When to use the service assistant

The primary use of the service assistant is when a node is in service state. The node cannot be active as part of a system while it is in service state.

Attention: Complete service actions on nodes only when directed to do so by the fix procedures. If used inappropriately, the service actions that are available through the service assistant can cause loss of access to data or even data loss.

The node might be in a service state because it has a hardware issue, has corrupted data, or has lost its configuration data.

Use the service assistant in the following situations:

When you cannot access the system from the management GUI and you cannot access the system to run the recommended actions
When the recommended action directs you to use the service assistant.

The management GUI operates only when there is an online clustered system. Use the service assistant if you are unable to create a clustered system.

The service assistant provides detailed status and error summaries, and the ability to modify the World Wide Node Name (WWNN) for each node.

You can also complete the following service-related actions:

Collect logs to create and download a package of files to send to support personnel.
Remove the data for the system from a node.
Recover a system if it fails.
Install a software package from the support site or rescue the software from another node.
Update software on nodes manually versus completing a standard update procedure.
Change the service IP address that is assigned to Ethernet port 1 for the current node.
Install a temporary SSH key if a key is not installed and CLI access is required.
Restart the services used by the system.