1 06/21/90  set_system_console
 2 
 3 Syntax as a command:  set_system_console {console_name} {-control_args}
 4 
 5 
 6 Function:  controls the configuration of system consoles.
 7 
 8 
 9 Arguments:
10 console_name
11    is the name of the console as it is specified in the configuration
12    deck.  If this argument is not provided, the bootload console is
13    assumed.
14 
15 
16 Control arguments:
17 -crash
18    specifies that the system should crash in the event of console
19    recovery failure.
20 -reset
21    forcibly resets the bootload console as well as the oc_data
22    database.  If the console specified by console_name is not the
23    bootload console, no action is taken.
24 -run
25    specifies that the system should continue running in the event of
26    console recovery failure.  This overrides -crash.
27 
28 
29 -state STATE
30    changes the operational state of the specified console to STATE.
31    where STATE must be one of the following:
32    on
33       makes the specified console the bootload console and the primary
34       recipient of I/O.  If a bootload console is currently assigned it
35       will be made an alternate console.
36    alternate, alt
37       makes the specified console an alternate console.  In the event
38       of a bootload console failure, the first alternate console which
39       appears in the configuration deck will be selected as the
40       bootload console.
41 
42 
43    io
44       specifies that this console exists, but is not to be used as an
45       alternate console.  If this is the bootload console, it will be
46       unassigned.
47    inop
48       specifies that this console is inoperative.  If this is the
49       bootload console, it will be unassigned.
50    off
51       specifies that this console is being deconfigured and should not
52       be used by the console software.  This state cannot be used for
53       the bootload console.
54 
55 
56 Notes of warning:  When the bootload console is deconfigured with the
57 set_system_console command, Multics will crash if the Crash on Console
58 Recovery Failure option has been selected, either by using the -crash
59 control argument above or by presence of the ccrf parameter in the
60 config_file.  The following message will be printed:
61 
62    ocdcm_ (reconfigure):  Bootload console deconfigured with CCRF set.
63 
64 
65 Notes:  If the bootload console's state is set to IO or INOP and no
66 other console is assigned as the bootload console, Multics will send
67 subsequent output to the Message Coordinator.  If no Message
68 Coordinator is available, Multics will act with respect to the
69 specification of the ccrf parameter.
70 
71 Although it is possible to run the system from the Message Coordinator,
72 it is not recommended that sites run without an active bootload console
73 for extended periods of time.  During the period that there is no
74 bootload, console sites will be restricted to running only those
75 commands executable at an initializer terminal.  Failure of the FNP to
76 which the initializer terminal is attached while running without a
77 bootload console could produce severe problems.