Operations Console hardware requirements

 

You need to meet the PC and System i™ hardware requirements for an Operations Console configuration.

Table 1. PC requirements - processor and memory
Operating System (1,2) Operations Console PC
Windows® 2000

  • Pentium® 500 MHz recommended

  • 128 MB memory minimum (256 MB recommended)
Windows XP Professional

  • Pentium 500 MHz (P6 or equivalent compatible microprocessor)

  • 256 MB memory minimum
Notes:

  1. See the iSeries™ Access Web site for any updated PC requirements.

  2. If your PC has power management capabilities, it can turn the PC off. The PC might reset the communications port when power management is started, which can end any connections already established. Certain types of power management on the PC and in the operating system might cause system reference code (SRC) 0000DDDD to appear in the System i control panel or remote control panel. This SRC data should be cleared when PC activity resumes.

IBM® System i5™ and eServer™ i5 models start counting logical partitions with the number 1 (even if it is the only partition) instead of a 0. iSeries 270 and 8xx models start counting logical partitions with the number 0. For the console to connect properly, your logical partitions must also begin numbering at 1 instead of 0. This is especially true if you rely on the BOOTP process to configure the system with its network data. If you want to use an Operations Console local console on a network (LAN), install the LAN adapter for Operations Console according to your model. IBM supports a local console on a network (LAN) only on models 270 and 8xx. Table 2 shows the supported cards for LAN connectivity. Table 3 shows the correct location for the LAN card.

Supported cards and locations are only for nonpartitioned systems or primary partitions. For logical partitions in an LPAR environment, any Operations Console-supported adapter can be used.

In case an emergency arises where your LAN connection fails, configure an Operations Console local console directly attached to the system. For instructions, see the Planning considerations for your backup console topic. Table 3 shows the correct location for the directly cabled console.

Table 2. Supported cards for LAN connectivity
Card name or number Description
2744 PCI 100 Mbps Token ring Adapter
2838 PCI 100/10 Mbps Ethernet IOA
2849 PCI 100/10 Mbps Ethernet IOA
Integrated Ethernet Port PCI 100/10 Mbps Integrated LAN IOA (model 825 only)

The Integrated Ethernet Port is the only LAN-connectivity for the Operations Console local console on a network option for model 825.

Table 3. System i requirements - LAN card location
Model Operations Console (LAN) console card location Operations Console direct connection (asynchronous) location for the cable
270 C06, second C05 C07
800, 810 C06, second C05 C07
820 C04, second C03, third C11 C06
825 Integrated Ethernet Port, (C03, C02, C01)(1) C06
830, SB2 C04, second C06, third C10 C02
840, SB3 C04, second C06, third C10 C02
870, 890 C04, C06, C07, C08, C09 C02

1 These locations will only be available if the Integrated Ethernet Port is not operational.

To review cable requirements, see the Operations Console cable requirements topic.

 

Parent topic:

Verification of Operations Console requirements

 

Related tasks


Changing the console from a local console directly attached to a local console on a network (LAN) in a non-partitioned or primary partitioned system
Changing the console from a local console directly attached to a local console on a network in a logical partition
Changing the console from a twinaxial console to an Operations Console in a non-partitioned or primary partitioned system
Changing the console from a twinaxial console to an Operations Console in a logical partition

 

Related reference


Scenario: Consoles for multiple systems or partitions
Preparation for your network environment
Operations Console cable requirements
Operations Console software requirements
Changing from a local console directly attached to a local console on a network (LAN)
Changing from a twinaxial console to an Operations Console
Changing from an Operations Console to a twinaxial console
Planning considerations for your backup console

 

Related information

iSeries Access Web site