Connect a local console on a network to a server

Instructions for connecting a local console on a network to an iSeries server.

Connecting a local console on a network (LAN) to a server allows you to have an active console and a functional remote control panel (if configured). An active console is a command interface to an iSeries server (5250 emulation) that is currently interacting with the server. A functional remote control panel allows you to perform most control panel functions (depending on the partition connected to) as if you were at the server.

If you have problems when performing some of these steps, see Network connection errors in the troubleshooting topic for possible solutions.

Perform these following steps to connect a local console on a network to a server:

  1. Open Operations Console to start the connection:
    1. Click Start and select Programs.
    2. Select IBM iSeries Access for Windows.
    3. Click Operations Console.
    By default, Operations Console does not automatically attempt to connect a local console on a network to an iSeries server. If you selected Start connection when Operations Console starts in Properties, the local console connects to the iSeries server automatically. The connection status shows Connecting first, before changing to Connecting Console.
  2. If you did not select Start connection when Operations Console starts in Properties, you need to connect to the server as follows:
    1. Select the configuration name.
    2. From the Connection menu, click Connect.
  3. In the LAN Service Device Sign-on window, sign on using the access password that allows the server to access your service device information. You also have to provide your assigned service tools user ID and password.

    Operations Console needs a valid access password, service tools user ID, and service tools password to authorize the connection between the local console and server. For more information, see Service Tools. For a visual of this concept, see Secure your Operations Console configuration.

    After you sign on successfully, the connection status shows Connected.

  4. Confirm that the console and remote control panel, if configured, appears.

If you encounter other status messages, see Troubleshoot status messages for their descriptions and possible solutions to the problems they describe.

To use your PC to access another iSeries server, you need to Connect to another server.

Parent topic: Connect a local console to a server