IBM i Series Handbook

Also see for i Series: Cabling guide User guide Manual TCP/IP Configuration and Reference Handbook

Contents

following information to help determine what console devices are best for your work environment andhow to deploy these devices to take advantage of these functions.v Takeover is the process used for a LAN-connected console device to take control from the currentconsole device. The user signed on to the PC that wishes to take control requires special authority andis initiating the takeover from a new menu. This takeover function is not used for directly attachedconsoles.v Recovery is the process of regaining control of the job running on the console after a problem with theconsole was encountered. The recovery process may be to the same console device or a differentconsole device and may be facilitated by additional work to enable a device using a differentconnectivity. The exception is twinaxial console which does not use the same type of 5250 emulationand thus cannot recover the console without data loss.When the takeover option is enabled and the device is properly connected, each console capable devicerunning 5250 emulation, regardless of connectivity, will be presented a screen of data regardless ofwhether or not it is the active console. In V5R3 and later releases, more than one device will have data onthe screen after the console has been established. There will be no more blank console screens showingDisconnected when initially connecting a device. The new function now allows the job at the console tobe transferred to another device without causing loss of data.This function is accomplished by suspending the data stream to a console that loses a connection or isbeing taken over, save further data and then send that data to the next device to become the console,even if the device is the same former console. Recoverability is essentially taking over the console fromthe same or different qualified device regardless of what the former console was doing.The following information pertains to independent and primary partitions:v Console supporting hardware may be required to be located in specific slot locations, based on model.v Multiple IOPs capable of supporting a console workstation can interfere with the selection of thedesired LAN adapter. Consider the following:– Having a second IOP on the bus before your intended console adapter card, when the first IOPcontains a twinaxial adapter card, may fail to provide a LAN-connected console. For example, amodel 890 uses eligible card locations C04, and C06 through C10 and if an IOP were placed in C08and a twinaxial adapter preceded this IOP on the bus then the LAN adapter card located at C09 orC10 will fail to provide a LAN-connected console. The LAN adapter card must be in a locationpreceding the second IOP, such as C06 or C07.– Typically, the card location used for Operations Console directly attached configurations, commonlyreferred to as the Electronic Customer Support (ECS) slot, is located close to the beginning of thebus. When the card location is a low number, for example C02, then C03 is further from thebeginning of the bus than C02. When the card location is a high number, for example C07, then C06is further from the beginning of the bus than C07. There may be exceptions to this numberingscheme based on specific models and expansion units. Contact your service representative if youhave questions about the placement of the ECS.The following information pertains to a multi-partitioned environment:v If you plan to use Operations Console as your primary console or as a backup console, you must tagthe IOP to support the primary console and Electronic Customer Support (slot), even if you do notplan to use Electronic Customer Support. For example, if you are planning to use Operations Consoleon a direct connection, you must tag an IOP with the console tag and the ECS tag. These steps are alsonecessary if you are planning to use Operations Console with a LAN connection.v When more than one console adapter is available for a single IOP, the adapter with the lowest busaddress will be chosen for use by Operations Console. For example, you tag an IOP that has two LANadapters installed. The system will use the first adapter found on the bus. However, during an IPL thefirst adapter may not be ready in time and the system could select the second adapter. This couldprevent the console from starting immediately or you might not be able to use that resource for your4 System i: Connecting to System i Operations Console||