Chapter 3: Controlling the System

The eServer i5 system has been designed for easy control. The traditional, and in some cases only, method for controlling the system is through the text-based system console. Once the system has been started and is available for general use, the alternate interface, a GUI application called iSeries Navigator, is available.

This chapter deals with text-based control of the system. Most computer systems have one display station designated as the system console, from which you control system activity. In some cases, computer systems cannot be controlled in any way except by the system console. The i5 lacks this specialization. Any display station can control the system if the user who signs on has been given sufficient authority.

The System Console

One display station always is the system console. The display station you connect to port 0, address 0, of the first workstation controller is the system console. The system communicates with the system console exclusively during attended IPLs, when you use Dedicated Service Tools (DST), and during system shutdown. Therefore, it is important to keep this device near the CPU.

The system can support two other display stations as the system console, but you must be sure to connect them in very specific locations. The first alternate console is the display station you connect to port 1, address 0 of the first workstation controller. The second alternative console is the display station you connect to port 0, address 0 of the second workstation controller.

Either display station can work as the system console in the event the primary console becomes inoperative.