Using a Virtual Machine Operator's Console

When you run an operating system in a virtual machine, you are the virtual machine operator. You operate the virtual machine and the operating system in your virtual machine. Your virtual machine operator's console is the display device at which you log on z/VM®. (Your virtual machine operator's console can also be referred to as a virtual console, an operator's console, or just a console. All of these terms refer to the display device at which you log on z/VM.)

By entering commands from your virtual machine operator's console, you can communicate with CP and with the operating system executing in your virtual machine. To communicate with CP, enter CP commands. To communicate with the operating system running in your virtual machine, enter the commands of that operating system.

Note: Many installations have two consoles for the virtual machine operator: a virtual machine console to communicate with CP, and a system console to communicate with the operating system running in the virtual machine. When this book refers to your virtual machine operator's console, it is referring to the console you use to communicate with CP.

This topic contains descriptions about:

Using your virtual machine operator's console to communicate with the z/VM Control Program (CP), with operating systems executing in virtual machines, and with other users
Interpreting information formatted by CP on a 3270 display screen
Interpreting the following or equivalent CP screen status indicators:
- ```
CP READ
```
- ```
VM READ
```
- ```
RUNNING
```
- ```
MORE...
```
- ```
HOLDING
```
- ```
NOT ACCEPTED
```
Entering CP commands
Using your virtual machine's program function (PF) keys
Sending messages to the z/VM system operator and other users
Finding out what commands you are authorized to enter
Finding out what user class modification allows you to do
Activating, deactivating, and querying the protected application facility.