Web Console

[Peter Klosky]

How do I examine and set the console IP address when the address is not known?

We just changed IP addresses on our entire network. In anticipation of this, I used the web interface to set in the new address for the console. Now, it does not resond to browser connects from either the old or new address. This box has a "normal" RF45 LAN port, a "web console" RJ45 port, a serial port, a "web console reset" button, and a "transfer of control" button. I have no idea what the "transfer of control" button does, other than crash the host. Is there any way I can reset this box to some known factory settings, or any mode in which it will communicate? What happens now is that after it boots, the "normal" LAN interface does respond on its new address, in that it refuses connections. I suspect that my mod to /etc/rc.config.d/netconf was effective in setting the right address for the "normal" LAN, but that some other problem, such as not having the correct /etc/hosts entry, is preventing the host from allowing a login on the "normal" port via telnet, ftp or rlogin. Any pointer to an on-line manual for this strange beast? Please respond directly on this forum, as my email is out for unrelated reasons.

A second question: Can I set the web console interface address from the Unix prompt? I have a second box that I am able to reach via telnet on the "normal" port, and it would be a bonus to be able to use the web console interface. At this time, I am not a fan of the web console interface. I would vastly prefer the model that when the computer turns on, a display is available via serial or video interface. It is too easy to work one's self into a corner with this web interface, and it is too strange to understand.

[Peter Klosky]

The hosts in question are the A180 model, I'm 99% sure. All I really want is to figure out how to reset the web console on power-up. Perhaps there is some button sequence, such as holding in the "console reset" while cycling power. Any comments are appreciated.

[Peter Klosky]

Well, after much searching, I've found that my serial console i/f may run, provided I disconnect the "web console" LAN at power-up time. I still have yet to find any document describing the function of the "transfer of control" or "reset web console" buttons.

[Paula J Frazer-Campbell]

Hi Peter

Reset info here, your docs will info you of the default ip address which a reset should give.

http://www.docs.hp.com/cgi-bin/otsearch/getfile?id=/hpux/onlinedocs/hw/swc/0004JB/reset.htm&searchterms=web%7cconsole&queryid=20010401-034327

Paula

[Vincenzo Restuccia]

Press the button and after the ip of web console is 192.0.0.192. You can add this ip your route table or change your ip with 192.0.0.x.

[Peter Klosky]

Thanks for the comments and link. I'll try to hold down the "web console reset" button while powering up. I'm still at a loss as to the purpose of the "transfer of control" button, and suspect that there may be some confusion as to what "web console" unit I have. The one I have came built-in as part of an A180 "Pizza Box" unit.

[Peter Klosky]

My current situation, after trying several suggestions:

1. If I have the "LAN Web Interface" disconnected at power-up, I do get a console display of the boot sequence.

2. I tried holding down the "reset web console" button at power-up and while up. It still does not respond to 192.0.0.192 using a normal rig of a hub and PC at 192.0.0.193. I think some of the instructions I got linked to are for a different box than what I have. I have an A180 with built-in web console.

3. The reason the host won't boot is hanging at an NFS mount. At the risk of having an opinion, I think HP is way behind the curve on this particular problem, which is common. What they should do is have NFS try a few times, then give up or persist in the background. Too often machines become unusable as a result of this, as in this case and others.

4. I would like to generate an interrupt during the boot process so that the NFS mount is skipped. On other HP hosts with "normal" consoles, I can type control-\ to interrupt. However, that is no working on the serail aspect of the combo serial/web console interface unit.

Please advise any way to either generate an interrupt or reset my specific web console unit.

Peter

[Tommy Brown]

Do you by chance have DHCP running in your network? If so, the Webconsole may have picked up a new address.
I recently had my A180 repaired, and the HP tech was able to get in and reset some of the Webconsole Info. It is their "MAGIC" potion, and inaccessible to us.. I have had an external Web conslole, that would not reset, nor could I attach to the 192.0.0.192 address either. The bad new, on the A180 is that it is a system board replacement. No data lost, just a bit of work for the engineer.
Tommy

[Peter Klosky]

It's 1982 all over, and the DEC VT100 is the terminal of choice!

All kidding aside, I have regained control of several of the HP consoles I have by discovering that while the HP hosts will accept input and provide output at various points early in the boot sequence, this does not mean that they will accept data late in the sequence. It looks the like the smaller (9 pin?) connector pinout requires DTR/CD or what have you in some, but not all, modes. I feel like the good interaction at the point where I type "bo" to boot only teased me, when, after booting, the host was going to refuse to accept my keystrokes.

I do not expect that my A180 web console will ever work again or be described by HP, which is just fine, as the serial port works with the right cable. Again, I appreciate all the responses. The one which was specific to A180 experience was the biggest help.

Peter