Overview of the Core dump feature in ONTAP

When an unexpected error occurs, ONTAP resets and creates an in-memory image to capture the error state. This image, known as a core file, is crucial for NetApp Support to analyze and determine the root cause of the issue.

Core files are divided into:

• Main Core File: Contains the bulk of the data.
• Core Segments: Smaller files that hold additional information about the event.

Note: Both the main core file and the segments are necessary for a comprehensive analysis and quicker resolution.

• Does a system core file contain sensitive customer information?
• What is the naming convention for core file names?

To identify and gather details about core files, use the following commands:

• Main Core File: system node coredump show
• This command displays core details such as the core name, panic time, and save status.
• Core Segments: system node coredump segment show
• This command provides information about the segment directory, number of segment files, and their names.

For details refer to How to upload an ONTAP 9 core file for analysis 

Uploading core files and their segments to NetApp for analysis is a critical step. There are several methods to upload these files:

• AutoSupport Automation
• Command line
• Manually via Service Processor Infrastructure (SPI)

Refer to How to upload an ONTAP 9 core file for analysis 

Once uploaded, core files are analyzed using the Panic Message Analyzer (PMA) tool.

• PMA checks the core file against known bug signatures to identify any issues that match previously reported bugs.
• If a match is found, it provides a link to the bug report, aiding in quick diagnosis and resolution.