Table Of Contents

Monitoring System Processes and Logs

Configuring Kernel Core Dumps

Monitoring System Processes and Logs

---

This chapter provides details on monitoring the health of the switch. It includes the following sections:

This chapter contains the following topics:

•Configuring Kernel Core Dumps

Configuring Kernel Core Dumps

---

Caution Changes to the kernel cores should be made by an administrator or individual who is completely familiar with switch operations.

---

When a specific module operating system (OS) crashes, it is sometimes useful to obtain a full copy of the memory image (called a kernel core dump) to identify the cause of the crash. When the module experiences a kernel core dump it triggers the proxy server configured on the supervisor. The supervisor sends the module OS kernel core dump to the Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server. Similarly, if the supervisor OS fails the supervisor sends its OS kernel core dump to the Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server.

The Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server is a Cisco application that runs on Linux. It creates a repository for kernel core dumps. You can download the Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server from the Cisco.com website.

Kernel core dumps are only useful to your technical support representative. The kernel core dump file, which is a large binary file, must be transferred to an external server that resides on the same physical LAN as the switch. The core dump is subsequently interpreted by technical personnel who have access to source code and detailed memory maps.

---

Tip Core dumps take up disk space on the Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server application. If all levels of core dumps (level all option) are configured, you need to ensure that a minimum of 1GB of disk space is available on the Linux server running the Cisco MDS 9000 System Debug Server application to accept the dump. If the process does not have sufficient space to complete the generation, the module resets itself.

---

All changes made to kernel cores are saved to the running configuration