How to control the use of an MCS console

The devices that you have defined as MCS consoles can function as:

The devices that you have defined as SMCS consoles can function only as full-capability consoles.

Full capability consoles

A full-capability console has both input and output capability; the console can be used both to enter commands and to receive status displays and messages. You can also control how messages move on the screen of a full capability console and how operators can delete those messages as they fill the screen. For example, you can specify that messages roll off the screen as the screen fills (roll or roll-deletable mode) or that messages wrap, that is, overlay old existing messages on the screen (wrap mode). For consoles in roll, roll-deletable, or wrap mode, you can define HOLDMODE that allows operators to freeze the screen to view messages.

With all modes but wrap mode, you can divide the screen of a full-capability console so that part of it receives general messages and the other part receives status displays. When a status display is not on the screen, MCS uses the status display area for general messages.

Status Display Consoles

A status display console has output capability only; it cannot be used to enter commands. The system uses the screen to receive status displays.

Message Stream Consoles

A message stream console also has output capability only; it cannot be used to enter commands. The system uses the screen to present general messages.

Note: In this information, the term output-only mode refers to status display mode and message stream mode.

An operator can change a full-capability console to message stream or status display. When the change occurs, the PFK display line, the instruction line, and the entry area are incorporated into the message area or the display area. Once a display console enters message stream or status display mode, it can accept no more input; you must use another console to enter commands.