Re: Ops Console: LAN vs. Direct Attach

[Larry Bolhuis <lbolhuis@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,

LAN Console. Great answer!

Initially you will set up one PC as 'The Console'. When you summon the 
wizard to configure that PC it asks what address you want the port on 
the i5 to use. It then sets up a Bootp server on that PC. When SLIC 
loads up on the i5 it sends bootp requests out on the LAN but will only 
accept an address from an ops console machine. (That's why you put the 
System i serial number into the wizard.) Initially you will use the 
console device of QCONSOLE as it's the only one configured to SLIC by 
default. Once you've gotten in though you can go into DST and configure 
additional console device IDs for other PCs. Each needs it's own and 
you'll notice they don't get a password as the Ops Con software and the 
i5 negotiate one, encrypt it, and store it - you never see it. If you 
ever crash the PC or replace it you'll need to have one of those backup 
device ID available or, for a small fee, I'll get you the magic front 
panel dance to reset QCONSOLE. :-)

I use an old thinkpad with a busted display for my ops console. I put 
Win2kSvr on it and simply use Terminal Services to get to it, so I can 
get to the consoles from anywhere. Sweet!

- Larry

Joe Pluta wrote:
> Just a simple question.  I'm going to get a new machine, and I've decided to
> make the bold leap out of the Industrial Age and finally retire the twinax
> console.  That being the case, I was wondering about experiences (including
> failures and especially failure recovery) with Operations Console, and
> whether you would suggest LAN or Direct Attach.
>
> Given all the input I've received by the folks I trust on this list, my
> leaning is towards LAN attach, especially since it requires almost nothing
> extra on the 515 (with V5R4 I understand that I can just use one of the
> built-in TCP/IP ports), except for the SLIC console device setup.  I'll need
> to read about that, but I'm pretty comfortable this is the way to go,
> especially since down the road I could theoretically use the same PC to
> connect to my model 270 and then the brick will be history (maybe an
> alternate for the 270).
>
> My old laptop can probably be pressed into service as the console, and then
> maybe I can finally convince the CFO that I need a new laptop <grin>.
> Seriously though, can any PC on the LAN act as the console?  Specifically,
> can I install the console software on multiple PCs and use any of them as
> needed?
>
> Joe
>
>