Connecting to the virtual console for a Linux logical partition

You can connect to the virtual console for a Linux® logical partition so that you can install the operating system or access the command line interface for the Linux logical partition.

You must have one of the following privileges to use the Linux virtual console.

Remote Panel
System Partitions - Administration

The virtual console provides the console function for a Linux server. It is used primarily during the initial installation of the operating system. The virtual console can also be used to view server errors or to restore communication to the LAN. This console connection is used prior to configuring TCP/IP.

Any Telnet client can be used as the Linux console. Multiple Telnet clients can share access to the same virtual console. To connect to a console, use Telnet to connect to port 2301 of the partition that is sharing its resources. TCP/IP must be configured and running on at least one i5/OS® logical partition. Perform one of the following procedures:

If you use IBM® Personal Communications, connect to a virtual console using IBM Personal Communications.
1. Click Start > IBM Personal Communications > Start or Configure Session.
2. From the Customize Communication window, select ASCII as your type of host and select Link Parameters.
3. From the Telnet ASCII window, enter the host name or the IP address of the partition that is sharing its resources, and enter port number 2301 of the partition sharing its resources. Click OK.
4. If you are not using an Integrated xSeries® Server, go to the next step. If you are using both Linux partitions and Integrated xSeries Server consoles, select i5/OS Guest Partition Consoles from the i5/OS Virtual Consoles window.
5. From the i5/OS Guest Partition Consoles window, select the logical partition to which you want to connect as the console.
6. Enter the i5/OS service tools ID and password to connect to the Linux logical partition.
If you use Telnet, connect to the virtual console using Telnet from an MS-DOS command prompt.
1. From an MS-DOS command prompt, use the Telnet command to connect to your server and port 2301 (telnet xxxxxx 2301).
2. If you are not using an Integrated xSeries Server, go to the next step. If you are using both Linux partitions and Integrated xSeries Server consoles, select i5/OS Guest Partition Consoles from the i5/OS Virtual Consoles window.
3. From the i5/OS Guest Partition Consoles window, select the logical partition to which you want to connect as the console.
4. Enter the i5/OS service tools ID and password to connect to the Linux logical partition.