Vantage Console Manager

Managing HP9000 700 Series Workstations

The console for a 700 workstation is normally directed to the workstation's graphics display. For Vantage to manage a 700 workstation the console must be directed to a serial port.

Re-directing the console of a workstation means that console messages will not be directed to the graphics display on the workstation. It will then be necessary that a terminal be connected to the workstation's serial port in order to see boot messages.

Performing the following steps will re-direct the console to enable control of the workstation as a Vantage-managed resource. The following procedure will direct console output to serial port "b". Serial port "a" is configured as a modem port and is used for dial-in access to the workstation.

1. Login as super user and examine the file /etc/inittab. The device file ttyd01 corresponds with serial port b. Use an editor of your choice to modify the file and insert a # character at the beginning of the following line if it exists in /etc/inittab.

di01::respawn:/etc/getty -h ttyd01 9600 # serial port b

2. Modify the /usr/lib/X11/Xconsoles file by using an editor of your choice to insert a # character at the beginning of the line which contains a single (*) character.

3. Log off the workstation by selecting Logout from the Workspace Menu. Click the Options button on the window manager's login screen and select Command Line Login from the menu.

4. Log in as root and reboot the workstation by typing reboot

5. Interrupt the boot process by pressing the ESC key when you see the words Selecting a system to boot. To stop selection process, press and hold the ESCAPE key. Select "Enter Boot Administration mode" from the menu to enter Boot Administration Mode.

6. Set the console path to serial port b by typing one of the following:

BOOT_ADMIN> path console rs232_b
or
BOOT_ADMIN> path console SERIAL_2
7. Exit BOOT_ADMIN by typing exit.

8. Type reboot and allow the system to come up.

9. When the system comes up reboot once again to implement the changes.

The 700's console traffic will now be directed to the serial port. Connect a terminal to the serial port using a 9 pin to 25 pin Catwalk connector kit and test the console port. It is recommended that a terminal be attached as a backup console for the workstation.