Running Loopback Tests

To run a loopback test, use the "Loopback Test" section of the Advanced Diagnostics dialog box.

You can run the following loopback test combinations using the appropriate check boxes:

PCI Loopback Test - A firmware controlled diagnostic test in which a random data pattern is routed through the PCI bus without being sent to an adapter link port. The returned data is subsequently validated for integrity.
Internal Loopback Test - A diagnostic test in which a random data pattern is sent down to an adapter link port, then is immediately returned without actually going out on the port. The returned data is subsequently validated for integrity.
External Loopback Test - A diagnostic test in which a random data pattern is sent down to an adapter link port. The data goes out the port and immediately returns via a loopback connector. The returned data is subsequently validated for integrity

Note

You cannot run the External Loopback test and ECHO test concurrently. If you select External Loopback the ECHO test section is disabled.

You can specify the number of test cycles by clicking one of the cycle counts values in the "Test Cycles" section of the dialog box or enter a custom cycle count if you wish. The Test Status section displays how many cycles of each test ran. The "Error Action" section of the dialog box enables you to define what should be done in the event of a test failure.

There are two error action options:

Stop Test - The error will be logged and the test aborted. No further tests will run.
Ignore - Log the error and proceed with the next test cycle.

To run loopback tests:

Start HBAnyware.
From the discovery-tree, select the HBA on which you wish to run the Loopback Test.
Select the Diagnostics tab. From the "Loopback Test" section of the dialog box, choose the type of Loopback test you wish to run and define the loopback test parameters.

Note

You must insert a loopback plug in the selected HBA before running an External Loopback test.

Click Start. The following warning appears:

Click OK. If you choose to run an External Loopback test the following window appears:

Click OK. The progress bar indicates that the test is running.

Note

Windows 2000 systems will display an Unsafe Removal of Device dialog box for every target attached to the HBA when the HBA goes off line. Click OK to close the dialog box(es).

Periodic test feedback, consisting of the current loopback test/cycle plus the completion status of each type of test, is displayed in the "Test Log" section of the dialog box. Click Clear to erase the contents of the log display or click Save to File to save the log file.