Gathering a TCP/IP Testcase for AIX Support

Contents

About this document

This document describes how to gather system documentation related to a TCP/IP problem, and then submit the documentation to AIX Support Services for analysis. This test data can be used to debug some of the more elusive problems related to TCP/IP configuration, as well as to help determine defects.

The following procedure applies to AIX Versions 4.3 and 5x.

This procedure uses the snap command to gather system information. This command creates a directory tree in the /tmp filesystem, and then writes documentation data to files in this tree. You must be the root user to execute this procedure.

Check for filesystem space requirements

Using the snap command to gather the necessary data typically requires from 3MB to 8MB of free space in the /tmp filesystem.

1. Use the df command (df -k) to check if space in /tmp is adaquate and adjust if necessary.
2. If you need to make room in /tmp, then do so now.
   

   OR
   

   If you don't want to use /tmp to log the necessary files, then you can add the -d option to the following snap command and specify a directory path in a file system of your choice.

Run the snap command

Run the following snap commands in the /tmp directory:

1. Enter snap -r.
2. Select Yes to remove old snap command output from the /tmp/ibmsupt directory.
3. Enter snap -gGtkfn.

   NOTE:You can add the -d, along with a directory path, to the above command if you want to use a directory other than /tmp for the log files created by the snap command.

Document a problem description

     /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/readme

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the application or network device that appears to be the problem?
2. If the problem is with a network device then please indicate which type and the specific adapter(s).
3. If the problem relates to an AIX TCP/IP application then specify which one.
4. Describe the problem as specifically as possible.
   1. If the problem relates to network performance, please specify the data throughput you are getting and the rate you expect. Avoid vague terms such as "slow" and use more descriptive terms that describe data rate, (for example, "20 Kbytes/sec).
   2. If the problem is with a specific AIX TCP application, do you see similar problems using other applications? If so which applications?
   3. If the problem is easily reproduced then describe the actions required to reproduce the problem and include any error output that you receive.
   4. If the problem deals with a non-AIX application, then describe any steps taken to determine that AIX might be responsible for the unexpected output received.
   5. Has this problem always existed on the system, or is it new? If a new problem please include information about any changes made to the system or network recently.
5. Include any other information you feel is pertinent then save and exit the file.

Capture a packet level trace

Perform this step only if the problem can be recreated easily. If the problem is intermittent or involves transferring data over 3 Mb in size then skip this section or contact AIX Support for modified instructions.

NOTE: You will also need to have the bos.net.tcp.server package installed to perform this step.

1. Run iptrace on the system where the problem exists:

   startsrc -s iptrace -a "-b -d <IP address of remote client> /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/iptrace.bin"
   

2. Recreate the problem.

3. Run the following command:

        stopsrc -s iptrace
   

4. Run the following netstat commands:

        netstat -v > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netstat-v.out
        netstat -in > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netstat-in.out
        netstat -rn > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netstat-rn.out
        netstat -D > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netsat-D.out
        netstat -s > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netsat-s.out
        netstat -an > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netsat-an.out
        netstat -m > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/netsat-m.out
   

5. Run the following command:

        arp -an > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/arp-an.out
        no -a > /tmp/ibmsupt/testcase/no-a.out
   

Gather and ship the testcase

Follow these steps to collect the testcase information and ship it to IBM AIX Support.

1. Use the following snap command to archive the documentation data:

        snap -c 
   

   This command creates an archive file with one of the following names:

        /tmp/ibmsupt/snap.pax.Z
   

   OR
   

        /tmp/ibmsupt/snap.tar.Z
   

2. Rename the archive snap file such that your AIX Support Line PMR number is appended to the filename. For example, if the PMR is 12345, branch 678 and snap archive is named /tmp/ibmsupt/snap.pax.Z, then the command would be:

        mv /tmp/ibmsupt/snap.pax.Z  /tmp/ibmsupt/12345.b678_snap.pax.Z
   

3. Ship the testcase to IBM AIX Support Line in accordance with the established testcase procedures. You can find these procedures within the Problem Managment Link at http://techsupport.services .ibm.com/cgi-bin/support/rs6000.support/assistance.

4. The testcase delivery procedure typically involves using FTP to transfer the file to testcase server: testcase.boulder.ibm.com. Use the anonymous FTP login, switch to binary mode, and then put the file in the /aix/toibm directory. Before using this procedure, however, please check the online document at the previously specified URL for updated delivery instructions.

5. Once you have delivered the testcase, please contact your AIX Support Technical Specialist to report that the testcase has been sent.

[ Doc Ref: 99133778216654     Publish Date: Aug. 16, 2001]