Service > Capture State

The Capture State feature enables you to create a log file that captures the current state of the system. The log file assists Quantum Support personnel analyze and debug problems with your system.

Assuming your system is connected to the internet and you have an open support case, you can automatically, or manually upload your log files to Quantum Support via Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).

Additionally, you can capture, download and upload just file system logs and platform logs. All logs are included in a Full Snapshot, but in some cases you can create a log that consists of a smaller sub-component.

The table below provides the information displayed on the Service > Capture State page:

Parameter Description
Capture Type

Specifies the type of capture file to create. The available options are:

  • Full Snapshot: Provides a capture file containing all logs available within the individual capture types (File System Only, Platform Only, and DSET).
  • File System Only: Provides a capture file containing the system’s StorNext file system debug logs, configuration, version information and disk devices. The file contains client debug information on client machines and server information on server machines, as well as port-mapper information from all machines. System log files as well as SNFS log files are included.
  • Platform Only: Provides a capture file containing log files and configuration files for the StorNext server operating system and Quantum application logs. The StorNext software specific logs files are not contained in this capture.

Note: This menu option is only available on Xcellis, Artico, Pro Foundation, and StorNext Metadata Appliances.

  • Dell System E-Support Tool (DSET), : Provides a capture file containing an array of status information about the StorNext hardware and assists Quantum Support personnel in identifying and diagnosing problems specific to the StorNext hardware.

Note: This menu option is only available on Xcellis, Artico, Pro Foundation, and StorNext Metadata Appliances.

File System
(only displayed if the Capture Type is File System Only

Displays the available file systems on your server (managed, shared, unmanaged). Select a file system, or Ctrl-click to select multiple file systems for which to create a capture file.

Target Node If your system is configured for High Availability (HA), this option specifies the server (Both Nodes, Primary only, or Secondary only) for which the capture file is being generated for.
Serial Number Specifies the serial number of your system.
Enable Quantum Upload

If you have a live internet connection and an open support case, check this box to automatically upload captured log files to Quantum Support using SFTP after the capture file is generated.

Note: You must have or obtain a Service Request/Case ID number to upload your file to the Quantum Support server. If you do not have a Service Request/Case ID number available, call Quantum Support as an open Service Request/Case ID number is required. This feature also requires a live internet connection on your server.

Server

(only displayed if Upload to Quantum is checked)

Specifies the Quantum Support server where capture files are uploaded to.

Service Request / Case ID

(only displayed if Enable Quantum Upload is checked)

This field allows you to input a Service Request number provided to you by Quantum Support.

Note: You must have or obtain a Service Request/Case ID number to upload your file to the Quantum Support server. If you do not have a Service Request/Case ID number available, call Quantum Support as an open Service Request/Case ID number is required. This feature also requires a live internet connection on your server.

File

Specifies the capture file name. Creating a capture generates a log file in the following format:

<Serial Number>_<Machine Hostname>_<Capture Type>_<Time Stamp>.<Filename Extension>, where the Time Stamp is in the format YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.

Example:

SV123ABCF12345_xps-sles11_snapshot_20160831072620.tar.gz
Type

Specifies the type of capture file:

  • Full Snapshot
  • File System Only
  • Platform Only
  • Dell System E-Support Tool (DSET)
Date Specifies the date and time on which the capture file was created.
Size Specifies the file size of the capture file.
Capture Click to manually generate a capture file.
Capture & Upload

Click to automatically upload a selected capture file via SFTP to a Quantum Support server.

Note: You must have or obtain a Service Request/Case ID number to upload your file to the Quantum Support server. If you do not have a Service Request/Case ID number available, call Quantum Support as an open Service Request/Case ID number is required. This feature also requires a live internet connection on your server.

Download Click to download a selected capture file to a local destination.

Upload to Quantum

Click to manually upload a selected capture file via secure FTP to a Quantum Support server.

Note: You must have or obtain a Service Request/Case ID number to upload your file to the Quantum Support server. If you do not have a Service Request/Case ID number available, call Quantum Support as an open Service Request/Case ID number is required. This feature also requires a live internet connection on your server.

Delete

Click to delete the selected capture file(s).

Refresh

Click to update the Capture State page.