# Best Practices

By following these best practices, many common errors can be averted.

- Keep an Ssh Terminal Open

  When running the Fabric Manager GUI, it is helpful to always have an Ssh Terminal available to verify host connectivity, analyze OPAFM configuration, use Intel® Omni-Path Fabric Suite FastFabric Tools to verify expected behavior, etc. Even if it is not possible to connect to the subnet, an Ssh session can still be opened using a CONSOLE feature under the ADMIN tab.

- Use the Online Help System

  The Fabric Manager GUI has an Online Help System that should be used as a guide to the proper use and understanding of features being explored. Click the on each panel to obtain specific information about that panel, or select ONLINE HELP from the HELP menu for information about setting up access to a subnet.

- Use the Fast Fabric Assistant

  The CONSOLE feature mentioned above has the additional ability of providing real-time help through the FastFabric Assistant, which provides command line syntax for commands in the Intel® Omni-Path Fabric Suite FastFabric Tool Suite.

- Take advantage of the SM Log

  The Fabric Manager GUI provides a window into the SM Log file where errors and other activities are logged by the Intel® Omni-Path Fabric Suite Fabric Manager. This can be an invaluable resource in detecting the root cause of errors encountered when running the Fabric Manager GUI. Under the ADMIN tab, select the LOGS tab and log into the host. Lines of text from the log file are provided beginning with the most recent 100 lines to a maximum of 1000 lines of text. Use the filters to narrow the text being displayed by device type, warnings, or errors.