3 Dec
2014
3 Dec
'14
12:45 p.m.
Classic Computer Enthusiasts,
I should have an IBM 9406-270 arriving today or tomorrow. I think I've
gathered everything I need to attempt an OS install except a console. I do
have a second NIC that I've been told could be used for console access. But
I suspect special console software would be required to do so, and all my
PCs at home run Linux which would probably complicate things. I've also
been told that when using a NIC for console access there are several gotchas
to watch out for, such as a specific slot requirement for the NIC, etc.
This being my first attempt at installing an OS on a 9406 anything that can
be done to simplify the process and avoid having to worry about gotchas is
probably a good thing. Plus, I like twinax terminals, especially the
keyboards. So, does anyone have a suitable terminal in need of a good home?
There are a few available from eBay, but I hate to pay more for a terminal
than I did for the 270. I'll probably also need the multi-port twinax
connector block that connects to the twinax card in the 270 if anyone has
one to spare. There wasn't one listed in the eBay list for the 270, but I
might get lucky and have it arrive with one included.
--
Kevin
http://www.RawFedDogs.net
http://www.Lassie.xyz
http://www.WacoAgilityGroup.org
Bruceville, TX
What's the definition of a legacy system? One that works!
Errare humanum est, ignoscere caninum.
3 Dec
3 Dec
2:39 p.m.
Congratulations!
You will need a console directly connected via a console card (through a
twinax block as you stated) to do any alternate IPL. You can also get
twinax baluns to convert to CAT3 to avoid high cost of twinax if you
don't find it anywhere cheap.
You will need a 5250 emulator, that is correct. There was a free one out
there that was workable, but that is after you have TCP/IP set up if you
do actually re-install. If you are installing a version of OS/400, the
gotcha comes in that you need a serial number, and IBM will give it to
you IF they have the exact same OS/400 version installed that is
registered in their system. Otherwise, you have a 70 day trial.
Word of warnings and a few cautions (I don't know how familiar you are
with these systems):
1. Those are NOT standard PC PCI slots. Any standard PCI card you stick
in WILL release the magic smoke.
2. Some cards are compatible with some models of machines. When I had my
as/400's, one console card didn't work in the other, it's very
frustrating. IBM has all the documentation online for what card part
numbers are compatible with what machines.
I really miss my big iron machines. AS/400's are really neat machines,
but are also very frustrating at times.
Mike
On Wed, Dec 3, 2014, at 01:45 PM, Kevin Monceaux wrote:
Classic Computer Enthusiasts,
I should have an IBM 9406-270 arriving today or tomorrow. I think I've
gathered everything I need to attempt an OS install except a console. I
do
have a second NIC that I've been told could be used for console access.
But
I suspect special console software would be required to do so, and all my
PCs at home run Linux which would probably complicate things. I've also
been told that when using a NIC for console access there are several
gotchas
to watch out for, such as a specific slot requirement for the NIC, etc.
This being my first attempt at installing an OS on a 9406 anything that
can
be done to simplify the process and avoid having to worry about gotchas
is
probably a good thing. Plus, I like twinax terminals, especially the
keyboards. So, does anyone have a suitable terminal in need of a good
home?
There are a few available from eBay, but I hate to pay more for a
terminal
than I did for the 270. I'll probably also need the multi-port twinax
connector block that connects to the twinax card in the 270 if anyone has
one to spare. There wasn't one listed in the eBay list for the 270, but
I
might get lucky and have it arrive with one included.
--
Kevin
http://www.RawFedDogs.net
http://www.Lassie.xyz
http://www.WacoAgilityGroup.org
Bruceville, TX
What's the definition of a legacy system? One that works!
Errare humanum est, ignoscere caninum.
3:44 p.m.
On Wed, Dec 03, 2014 at 03:39:10PM -0700, Mike M wrote:
Congratulations!
Thanks. I'm excited about it.
You will need a 5250 emulator, that is correct. There
was a free one out
there that was workable, but that is after you have TCP/IP set up if you
do actually re-install.
For Linux I've been using tn5250 and/or tn5250j to connect to the AS/400
where I work and to PUB1.DE. But for use as a console I don't think regular
5250 emulators will work.
If you are installing a version of OS/400, the gotcha
comes in that you
need a serial number, and IBM will give it to you IF they have the exact
same OS/400 version installed that is registered in their system.
Otherwise, you have a 70 day trial.
Hopefully the serial number will be on my 270 when it arrives. The
challenge is getting authorization keys. I've heard that some older boxes
have authorization keys tied to them, and if one is lucky enough to find the
right person to talk to at IBM it's possible to get said keys transferred to
the new new owner. After my first post about this endeavor a while back I
was contacted by another list member who said he might be able to help me
get the keys for my box once I have the serial number. I know it's a long
shot and that I might have resort to restoring or reinstalling every 69
days.
Word of warnings and a few cautions (I don't know
how familiar you are
with these systems):
I'm not as familiar as I'd like to be with them, and that's part of what
inspired me to acquire one of these things. I've worked as an operator in a
shop with an IBM mainframe and AS/400 for about 15 years. Well, our latest
AS/400 isn't really an AS/400, but we still call it that, or simply "the
400." With our current system operators don't do much with the 400. We
mainly take care of the z/OS system. But we're about to start converting
from our in-house written mainframe system, with many
programs dating back
to the early '80s, to LTL/400.
1. Those are NOT standard PC PCI slots. Any standard
PCI card you stick
in WILL release the magic smoke.
That's good to know. I suspected that was the case.
2. Some cards are compatible with some models of
machines. When I had my
as/400's, one console card didn't work in the other, it's very
frustrating. IBM has all the documentation online for what card part
numbers are compatible with what machines.
The extra NIC I acquired was recommended by another list member after my
initial post mentioning this endeavor. It's an IBM 2838-9406 Ethernet card.
I really miss my big iron machines.
Sadly I'll eventually be missing the big iron machine I've worked so closely
with for many years when our big iron is replaced by more medium iron.
AS/400's are really neat machines, but are also
very frustrating at times.
This is true.
--
Kevin
http://www.RawFedDogs.net
http://www.Lassie.xyz
http://www.WacoAgilityGroup.org
Bruceville, TX
What's the definition of a legacy system? One that works!
Errare humanum est, ignoscere caninum.
4 Dec
4 Dec
8:49 a.m.
On Wed, Dec 03, 2014 at 02:45:45PM -0600, Kevin Monceaux wrote:
I should have an IBM 9406-270 arriving today or
tomorrow. I think I've
gathered everything I need to attempt an OS install except a console.
I've made arrangements to borrow a terminal, and twinax multi-port connector
block, from work to get me started. Actually it's looking like I might be
able to save the old 9406-270 at work from the scrappers. If so the
terminals will probably come with it. It's been shut down for a while.
With our current box we switched from a real console to a 5250 emulator
console so the two twinax terminals we have haven't been used for a while
either.
--
Kevin
http://www.RawFedDogs.net
http://www.Lassie.xyz
http://www.WacoAgilityGroup.org
Bruceville, TX
What's the definition of a legacy system? One that works!
Errare humanum est, ignoscere caninum.
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days inactive
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