Getting started with the Hardware - Revision history

PoC: /* Weblinks */ Better link

2020-07-16T19:53:27Z

Weblinks: Better link

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 16 July 2020
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	* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com		* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com
	* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague		* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague
	* [~~http~~://~~modernhackers~~.com/~~as-400-9406~~-~~170-ops-console-difficulties-9406-0367~~/ AS/~~400 9406 170 OPS Console Difficulties – 9406-0367~~], ~~ModernHackers~~.com		* [https://archive.midrange.com/midrange-l/200604/msg00320.html changing from remote lan console to twinax console], midrange.com
	* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system-jobs System Jobs], IBM Support		* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system-jobs System Jobs], IBM Support

PoC: /* Weblinks */ +Link

2020-07-16T19:13:46Z

Weblinks: +Link

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:13, 16 July 2020
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	* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com		* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com
	* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague		* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague
			* [http://modernhackers.com/as-400-9406-170-ops-console-difficulties-9406-0367/ AS/400 9406 170 OPS Console Difficulties – 9406-0367], ModernHackers.com
	* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system-jobs System Jobs], IBM Support		* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system-jobs System Jobs], IBM Support

PoC: De-whichified

2020-03-12T22:00:35Z

De-whichified

PoC: /* Weblinks */ +Link

2019-10-08T22:22:40Z

Weblinks: +Link

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:22, 9 October 2019
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	* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com		* [https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/TI0003M/p8hai/p8hai_vhmc_x86.htm Installing the HMC virtual appliance on x86], IBM.com
	* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague		* [https://brmlab.cz/project/as400/start AS/400] in Hackerspace Prague
			* [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/system-jobs System Jobs], IBM Support

	== Footnotes ==		== Footnotes ==

PoC: Remote login

2019-09-27T22:26:41Z

Remote login

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:26, 28 September 2019
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	After about 5..15 Minutes, disk activity should have been mostly ceased and the processor utilization LED will be mostly off, probably just briefly flickering once per second.		After about 5..15 Minutes, disk activity should have been mostly ceased and the processor utilization LED will be mostly off, probably just briefly flickering once per second.

	Congrats, you may now try to log in remotely.		Congrats, you may now try to log in (remotely).

	== Log in ==		== Log in ==
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	After a successful signon, you'll be presented with the main menu. From there we'll continue to explore the system.		After a successful signon, you'll be presented with the main menu. From there we'll continue to explore the system.

			'''Note''': In a freshly installed system, QSECOFR is not allowed to sign on via remote devices, such as tn5250 sessions. This behavior is controlled by the system variables QAUTOCFG (for automatic creation of device objects), QAUTORMT (for automatic creation of network initiated connection objects) and QLMTSECOFR (for controlling access to those device objects). Thus, after an initial install, you cannot sign on as QSECOFR via tn5250 remotely without modifying those systen variables with WRKSYSVAL.

	== Weblinks ==		== Weblinks ==

PoC: /* Log in */ Why

2019-09-27T22:17:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 28 September 2019
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	This is usually called sign on, not log in by IBM.		This is usually called sign on, not log in by IBM.

	Depending on which way of access you'll use to your box, you either see the ''signon screen'' on the console display. Or you need to start your tn5250 emulator software and open a connection to the IP address of your box, to be presented with the signon screen afterwards. If this is the very first tn5250 connection to the box, it may take a few seconds with rattling disks until the screen finally appears.		Depending on which way of access you'll use to your box, you either see the ''signon screen'' on the console display. Or you need to start your tn5250 emulator software and open a connection to the IP address of your box, to be presented with the signon screen afterwards. If this is the very first tn5250 connection to the box, it may take a few seconds with rattling disks until the screen finally appears.<ref>OS/400 creates configuration objects on the fly for connections.</ref>

	No matter what, a very distinct feature of the AS/400 is: Everything is menu- or forms based. The login screen is a form with multiple input fields which are handled on the client side: In the not-so-dumb terminal or your emulator software. This is just like a form you'll be presented in your web browser when you register for an account for some web service: You fill out the fields locally and later click on ''Submit'' (or what the send-the-stuff button is actually called) which triggers the sending of all fields at once to the server for processing.		No matter what, a very distinct feature of the AS/400 is: Everything is menu- or forms based. The login screen is a form with multiple input fields which are handled on the client side: In the not-so-dumb terminal or your emulator software. This is just like a form you'll be presented in your web browser when you register for an account for some web service: You fill out the fields locally and later click on ''Submit'' (or what the send-the-stuff button is actually called) which triggers the sending of all fields at once to the server for processing.

