System information

32 Logical Partitions on System i5
2.1 Console history
There are now a few types of consoles that can be used on the iSeries. Originally, in the
System 3X world, the Twinax console was the one and only kind of console that could be
used. The interface was a 5250 green screen. When the AS/400 was announced, Twinax
was still the only console. Async Console was added, which used a 5250 session in Client
Access via a serial port on a PC. This is no longer supported.
Operations Console followed and consists of console GUI software on a PC, again via a
serial port. This is referred to as Direct Operations Console. With OS/400 V5R1, the LAN
Console was introduced. This is the same as the Operations Console, except that it is LAN
attached. It can be a console for more than one system or partition at a time by running
multiple console sessions on the same PC. Each system or partition must have a LAN card
dedicated to the console function.
With i5 systems, each system or partition still needs to have its own console, and there are
now four types of consoles supported: 1=Twinax, 2=Operations Console Direct cable,
3=Operations Console LAN, and 4=Hardware Management Console (HMC).
The newest, of course, is the HMC. On some System i5 systems, attaching an HMC is
optional, as they can still use the other three kinds of console. Some of the System i5
systems require the use of the HMC even though the other console types can still be used. All
System i5 partitioned systems must have an HMC because all LPAR functions on System i5
systems are moved to the HMC and are no longer in DST/SST. This is also true for Capacity
Upgrade on Demand (CUoD) functions. In any of the above cases, this does not mean that
the HMC has to be the selected console type, but all systems attaching an HMC can use the
HMC as the system console if so desired. The HMC does not use any physical system
adapters, as it attaches to special ports in the Service Processor (SP).
2.2 Console for stand-alone systems
Twinax, Direct Operations Console, and LAN Operations Console have no functional or
operational difference from OS/400 V5R2 to V5R3. However, some newer generation PCs
may not have a serial port to use with Direct Operations Console. In that case, a USB to
Serial cable can be used. Also, the Direct Operations Console cable on a stand-alone system
will connect to the ECS card.
Operations Console LAN configurations have always had the LAN adapter serial number
stored as part of the configuration. If the serial number of the configured LAN card cannot be
found during IPL time, then an additional 30 minute wait occurs to see if the adapter reports
in. If not, then another adapter can be used. This only applies if the load source is migrated or
the load source has a prior LAN Operations Console configuration.
The 30 minute wait can be overcome by clearing the LAN configuration on the load source
just before you migrate it. Clear and store the LAN configuration but do not deactivate it. Then
power off the system and migrate the load source.
Function 65 and 21 (disable WAN and DST), when used together within 30 seconds to
change console modes, will cause the current 5250 session to be closed and a new 5250
session to be opened (new 5250 session ID). Function 65/21 will only change console modes
if the resources are tagged before you try to switch them.