Using the console service functions (65+21)

Use the console service functions (65+21) only when you encounter an unexpected console failure and there are no other workstations available for recovery or resolution. Inappropriate use can result in the inability to use the intended console.

Any hardware allocations or configurations must be accomplished before using the console service functions (65+21). For example, if you installed an input/output adapter (IOA) for use with the console device, you must tag this IOA to change the type of console or connectivity.

Important: To use the console service functions (65+21), the server must be far enough through the initial program load (IPL) for the code to run correctly. If a console device is available, you can use that device for changes or recovery. If a console device is not available, you can perform the console service functions (65+21) only after a failing system reference code (SRC) is displayed. The code is typically A6005008 for a manual IPL.

The console service functions (65+21) apply to systems with or without a Hardware Management Console (HMC), as well as a control panel. If your system is managed by an HMC, you can enter these functions using the HMC, Operations Console remote control panel, or the virtual control panel. If your system is not managed by an HMC, you can enter these functions at the physical control panel, Operations Console remote control panel, or the virtual control panel.

The following functions are available using the console service functions (65+21):

Changing the console value in i5/OS® (01 - 04)
You can use the console service functions (65+21) to change the console value from its current value to another. For example, assume that you ordered your system with Operations Console (LAN), but you are having trouble getting it to work. If you have received the console cable for a directly attached console, you might want to change the value from a 03 (LAN) to a 02 (Direct).
Clearing the resource and configuration for the Operations Console (LAN) adapter (C3)
With this option, you can disassociate the current LAN adapter used for Operations Console. You might use this option to overcome a mistake in the configuration. For example, assume that you made a typing error and entered another device's IP address. At connection time, the client configured the system's LAN adapter for use by the console, but the console fails to connect because the other device is active. This option clears the system's network data for the console and allows you to delete the client's configuration so that you can start over and make the BOOTP work again.

Depending on your intent to clear the LAN adapter configuration, you might also want to stop and restart the LAN adapter. The example here benefits from following the clear function with a deactivate and activate (A3) function to save time from having to do an IPL.
Deactivating and activating the Operations Console LAN adapter (A3)
With this option, you can reset the LAN adapter used by Operations Console when some network problem causes the system to get into a bad state and the console cannot become active. This forces the LAN adapter to deactivate, and then restart. This might solve the problem, providing the original problem that caused the connection failure has been solved.

This option might be used in place of an IPL for some circumstances, such as after the LAN adapter configuration has been cleared.
Dumping Operations Console-related flight recorders to vlogs (DD)
Note: This option will not work during an IPL in D-mode.

You can capture valuable resolution information regarding an Operations Console connection failure for support personnel. This option is less invasive than performing a main storage dump, which forces the server to restart. The console service functions (65+21) gather the flight recorder logs for Operations Console and then the server creates a set of vlogs for major code 4A00 and minor code 0500. You can send these vlogs to your authorized service provider for analysis. When possible, continue the IPL of the server to i5/OS to guarantee that all vlogs are created even if the IPL fails. The intent is that the Licensed Internal Code (LIC) function has started the vlog tasks before performing the dump of flight recorders.
Enabling or disabling the embedded Ethernet port and 5706/5707 adapters (E1, E2, D1, D2)
Note: These options are only used when the system is not managed by an HMC.

You can enable or disable support for the embedded Ethernet port and for the 5706/5707 adapters. The values displayed depends on the model and code level, for example, E6C30005 or E1E20005. The E6 in the first example corresponds to the E1E2 in the second example on earlier releases. Starting in V5R4M5 the E6 in the first example would be replaced by 06 or E2 where 06 indicates both the embedded Ethernet port and the 5706/5707 adapters are supported. The E2 would indicate that the user designated C2 to be used for a local console on a network (LAN) configured connection. For a complete list of all values see Troubleshooting > SRCs > A6005008.
Selecting an individual LAN adapter location (Bn)
Your system can have LAN adapters for use with a console located in multiple slots simultaneously, including locating the network adapter in slot C2 or C5. A 5706/5707 adapter can be used without an IOP if your hardware supports this function. If you use another network adapter, such as the 2849, then you must install an IOP.

The Bn set of options are only available when the embedded Ethernet support is turned off and the 5706/5707 adapter support is turned on. The numbers appearing with the Bn set are model dependent and may appear in the normal search order, not necessarily numerically.
Selecting an individual asynchronous adapter location (Fn)
Your system can have asynchronous adapters located in multiple slots simultaneously, including locating the 2793 asynchronous adapter in slot C4. Slot C4 allows an IOA that does not require an IOP. This is possible only for systems that are not managed by an HMC and have an input/output adapter (IOA) that does not require an input/output processor (IOP). To allow for this greater flexibility on the 520, you must install PTF MF39303 (V5R3M5) or PTF MF39304 (V5R4M0). These PTFs should already be installed on the 525 and 515. Starting with i5/OS V5R4M5, all POWER5 systems have the ability to designate a specific asynchronous communication adapter for console or remote service. The numbers in the Fn are determined by the model and may be seen in the search order the system would look, not necessarily numerically.

With these PTFs, you will be able to select an individual asynchronous adapter for use with the console and remote service by using either a native macro or the console service functions (65+21). The console and remote service functions must all remain on a single asynchronous adapter. If you have a system that was shipped with Licensed Internal Code (LIC) prior to V5R4M5, you cannot select slot C4 for use with the console when using the 2793, but you can select slot C4 for use with remote service.

