Taking an Oracle ILOM snapshot using Command Line or GUI Web Interface

In this tutorial, we will learn how to take a Snapshot of the Oracle ILOM snapshot SP State using Command Line or Web interface.

Table of Contents

What is Oracle ILOM Service Snapshot utility?

The Oracle ILOM Service Snapshot utility enables you to produce a snapshot of the server processor (SP state data) at any instant in time. The utility collects log files, runs various commands and collects their output, and sends the data collection as a downloaded file to a user-defined location. The output from Snapshot is saved as a zip file to a location you specify.

For taking ILOM snapshot instructions, you may use any of the below methods:-

Method 1: Using Web Interface

Before starting the process you must be having admin role to collect the snapshot data.

Login to the Oracle ILOM web interface and navigate to ILOM Administration > Maintenance > Snapshot. You will get the Snapshot page as displayed below

ILOM snapshot web interface - — ILOM Web Interface

In the Data Set list box, select one of the following options (select Normal unless specifically asked by Oracle Support) :
- Normal – Collect information about Oracle ILOM, the host operating system, and the hardware configuration.
- FRUID – Collect information about installed FRUs, in addition to the data set collected for Normal. The FRUID option enables Oracle Services personnel to analyze data in a binary format about FRUs.
- Full (may reset the host) – Collect the maximum amount of data from the host, and initiate diagnostics on the host. This option could cause the server to reset.
- Custom – Specify which of the following data sets to capture:
  - Oracle ILOM data
  - Hardware data
  - Diagnostic data [Note – This option might require a host reset*.]
  - Basic OS data
  - FRUID data

*Host reset means rebooting the host.

Leave other options as default and In the Transfer Method list box, select Browser option to save the file via browser.

Click Run. When the Snapshot is complete, the Save As dialog box appears prompting you to save the output file.

Method 2: Using Command Line Interface

Just like method 1, before starting the process you must be having admin role to collect the snapshot data.

Login to the Oracle ILOM Command Line Interface and in the Oracle ILOM CLI, issue the following command to specify what kind of data the snapshot utility should collect (set to Normal unless specifically asked by Oracle Support):

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dataset=value

For example:

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dataset=normal

you should get similar output as below

[root@myhostname ~]# ssh myhostname-ilom
  Password:
  Oracle(R) Integrated Lights Out Manager
  Version 3.2.7.30.a r123456
  Copyright (c) 2016, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  Warning: HTTPS certificate is set to factory default.
  Hostname: myhostname-ilom
  -> set /SP/diag/snapshot dataset=normal 
  
  Set 'dataset' to 'normal'

  ->

where value can be one of the following:

normal – Collect information about Oracle ILOM, host operating system, and hardware configuration.
normal-logonly – Collect only log files.
FRUID – Collect information about installed FRUs, in addition to the data set collected for Normal.
fruid-logonly – Collect only log files.
full – Collect the maximum information about the server. [Note – This option might require a host reset*.]
full-logonly – Collect only log files.

*Host reset means rebooting the host.

Specify whether the snapshot data should be encrypted, (in most cases you will need an unencrypted snapshot,) to do so type the below command

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot encrypt_output=[true|false]

For example:

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot encrypt_output=false

you should get similar output as below

  -> set /SP/diag/snapshot encrypt_output=false
  Set 'encrypt_output' to 'false'
  
  ->

To view the snapshot properties, type:
show SP/diag/snapshot

Start the snapshot data collection, use either of the below commands

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dump_uri=protocol://username:password@host/directory
OR
-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dump_uri=protocol://username:password@host/directory

where the transfer protocol can be sftp or ftp.

For example, to store the snapshot information via sftp in a directory named tmp on the host (10.0.0.12), type either of the below commands:

-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dump_uri=sftp://root@10.0.0.12/tmp
OR
-> set /SP/diag/snapshot dump_uri=sftp://root:root_password@10.0.0.12/tmp

you should get similar output as below

  -> set /SP/diag/snapshot dump_uri=sftp://root@10.0.0.12/tmp
  Enter remote user password: ************
  Set 'dump_uri' to 'sftp://root@10.0.0.12/tmp'
  
  ->

Now the ILOM snapshot data collection has been started, you can monitor it using the below command

-> show /SP/diag/snapshot

you should get similar output as below

  -> show /SP/diag/snapshot
  
   /SP/diag/snapshot
      Targets:
  
      Properties:
          dataset = normal
          dump_uri = (Cannot show property)
          encrypt_output = false
          result = Running
  
      Commands:
          cd
          set
          show
  
  ->

After completion of process you will get similar output as below

-> show /SP/diag/snapshot

 /SP/diag/snapshot
    Targets:

    Properties:
        dataset = normal
        dump_uri = (Cannot show property)
        encrypt_output = false
        result = Collecting data into sftp://root@10.0.0.12/tmp/myhostname-ilom_1234ABC_2022-09-02T02-48-41.zip
                 Snapshot Complete.
                 Done.


    Commands:
        cd
        set
        show

->

Now you can login to host 10.0.0.12 and go to /tmp directory and see the ILOM snapshot there

  [root@10.0.0.12 ~]# du -sh /tmp/myhostname-ilom_1234ABC_2022-09-02T02-48-41.zip
  2.6M    /tmp/myhostname-ilom_1234ABC_2022-09-02T02-48-41.zip
  [root@10.0.0.12 ~]#

FAQs:-

1. What is Oracle ILOM?

Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) provides advanced service processor (SP) hardware and software that you can use to manage and monitor your Oracle hardware. Oracle ILOM arrives pre-installed on all of Oracle servers. It is a vital management tool in the data center and can be integrated with other supported third-party system management tools.

2. What is FTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol for transmitting files between computers over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connections. Within the TCP/IP suite, FTP is considered an application layer protocol.

3. What is SFTP?

SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is a secure file transfer protocol that uses secure shell encryption to provide a high level of security for sending and receiving file transfers.