IT06075: NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION DURING BROCADE FABRIC PROBE VIA BROCADE NETWORK ADVISOR SMI-S PROVIDER

Tivoli Storage Productivity Center Refresh Pack 5
Refresh Pack 5.2.5 (March 2015) for Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
Fix Pack 5.2.5.1 (April 2015) for Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
Refresh Pack 5.2.6 (June 2015) for Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
Refresh Pack 5.2.7 (August 2015) for Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.8 (December 2015)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.9 (February 2016)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.10 (May 2016)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.10.1 (July 2016)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.11 (August 2016)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.12 (November 2016)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.13 (March 2017)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.14 (May 2017)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.15 (August 2017)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.15.2 (November 2017)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.16 (March 2018)
IBM Spectrum Control V5.2.17 (May 2018)
Fix Pack 5.2.7.1 (February 2016) for Tivoli Storage Productivity Center

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Zoning queries fail during Brocade fabric probe operations,
  logging the following exception as seen in device server
  traceFabric<x>.log files:
  2014-12-11 21:16:48.420-0500  Process Processor (Thread..46)
  FabricProbeUtility              getZoneService
  EXIT
  2014-12-11 21:16:48.420-0500  Process Processor (Thread..46)
  ProbeFabricZoningProcess        updateZoneDBChecksumForFabric
  DEBUG_MIN
  java.lang.NullPointerException
   at
  com.ibm.tpc.disk.discovery.CIMInstanceHelper.getCIMProperyValue(
  CIMInstanceHelper.java:127)
   at
  com.ibm.tpc.fabric.collection.ProbeFabricZoningProcess.updateZon
  eDBChecksumForFabric(ProbeFabricZoningProcess.java:2922)
   at
  com.ibm.tpc.fabric.collection.ProbeFabricZoningProcess.process(P
  robeFabricZoningProcess.java:269)
   at com.ibm.tpc.Router.perform(Router.java:1039)
   at com.ibm.tpc.Router.perform(Router.java:561)
   at
  com.ibm.tpc.discovery.ProcessProcessor.process(ProcessProcessor.
  java:69)
   at
  com.ibm.tpc.infrastructure.threads.TPCThread.run(TPCThread.java:
  259)
  2014-12-11 21:16:48.420-0500  Process Processor (Thread..46)
  ProbeFabricZoningProcess
  RECREATE STEPS:
  Probe Brocade fabric environment via BNA/INA, observe probe
  failure to collect zoning data.
  ________________________________________________________________
  DB2 Version used for Server:    N/A
  The defect is against component:   5608TPC00
  Server/Manager build/release (TPC):   5.2.3
  ________________________________________________________________
  Problem as described by customer:    Brocade fabric problems
  Initial customer impact (low/med/high):   high
  

Local fix

• Contact support
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * TPC 5.2.x users probing Brocade fabrics using Network        *
  * Advisor                                                      *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * See ERROR DESCRIPTION.                                       *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply fix maintenance when available.                        *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• This is a side issue that can occur in some environments.  A fix
  was made to properly handle the null pointer exception.  The fix
  for this APAR is targeted for the following maintenance package:
  
  | refresh pack | 5.2-TIV-TPC-RP0005 - target March 2015
  
  http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?&uid=swg21320822
  
  The target dates for future refresh packs or fix packs do not
  represent a formal commitment by IBM. The dates are subject to
  change without notice.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros

• FABRIC
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TPC ADVANCED

• Fixed component ID

  5608TPCA0

Applicable component levels