Preparing your console for software installation

Before you install a new IBM i software release, consider this information about consoles.

Supported hardware and console combinations include:
  • Hardware Management Console (HMC)
  • Operations Console (LAN)

If you are planning on migrating your Operations Console, do so either before or after you upgrade. If you are planning on migrating your Hardware Management Console (HMC), do so only after you have completely installed your system. For more information about using the HMC as your IBM i console, see Managing IBM i consoles .

Verify that the console type value is set correctly for your console. In addition, you can specify that an IBM i local area network (LAN) console or Hardware Management Console be taken over by another console in the event your console is disconnected. To verify the console type value, follow these steps:

  1. Start and log on to System Service Tools (STRSST).
  2. Select option 8, Work with service tools user IDs and Devices.
  3. Select option 3, Select console.
  4. Select Console type.

    The value of the current console mode is present in the input field. Verify that this is the correct setting. A value of zero means that the console mode has not been set and can interfere with the automatic installation process. The console mode value must be one of the following values.

    Console mode Description
    3 Operations console (LAN)
    4 Hardware management console (HMC)

    During an installation or upgrade, the console type specified by this value is used.

    The console mode display also includes the option to allow your 5250 console to be taken over by another console. When this option is turned on, the system does not stop with a console failure but continues to run uninterrupted. For more information, see the topic Console takeover and recovery .

If you use Operations Console, follow these instructions before you install IBM i on your system.
  • Review the Operations Console topic.
  • See the GettingStarted document in the Documentation directory of the CD. Section 9.9 Establishing a Console Connection to IBM i provides instructions on connecting a LAN console.
  • When you receive the IBM i release upgrade, the shipped service tools user IDs (except 11111111) are expired. For all upgrades and installations, you need to establish a connection between the system and Operations Console PC by using 11111111 (eight 1's) for both the service tools user ID and the default password. This ensures a successful authentication of the subsequent connection of the client to the system. This is especially important for automatic installations.

Failure to comply with these actions can prevent the console from working correctly during the upgrade or installation.