The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller is a Multiple Image Facility (MIF)-capable console support controller with increased support for consoles running TN3270E emulation.

Model Abstract 2074-001

The IBM 2074 Model 001 is a Netfinity PC running PCOMM (TN3270E). It connects to a host via an ESCON channel, and connects to client PCs and printers with: Ethernet (10 Mb/s), Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s), 4 MB Token Ring, and 16 MB Token Ring.

Highlights

• Replaces the console support functions of the IBM 3174 Establishment Controller.
• Is shipped with an integrated ESCON adapter with an option for a second ESCON adapter, both of which connect to a host, via a direct ESCON channel, via an ESCON Director, or with a FICON Bridge.
• Provides integrated Optical Media Attach (OMA) support, which can be used to load z/VM distribution tapes (on CD-ROM in OMA format) onto IBM eSeries zSeries servers.
• Converts 3270 non-SNA, Distributed Function Terminal (DFT) ESCON data streams into LAN-based TN3270E data streams.
• Is used as a S/390 or zSeries system console and operating system console.
• Connects to client PCs with Ethernet or token ring.
• One IBM 2074 Model 1 can replace multiple 3174s.
• The latest IBM 2074 Console Support Controller increases the number of supported sessions to 32 per controller.

Description
The 2074 is a Netfinity PC connected to a host via an ESCON channel or with a FICON Bridge. It connects to client PCs with:

• Ethernet (10 Mb/s)
• Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s)
• 4 MB Token Ring
• 16 MB Token Ring

With the 2074, you can benefit from:

• Support for multiple ESCON interfaces
• Support for Multiple Image Facility (MIF)
• Remote consoles
• Consolidation of console support boxes, which can increase available floor space

The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller connects to a host an ESCON channel or with a FICON Bridge and connects to client PCs with Ethernet (10 Mb/s), Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s), 4 MB Token Ring, or 16 MB Token Ring. The 2074 provides continued support of non-SNA, DFT data streams so that current and past operating systems can function when the 3174 is out of production. One 2074 can replace multiple 3174s, depending on customer setup and use. If you are replacing multiple 3174's you should purchase at least two 2074 controllers to avoid creating a single point of failure.

Technical Description

The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller supports one or two ESCON cards and four LANs (2 T/R and 2 E-net). Up to sixteen (16) 3270 sessions can be configured for each ESCON adapter for a total of 32 sessions per 2074 controller. Normally, sessions will be routed out over the LAN but up to 26 sessions can be configured on the 2074 display itself.

The 2074 controller can be attached directly to the host or through a director, and it is MIF capable. While an individual session cannot be shared between LPARs, a single 2074 controller can have sessions configured in different LPARs, different CECs and on different channels. Attachment to a FICON channel via an appropriately configured director is also supported.

A single IBM 2074 Console Support Controller can replace multiple ESCON attached 3174s. For example, if a customer were running 15 OS/390 LPARs on a system, 15 3174 controllers would be required, one for each LPAR. With the IBM 2074 Console Support Controller all 15 LPARs can run on one controller (unless more than 32 3270 sessions were needed).

It is recommended that at least 2 IBM 2074 Console Support Controllers be installed ( or one 2074 with back-up 3174s) to prevent having a single point of failure. PC3270 on the clients can be configured so that if an IBM 2074 Console Support Controller system goes down, the client sessions will automatically connect to a back-up IBM 2074 Console Support Controller. This will be a disruptive change meaning that if a user were logged on to TSO he would have e to get a new logo and logon again.

There is no multipath support in the IBM 2074 Console Support Controller. Although there are two ESCON cards and both can be attached to the same CEC, the IBM 2074 Console Support Controller cannot be configured so that the loss of one connection will non-disruptively switch sessions to the other ESCON adapter. However, a client could have two sessions connected to an IBM 2074 Console Support Controller, each through a different LAN adapter, and each connected to the CEC through a different ESCON card.

CCW interpretation is done by the IBM 2074 Console Support Controller. Controller. All CCWs required for non-SNA support are emulated. This includes Read Buffer, Read Modified, Write, Erase Write, Erase Write Alternate, Sense, Sense ID, Write Structured Field. Errors in CCW interpretation/conversion are 2074 controller problems.

Order interpretation is done on the client workstation by the TN3270E Emulator (e.g., PCOM or PC3270). IBM has tested and is recommending PC3270 but other emulators should work. Errors in order interpretation are not 2074 controller problems they are emulator problems.

All orders and CCWs are supported to allow console support for OS/390, MVS (back to MVS/XA), VM, VSE, and TPF. The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller can be used for either an MVS console or for a TSO session and it can support all operating systems in any combination simultaneously.

