7.4 Kinds of Support Tools

NOTE: Not all tool types are supported on all devices on all operating systems. For example, verifiers and exercisers are not available on the first release of STM for MPE/iX.

Information

Creates a log of information specific to one device, including the product identifier, a description of the device, the hardware path to the device, the vendor, and the firmware revision code, if firmware is present in the device, and any other pertinent information, if any.

Verify

If available, performs a simple test of component function, providing a "pass/fail" indication of device condition; typically, this is the first level test of a device's condition.

Diagnose

If available, runs a diagnostic program on the device, which is designed to detect and isolate faulty hardware on that device. Diagnose tools require a Support Class or Node license.

Exercise

If available, stresses the device or subsystem. This function is useful in providing very high confidence verification, and in detecting intermittent errors.

Firmware Update

Initiates the firmware update process for a selected device. While the user interface to the firmware update tools is generic, the tools themselves are device-specific.

Expert Tools

Are device specific troubleshooting utilities for use by sophisticated users. Their functionality varies from tool to tool, but they are intended to be interactive, and rely on you to provide information necessary to perform a particular task. Expert tools require a Support Class or Node license, or in some cases an HP-only license.

Utilities

Are support tools which are not device specific. Current tools include logtool (for reading system logs), MODMUTIL, and TERMDSM utilities. Most utilities do not require a license.