Review the types of consoles and connectivity options available
to you, along with each option's advantages and disadvantages.
Depending on your environment, one connectivity option might work
better than another. Review the following advantages and disadvantages of
each Operations Console type and choose the best option for you.
- Local console directly attached to the server
- A local console directly attached to the server is a local PC installed
with Operations Console that is directly attached to the server over an Operations
Console cable.
- Local console on a network (LAN)
- A local console on a network (LAN) is a local PC installed with Operations
Console that is indirectly connected to the server over a network.
Local console directly attached to the
server
A local PC installed with Operations Console that is directly
attached to the server over an Operations Console cable.
Use
this type of connection if you need one console and are providing physical
security for access to the console to manage your server. The following table
lists some advantages and disadvantages for using this type of connection.
Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages: Local console directly attached to the
server| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|
- The administrator will have access to his console in the event of a network
failure. With a local console on a network (LAN), a network failure will cause
you to lose the ability to access your console.
- You can use this PC to become the system console, to perform control panel
functions, or both, provided that you have a virtual control panel connection
(or LAN-like configuration supporting the remote control panel). For more
information about the remote control panel, see Remote and virtual control
panels.
- The console can be securely placed behind locked doors in the server room.
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- You must be located near the server to manage or access the console.
- An Operations Console cable is required to support the Operations Console
function. Remote control panel support must be provided using a method other
than a direct cable.
- This configuration does not support remote connections.
- Only one local console that is directly attached is allowed per PC and
per server or partition.
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Local console on a network (LAN)
A
local PC installed with Operations Console that is indirectly connected to
the server over a network.
Use
this type of connection if you need to manage multiple servers or partitions
from one console and you have a secured network that you can configure your
console on.
Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages: Local console on
a network (LAN)| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|
- You can configure a single PC to be the console for several different
servers or partitions as long as they are connected to the network.
- The administrator will not need to be located near the server to manage
Operations Console.
- Security features are available to protect your Operations Console connections.
- Multiple PCs can be configured as the Operations Console to a server or
partition, but only one can be active at a time.
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- No console is available in the event that a network failure occurs unless
a backup console is in place. It is recommended that you configure a local
console that is directly attached, a twinaxial console, or HMC (if installed)
for backup. For more information on the backup console, see Backup console
for i5/OS®.
- Your server will need a separate LAN card to be used by Operations Console
or other service tools. For more information on the hardware requirements,
see Operations Console hardware requirements.
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