Gee, this is the second discussion of the need for 3215 consoles in the last few weeks. You get my vote to resurrect virtual 3215 console support for automation!
I just recently had a discussion with my manager that as we begin to come full-circle back from discrete, cheap(?), servers (each with their own GUI screens for "easy automation"), and begin to consolidate more under VM (including z/OS, z/VSE, z/VM, z/PTF, and Linux guests), the linemode displays and commands have renewed emphasis for reliable automation. Back in the mid-80's CAVMEN members hammered mercilessly on VM Software, Inc. to provide product (e.g. VM:Backup) with "linemode and macros" after they had started down the path of pretty screens for all administration. Fortunately, the vendor finally "got it" (OK, VM:Spool and VM:Archiver interfaces are an abomination), so we can automate much of what needs to be done. The other recent post was mine, where I asked about bringing up an old OS/390 guest (which I typoed as OS/340 -- must have been a REALLY old system!) and respond automatically to its IPL prompts using VM:Operator. A couple people had good ideas to use what appeared to OS/390 as the linemode HMC "System Console", then varying that device as an OS/390 console with the command: 'VARY CN(*),ACTIVATE' Once activated with the VARY command, we could then reply to prompts with: 'CP SEND CP' server 'VINPUT VMSG' command-to-issue The good news is that this does work. The better news for us was that there was a solution/circumvention available immediately with which we could quickly resolve a pressing business need. The bad news is that it is rather (extraordinarily?) ugly. Mike Walter Hewitt Associates The opinions expressed herein are mine alone, not my employer's. "David Boyes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: "VM/ESA and z/VM Discussions" <[email protected]> 01/24/2006 08:37 AM Please respond to "VM/ESA and z/VM Discussions" <[email protected]> To [email protected] cc Subject Re: 2nd level console > I'd like to know if some of you knows a way to access from my > first level the 3270 console from a second level system. > We are running TPF test systems under our z/VM and I'd like > to have a view of the 3270 TPF main console. Wouldn't we all. All-3270-mode consoles are one of IBM's less attractive "improvements" for guests. > We are expecting to change the 3215 console to a 3270 one. > When it is done, I don't have any access to the console . > Any idea ? Here's one way: 1) Gen the guest to have the console at a fixed address NOT 009 or 01F (I use 11F). 2) Define a 3270 device at the fixed address using a SPECIAL 11F 3270 card in the directory entry. 3) Obtain a copy of RXLDEV (a REXX function package that allows you to manipulate a device) 4) write an exec that creates a LDEV, DIALs to the special address and starts receiving console output. You then log the output like you used to. You can then use VINPUT to send commands back. Ugly, isn't it? It'd be really nice if someone with more influence convinced IBM that losing line-mode console support is a Really Bad Idea, but c'est la vie. (It's too bad that Princeton's VM system is finally dead. Melinda Varian wrote a wonderful set of tools for dealing with this. I don't know whether she saved any of that stuff -- I'll drop her a note and see if she's got it socked away somewhere.) The information contained in this e-mail and any accompanying documents may contain information that is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this message, including any attachments. Any dissemination, distribution or other use of the contents of this message by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited.
