topic Re: Console Problem - Function Keys in Operating System - HP-UX

Console Problem - Function Keys

Tommy_6 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:33:44 GMT

We have a console connected to our rx4640 through a kvm. We entered the function key edit screen and cannot exit the screen. We are able to tab through the lines, and the F2 (Next Choice), F3 (Previous Choice), F4 (Default Value), F7 (Display Functions) all work. But we are unable to exit the screen. We tried a number of key combinations, but are unable to exit this screen. Thank you in advance for your help

Tommy

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Steven E. Protter — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:41:06 GMT

Shalom,

Try em100 emulation instead of hp, that might help.

Really though, that system has a network console that is much more secure and lets you telnet in. We use a special secure network to isolate console traffic thereby letting us get away with using telnet.

Network configurable, reliable and accessible without a KVM, its the way to go, GSP/iLo

SEP

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Tommy_6 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:57:28 GMT

Steven,

Thanks for the info on the network card. As for the emulation, we are currently stuck at the function key label screen, unable to get out. I am unable to change the emulation.

Tommy

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Mel Burslan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:12:58 GMT

if you hit ctrl-b, are you able to get to the MP> prompt ? If so, you should be able to change the emulation type from one of the menus under the MP prompt, which one I can not remember exactly right now.

also, if this server is on the network, try accessing it via ssh (or god forbid telnet) and you can kill the getty process attached to the console. if your system is properly configured, it must launch a new getty process, freeing up the console connection for a new login.

to check proper console configuration, run

grep console /etc/inittab

you should see a line like this

cons:123456:respawn:/usr/sbin/getty console console

the important keyword is 'respawn' if it is there, you can kill the getty process attached to the console and your console should go back to login prompt.

hope this helps. Sorry not much cn be said without knowing your exact configuration. I am having hard time understanding how a KVM switch can play a role in the serial connection to the console port, or are you referring to a terminal server as a kvn switch. In either case, the model of the switch and the terminal emulation you are using to access to the console might help.

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Bill Hassell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:33:54 GMT

> console connected to our rx4640 through a kvm

Are you sure this is a KVM switch, one that has a PC monitor and mouse and keyboard along with a selector to connect to multiple systems? The keys you are referring to (ie, F7 Display Function) will never appear on a video card interface that a KVM switch would support. These labels belong to a standard HP terminal such as a 700/92 or 700/94 with serial (RS-232) cable, or possibly you are really looking at a PC screen that is running Reflection for HP. If you are really looking at a PC screen, press F9 to turn off the function key labels. Or you can turn off the labels with the following HP-UX command:

echo "$(tput rmln)$(tput sgr0)\c"

Until we know what type of display you are looking at, it will be hard to help.

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Tommy_6 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:50:49 GMT

Mel and Bill, thanks for the info. So this is what I have. I have a TFT7600 KVM going to the 15 pin VGA on the 4640. I do not have a getty process running on the system. When I press F9 nothing happens on the screen, am I still at the Function Key editing screen.

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Tim Nelson — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:13:48 GMT

I think the graphics card on a 4640 is different than the MP/ILO.

The MP/ILO connection typically has two options. 9pin serial or ethernet.

I could be wrong here. Non of my servers use graphics adapters on servers.

Re: Console Problem - Function Keys

Bill Hassell — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:16:27 GMT

OK. This is an unusual connection (graphics card on a server) since most servers are racked in a computer room and the console is a simple CRT terminal or LAN connection. So now the question concerns the terminal emulator which runs inside the processor ROMs. This is a simple character mode interface and is the only interface for a graphics console. You don't exit this interface because that is all there is for the graphics card (or any terminal connection such as ssh or telnet).

Instead, you need to start Xwindows to display a desktop interface onto the video card for a more Linux-like interface. This will make the rx4640 look more like a single user workstation. This document will help:

http://docs.hp.com/en/5991-7583/index.html