Running the IBM i command to check the amount of remaining life in NVMe devices

Find information about using the IBM i operating system to find the amount of remaining life in an NVMe device.

About this task

To find the amount of remaining life in an NVMe device by using the IBM i operating system, complete the steps in this procedure.

Procedure

  1. If the system has logical partitions, complete this procedure from the logical partition that owns the NVMe device
  2. To use the IBM i operating system to find the remaining life on an NVMe device, complete the following steps:
    1. Sign on to an IBM i session with the security officer (QSECOFR) user profile.
    2. To create an NVMe device report in a spool file, type the following command at the command line of the IBM i operating system and press Enter.
      CALL PGM(QSMGSSTD) PARM('NVMEGAUGE' X'00000009' 'SSTD0100' X'00000000')
    3. To display the contents of the spool file, type wrksplf at the command line of the IBM i operating system and press Enter.
      The spool file contains a report of the NVMe devices.
    4. View the Percentage Used field.

      Is the value in the Percentage Used field 100%?

      • Yes: Continue with the next step.
      • No: Continue with step 4.
  3. The NVMe device is nearing its end of life and must be replaced. The NVMe device will soon reach the limit for the number of write operations that are supported. Write operations to the NVMe device become slower over time, and at some point the NVMe device becomes a read-only device. When the operating system writes data to a read-only device, the write operations are rejected, and the operating system considers the device as if a failure occurred. To support normal write operations, the NVMe device must be replaced.
    Note: Failure of IBM NVMe devices is covered in the standard warranty and during the maintenance period only for devices that have not reached the maximum number of write cycles. Devices that reach this limit might fail to operate according to specifications and must be replaced. This replacement cost is not covered under the standard warranty or during the maintenance period.
    This ends the procedure.
  4. Is the value in the Available spare space field equal 1?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: A service action is not required. This ends the procedure.
  5. The NVMe device is nearing its end of life and must be replaced. The NVMe device will soon reach the limit for the number of write operations that are supported. Write operations to the NVMe device become slower over time, and at some point the NVMe device becomes a read-only device. When the operating system writes data to a read-only device, the write operations are rejected, and the operating system considers the device as if a failure occurred. To support normal write operations, schedule maintenance to replace the NVMe device at your earliest convenience.
    Note: Failure of IBM NVMe devices is covered in the standard warranty and during the maintenance period only for devices that have not reached the maximum number of write cycles. Devices that reach this limit might fail to operate according to specifications and must be replaced. This replacement cost is not covered under the standard warranty or during the maintenance period.
    This ends the procedure.