Ref: 99980005
Title: Obtaining a Memory Dump
Date: 9/1/87

Copyright 3Com Corporation, 1991.  All rights reserved.

Obtaining a Memory Dump

Use this procedure to write the contents of the registers and RAM
on diskettes following a system crash.  Bridge Communications'
technical support staff then uses the information to diagnose the
cause of the crash.

The memory dump procedure applies only to systems with a local
disk drive.

This procedure is valid only if the Auto Reboot option was
disabled prior to the crash (refer to the applicable installation
guide).  Otherwise, the system resets and reboots automatically
after a crash, overwriting RAM.

Before sending a memory dump, Bridge recommends calling Technical
Support to describe the problem.

Please send the following additional information along with the
dump diskettes:

* The release number of the software running in the system.

* The release numbers of all firmware in the system.

* For Ethernet networks, the transceiver brand name and model
number.

* The date and time at which the crash occurred, and any
information available about the network traffic load at the time.

* The condition of all LED indicators on the server front panel
(and on individual boards, if known).

* The extent of the system affected (i.e., a single port, several
ports, or the entire unit).

* A description of any symptoms present prior to the crash.

* The text of any error messages that appeared on the console
terminal at the time of the crash (if one was attached).

* The text of any error messages that appeared on the console
terminal during any step of the dump procedure, and a description
of any action taken to recover from the error (e.g., skipped the
step, repeated the step successfully).

Perform the memory dump procedure from a console terminal
attached to port 0 on the Series/100 server.  To set up the
system for a console terminal, follow these steps:

1.  Remove the cable, if any, connected to port 0 on the Series/
100 server.

2.  Unbend a paper clip or cut a length of wire long enough to
reach from pin 7 to pin 11 of the RS-232 connector.  Insert one
end into the pin 7 receptacle and the other end into the pin 11
receptacle of port 0, labeled "JOC', on the Series/100 server
back panel.  Leave the wire in place for 2 to 3 seconds, then
remove it.

    The RS-232 jumper card accessory, available from Bridge, may
be used in place of the paper clip.

3.  Attach a terminal to port 0.  Set the terminal for either
9600 or 1200 baud, no parity, and 8 databits.

4.  Press the Return key.  A message followed by an angle-bracket
prompt (>) appears on the terminal screen, and the Self Test LED
stops blinking and remains lit.

    Write down the screen message and include it with the
documentation to be sent with the diskettes.

The remainder of the memory dump procedure varies depending on
the revision level of the MP PROM.  This section describes the
procedures for servers with the following PROMs:

* T1 MMON 01C or earlier

* T1 MMON 01D or later

.h1;CS/100 w/ T1 MMON 01C or Earlier

This procedure requires two previously formatted diskettes; see
article "Formatting a Diskette",

To obtain a memory dump, perform these steps from the console
terminal:

1.  Display the contents of the system registers by entering the
Display Register command:

.br;dr

    Write down the values listed in the resulting display.  This
information must be sent along with the dump diskettes.

.br;2.  Insert the first formatted diskette into the disk drive.


3.  Write the contents of the shared RAM to the diskette by
entering this version of the Write command:

.br;w 1 200000 20000

    If an error message appears, use the Software Reset command
described at the end of this procedure.

4.  When the write is complete, the monitor prompt appears.
Remove the diskette and label it "SHARED RAM DUMP."

5.  Insert the second formatted diskette into the disk drive.

6.  Write the contents of the private RAM to the diskette by
entering this version of the Write command:

.br;w 1 220000 20000

7.  When the write is complete, the monitor prompt appears.
Remove the diskette and label it "PRIVATE RAM DUMP".

8.  Send the two diskettes, the error message, the register
values, and any applicable information from the list at the
beginning of "Obtaining a Memory Dump" to Bridge Communications
or an authorized service representative.

In some instances a crash may leave the disk drive unusable
because some monitor parameters were overwritten.  In this case,
the system may respond to step 3 with an error message.  To
recover from this condition, enter the Software Reset command:

.br;k

This procedure should reinitialize the monitor correctly without
causing too much information to be lost.  Return to step 3 above
and continue with the memory dump.  When you send the diskettes
to Bridge, include a note saying that the Software Reset
command had to be entered.

.h1;CS/100 w/ T1 MMON 01D or Later

The procedure for obtaining a memory dump for systems with PROMs
designated T1 MMON 01D or later requires up to four diskettes.
It is not necessary to preformat the diskettes or to enter the
Display Register command; the DUmp command automatically performs
these steps:

1.  From the console terminal, enter the DUmp command:

.br;du

    If any error message appears, use the Software Reset command
described at the end of this procedure.

2.  Follow the system prompts for marking and inserting
diskettes.  When the write is complete, the monitor prompt
appears.

3.  Send the diskettes, along with all the applicable information
indicated at the beginning of "Obtaining a Memory Dump" to Bridge
Communications or an authorized service representative.

In some instances a crash may leave the disk drive unusable
because some monitor parameters were overwritten.  In this case,
the system may respond to step 1 with an error message.  To
recover from this condition, enter the Software Reset command:

.br;k

This procedure should reinitialize the monitor correctly without
causing too much information to be lost.  Return to step 1 and
continue with the memory dump.  When you send the diskettes to
Bridge, include a note saying that the Software Reset command had
to be entered.

.h1;GS/300

This procedure requires one previously formatted diskette;
See "Formatting a Diskette".

To obtain a memory dump, perform these steps from the console
terminal:

1.  Display the contents of the system registers by entering the
Display Register:

.br;dr

    Write down the values listed in the resulting display.  This
information must be sent along with the dump diskettes.

2.  Insert the formatted diskette into the disk drive.

3.  Write the contents of RAM to the diskette by entering this
verion of the Write command:

.br;w 1 200000 80000

    If an error message appears, use the Software Reset command
described at the end of this procedure.

4.  When the write is complete, the monitor prompt appears.
Remove the diskette and label it "GS/300 RAM DUMP".

5.  Send the diskette, the error message, the register values,
and any applicable information from the list at the beginning of
"Obtaining a Memory Dump" to Bridge Communications or an
authorized service representative.

In some instances a crash may leave the disk drive unusable
because some monitor parameters were overwritten.  In this case,
they system may respond to step 3 with an error message.  To
recover from this condition, enter the Software Reset command:

.br;k

This procedure should reinitialize the monitor correctly without
causing too much information to be lost.  Return to step 3 above
and continue with the memory dump.  When you send the diskettes
to Bridge, include a note saying that the Software Reset command
had to be entered.


