At 11/9/98 11:12 AM , Wirt Atmar wrote:
>Chris Bartram writes:
>
>>  In <[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] writes:
>>
>>  > > We have 3 9X7s, each with its own physical console (700/92). We are in
>>  > > the process of consolidating data centers and it has been suggested
>that
>>  > > we save space by using just one 700/92 on a 3-way switch to serve all
>>  > > 3 HPs. Anyone done this?
>>
>>  Doesn't sound like a good idea... All 3 are gonna generate a constant
>stream
>>  of messages; with no easy way to tell them apart if they're all going to
>the
>>  same terminal.
>
>Let me second Chris' recommendation that the original plan isn't a good
>idea...

The Navy tried this and it is NOT a good idea.  Keep three separate
consoles or...

>>  A PC with 3 serial ports and a termulator window for each would work
>better.
>
>...and let me second Chris' alternate proposal as a very good idea.
>
>Under the original plan (using a simple switch), the console messages aren't
>going to be merged together, as Chris' response implies, rather you're only
>going to be seeing one HP3000 at a time, thus you're going be missing most of
>your console messages, which will only have negative consequences, and
>eventually two of your three HP3000's will hang when their message buffers
>fill.
>
>Wirt Atmar

Yes, use a PC with up to 4 serial ports, REFLECTION, a 21" monitor, and a
video card that will support 1280x1024 CAN work, but has problems of its
own.  There are times when confusion causes the operator to enter commands
into the wrong console.

This approach was tried about five years ago and at that time there were
problems after power failures (no real physical console that is ready
within a few seconds of power-up).  At that time the HP 3000/900 box
powered up and competed its self test before the PC completed its self
test, booted Windows 3.1, and launched the four copies of REFLECTION.  If
you decide to use a PC serially connected to the consol ports, be aware
that the PC must boot FAST.  If you have problems after powerfaile, set the
PC bios to skip the power-on self tests.  Also, set up shortcuts for the
various copies of REFLECTION (each with its own settings and connection
information) in the "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Startup" directory.  If the PC
is fast enough it will come up before the systems decide that no console is
attached and go out to lunch.

After it had problems with replacing the console terminals with a PC
connected via serial ports, the test site for this approach decided to
leave a physical console terminal sitting on top of each processor, pull
the serial cards out of the "console" PC and insert a NIC, and use the
physical console terminals for system start up, shut down, backups, and
other operations which occur when NS is down.

When NS is up, they switch the console over to a NSVT session on the
"console" PC.  This allows them to have a minimal footprint on the console
desk, avoid powerfail recovery problems, and has fewer IRQ problems than
the multiple serial card approach.

John
--------------------------------------------------------------
John Korb                            email: [log in to unmask]
Innovative Software Solutions, Inc.

The thoughts, comments, and opinions expressed herein are mine
and do not reflect those of my employer(s), or anyone else.