PoC: /* Console Considerations */ Backup

2019-09-27T22:14:54Z

Console Considerations: Backup

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:14, 28 September 2019
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	== Console Considerations ==		== Console Considerations ==
	To be really independent from third parties, I '''strongly urge''' to get a proper console. It's a life saver when things go wrong with TCP/IP. Depending on the age of the hardware, you need:		To be really independent from third parties, I '''strongly urge''' to get a proper console. It's a life saver when things go wrong with TCP/IP. Additionally, some tasks need OS/400 running in a ''restricted state'', somewhat similar to the ''single user mode'' of UNIX. Both are used for maintenance, OS/400 needs this mode for creating a proper ''full backup'' of the machine.

			Depending on the age of the hardware, you need:
	* A twinax controller (usually included in the system),		* A twinax controller (usually included in the system),
	* A twinax brick, some kind of breakout box from D-Subminiature connector to multiple twinax-ports on the brick,		* A twinax brick, some kind of breakout box from D-Subminiature connector to multiple twinax-ports on the brick,

PoC: /* Console Considerations */ More precise

2019-09-27T22:09:37Z

Console Considerations: More precise

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 28 September 2019
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	Newer hardware features other ways to get access to a console, most often LAN Console. It is a mess of ''IBM i Access for Windows'' client component and stuff you'll need to configure in DST.<ref>Roughly analog to the BIOS setup of the PC world.</ref> DST is only accessible after an initial install. So if you have a blank machine you need to install from scratch, possibilities are somewhat limited.		Newer hardware features other ways to get access to a console, most often LAN Console. It is a mess of ''IBM i Access for Windows'' client component and stuff you'll need to configure in DST.<ref>Roughly analog to the BIOS setup of the PC world.</ref> DST is only accessible after an initial install. So if you have a blank machine you need to install from scratch, possibilities are somewhat limited.

	Even newer hardware (Example: P520 Express 19" rack mount server) features the necessity of a Hardware Management Console~~. Sold~~ most often as an IBM ThinkPad™ running a heavily customized Red Hat Linux. A heap of Java programs provides HTML output to an also installed old version of Firefox, providing a crude web UI allowing to configure machines (create [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_partition LPARs], move hardware between these virtual instances, manage firmware [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_temporary_fix PTFs], and more. Also, after starting an LPAR, one can attach an integrated tn5250 client as console, allowing to install such a machine from scratch.		Even newer hardware (Example: P520 Express 19" rack mount server) features the necessity of a ''Hardware Management Console'', sold most often as an IBM ThinkPad™ running a heavily customized Red Hat Linux, with a focus on management of many servers. A heap of Java programs provides HTML output to an also installed old version of Firefox, providing a crude web UI allowing to configure machines (create [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_partition LPARs], move hardware between these virtual instances, manage firmware [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_temporary_fix PTFs], and more. Also, after starting an LPAR, one can attach an integrated tn5250 client as console, allowing to install such a machine from scratch.

	Also, certain versions of the HMC are offered by IBM as a virtual appliance, either for POWER LPARs or for x86 based systems, running VMware ESXi and other Hypervisors.		Also, certain versions of the HMC are offered by IBM as a virtual appliance, either for POWER LPARs or for x86 based systems, running VMware ESXi and other Hypervisors.

PoC: /* Console Considerations */ More precise

2019-09-27T21:55:15Z

Console Considerations: More precise

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 27 September 2019
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	* Keyboard for the 5250-Terminal.<ref>Can also be utilized to beat burglars. Gives horrible nose bleeds if utilized in the right way.</ref>		* Keyboard for the 5250-Terminal.<ref>Can also be utilized to beat burglars. Gives horrible nose bleeds if utilized in the right way.</ref>

	Alternatively, there exist(ed) ISA and PCI cards with a D-Subminiature 15-Pin Port for placing in a PC. With the accompanying software and the right settings, this solutions exactly performs like a hardware console.		Alternatively, there exist(ed) ISA and PCI cards with a D-Subminiature 15-Pin Port for placing in a PC. With the mentioned Y-adapter, accompanying software and the right settings, this solutions exactly performs like a hardware console.

