System information

24
AS/400 IBM Network Station: Techniques for Deployment in a WAN
the general recommendation is to leave the IBM Network Stations
powered on. Therefore, the AS/400 CPU required for Network Station boot
up will most likely be needed only occasionally. On the other hand, your
site may have different policies or habits regarding the powering off of
desktop workstations on a daily or weekly basis. In these cases, it is more
critical to have adequate CPU to handle the more frequent IBM Network
Station initialization. Refer to Section 2.4, “Capacity” on page 37 for
additional details about capacity planning.
• Are you already considering deploying remote application servers? If yes,
are they capable of being boot servers?
If you are planning on installing remote application servers for Domino or
other applications, the same sort of considerations as mentioned
previously, also apply here. For example, will you have TCP/IP and
(preferably) OS/400 V4R2 or later installed on the remote AS/400? In
addition, capacity needs for the IBM Network Station users should be
considered. Will the users need to access AS/400 systems or other
systems across the network. If so, is your network already TCP/IP
capable?
• Does your organization have the necessary skills (either centrally or at the
remote site) to install and maintain remote boot servers?
Although the AS/400 system is well known for its ease of use and is ideally
suited for use as a distributed system, consideration must be given to how
the remote system will be installed and maintained. For example, do you
have available skilled resource, either centrally or remotely located, to
install the systems initially and provide ongoing support? Although a near
lights out operational environment in your remote sites can be achieved,
skilled resources at your central site will be required. In addition, outside
help from sources like IBM Global Services or IBM Business Partners is
also available to provide assistance during initial installation or ongoing
maintenance.
• Is your network already TCP/IP?
If your network is already TCP/IP capable, much of the necessary initial
TCP/IP planning has already been accomplished. However, it may be that
your central site is SNA only, but your remote site system is using TCP/IP
so that IBM Network Stations can be used. If your users at the remote site
are using applications located
only on the remote system, then one key
consideration is how to best facilitate central help desk personnel in
supporting these new remote IBM Network Station users. For example, in
the case where the centralized help desk is on an SNA only network, a
centralized help desk person does not have the ability to directly telnet into
the remote AS/400 system or into the IBM Network Station’s User