Remote Service Configuration

Use this window to customize the Hardware Management Console for using remote service.

Remote service is two-way communication between the console and the IBM Service Support System (commonly known as RETAIN) for the purpose of conducting automated service operations. Using remote service reduces the operator interaction needed to complete some service operations and provides some console tasks with another source or destination for sending or receiving service information.

The controls you will use to customize the console's remote service settings are determined by whether you want to enable or disable remote service.

Controls for enabling remote service

Enable remote service if you want to allow console connections to the IBM Service Support System.

Select Enable remote service to enable remote service:

After enabling remote service, use the window's remaining controls to customize how service calls are reported and to set up SNA or TCP/IP as the network protocol used for console connections to the IBM Service Support System:

Authorize Automatic Service Call Reporting
To set whether the console automatically reports problems and requests service, select Authorize Automatic Service Call Reporting.
Customer Service Center Telephone Number
This field displays the telephone number the console's hardware messages will include as an option for reporting problems and requesting service if automatic service call reporting is disabled. and request service. You can change the telephone number whenever necessary.
Required numbers for local dialing Dial prefix
Specify the prefix, if any, required for dialing telephone numbers from the Hardware Management Console's location (such as dialing 9 for an outside line).

A dial prefix is appended to the beginning of each telephone number the console uses to connect to the IBM Service Support System (so the modem dials the prefix before dialing a telephone number).

Connection protocol
Select the network protocol (Synchronous SNA or Asynchronous TCP/IP) you want to use for console connections to the IBM Service Support System.
Customizing TCP/IP connections
To complete customizing dial information for TCP/IP connections, select Next to display the Current Location window. The window provides controls for customizing the telephone numbers the console will use to make TCP/IP connections to the IBM Service Support System.
Customizing SNA connections
To complete customizing dial information for SNA connections:
  1. Use the controls in SNA Dial Information to set a dial string prefix and calling station identifier (if required) for using the console's modem.
  2. Select Next to display the Current Location window. The window provides controls for customizing the telephone numbers the console will use to make SNA connections to the IBM Service Support System.

Controls for disabling remote service

Disable remote service if you do not want to allow console connections to the IBM Service Support System.

Do not select Enable Remote Service to disable remote service:

Disabling remote service does not prevent the console from detecting and analyzing problems. The console will still issue hardware messages to notify console operators of problems. If service is required to correct a problem, its hardware message will include instructions for calling a customer service center to report the problem and request service.

The Customer Service Center Telephone Number field displays the telephone number the console's hardware messages will include in instructions for reporting problems and requesting service. You can change the telephone number whenever necessary.

Making new settings take effect

When you finish customizing the console's remote service settings, select Finish to save the settings and close the window. New settings take effect upon saving them.

You can find more detailed help on the following elements of this window:

Enable Remote Service
Authorize Automatic Service Call Reporting
Customer Service Center Telephone Number
OK
Cancel
Help