Re: Comments on Thin Consoles

["Jim Franz" <franz400@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For all the responses today, yours is the first (non ibm'er) to actually
have installed this. I would be just as irritated for all the issues you 
listed,
especially the requirement to keep it turned on. That takes me back
to the 1970's and 80's.. Does an HMC have same limit?
jim

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lukas Beeler" <l.beeler@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Midrange Systems Technical Discussion" <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:06 PM
Subject: 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