Console Considerations
Console ConsiderationsConsole Considerations
Console Considerations
The optimal configuration of console device(s) depends on a number of factors, including the customer's data center
layout, console security needs, customer engineer access needs, and the degree with which an operator must interact with
server or peripheral hardware and a partition (i.e., changing disks, tapes). This section provides a few guidelines. However
the configuration that makes best sense should be designed as part of site preparation, after consulting with the customer's
system administration staff and the field engineering staff.
Customer data centers exhibit a wide range of configurations in terms of the preferred physical location of the console
device. (The term "console device" refers to the physical screen/keyboard/mouse that administrators and field engineers use
to access and control the server.) The Superdome server enables many different configurations by its flexible configuration of
access to the MP, and by its support for multiple geographically distributed console devices.
Three common data center styles are:
The secure site where both the system and its console are physically secured in a small area.
The "glass room" configuration where all the systems' consoles are clustered in a location physically near the
machine room.
The geographically dispersed site, where operators administer systems from consoles in remote offices.
These can each drive different solutions to the console access requirement. The considerations listed below apply to the
design of provision of console access to the server. These must be considered during site preparation.
The Superdome server can be operated from a VT100 or an hpterm compatible terminal emulator. However some
programs (including some of those used by field engineers) have a more friendly user interface when operated from
an hpterm.
LAN console device users connect to the MP (and thence to the console) using terminal emulators that establish
telnet connections to the MP. The console device(s) can be anywhere on the network connected to either port of the
MP.
Telnet data is sent between the client console device and the MP "in the clear", i.e. unencrypted. This may be a
concern for some customers, and may dictate special LAN configurations.
If an HP-UX workstation is used as a console device, an hpterm window running telnet is the recommended way to
connect to the MP. If a PC is used as a console device, Reflection1 configured for hpterm emulation and telnet
connection is the recommended way to connect to the MP.
The MP currently supports a maximum of 16 telnet-connected users at any one time.
It is desirable, and sometimes essential, for rapid time-to-repair to provide a reliable way to get console access that
is physically close to the server, so that someone working on the server hardware can get immediate access to the
results of their actions. There are a few options to achieve this:
Place a console device close to the server.
Ask the field engineer to carry in a laptop, or to walk to the operations center.
Use a system that is already in close proximity of the server such as the Instant Support Enterprise Edition
(ISEE) or the System Management Station as a console device close to the system.
The system administrator is likely to want to run X-applications or a browser using the same client that they access
the MP and partition consoles with. This is because the partition configuration tool,
parmgr
, has a graphical
interface. The system administrator's console device(s) should have X-window or browser capability, and should be
connected to the system LAN of one or more partitions.
Functional Capabilities
Functional CapabilitiesFunctional Capabilities
Functional Capabilities
Local console physical connection (RS-232)
Display of system status on the console (front panel display messages)
Console mirroring between LAN and RS-232 ports
System hard and soft (TOC or INIT) reset capability from the console
Password secured access to the console functionality
Support of generic terminals (i.e. VT100 compatible).
Power supply control and monitoring from the console. It will be possible to get power supply status and to switch
power on/off from the console.
Console over the LAN. This means that a PC or HP workstation can become the system console if properly
connected on the customer LAN. This feature becomes especially important because of the remote power
management capability. The LAN will be implemented on a separate port, distinct from the system LAN, and
provide TCP/IP and Telnet access.
QuickSpecs
HP 9000 Superdome Servers
HP 9000 Superdome ServersHP 9000 Superdome Servers
HP 9000 Superdome Servers
(PA-8600, PA-8700 and PA-8800)
(PA-8600, PA-8700 and PA-8800)(PA-8600, PA-8700 and PA-8800)
(PA-8600, PA-8700 and PA-8800)
System Management Features
DA - 11721 North America — Version 13 — April 1, 2005
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