	Newer hardware features other ways to get access to a console, most often LAN Console. It is a mess of ''IBM i Access for Windows'' client component and stuff you'll need to configure in DST.<ref>Roughly analog to the BIOS setup of the PC world.</ref> DST is only accessible after an initial install. So if you have a blank machine you need to install from scratch, possibilities are somewhat limited.		Newer hardware features other ways to get access to a console, most often LAN Console. It is a mess of ''IBM i Access for Windows'' client component and stuff you'll need to configure in DST.<ref>Roughly analog to the BIOS setup of the PC world.</ref> DST is only accessible after an initial install. So if you have a blank machine you need to install from scratch, possibilities are somewhat limited.

PoC: Addition

2019-09-27T21:53:54Z

Addition

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:53, 27 September 2019
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	IBM has build many different AS/400 systems over the course of the last 30 years, usually with increasing speed. Speed was given by IBM terms of CPW, Commercial Processing Workload. This is a relative number to compare systems to a well defined very early AS/400 system.<ref>Of course this makes it hard to compare application performance with systems outside the IBM universe. IBM has hesitated a long time to release actual processor speed values, because in transactional processing, processor speed is just one of many factors to determine the actual application speed, users are experiencing.</ref>		IBM has build many different AS/400 systems over the course of the last 30 years, usually with increasing speed. Speed was given by IBM terms of CPW, Commercial Processing Workload. This is a relative number to compare systems to a well defined very early and thus outdated AS/400 system.<ref>Of course this makes it hard to compare application performance with systems outside the IBM universe. IBM has hesitated a long time to release actual processor speed values, because in transactional processing, processor speed is just one of many factors to determine the actual application speed, users are experiencing.</ref>

	Authoritative source for all questions regarding hardware and expansion capabilities are the ''System Builder'' manuals from IBM. Early documents are grouped by OS Release Versions, later ones by Processor Technology (POWER6, etc.).		Authoritative source for all questions regarding hardware and expansion capabilities are the ''System Builder'' manuals from IBM. Early documents are grouped by OS Release Versions, later ones by Processor Technology (POWER6, etc.).

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 13 March 2020
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	== Hardware setup ==		== Hardware setup ==
	Dependent on the provided accessories, you'll just wire power cord to a proper outlet and and the ethernet port<ref>Common pitfall is to connect the ethernet cable to ''something that looks like a matching receptacle''. Make sure, you don't accidentally utilize an ISDN or Token Ring port on the machine. Function expansion cards often have a four-digit-number sticker visible from outside. Do an online-search ~~which~~ one is Ethernet.</ref> to a hub or switch.		Dependent on the provided accessories, you'll just wire power cord to a proper outlet and and the ethernet port<ref>Common pitfall is to connect the ethernet cable to ''something that looks like a matching receptacle''. Make sure, you don't accidentally utilize an ISDN or Token Ring port on the machine. Function expansion cards often have a four-digit-number sticker visible from outside. Do an online-search that one is Ethernet.</ref> to a hub or switch.

	If console accessories are available, cable these like outlined in the [[Your own AS/400#Accessories\|accessories chapter]].		If console accessories are available, cable these like outlined in the [[Your own AS/400#Accessories\|accessories chapter]].
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	* Press the power-on-off button (vertical line within a circle) momentarily,		* Press the power-on-off button (vertical line within a circle) momentarily,
	* Be patient. IPL can take anywhere from about under 10 Minutes up to 45 Minutes or more, depending on		* Be patient. IPL can take anywhere from about under 10 Minutes up to 45 Minutes or more, depending on
	** Machine speed, ~~which~~ is dependent on machine age and hard disk count,		** Machine speed, that is dependent on machine age and hard disk count,
	** Machine state: Powered down cleanly or just has being plug-pulled,		** Machine state: Powered down cleanly or just has being plug-pulled,
	** Count of configuration objects and data tables.		** Count of configuration objects and data tables.
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	Each IPL step is accompanied by a SRC displayed on the LCD. If the machine seems stuck at one point (display content hasn't changed for more than two minutes), one might search online for the actual meaning of the displayed SRC and derive recovery steps from that information. MCPRESS has an excellent Article regarding IPL steps, [https://www.mcpressonline.com/operating-systems/ibm-i-os400-i5os/secrets-of-ipls-exposed Secrets of IPLs Exposed].		Each IPL step is accompanied by a SRC displayed on the LCD. If the machine seems stuck at one point (display content hasn't changed for more than two minutes), one might search online for the actual meaning of the displayed SRC and derive recovery steps from that information. MCPRESS has an excellent Article regarding IPL steps, [https://www.mcpressonline.com/operating-systems/ibm-i-os400-i5os/secrets-of-ipls-exposed Secrets of IPLs Exposed].

