Console planning considerations

The following information applies to all systems:

• If no console type is specified, such as when a new logical partition is being created, the supporting hardware IOP specified during the creation process takes precedence. If the available hardware contains more than one adapter for a selected console type, then the first console workstation to connect will be configured to become the console.
• There is also a special set of console options called Allow console recovery and console can be taken over by another console. This set of functions allows 5250 Console to take control from another console device. The default value of this console option is disabled.
  • When the option is enabled:

    The first 5250 Console device connected becomes the console. Additional LAN-connected 5250 Console devices will have a special DST sign-on.

    All other 5250-based connections will have the new Console Information Status window.

    Console recovery without the loss of the job is available.

  • When the option is disabled:

    All 5250-based connections will be presented the new Console Information Status window.

    Console recovery without the loss of the job is not available.

• 5250 Console allows multiple LAN connections to a single system or logical partition, but only one 5250 session can have control of a system at a time. An active console is the command interface to a system through 5250 emulation that is currently interacting with the system. More than one 5250 Console device might have data on the screen but only one is actually active.
• The client PC also allows multiple local console connections to the system configuration for a single PC.
• Try to avoid putting your 5250 Console on the same IOP as the storage devices.
  • There might be configurations when this cannot be avoided.
  • During very heavy usage of storage devices, the console might appear to stop working temporarily, but it should resume operation shortly. If the console is placed on the same IOP as the storage devices, enable the console options Allow console recovery and console can be taken over by another console.

The following information pertains to console takeover and recovery:

For IBM® i there is a special set of functions known as console takeover and recovery, which allows a LAN-connected 5250 Console to take control from another console device. Use the following information to help determine what console devices are best for your work environment and how to deploy these devices to take advantage of these functions.

• Takeover is the process used for a LAN-connected console device to take control from the current console device. The user signed on to the PC that wishes to take control requires special authority and is initiating the takeover from a new menu.
• Recovery is the process of regaining control of the job running on the console after a problem with the console was encountered. The recovery process may be to the same console device or a different console device and may be facilitated by additional work to enable a device using a different connectivity.

When the takeover option is enabled and each console capable device running 5250 emulation is properly connected, a screen of data is presented regardless of whether it is the active console. In V5R4 and later releases, more than one device will have data on the screen after the console has been established. This results in no blank console screens showing Disconnected when initially connecting a device. The new function now allows the job at the console to be transferred to another device without causing loss of data.

This function is accomplished by suspending the data stream to a console that loses a connection or is being taken over, save further data and then send that data to the next device to become the console, even if the device is the same former console. Recoverability is essentially taking over the console from the same or different qualified device regardless of what the former console was doing.

The following information pertains to nonpartitioned partitions:

• Console supporting hardware may be required to be located in specific slot locations, based on model.

The following information pertains to a multi-partitioned environment:

• If you plan to use 5250 Console as your primary console or as a backup console, you must tag the IOA to support the primary console.
• When more than one console adapter is available for a single IOP, the adapter with the lowest bus address is chosen for use by 5250 Console. For example, you tag an IOP that has two LAN adapters installed. The system uses the first adapter found on the bus. However, during an IPL the first adapter might not be ready in time and the system can select the second adapter. This process can prevent the console from starting immediately or you might not be able to use that resource for your intended purposes. It is recommended that you install only one console-capable adapter that matches your configurations for a single IOP or tag the IOA instead.