Identifying System Connections [ Performing System Management Tasks ] MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation
Performing System Management Tasks
Identifying System Connections
Distributed terminal controllers (DTCs), terminals, systems, and consoles
are connected in different ways to Series 917 through Series 937 systems,
Series 925 through Series 949 systems, Series 958 systems, Series 947
through Series 967 systems, and Series 950 through Series 980 systems.
To identify the distributed terminal controller (DTC) connections
The DTC is used to control serial devices such as terminals, modems, and
serial printers on a local area network (LAN). The DTC is supported on
Series 917 through Series 937 systems, Series 925 through Series 949
systems, Series 958 systems, Series 947 through Series 967 systems, and
Series 950 through Series 980 systems.
A user who accesses a system remotely has a choice of either a console
connection or a session through the DTC. All RS 232C and RS 422 devices,
except the system console, must go through the DTC to be connected to the
SPU. The RS 232C (a 3-pin connector) connects serial devices (terminals,
PCs, printers) to the SPU using modem or direct connections up to 50 feet
away from the DTC. The RS 422 (a 5-pin connector) directly connects
serial devices to the SPU up to 4000 feet away from the DTC. The DTC
connects terminals for general use to a LAN. Figure 12-11 shows the
rear view of the DTC and where the different connections reside.
Figure 12-11. Rear View of DTC
The SPU must have one LANIC card installed and dedicated to DTC
connections. The DTCs use thin or thick LAN cables.
* Using a thick LAN allows the DTC to be located up to 1,640 feet
away from the SPU.
* Using a thin LAN allows the DTC to be located up to 606 feet away
from the SPU.
The DTC terminals are configured for each system using the NMMGR program.
Refer to Configuring Systems for Terminals, Printers, and Other Serial
Devices (32022-90001) for a description of using the NMMGR program.
To identify network connections
Networks are used to communicate between terminals and systems (DTC),
between systems and systems (NS), and between systems and IBM mainframes
(PSI) and remote NS. They are supported on the Series 917 through Series
937 systems, Series 925 through Series 949 systems, Series 958 systems,
Series 947 through Series 967 systems, and Series 950 through Series 980
systems. The NMMGR program, described in Configuring Systems for
Terminals, Printers, and Other Serial Devices (32022-90001), configures
the network devices; then the following systems can be accessed:
* Systems that have a LANIC card dedicated to DTC communication can
access any terminal on the LAN after the terminal has been
configured.
* Systems that have a LANIC card dedicated to NS communication can
access any system on the LAN after the system has been configured.
* Systems that have a PSI card can access an IBM host mainframe on
the network, after the system has been configured.
Figure 12-12 illustrates the various network connections that are
available. The LANIC (DTC) and LANIC (NS) can be on the same LAN or on
different LANs.
Figure 12-12. Network Connections
To identify system console connections
The system console is connected through the RS 232C junction box, while
all other terminals are connected through the DTC. As the system manager
you designate its use to send and receive system messages.
The system console can be either local or remote. The local console is
used for routinely entering and receiving system messages. The remote
console is normally used by Hewlett-Packard support personnel to service
the system. Remote system access is available as a remote console
connection or as a session through the DTC. Any DTC terminal can be
designated as the logical console by the system operator. The system
operator can transfer the system console capabilities to any terminal on
the LAN. An example of system console connections is provided in Figure
12-13 . Definitions of the terms are provided in Table 12-4 .
Figure 12-13. System Console Connections
Table 12-4. Definitions of System Console Connections
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| | |
| Term | Definition |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| MUX card | Communicates between SPU and system console. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| AP card | Provides remote access to SPU as remote console or terminal. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| LANIC card | Connects SPU to LAN. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| RS 232C junction box | Connects local and remote system consoles to SPU. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| Modem | Provides remote access to SPU over telephone lines. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| Remote system console | Provides remote access to SPU as system console or terminal |
| | session. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| Local system console | Connected to RS 232C junction box and is used for system input |
| | and messages. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| DTC | Controls serial devices (terminal, modems, printers) on a LAN. |
| | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To recognize local/remote console capabilities
The local and remote system consoles are used for normal system
communication by HP support personnel. Each needs to be connected to the
RS 232C junction box. They have CTRL A and CTRL B command access
capabilities. Table 12-5 describes each command:
Table 12-5. Control A and B Commands
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| | |
| Commands | Description |
| | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| CTRL A | Shutdown, operator reply to peripheral |
| | requests. |
| | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | |
| CTRL B | CM> prompt, remote access commands, reset |
| | system (RS), transfer control (TC). |
| | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The remote system console is used by Hewlett-Packard support personnel to
service the system.
The remote system console must be enabled by a key switch and a command
from the system console before use. When it is enabled and in use, the
commands and messages display on both the local and remote console
screens. Only one keyboard is active, however, and the BREAK key on the
inactive keyboard activates that keyboard and disables the other.
To identify the logical system console
The logical system console can be any distributed terminal controller
(DTC) terminal. System console capabilities are moved to a DTC terminal
by using the CO command. A logical system console does not support CTRL
A and CTRL B commands.
MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation