If I remember correctly, the z800 has no parallel channels. That
rules out native parallel 3274 or 3174 connection. However, the used
equipment market has 3174s with internal Escon, although pricey in
the $4,500 range. Parallel to escon converters are available, which
makes a regular 3174L parallel equipped usable for much less money
($<500). Used equipment dealers could set you up quickly. Try a
google search with 'used 3174 controller'. The 2074, if your budget
allows, is the best bet since a single unit can handle all the LPARs
you may define, with a console in each. We use an old 3274 parallel
attached controller to our z900.
On Wednesday 15 January 2003 09:48, you wrote:
On Wednesday, 01/15/2003 at 03:55 EST, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Can anyone help me with this issue?
>
> I am responsible for getting a z/800 up and running with z/VM and
> Linux. I am still caught up on the hardware stage though. I was
> told by people that I absolutely NEED a 2074 (or a 3174 and a
> console) controller to install VM. I've heard several places that
> the HMC and SE will not allow me to interact with the z/VM
> installation program. Now, as we are getting closer to bringing
> our z/800 to life, I am hearing from someone that we CAN use the
> HMC to interact with the z/VM installation program and we DO NOT
> need a 2074 (or 3174) at all. Can anyone shed some light on this
> mystery? And if possible, can you point me in the direction of
> the appropriate Redbook and/or official IBM documentation?
> Thanks.
A 3270 is required for the installation and configuration of z/VM.
Once the system is installed and configured (including VM TCP/IP),
then the system console on the HMC is sufficient to OPERATE the
system. Telnet can be used to access the system so that you can
perform additional system configuration. The requirement to have a
3270 for TCP/IP configuration is listed in the General Information
Manual ("TCP/IP for z/VM Hardware Requirements", p. 15 in z/VM 4.2
version).
The addition of an ifconfig command in z/VM 4.3 can reduce the need
for a 3270 even more, but permanent changes to your CP or TCP/IP
configuration will require a 3270 so that you can edit files (unless
you are big on line-mode editing or are a CMS Pipeline expert). If
you are using DirMaint, it is much easier with the menus, requiring
a 3270 (also mentioned in the General Information Manual).
On a personal note, I have never understood the aversion to having
3270 access for all LPARs on all CECs. Given the value you receive,
the IBM 2074, or similar non-IBM products, are worth the relatively
small expense. In an emergency, local 3270 access will be your best
friend. I would not want to try to wade through a TCP/IP console
log looking at traces using the HMC...
Alan Altmark
Sr. Software Engineer
IBM z/VM Development