Screen sizes are the province of the TN3270E emulator (PC3270). The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller itself just reports back to the operating system the screen size that the emulator says is configured on the client for that session. This is done via a Write Structured Field Query Reply. Currently PC3270 supports 24x80, 32x80, 43x80, and 27x132.

In general the 3270 data stream does not provide for specific device types but rather for device capabilities. The host doesn't see a 3278 or a 3279, it sees a device with or without color. It also doesn't see a 3278 model 2, 3, 4, or 5, rather it sees a 24x80, 32x80, 43x80, etc. display. The IBM 2074 Console Support Controller reports 7 colors for all TN3270E clients and returns the screen size supported on the client.

A custom OS/2 CD ROM with the IBM 2074 Console Support Controller code is pre loaded onto the 2074 hard drive. The customer must use the configuration utility to customize the box. The configuration utility is based on the MP3000 "EMIO configuration" utility AWSCFG. The following items must be customized:

• LAN adapters
• LAN adapter IP addresses
• Frame type for each Ethernet Adapter (IEEE or DIX)
• Definition of the 16 possible sessions on each ESCON adapter card:
  • the source definition on the ESCON side LPAR number, unit address, destination port number, etc.
  • the target definition for the client IP address and/or LUNAME
  • selection of a device type for each session printer or display
• TCP/IP port number definition for each ESCON adapter

The completed configuration should be saved on diskette. In case of a hard drive failure the CE will replace the hard drive and reload it from the CD ROM. The customer configuration can then be loaded from the customer diskette created after customization was completed. If no diskette is available the customer will have to re-customize the controller.

Once configuration is complete the system must be rebooted for the changes to take affect. After that the system will automatically come live on a reboot unless the process is stopped manually from the keyboard and display attached to the 2074 controller.

Changing the configuration is disruptive. Changing the session definition requires all sessions on that ESCON adapter to be reset but does not affect the sessions on the other ESCON adapter. Changing IP addresses on the LAN may be disruptive if clients are connecting through those addresses. Changing frame type requires a reboot.

No specific run time management tools are provided. Using the TELnet sessions the AWSCFG customization command can be run from a remote client (e.g., the HMC) to remotely customize the box over the LAN.

Clients connect the 2074 controller based on the IP address of the adapters. They select the ESCON adapter by means of the TCP/IP port customized for that adapter, and select a specific 3270 session such as LPAR number, director port and address based on the LUNAME.

When a client session disconnects from the 2074 controller the 2074 sends the S/390 server an unsolicited "device end" to signal a change in status. This tells the operating system that the "3270" has been powered off/on and causes the operating system to disconnect the user.

Physical Specifications
The 2074 package is a rack model box measuring approximately:

• Width: 16.30 inches (standard 19-inch rack)
• Height: 5.25 inches (3U)
• Depth: 26.00 inches

The following additional space is required for the machine to function properly:

• Fifty millimeters (50 mm) must be allowed on both the left side and the right side for air flow.
• A 100mm clearance should be allowed in the rear for cables.

Weight

The 2074 system weight can be approximately 60 pounds when fully configured.

Limitations

The 2074 only supports TN3270E clients. There is no Control Unit Terminal (CUT) support. The 2074 does not support 3278/9 coax terminals.
There is no multi-path support with the 2074. Although there are two ESCON cards and both can be attached to the same CEC, the 2074 cannot be configured so that the loss of one connection will nondisruptively switch sessions to the other ESCON adapter.

Hardware Requirements

A TN3270E emulator must be installed on each client. Clients should be at least 500 MHz, have 128MB memory and have accelerated graphics with 8MB memory. A 21 inch display is recommended to allow viewing of many consoles at once.

Software Requirements

The 2074 requires no specific S/390 software. No customer code will run on this box. The 2074 is compatible with existing 3174 data streams for VM, VSE, MVS, TPF, and OS/390, including back-level releases.

The 2074 is shipped with an OS/2-based custom CD-ROM that is preloaded onto the 2074 hard drive. The customer must use the configuration utility to customize the box. The configuration utility is based on the Multiprise 3000 "EMIO configuration" utility AWSCFG. The same IOCP/HCD must be done for the 2074 as for the 3174. However, the 2074 supports shared MIF channels.

Client PCs attach to a 2074 via Token Ring or Ethernet adapters using a TN3270E data stream. This means that the client must have a TN3270E emulator installed. The emulator supported and tested by IBM is eNetwork Personal Communications.

IBM has tested 2074 using eNetwork Personal Communications V5.0 on Windows98.