Re: Newbie questions: installing i5/OS V5R4M0 on a 9406-800; re-using installed license keys. -- MIDRANGE-L

Hi Roberto,

i don't have console access to the machine right now, they gave me just the machine, no cables or anything.

I checked the machine, both cards you mentioned are installed (#2849 and #2746).
Position C07 also has the WAN card (one phone plug, and a mini-centronics-ish connector), where the latter is used for the Operations Console cable if i recall correctly.

You can probably imagine me being a bit cautious about firing the machine up without a way to access it. I know i can shut it down from the Control Panel if i really need to (function 8), but i'm unsure about the chance of corrupting filesystems and ruining the license keys if i were to shut it down like this.
I think it's wise to set up a reliable way to access the machine before i start it up.

Regards,

Rene.

________________________________
From: Roberto José Etcheverry Romero <yggdrasil.raiker@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 1:47 AM
Subject: Re: Newbie questions: installing i5/OS V5R4M0 on a 9406-800; re-using installed license keys.

Dont worry about the cards, the keys only care about the proc group
(p05 p10 etc) and serial number, power5 machines have a VPD card where
the serial is stored, but older machines i dont know how IBM changed
parts without changing the serial.
Twinax consoles are just dumb terminals, size of a small 14" monitor +
keyboard, not THAT heavy.
Do you have access to the system right now? i believe you dont need to
reinstall, if you want a clean slate you only need to go to the
Dedicated Service Tools (DST, you get there by doing a B M type ipl),
delete the user Auxiliary Storage Pool (ASP) and then just pop
B2931_01 into the cd tray and install operating system. (you skip the
cumbersome step of getting the console to work).
If you dont have a console working, it's more difficult, but i
recommend the Save and Restore manual from IBM (dont have a link right
now).
The cards needed for lanconsole are the 2849 10/100 adapters and the
2746 twinax controllers for the twinax.

Best Regards,

On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 9:28 PM, Rene K. <kraats@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Roberto,

thanks for the recommendations. Twinax would only happen if i manage to find one cheap in Holland for pickup, as shipping these things (as i recall they weigh as much as a family car) would make it way too expensive.
LAN console would indeed be a better option, that would mean i need to find me an extra network card (the system has only one). At least these ship for a more agreeable price :)

I heard changing hardware could mean that i'd need new license keys (which i'm not planning on buying). I guess that would only happen when changing the mainboard (different CPU or system serial number), or does that also happen when changing / adding interface cards?

Rene.

________________________________
From: Roberto José Etcheverry Romero <yggdrasil.raiker@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 8:30 PM
Subject: Re: Newbie questions: installing i5/OS V5R4M0 on a 9406-800; re-using installed license keys.

Be aware that the serial connections is NOT a simple tty like in AIX.
It's not so simple as just plugging the cable and starting putty...
You have to use the Operations Console program and BEG the system to
work (ah and forget windows 7, the weird encapsulation protocol it
used died on windows XP).
Go to the infocenter and read up on the various console options,
nowadays i recommend HMC (shame it's so expensive almost no one here
buys it), but for the 800 i would use twinax and after installing the
system, lan console (it's a lot easier to configure lan console once
you have some console working).
Also, remember the cards and positions needed for console (all that is
explained in the infocenter page)

Best Regards,

On Fri, Dec 7, 2012 at 4:02 PM, Rene K. <kraats@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Rob,

i know...i'll probably use LAN console in the future once i'm a bit more confident with the i5/OS environment, but a serial connection feels more like a solid safety net for now (should i mess up certain network settings or subsystems).
In daily life i work with AIX environments, still i always keep a serial and UTP cable in my bag should an HMC connection fail or something :)

I've never worked with AS/400s (still prefer that title ;) but they intrigued me when i landed an IT job in 2000...i looked over the shoulder of the operators now and then, and thought OS/400 was quirky and weird, but at the same time very interesting.
Draconian licensing restrictions, expensive hardware, and hard-to-get install media prohibited me from playing with those systems at home, but since i now could get my hands on a running machine with licenses and passwords included (and someone kind enough to borrow me the install CDs) my curiosity was stirred again :)

Rene.

________________________________
From: "rob@xxxxxxxxx" <rob@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 7, 2012 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: Newbie questions: installing i5/OS V5R4M0 on a 9406-800; re-using installed license keys.

Self study includes learning how to use the system in other accounts to
increase your marketability. That being said, the direct cable option is
not an option on newer systems. But Lan Console still is.

Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1
Group Dekko
Dept 1600
Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com

From: Rene van der Kraats <kraats@xxxxxxxxx>
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Date: 12/06/2012 03:25 PM
Subject: Re: Newbie questions: installing i5/OS V5R4M0 on a
9406-800;re-using installed license keys.
Sent by: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx

<rob@...> writes:

Don't know that cable number but I'll take a guess: Operations Console,

to make your PC the system console by a direct connection?

If so, can you change to Lan Console? Use a LAN connection instead?

Rob Berendt

Hi Rob,

that's right, that's an Operations Console cable (with a 9-pin serial and
a
mini-Centronics-ish port):P

I could probably use LAN console too (i think that company's Sysop
mentioned
it), but in case i mess up the network settings i'd like a connection
that's
always there...i'm a sucker for serial connections ;)

The machine's located in my hobbyroom (it's for selfstudy only), so i'm
sitting
close to it anyway ;)

Rene.

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