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 IBM® i (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. Continue the initial program load (IPL) of the server until the IBM i operating system starts, if possible, to ensure that all vlogs are created. The intent is that the Licensed Internal Code function has started the vlog tasks before performing the dump of flight recorders.

The following functions are available using a power-based model-specific when not managed by an HMC:

Enabling or disabling the embedded Ethernet port and 5706, 5707, 5767, and 5768 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, 5767, and 5768 adapters. The current option is displayed in word 13 of SRC A6nn5008. The values displayed depend on the model and code level. See SRC A6005008.
Selecting an individual LAN adapter location (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, BA)
Selecting an individual asynchronous adapter location (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, FA)
With these fixes, you can select an individual asynchronous adapter for use with the console and remote service by using either a local macro or the console service functions (65+21). The console and remote service functions must all remain on a single asynchronous adapter.

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)
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
E1 = Enable Ethernet embedded port
E2 = Enable add-on 5706 and 5707 LAN adapters
D1 = Disable Ethernet embedded port
D2 = Disable add-on 5706 and 5707 LAN adapters
Bn = Enable LAN adapter in slot (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, CA)
Fn = Enable asynchronous adapter in slot (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, CA)

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.

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+11. 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.