Re: Running out of twinax consoles...

[smorrison@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

James H. H. Lampert wrote:
> Based upon my own experience, the whole business of needing to have the 
> console terminal in close proximity to the box is so much bovine scat. 
> Even for things like hot-swapping drives (something I've done exactly 
> once), you really just need to have the console terminal in the same 
> building, on the same floor, and within easy walking distance.

I have to disagree with you, James. We run a 24/7 shop, with multiple 
System i's each with multiple partitions. We have an HMC on each system. 
Having the console there when we have to perform maintenance is so much 
easier than going back and forth to my office. With the HMC I can also 
access the console from my desktop, using remote sessions, and multiple 
people can watch the console if needed, through shared sessions. There is 
also a desktop 'Web Based System Manage Remote Client' that allows me to 
access the HMC GUI from my desktop. It seems I can control the HMC (and 
the console) completely from my desktop as needed, plus get convenient 
access when we have to work in the computer room.

We're also supposed to be able to connect the HMCs to both systems, so we 
will still have access to our systems if one of the HMCs has a problem. I 
haven't had time to seriously dig into this, yet. It's taken some time, 
but I really like the HMCs now. They've been rock solid for us, and allow 
remote access to the console as needed.


Steven Morrison
Fidelity Express