Hi My team just acquired an IBM

[tlemons]

Hi

My team just acquired an IBM AS/400 iSeries 820. My problem is that it came with no documentation, no software media, and no instructions on how to set it up.

I gather that it runs OS/400 software. Can I download the latest release and patches from somewhere?

Also, where can I find a manual that tells me how to get this beast running?

Thanks!
Terry Lemons

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Um... wow!

First of all here (

https://techsupport.services.ibm.com/server/support?view=iSeries)

is a good spot to start looking for documentation. Also, I would suggest joining the

http://www.midrange.com

mailing lists. The guys on these list are AWESOME! Someone might be able to hook up up with instuctions. iSeriesCodePoet
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

Want to have all your bookmarks in one spot?

http://www.koldark.net/bookmark4u/

 

[tcsbiz]

Terry,

CodePoet has some good ideas to check out. Use google to search for iSeries sites. There's a lot of them.

http://www.mcpressonline.com

may have some books or other links.

Your machine probably does have OS/400 installed. If not, it won't start up. The start up procedure is called IPL (Initial Program Load).

To get it going, you need a PC to act as a controlling workstation. If the machine is old enough, you can by with an old terminal as the controlling workstation.

Did it come with a controlling workstation? If not, you will be flying blind. If it already has one, you should be able to plug it in and start it up. There should be a black (blue?) power button.

Patches are called PTFs (Program Temporary Fixes). I'm not sure if you have to be an IBM customer or be on maintenance to download them.

BTW, how did you come to acquire such a machine without the proper materials?


Good luck.

Tom Skjoldager.

 

[tlemons]

Hi Tom

Thanks for the suggestion.

"BTW, how did you come to acquire such a machine without the proper materials?"

This sounds incredible to say, but I found it in a room of excess equipment. It was probably purchased for a project that, during a corporate downsizing, was cancelled.

I'll assume/hope that the operating system is installed. Thanks for pointing out that we'll need to use a PC as a console - that helps! Does the PC need to have any special software installed?

I found some cables with the AS/400, but don't know what I need. Any thoughts on where to look for a list of what I need? Sorry for the stupid questions!

Thanks
tl

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

In my opinion, you should talk to a IBM service person. There is only so much we can help with through here. Since you are flying blind, so are we. iSeriesCodePoet
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

Want to have all your bookmarks in one spot?

http://www.koldark.net/bookmark4u/

 

[tcsbiz]

Terry,

Those questions aren't stupid.

I've never been in that situation. It IS incredible that you found this machine just sitting there like junk. I've been programming the AS/400/iSeries for a long time and it is just a GREAT platform. It is a very stable and sound computer.

If your organization has the computer, it may also have been paying for tech. support. IBM tech. support is not cheap, but, even if you have to pay the per hour charge, it may pay for you to hire them.

Or, contact an IBM partner company. These are third-party companies who work closely with IBM to provide hardware and software services and installation.

I just though of this. Is your machine colored beige or black? Beige machines are older and have different power and cabling requirements than black machines. Unfortunately, this platform is very proprietary in its hardware requirements. But, I think that's what makes it so stable an environment.

Well, if I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Tom.

 

[tlemons]

Thanks for the suggestions. This AS/400 is painted black.

tl

 

[blubomber]

Now, i have some limited experience with the iSeries servers but we have an 820 where i work and i can get around pretty good and do some administrative tasks.

I think that you are going to need a console to get that thing up and running. A console is a dumb terminal that you use to performe most of your administrative tasks on the 820. For a PC, you will need a program called Client Access. Client Access uses TCP/IP to talk to the 820. But, on our 820 (running OS/400 Version 5 Release 1, V5R1) we had to start the TCP/IP services and assign an IP address to it. To do this we needed a dumb terminal. Plus, you have to get all of your users setup.

So, do you have a dumb terminal? If not, you will need one. You also need one because if you have some big problems with your 820, PCs using Client Access may not be able to connec to the 820 and you will have to use your Console(dumb terminal).

I like the 820 and OS/400. It is really a powerfull and flexible setup, but it takes some getting used to coming from the "PC" world. Good luck!