Using the AIX fuel gauge command

Learn how to use the AIX® operating system fuel gauge command to find the amount of remaining life in a mainstream solid-state drive (SSD).

1. If the system has logical partitions, complete this procedure from the logical partition that reported the problem.
2. From the AIX command line, type the following command and press Enter:

   /usr/lpp/diagnostics/bin/pdiskfg -d pdiskX, where X is the pdisk number of the mainstream SSD.

3. Is the value in the Life Remaining Gauge field less than or equal to 2 percent?
   • Yes: Continue with the next step.
   • No: The mainstream SSD is not reporting a change in status for the number of write operations available.
4. Is the value in the Life Remaining Gauge field 0 percent?
   • Yes: Continue with step 5.
   • No: Continue with step 6.
5. The mainstream SSD reached the limit for the number of write operations that are supported. Write operations to the SSD become slower over time, and at some point the SSD becomes a read-only drive. When the operating system writes to the read-only drive, the write operations are rejected, and the operating system considers the drive as if a failure occurred. For example, if the operating system writes to a drive that is in a RAID array and if the write operations are rejected, the array becomes exposed. To support normal write operations, the drive must be replaced.

   Replacement of the mainstream SSD might not be covered by the system's level of service entitlement, depending on the terms and conditions of the system. For more information about mainstream SSDs, see Mainstream solid-state drives. This ends the procedure.

6. The mainstream SSD is nearing the limit for the number of write operations that are supported. No service action is required at this time.
   Note: After the mainstream SSD reaches the limit for the number of write operations that are supported, write operations to the SSD become slower over time, and at some point the SSD becomes a read-only drive. To support normal write operations, the drive must be replaced. Replacement of the mainstream SSD might not be covered by the system's level of service entitlement, depending on the terms and conditions of the system. For more information about mainstream SSDs, see Mainstream solid-state drives. This ends the procedure.