Review the list of the various consoles and connectivity options,
along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Depending on your environment, one connectivity option might work
better than another. Review the following advantages and disadvantages of
each Operations Console type and choose the best option for you.
- Local console directly attached to the server
- A local PC installed with Operations Console that is directly attached
to the server over an Operations Console cable.
- Local console directly attached with remote access allowed
- A local PC installed with Operations Console that can be accessed remotely
and is directly attached to the server over an Operations Console cable.
- Local console on a network (LAN)
- A local PC installed with Operations Console that is indirectly connected
to the server over a local area network (LAN).
- Remote console through dial-up support
- A remote PC installed with Operations Console that uses a dial-up connection
to access a local console that is directly attached with remote access allowed
and can then control the server.
Local console directly attached to the
server
Use this type of connection if you need one console and are
providing physical security for access to the console to manage your server.
The following table lists some advantages and disadvantages for using this
type of connection.
Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages: Local console
directly attached to the server| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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- The administrator will have access to his console in the event of a network
failure. With a local console on a network (LAN), a network failure will cause
you to lose the ability to access your console.
- You can use this PC to become the system console, to perform control panel
functions, or both, provided that you have a virtual control panel connection
(or LAN-like configuration supporting the remote control panel). For more
information about the remote control panel, see Managing the control panel functions.
- The console can be securely placed behind locked doors in the server room.
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- You must be located near the server to manage or access the console.
- An Operations Console cable is required to support the Operations Console
function. Remote control panel support must be provided using a method other
than a direct cable.
- This configuration does not support remote connections. For more information
on remote connections, see Local console directly attached with remote access allowed.
- Only one local console that is directly attached is allowed per PC and
per server or partition.
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Local console directly attached with remote
access allowed
Use this type of connection if you need a console
that is directly attached to a server to allow you to manage the console from
a remote location. This allows you to start the server from home over the
weekend or check to see if the job you started is complete.
Table 2. Advantages
and disadvantages: Local console directly attached with remote access allowed| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|
- The administrator will not have to be located near the server to perform
console tasks.
- The administrator will have access to the console in the event of a network
failure. With a local console on a network (LAN), a network failure will cause
you to lose the ability to access your console.
- You can remotely use this PC as the system console.
- The remote console through dial-up support can gain access to the server
with or without operator intervention depending on your configuration.
- A remote PC can connect to this PC to become the system console.
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- Only one incoming connection is allowed at a time.
- You need an Operations Console cable to support the Operations Console
function. For more information on the hardware requirements, see Operations Console hardware requirements.
- Only one local console that is directly attached is allowed per PC and
server or partition.
- Remote control panel functions are not supported at the remote PC in addition
to this local PC.
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Local console on a network (LAN)
Use
this type of connection if you need to manage multiple servers or partitions
from one console and you have a secured network that you can configure your
console on.
Table 3. Advantages and disadvantages:
Local console on a network (LAN)| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|
- You can configure a single PC to be the console for several different
servers or partitions as long as they are connected to the network.
- The administrator will not need to be located near the server to manage
Operations Console.
- Security features are available to protect your Operations Console connections.
- Multiple PCs can be configured as the Operations Console to a server or
partition, but only one can be active at a time.
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- No console is available in the event that a network failure occurs unless
a backup console is in place. It is recommended that you configure a local
console that is directly attached, a twinaxial console, or HMC (if installed)
for backup. For more information on the backup console, see Backup console for i5/OS.
- Your server will need a separate LAN card to be used by Operations Console
or other service tools. For more information on the hardware requirements,
see Operations Console hardware requirements.
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Remote console through dial-up support
Use
this type of connection if you need a console that is connected to a server
to allow you to manage the console from a remote location.
Table 4. Advantages
and disadvantages: Remote console through dial-up support| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|
- The administrator will not have to be located near the server to perform
console tasks.
- The remote console can gain access to the iSeries™ server with or without operator
intervention depending on your configuration.
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- Only one incoming connection is allowed at a time.
- If the remote PC is also a local console that is directly attached to
the server, with or without remote access allowed, the local console will
have to be disconnected before connecting as a remote console.
- Remote control panel functions are not supported at the remote PC.
- Only one directly attached configuration is allowed per PC, but multiple
remote console configurations can exist as long as only one is active at a
time.
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