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Virtual control panel

The IBM® i5/OS® virtual control panel is an alternative to the remote control panel (RCP) on servers that do not support a directly connected RCP and do not have a network adapter. Like the RCP, the virtual control panel (VCP) is a way to use control panel functions through a PC.

The graphical interface for the VCP is identical to the RCP. Also, the VCP can perform most of the same functions as the RCP.

For information about deciding whether the RCP or the VCP best meets your needs, see Differences between the virtual control panel and remote control panel.

Considerations for the virtual control panel

The following table lists requirements and restrictions for the VCP.

Table 1. Virtual control panel requirements and restrictions
Requirements Restrictions
  • The VCP must have a direct connection to the server from the Operations Console using the serial console cable.
  • A unique service tools device profile must exist for each VCP connection.
  • If you want to use the mode function provided by the VCP, the service tools user profile used to authenticate the connection must have the Partition remote panel key privilege. To verify that your service tools user ID has this privilege, see Setting user ID permissions for the VCP.
  • A VCP requires the console to be directly connected over a serial cable, and the console must be connected to use the control panel functions. However, the VCP cannot power on the server. The VCP also requires a service tools device ID on the server.
  • You must be granted access to a logical partition's RCP and functions to use the RCP or VCP. Because the VCP setup uses the Operations Console on a network configuration path and characteristics, the service tools device ID must also be granted access to that logical partition's RCP to use this feature. Users and service tools device IDs default values automatically grant access to the RCP for the logical partition. The user that authenticates a connection must also have authority to the respective logical partition's keylock to change the mode.
  • The VCP is available only while the Operations Console is connected.
  • You cannot use an existing network name or duplicate a name that is already configured on the PC. You might need to verify if a name is used by looking in the hosts file on the PC. The hosts file can be viewed by any standard text editor.
  • More than one LAN-connected RCP can be active at the same time. In addition, LAN-connected RCPs can coexist with a VCP.

Connectivity and usage considerations

Ensure that you understand the connectivity and usage requirements and restrictions before you install the Operations Console VCP. For information about installing the VCP, see Setting up the virtual control panel.

Table 2. Connectivity requirements and restrictions
Requirements Restrictions
  • The VCP requires the serial cable and connection of a local console (directly attached).
  • The VCP requires a unique service tools device ID for connection authentication. If no local console on a network (LAN) configuration exists, then you can use the QCONSOLE service tools device ID.
  • You cannot use a name that already exists on the network or duplicate a name that is already configured on the PC.
  • The hosts file on the PC might need manual cleanup. Each time you create a network configuration on the PC, data is saved in a file named hosts. This file can be used each time the PC attempts to connect to the network, and each entry is unique to any others by the connection name. Be aware that if you delete a VCP configuration, then the corresponding hosts entry is not deleted. You must use a text editor to manually delete the appropriate line from this text-based file.
Table 3. Usage requirements and restrictions
Requirements Restrictions
  • To control power, you must use the Hardware Management Console (HMC) or the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI).
  • The VCP is available only while the console is connected.
  • All VCPs and RCPs are active at the same time. Use care when working with control panel functions when multiple PCs have access to the functions.