape is eliminated by this product, the potential for
human error is greatly decreased. In many cases, this can eliminate the
need for reproducing problems, and can greatly decrease problem
resolution time.
Predictive
By scheduling the DTODSIZ program at various peak load times throughout
the day, you will be notified if an increase in user load has caused a
significant increase in the amount of failure state information needed
for successful problem analysis. This will allow for a planned increase
in dump file size prior to its actually being needed. This will greatly
increase the chance that the problem can be pinpointed and resolved on
its first occurrence.
Advance Planning
One key to the successful use of AutoRestart/XL is thorough advance
planning between the HP Customer Representative and you. HP will consult
with you to determine the value of AutoRestart/XL at their installation,
and to insure that sufficient disk space will be available on your system
for the new software as well as for the dump file(s).
For detailed planning assistance, please consult the AutoRestart/XL
User's Guide (P/N 36375-60002).