Service Tools

Service tools are used to perform various system functions including diagnosing system problems, managing disk units, and managing system security. 

Dedicated Service Tools (DST) or System Service Tools (SST) are used to access service tools functions.  The following are the few functions we can perform with DST or SST.
  • Add hardware resources to the system.
  • Diagnose system problems.
  • Manage disk units.
  • Manage logical partition (LPAR) activities, including memory.
  • Manage or view main storage dumps.
  • Manage other service tools user IDs.
  • Manage system security.
  • Review the Licensed Internal Code and product activity logs.
Service tools user IDs are user IDs that are required for accessing service functions through DST, SST, i series navigator (for disk unit management), and Operations Console. 

Service tools user IDs are created through DST or SST and are separate from IBM i (OS/400) user profiles. It is possible to have a service tools user ID and operating system user profile with the same name.

You can create a maximum of 100 service tools user IDs (including the four IBM-supplied user IDs).