Determining the primary or alternative consoles

If the Operations Console has been configured as the primary console, the system starts the Operations Console. If the Operations Console has not been configured, the primary console is a workstation attached to the first input/output processor (IOP) that is capable of supporting workstations.

In addition to the primary console, the system can assign up to two alternative consoles. The first alternative console can only be a TWINAX workstation that is attached to the same IOP as the primary console. The second alternative console is a workstation that is attached to the next IOP or Input/Output Adaptor (IOA) that is capable of supporting workstations.

The IOP that supports the console must be on the first system bus (bus 1).

If a workstation is not correctly attached to the first IOP that is capable of attaching workstations, the system does not assign a primary console. The system displays a reference code on the operator's panel. In addition, if the initial program load (IPL) mode is set to Manual, the system stops.

Primary console workstation requirements

In order to be the primary console, the workstation must be operational and have the correct port and address. If the workstation is a PC, it must also have an active emulation program on the workstation.

The workstation requirements are:
  • TWINAX workstation - Port 0 Address 0
  • ASCII workstation - Port 0
  • PC attached to ASCII IOP or IOA
    • Port 0
    • PC software to emulate a 316x or 3151 terminal
  • PC attached to TWINAX IOP
    • Port 0 Address 0
    • 5250 emulator software active on PC
  • PC attached to a LocalTalk IOA (6054)
    • SNAps 5250 Version 1.2 (or above) application
    • Console capable selected on Macintosh (IOA converts to Port 0 Address 0)
  • PC attached to a 2609, 2612, 2699, or 2721 communications IOA
    • Client Access Console cable attached to the 2609 or 2612 P2 port (part number 46G0450 or 46G0479), 2699 (part number 21H3779), or 2721 (part number 44H7504)
    • Operations Console cable attached to the 2609 or 2612 (part number 97H7555), 2699 (part number 97H7556), or 2721 (part number 97H7557) - 5250 emulation or Rumba active on PC

Finding the primary console when the system is operational

You can use these methods to find the primary console:
  • Method 1: Look for a sign-on display that shows a DSP01 in the upper-right corner.
  • Method 2: If the device name (DSP01) for the console has been changed, you can verify the device name for the primary console by following these steps:
    1. Enter DSPCTLD QCTL on any command line. The Display Controller Description display appears.
    2. Find the Resource name parameter (such as CTL01) and record it.
    3. Enter PRTDEVADR rrrrr on any command line, where rrrr is the resource name you recorded.
    Note: The data can be printed if the printer is active.
  • Method 3:
    1. Enter STRSST on any command line. The System Service Tools display appears.
    2. Select option 1 (Start a service tool).
    3. Select option 7 (Hardware service manager).
    4. Select option 2 (Logical hardware resources).
    5. Select option 1 (System bus resources). On the Logical Hardware Resources on System Bus display, the < symbol indicates the IOP that the console is attached to.
    6. Select option 9 (Resource associate with IOP and display detail) to find the location of the system bus, board, and card.

Finding the primary console when the system power is off

You can use one of the following methods to find the primary console when the system power is off.
  • Turn on the system in Manual mode and look for the IPL and Install System display.
  • Turn on the system in Normal mode and look for DSP01 on the sign-on display.
    Note: The name might have been changed. Refer to the information about finding the primary console when the system is operational, which is mentioned previously in this topic, to determine the display name.
Parent topic: Reference information