C H A P T E R  5

SunVTS

This chapter contains information about SunVTS:


SunVTS

SunVTS is a software suite that performs system, subsystem, and configuration testing. You can view and control a SunVTS session over a network. Using a remote system, you can view the progress of a testing session, change testing options, and control all testing features of another machine on the network.

You can run SunVTS software in three different test modes:

Because SunVTS software can run many tests in parallel and consume many system resources, you should take care when using it on a production system. If you are stress-testing a system using SunVTS software's Functional or Exclusive test modes, do not run any other application.

A server must be running the Solaris OS for the SunVTS software to be able to test it. Because SunVTS software packages are optional, they might not be installed on your system. See To Find Out If SunVTS Is Installed for instructions.

SunVTS Software and Security

During SunVTS software installation, you must choose between Basic or Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanismtrademark security. Basic security uses a local security file in the SunVTS installation directory to limit the users, groups, and hosts permitted to use SunVTS software. Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism security is based on the standard network authentication protocol Kerberos, and provides secure user authentication, data integrity, and privacy for transactions over networks.

If your site uses Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism security, you must have Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism client and server software installed on your network, and configured properly in both Solaris and SunVTS software. If your site does not use Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism security, do not choose the Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism option during SunVTS software installation.

If you enable the wrong security scheme during installation, or if you improperly configure the security scheme you choose, you might be unable to run SunVTS tests. For more information, see the SunVTS User's Guide and the instructions accompanying the Sun Enterprise Authentication Mechanism software.

Using SunVTS

SunVTS, the Sun Validation and Test Suite, is an online diagnostics tool that you can use to verify the configuration and functionality of hardware controllers, devices, and platforms. SunVTS runs in the Solaris OS and presents the following interfaces:

SunVTS software enables you to view and control testing sessions on a remotely connected server. The following table lists of some of the tests that are available:


TABLE 5-1 SunVTS Tests

SunVTS Test

Description

cputest

Tests the CPU.

disktest

Tests the local disk drives.

cddvdtest

Tests the DVD drive.

fputest

Tests the floating-point unit.

nettest

Tests the Ethernet hardware on the system board and the networking hardware on any optional PCI cards.

netlbtest

Performs a loopback test to check that the Ethernet adapter can send and receive packets.

pmemtest

Tests the physical memory (read-only).

serialtest

Tests the server's on-board serial ports.

vmemtest

Tests the virtual memory (a combination of the swap partition and the physical memory).

env6test

Tests temperature sensors, power supply status, and fan speeds. Test indicators by toggling them on and off.

ssptest

Tests functionality of ALOM hardware. Test onboard Ethernet, flash ram, SEEPROM, TOD, I2C connections from ALOM to the host system, and serial ports.

i2c2test

Verifies all available I2C devices and the system bus connections. Performs data checking for SCC and FRU SEEPROM devices.


Table is a summary of SunVTS diagnostics tests that you can use to verify server operation.

procedure icon  To Find Out If SunVTS Is Installed

single-step bulletType the following:


# pkginfo -l SUNWvts

Installing SunVTS

By default, SunVTS is not installed on the Sun Fire V125 server. However, it is available on the software supplement CD supplied with the Solaris OS. For information about downloading SunVTS from this CD, refer to the Sun Hardware Platform Guide for the release of the Solaris OS you are using.

To find out more about using SunVTS, refer to the SunVTS documentation that corresponds to the Solaris OS release that you are running.


Viewing SunVTS Documentation

SunVTS documents are included on the Software Supplement CD that is part of each Solaris Media Kit release and is also accessible at:

http://www.sun.com/documentation

For further information, you can also consult the following SunVTS documents: