Types of control panels

This information compares and contrasts the virtual control panel, remote control panel, and physical control panel.

You can use the physical control panel, remote control panel, and virtual control panel to perform almost all of the same functions. The remote control panel and virtual control panel provide a way to perform control panel functions from a PC.

The following topics have more information about control panel options.

• Physical control panel
  The physical control panel is your initial interface with the iSeries™ server. You can use the physical control panel to perform functions such as IPL, power on, and power off. Control panel functions range in complexity from functions that display status (such as IPL speed) to low-level service functions that only service representatives must access.
• Remote control panel
  The remote control panel is a way to use control panel functions through a PC. The graphical user interface of the remote control panel looks similar to the physical control panel.
• Virtual control panel
  The virtual control panel is an alternative to the remote control panel for parallel cable. Like the remote control panel, the virtual control panel is a way to use control panel functions through a PC.