The following list summarizes the z/OS tools you will use to access and work with diagnostic information.
The console displays configuration errors that cause the termination of the WebSphere Application Server for z/OS address spaces. Whatever goes to the console also goes to SYSLOG.
SYSLOG is the repository for all messages that have appeared on the operator console. It also contains warning and informational messages that might be helpful after a failure has occurred.
The job log contains errors and warnings (non-termination) that are related to configuration. Anything that goes to the console and SYSLOG automatically goes to the job log.
SYSOUT is a batch log that usually contains diagnostic data from the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that runs in the servant (region). Any messages written to stderr will end up in SYSOUT. In addition, SYSOUT might contain error messages that usually appear in the log stream, but were redirected to SYSOUT because the log stream was not available.
The error log contains messages issued through JRas support, if any. In addition, the error log usually contains messages intended for IBM use only; these are messages that support actions, problems, or issues that are usually externalized through additional messages in other sources. When you work with IBM service, you might be asked to supply the error log so that service personnel can use these support messages to diagnose the problem.
Note: You must update the CFRM policy before using log streams that are CF-resident, such as the WebSphere error log and RRS logs. See Updating the CFRM policy for details.
SYSPRINT contains component trace (CTRACE) output for clients, and for servants when WebSphere Application Server for z/OS is configured to use SYSPRINT rather than CTRACE buffers and data sets.
CTRACE data sets contain diagnostic trace entries for various processes, depending on the trace options configured for WebSphere Application Server for z/OS.
When an error occurs, the system records information about the error in the logrec data set or the logrec log stream. The information provides you with a history of all hardware failures, selected software errors, and selected system conditions.
Use the SDSF DA panel to see how many application server address spaces are active, and observe at the CPU%, ECPU% and SIO rate. Use the "ENC" panel to see the enclaves running and what service classes they are running under.
See Using RMF for instructions on starting and using RMF to monitor your transactions.
See Displaying WebSphere Application Server work for instructions on using the z/OS modify command to display information about WebSphere Application Server for z/OS servers or servants (regions).
To find additional information about these tools, and about the process of diagnosing problems on z/OS, use the z/OS Web Library to access the following books: