5.627 Using GDB to Locate Job Failures

If either the pbs_mom or pbs_server fail unexpectedly (and the log files contain no information on the failure) gdb can be used to determine whether or not the program is crashing. To start pbs_mom or pbs_server under GDB export the environment variable PBSDEBUG=yes and start the program (i.e., gdb pbs_mom and then issue the run subcommand at the gdb prompt).

GDB may run for some time until a failure occurs and at which point, a message will be printed to the screen and a gdb prompt again made available. If this occurs, use the gdb where subcommand to determine the exact location in the code. The information provided may be adequate to allow local diagnosis and correction. If not, this output may be sent to the mailing list or to help for further assistance.

See the PBSCOREDUMP parameter for enabling creation of core files (see Debugging).