RE: Comments on Thin Consoles

I just deployed two customer systems with the new thin console.

The thin console works okay, but there are several issues.

Let me answer your point 2.) first:

It's easy to do. You can use either the control panel, and function 21/65 to 
change the console, or connect the system to the network, and then use SST to 
change the console. All this is also documented.

Now, to the thin console:

1.) The Documentation sucks, i.E. is barely existent. You can use some 
documentation directly from neoware to figure out rather important things like 
changing the keyboard layout from US english to whatever locale you're using.
2.) The thin console is silver. Not black. It features a rather prominent 
neoware logo.
3.) It's supplied with a black IBM USB Keyboard without the System i Keyboard 
Layout. There's no documentation on how special access keys are mapped. This 
keyboard is plugging into the front of the Unit.
4.) It's supplied with the cheapest mouse i've ever seen, which is plugged into 
a PS/2 slot on the back of the unit. It's not an IBM mouse, it is supplied by 
neoware.
5.) There's no documentation on how to change the ip address of the thin 
console. It connects automatically to the default ASMI-IP Adresses.
6.) No Documentation on where to get new software for the thin console, or how 
to install it
7.) No remote access with the thin console. You can't access it remotely.
8.) You can't turn off the thin console while your system is running (Generates 
SRC, calls IBM, lights attention light). I've had a PMR open because of this, 
and got "works as designed" back.
9.) LIC IPL Status is not displayed on the thin console. As far as i know, the 
Twinax console is still the only one which can do that.
10.) When ordering an Express i520 with twinax console: you get an IOP and a 
twinax card for free (about 4000-5000CHF value), when ordering with a thin 
console, you get the thin console for free (about 1000CHF value)

So, when ordering a new system you should always order twinax console, and then 
order the thin console as a MES. Even if you don't need the Twinax card, you 
get one IOP for free.

Long story short:

The thin console still needs a lot of work, but it can replace a twinax console 
in an SMB environment. It doesn't offer any advantages, though.


-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Jim Franz
Sent: Wed 10/25/2006 3:56 PM
To: MIDRANGE-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Comments on Thin Consoles
 
Two questions:
1. Looking for comments from actual users of Thin Consoles 
now available. Good & Bad.
Old pc is not an option. 
Small shop (no tech onsite) deciding if wanting to keep the 
100% always available twinax console. (owner actually said
"I want something more modern looking....")
 
2. What does it take to change a i5 520 from twinax console
to Thin Console? 

jim franz