System Console Product Introduction

The IBM Tape System/Service Console (TSSC) and the TS4500 integrated management console (IMC) can provide remote support for the attached tape systems.

The TSSC was previously orderable as a feature of several products while it is nowadays a standard required feature with both TS7770 and the IMC comes standard with a TS4500 tape library (integrated under the tape library end cover). Hereafter, the term system console is used generically to cover either of these two packaging options.

Remote support capabilities of the system console, along with tape systems, include:

• Call Home problem reporting capability with staged, error-specific Data Gathering for support
• Remote access capability with authenticated access and multiple connections with attached systems
• Automatic wellness checking for attached systems
• Automatic download and storage of tape tools and codes images

The data that is gathered during the call home process is available for IBM support personnel via IBM internal support database/repository.

Additionally, the system console provides a convenient focal point for local service activities for attached storage system. The system console is attached via 1 Gb/s Ethernet to each tape system. Many tape system service functions can be performed at the console. The system console provides the following local service tool applications:

• Ability to connect to multiple tape systems and simultaneously perform multiple service tasks from the system console
• Graphical user interface for tape system, tape drive service diagnostic utilities, configuring, backing up, and restoring system console settings.
• Ability to broadcast control unit and tape drive code images to tape systems for subsequent activation from the system console
• Diagnostic tools for verifying communications with IBM Cognitive Support Platform (CSP)

The TSSC is available as feature code 2725 for use with the 3952-F07, 3948-F07, or 3948-F08.

The system console in the TS4500 tape library is part of the integrated management console (IMC). Similar in function to the TSSC, the IMC comes preinstalled with the system console code. The system console code enables the IMC to provide service capabilities, such as broadband call home.

The IBM Diamondback Tape Library can be attached to an existing TSSC by using the cable that comes with the feature code 2715. The IBM Diamondback Tape Library feature code 2726 contains a 7063-CR2 (p9) server based TSSC that includes KVM Display, Keyboard, Mouse and mounting hardware for installation in an external rack (rack not provided).

The IBM Diamondback Tape Library feature code 2726, TSSC with KVM, must be installed on a customer supplied frame. This frame must meet the EIA Standard EIA-310-D for 19-inch racks. FC 2726 requires 2U EIA rack space, 1U for the TSSC and 1U for the KVM.

IBM offers the following rack models suitable for the FC 2726 install: 7014-T00, 7014-T00, 7014-T42,7953-94X, 7965-94Y, and 7965-S42. Review each rack specification by checking the following link: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/power9/0009-ESS?topic=hss-rack-specifications

The IBM Diamondback tape library offers two Top Rack options where the FC 2726 can be installed, FC 1553 Olympus rack and FC 1554 Standard 19" rack, which add 5U of configurable rack space on top of the Diamondback library.