Also, if you are running LIC prior to V5R4M5 and you have moved the 2793/2794 asynchronous adapter from its manufacturing default location to use Operations Console (Direct), you must use the 65+21 functions to increment nn of SRC A6nn 500x until the nn value is F2 or F3. This action will enable the asynchronous adapter in slot C2 or C3.

How console service functions work

Learn about how the console service functions work.

Note: If your system is not in manual mode, and the extended functions are not activated, or both, follow these steps:

If your system uses a keystick, insert it in the key slot.
Place the system into manual mode by using the system's control panel.
Using Up and Down, select function 25. Press Enter.
Use Up to select function 26. Press Enter.

A function 65 is performed from one of the input methods. You have approximately 60 seconds to enter a function 21 for the system to pair the two functions together. If not, the function 21 is a force of dedicated service tools (DST) to the console. Depending on the state of the current IPL, you might not see a change at the console, assuming the console is still present after the 65. If the 65 and 21 are entered in less than 60 seconds, a system reference code (SRC) of A6nn500A is displayed on the control panel. The value of nn depends on the console value currently being used, 01 thru 04. Repeating the 65 and 21 puts the system into an edit mode where you can make a change or cause an action to be performed.

Note: If you are using a physical control panel with a double row of data, you might need to perform a function 11 after each function 65+21 to force the system to show the resulting SRC code. If you are using the remote control panel, the virtual control panel, or another input type, it might not be necessary to do function 11 after the function 65+21 operation.

After the second 65+21 pair is entered, the control panel responds with an SRC of A6nn500B to indicate you are in edit mode. Each repeated 65+21 within edit mode increments nn of the SRC until you reach the value representing the action you intend to perform. At this time, you enter a single 21, which causes the selected function to be performed. The SRC then becomes A6nn500C to indicate the function was successfully submitted.

If at any time you exceed 60 seconds between the 65 and 21 or between succeeding 21s, SRC A6nn500D might be displayed, indicating a timeout condition and the system is no longer in edit mode. If you planned to make a change, you must restart the operations. This SRC will reset in approximately three minutes. You can quit the edit mode by using function 66. The function 66 does not have to complete successfully.

Use the following codes to track your progress:

A6nn 500x

Where nn is:

00 = No console defined
01 = Twinaxial console
02 = Operations Console (Direct)
03 = Operations Console (LAN)
04 = Hardware Management Console (HMC) or Thin Console
C3 = Clear LAN configuration
A3 = Deactivate followed by an activate of the LAN Operations Console adapter
DD = Dump all console related flight recorder into a set of vlogs
D1 = Disable Ethernet embedded port
D2 = Disable add-on 5706/5707 LAN adapter
E1 = Enable Ethernet embedded port
E2 = Enable add-on 5706/5707 LAN adapter
B2 = Enable LAN adapter in slot C2
B5 = Enable LAN adapter in slot C5
Bn = Enable LAN adapter in slot Cn (where n is a valid console location based on the model). (This option will only display when support for the embedded port is disabled and support for the 5706/5707 is enabled.)
F2 = Enable asynchronous adapter in slot C2
F3 = Enable asynchronous adapter in slot C3
F4 = Enable asynchronous adapter in slot C4
Fn = Enable asynchronous adapter in slot Cn (where n is a valid console loocation based on the model)

Notes:

Selecting 02 will automatically activate the asynchronous communications adapter used for Operations Console (Direct).
Selecting 03 might also require a function A3 to activate the LAN adapter in rare cases. Also, if a LAN connected console is connected, the emulator might go to a Disconnected state. If so, you can start it again by clicking Communication and selecting Connect.

Where x is:

A6nn 500A = Your current console value is displayed.
A6nn 500B = You did a second 65+21 pair so you are in edit mode.
A6nn 500C = You executed a second 21 to cause an action, such as setting the console to another value.
A6nn 500D = Too much time has passed after entering edit mode to cause an action. You must enter edit mode again if you intend to make a change. A 21 at this time will force the console to DST, not cause an action.

If you do not want to make a change after entering edit mode, you can wait 3 minutes and the completion code indicates a change is no longer pending. You can also enter a function 66 to cancel any pending changes and exit.

An example of a console change is when you have a twinaxial console (01) and you want to use LAN (03). This example shows the additional function 11 that would be entered if you are using a double-row control panel to force the resulting SRC code.

65 - 21 - 11 = A601500A You are in display mode and the console value is 01.
65 - 21 - 11 = A602500B You entered edit mode and incremented the counter.
65 - 21 - 11 = A603500B You incremented the counter again.
21 - 11 = A603500C You invoked the action (set the console value to 03).

If the LAN adapter already had a valid configuration, for example, you previously configured the LAN adapter for use with the service tools server, you can now create a local console on a network (LAN) configuration on the client, if one does not already exist. You can then turn off the twinaxial device and connect the Operations Console (LAN) configuration.

Note: To reset the console without changing the console value, you can enter a 65 - 21 - 21. The system will respond with A6nn500A after the first 21 and A6nn500C after the second 21. This causes the connection to the console to be dropped during the reset process. Do not use this function when you already have a working console. This function does not correct all errors associated with a console failure, but rather resets the hardware associated with the configured console connection.