| Mainframe Console Consolidation |
In the past, supporting multiple mainframes or multiple partitions on a single mainframe, meant keeping a separate console controller for each logical partition. Newer, mainframes make it increasingly difficult to find replacement console controllers that will connect directly to the mainframe without having to implement costly and cumbersome ESCON to channel converters. With the Visara SCON product family running LINCS software, you can run consoles for up to 32 LPARs through a single platform. The SCON solution is scalable, allowing for the perfect solution for anywhere from 1-32 partitions per platform over one or two ESCON connections, and providing a combination of traditional device connections, as well as a variety of LAN and remote connections. Console Controller Consolidation Using the Visara 1883 Networking Computing Terminal, you can communicate across the network or through a dialup connection to the SCON-2XL using TN3270 protocol. The Visara 1883 contains special code required to display console sessions, and permits the simultaneous viewing of up to 4 consoles on a single screen. Individual terminals can be used to view console sessions for multiple LPARs. Access to up to 10 different LPARs can be made from any fixed function terminal. Multiple LPARs are supported by making use of ESCON Directors and/or by using EMIF. The SCON-2XL is a rugged dedicated communication platform, designed exclusively for the support of mainframe consoles, not some wimpy PC platform, vulnerable to computer viruses. The SCON-2XL does not emulate a console controller, it is a console controller! Perhaps the very best! Multiple Console Sessions on a Single
Console Display
In the diagram above, each of the terminals could have one or more sessions to each of the six LPARs. Each terminal could have a total of 10 sessions at one time. The Telnet/TN3270 Connection Using Telnet or TN3270, you can connect to any of the LPARs defined on the SCON-2XL. And it does not stop there. If you have multiple SCON-2XLs, you can establish a connection to any of them, using the standard network interface. The Telnet interface provides a simple connection into the SCON-2XL, using nearly any Telnet device or emulation. You can even use the standard Telnet interface provided by Windows-based PCs to display a console session. Specific IP Address and TCP port assignments and passwords provide security. Once connected, the Telnet user can communicate with whatever resources have been assigned to them, up to 10 sessions (LPARs) at one time, or select sessions from a menu. TN3270 provides a superior user interface over Telnet, by providing a more natural 3270 interface. The number of sessions from a desktop and feature/functionality are dependent upon the emulator.
The above diagram shows a single Visara 1883 NCT configured for TN3270 and would be capable of initiating a session to any or all of the 9 LPARS shown at one time, and could display up to 4 complete sessions on the screen at one time. The 1883 could also communicate to yet another SCON-2XL located remotely via either a routed network connection or through a dialup connection. Support for IBM 3290 Displays The Visara 1883 Solution In addition to the standard integrated Ethernet connection and optional coax (3270) connection, twinax (5250), and Token Ring interfaces are available. With the coax interface, you can connect directly to the SCON-2XL, using the built in 3270 terminal function. A 122-key keyboard has all of the traditional 3270 key legends. The 1883 is a fully functional 3270 coax terminal, with many advanced features. The Coax to Ethernet (C/E) Bridge feature of the SCON-2XL (U.S. patent applied for), can be enabled to provide a coax-attached 1883 access to an IP network via the SCON-2XL's Ethernet card. The 1883 NCT supports a full IP protocol stack, and through the SCON-2XL can communicate through the coax as if it were directly attached to the Ethernet network. This is in addition to the 10/100 Mbps native Ethernet connection available on the 1883. This is an ideal product to provide console access to both local and remote sites. Additionally, the 1883 has the functionality to support connections to mid-range hosts using a TN5250 emulation, connections to a Unix host using VT220, ability to run Windows applications through a server using ICA, and access the web with its built in browser. A serial interface comes standard on the 1883, allowing for remote dial access. Through this connection, you can dial into a remote SCON-2XL directly, through a RAS server onto your corporate network, or even into an ISP for Internet access. With this capability it is possible to manage remote data centers from your desktop, or manage your own mainframe from home!
The diagram shows three different ways to connect the Visara 1883.
Through the coax connection, the 1883 can communicate like a standard 3270 terminal, or with C/E Bridge enabled, TN3270 (along with various other IP features). Through the Ethernet connections, the 1883 would communicate with the SCON-2XL using TN3270 or Telnet. Storage Tek Silo/LMU Support
The diagram shows a Storage Tek Silo/LMU connected to the SCON-2XL through a coax mux, each coax line connected to a different LPAR. Optional Hot Console Sessions Feature
for Remote Access Multiple User Access to the Same Session Some of the benefits of this feature include:
Remote Management Through Visara's eManager
Product The SCON-2XL can be accessed and managed using the eManager product, running from a remote Windows PC desktop. Among the tools provided by eManager are Telnet and VNC clients, allowing remote access to both the SCON-2XL and 1883. eManager provides the means to backup, view and change configurations on the SCON-2XL and 1883 products. Additionally, eManager can be used as an aid to help remotely diagnose problem situations through its ability to pull SCON event logs, display error code information, and display status information, using a number of point-and-click utilities. |