	After a few minutes, an attached console will move the cursor to the top left position ~~which~~ means that the twinax controller in the AS/400 has been initialized. After a while the console will show activity by outputting SRC and an textual explanation what's going on, parallel to the LCD.		After a few minutes, an attached console will move the cursor to the top left position that means that the twinax controller in the AS/400 has been initialized. After a while the console will show activity by outputting SRC and an textual explanation what's going on, parallel to the LCD.

	At the end of the IPL, an attached console will show the ''signon screen''. The machine will be comparably slow at this point because it's (still) starting background jobs. Access with ''tn5250'' is not possible at this point, because ICP/IP services have not been started yet.		At the end of the IPL, an attached console will show the ''signon screen''. The machine will be comparably slow at this point because it's (still) starting background jobs. Access with ''tn5250'' is not possible at this point, because ICP/IP services have not been started yet.
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	This is usually called sign on, not log in by IBM.		This is usually called sign on, not log in by IBM.

	Depending on ~~which~~ way of access you'll use to your box, you either see the ''signon screen'' on the console display. Or you need to start your tn5250 emulator software and open a connection to the IP address of your box, to be presented with the signon screen afterwards. If this is the very first tn5250 connection to the box, it may take a few seconds with rattling disks until the screen finally appears.<ref>OS/400 creates configuration objects on the fly for connections.</ref>		Depending on that way of access you'll use to your box, you either see the ''signon screen'' on the console display. Or you need to start your tn5250 emulator software and open a connection to the IP address of your box, to be presented with the signon screen afterwards. If this is the very first tn5250 connection to the box, it may take a few seconds with rattling disks until the screen finally appears.<ref>OS/400 creates configuration objects on the fly for connections.</ref>

	No matter what, a very distinct feature of the AS/400 is: Everything is menu- or forms based. The login screen is a form with multiple input fields ~~which~~ are handled on the client side: In the not-so-dumb terminal or your emulator software. This is just like a form you'll be presented in your web browser when you register for an account for some web service: You fill out the fields locally and later click on ''Submit'' (or what the send-the-stuff button is actually called) ~~which~~ triggers the sending of all fields at once to the server for processing.		No matter what, a very distinct feature of the AS/400 is: Everything is menu- or forms based. The login screen is a form with multiple input fields that are handled on the client side: In the not-so-dumb terminal or your emulator software. This is just like a form you'll be presented in your web browser when you register for an account for some web service: You fill out the fields locally and later click on ''Submit'' (or what the send-the-stuff button is actually called) that triggers the sending of all fields at once to the server for processing.

	Same goes for all AS/400 screens. Fill out locally, send form when completed. Since there's no mouse interface, there's no submit button. Keyboard functions are a bit different as you may be used to, especially when you use a 5250 hardware terminal.		Same goes for all AS/400 screens. Fill out locally, send form when completed. Since there's no mouse interface, there's no submit button. Keyboard functions are a bit different as you may be used to, especially when you use a 5250 hardware terminal.
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	\|}		\|}

	Default administrative user is the ''security officer'', QSECOFR with the same string as default for the password, if this hasn't been changed. So, fill out the user field, press the needed ''next field''-Key and fill out the passwort. You don't see your typing to prevent spying over your shoulder to reveal your password.<ref>Depending on your typing speed, it could be possible to see ~~which~~ keys you actually press to steal your password anyway.</ref>		Default administrative user is the ''security officer'', QSECOFR with the same string as default for the password, if this hasn't been changed. So, fill out the user field, press the needed ''next field''-Key and fill out the passwort. You don't see your typing to prevent spying over your shoulder to reveal your password.<ref>Depending on your typing speed, it could be possible to see that keys you actually press to steal your password anyway.</ref>

	After a successful signon, you'll be presented with the main menu. From there we'll continue to explore the system.		After a successful signon, you'll be presented with the main menu. From there we'll continue to explore the system.