The IBM® i5/OS® virtual
control panel is an alternative to the remote control panel on servers that
do not support a directly connected remote control panel and do not have a
network adapter. Like the remote control panel, the virtual control
panel is a way to use control panel functions through a PC.
The graphical user interface for the virtual control panel is identical
to the remote control panel. Also, the virtual control panel can perform most
of the same functions as the remote control panel.
For information about deciding whether the remote control panel or the
virtual control panel best meets your needs, see Differences between the virtual control panel and remote control panel.
Considerations for the virtual control panel
The
following table lists requirements and restrictions for the virtual control
panel.
Table 1. Virtual control panel requirements and restrictions| Requirements |
Restrictions |
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- The virtual control panel must have a direct connection to the server
from the Operations Console using the serial console cable.
- A unique service tools device profile must exist for each virtual control
panel connection.
- If you want to use the mode function provided by the virtual control panel,
the service tools user profile used to authenticate the connection must have
the Partition remote panel key privilege. To verify
that your service tools user ID has this privilege, see Setting user ID permissions for the VCP.
- A VCP requires the console to be directly connected over a serial cable,
and the console must be connected to use the control panel functions. However,
the VCP cannot power on the server. The VCP also requires a service tools
device ID on the server.
- You must be granted access to a logical partition's RCP and functions
to use the RCP or VCP. Because the VCP setup uses the Operations Console on
a network configuration path and characteristics, the service tools device
ID must also be granted access to that logical partition's RCP to use this
feature. Users and service tools device IDs default values automatically grant
access to the RCP for the logical partition but can be revoked by an administrator
for the user ID, device ID, or both. The user that authenticates a connection
must also have authority to the respective logical partition's keylock to
change the mode.
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- The virtual control panel is available only while the Operations Console
is connected.
- You cannot use the virtual control panel remotely through a dial-up connection.
- You cannot use an existing network name or duplicate a name that is already
configured on the PC. You might need to verify if a name is used by looking
in the hosts file on the PC. The hosts file
can be viewed by any standard text editor.
- More than one LAN-connected remote control panel can be active at the
same time. In addition, LAN-connected remote control panels can coexist with
a virtual control panel.
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Connectivity and usage considerations
Ensure that
you understand the following connectivity and usage requirements and restrictions
before you install the Operations Console virtual control panel (VCP). For
information about installing the VCP, see Setting up the virtual control panel.
Table 2. Connectivity requirements and restrictions| Requirements |
Restrictions |
|---|
- The VCP requires the serial cable and connection of a local console (directly
attached).
- The VCP requires a unique service tools device ID for connection authentication.
If no local console on a local area network (LAN) configuration exists, then
you can use the QCONSOLE service tools device ID.
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- You cannot use a name that already exists on the network or duplicate
a name that is already configured on the PC.
- VCP functions are not supported at a remote console.
- The hosts file on the PC might need manual cleanup. Each time you create
a network configuration on the PC, data is saved in a file named hosts.
This file may be used each time the PC attempts to connect to the network,
and each entry is unique to any others by the connection name. Be aware that
if you delete a VCP configuration, then the corresponding hosts entry
is not deleted. You must manually delete the appropriate line from this text-based
file using any text editor.
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Table 3. Usage requirements and restrictions| Requirements |
Restrictions |
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|
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- The VCP is available only while the console is connected.
- All VCPs and RCPs are active at the same time. Use care when working with
control panel functions when multiple PCs have access to the functions.
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Figure 1. Virtual control panel
- A
- Function/Data display
- B
- Increment and Decrement buttons
- C
- Power on indicator
- D
- Power button
- E
- System Attention light
- F
- Enter button
- G
- Mode button
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