Make the System Available

When the installation is complete, you then can make the system available to your users. Do so only when you can answer yes to all the following questions:

1. Is IBM finished doing its part of the installation?

2. Have you created user profiles for all your users?

3. If you have decided to use manual configuration, have you turned off automatic device configuration and created device descriptions for all the devices you are connecting?

4. If the application software is required at this stage, have you installed it on your i5 server?

5. Have you physically connected all display stations and printers to the system?

6. Do your users really need access to the server? Are you sure they aren't asking for the i5 just to play with the "new toy?"

Allowing Sign-On

If all questions receive a yes answer, you need to vary on all display stations if they are not varied on already. To find out, run the Work with Configuration Status (WRKCFGSTS) command, as follows :

WRKCFGSTS CFGTYPE(*DEV) CFGD(*DSP)

The WRKCFGSTS command presents a panel listing all display stations in name sequence. The status column should read "SIGNON DISPLAY." If some or all devices don't show that status, enter an option 1 to vary on that particular device and press Enter. You can key in multiple 1s on different lines and press Enter. All devices marked in this way are varied on at the same time. When all display stations show the "SIGNON DISPLAY" status, they will show the sign-on display that allows your users to sign on to the i5 server.

Section 2: Operations

Chapter List

Chapter 2: Powering Up and Down

Chapter 3: Controlling the System

Chapter 4: Subsystems

Chapter 5: Working with Printed Output

Chapter 6: Backup and Recovery

Chapter 7: Operational Assistant

Chapter 8: User Messages

Chapter 9: Commands and System Help

Chapter 2: Powering Up and Down

Powering up the system consists of two steps: physically switching on the central processing unit (CPU) and performing an Initial Program Load (IPL). The system needs you to perform an IPL periodically because it is the only time the operating system performs certain essential "housekeeping" tasks . It's recommended that you plan a periodic IPL schedule. However, if your organization must have the system up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, recent improvements in the operating system allow you forgo periodic IPLs. As shown in Chapter 7, Operational Assistant can simplify the task of scheduling an IPL. Two basic types of IPL are available: unattended and attended. A third type, remote IPL, isn't described in this book.

Unattended IPL

Unattended IPLs are the easiest type of IPL to perform because there is nothing to do other than turn on the CPU. Make sure the key lock on the CPU's control panel is in the NORMAL or SECURE position; the i5 takes care of the rest.

When you perform an unattended IPL, the i5 eventually shows the sign-on display at the system console and, if the start-up program specifies it, at all other display stations as well. Start-up programs are described later in this chapter.

You should perform unattended IPLs unless a compelling reason exists to perform an attended IPL. Keep your CPU's key lock in the NORMAL or SECURE position.