What are the basic characteristics of FMTDUMP and SVCDUMP dump types?

Products

• CMDB for z/OS
• NetSpy Network Performance
• NetMaster Network Automation
• SOLVE
• NetMaster Network Management for SNA
• NetMaster Network Management for TCP/IP
• NetMaster File Transfer Management
• SOLVE:Operations Automation
• SOLVE:Access Session Management
• SOLVE:FTS

Issue/Introduction

When a SOLVE or NetMaster region encounters an abend, the two possible dumps generated are the FMTDUMP and the SVCDUMP. We briefly discuss these two dump types.

 

Environment

Release: SLFTS.00200-12.1-SOLVE:FTS
Component:

Resolution

A Formatted Dump is a dump of SOLVE--NetMaster formatted with information relevant to the abend, to speed up resolution. To enable this dump, the RUNSYSIN member must contain the following statement: DD=FMTDUMP,SYSOUT=*,FREE=END. Without this DDNAME, the FMTDUMP is not enabled.

The FMTDUMP is helpful in delivering concise and detailed information about the product internals (control blocks, memory, CB chaining, SVC, etc.).

Without the FMTDUMP, the SVCDUMP needs to be analyzed through IPCS. We can say that FMTDUMP is a SVCDUMP with correlated information, that concerns with the product that abended. When more detailed information (i.e.: analysis of specific control blocks, system trace, etc.) on the system environment is needed, the SVCDUMP can be also reviewed, as complement to the FMTDUMP.

The FMTDUMP can be sent to CA as a text file, but for optimal space allocation, it is better to send it to us TERSED. Please note that both FMTDUMP and SVCDUMP are required for abend problem review.