Operations Console concepts

You can use Operations Console to manage IBM® i in a logically partitioned or nonpartitioned environment.

In a logically partitioned environment, you might want to use the Hardware Management Console (HMC) or the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) to access your hardware.

Operations Console uses 5250 emulation, which is provided by either System i® Access for Windows® or IBM Personal Communications, to emulate a console. To emulate a server control panel, Operations Console provides a graphical remote control panel or virtual control panel. Operations Console can use a local console on a network, that is, a local area network (LAN), or direct cable attachment to enable communications between a server and a PC.

Operations Console works well when the system has several logical partitions and requires high availability. The Operations Console is able to distribute the consoles for these logical partitions over multiple PCs. If a problem occurs with Operations Console or console-related hardware, the HMC can be made the backup console to quickly retrieve a console.