The AS/400 remote control unit

Highlights Functionality Connectivity Flexibility Usability Reliability Features 5494 Model EXT Remote Control Unit at a glance For more Information

Functionality
The IBM 5494 Remote Control Unit provides access to your AS/400 for remote workstation users. In addition to providing functional capabilities for nonprogrammable workstations, the 5494 offers multiple communication options for both nonprogrammable and programmable workstations. With the 5494, users get the same capabilities as if they were locally attached to the AS/400.

In Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networks (APPN) or SNA subarea networks, the 5494 can be configured to support up to four AS/400s (see Figure 4). This enables single-session terminals to access any one of the AS/400s and multiple-session terminals to access up to four AS/400s at the same time. Of course, programmable workstations can still communicate with any AS/400 on the network.

Figure 4. Twinaxial-attached workstations accessing multiple AS/400 host systems (up to four AS/400s can be preconfigured in the 5494)

Release 3.2 of the 5494 supports bridging of non-SNA protocols to a bridge partner, supports LAN-attached printers, offers additional flexibility in changing primary hosts or routing to an AS/400, and offers enhanced network management facilities.

By adding the twinaxial expansion kit (see Figure 1), the 5494 easily expands to provide attachment for up to 56 workstations. This kit contains a card and a second, twinaxial, 4-port connector to accommodate attachment of 28 additional workstations.

Figure 1. Twinaxial-attached workstations connected through the 5494 to an AS/400

The 5494 supports IBM Token-Ring or Ethernet LANs by installing a Token-Ring or Ethernet adapter card (see Figure 2). When used as a LAN gateway, the 5494 supports up to 80 SNA-attached devices, including programmable workstations and printers. You can have all of these devices connected directly to the LAN or some devices attached to the LAN and others to the twinaxial ports.

Figure 2. Gateway configuration including both twinaxial-attached and LAN-attached workstations connected through the 5494 to an AS/400

The Frame-Relay-Token-Ring bridge feature enables the 5494 to support source-route bridging of token-ring traffic across the Frame-Relay connection to an AS/400 or bridge partner, such as IBM 6611 Network Processor, an IBM 2210 Nways Multiprotocol Router, or a PC running RouteXpander/2. A token-ring LAN-attached PC running TCP/IP is an example of a device that can be bridged by the 5494. Bridged non-SNA devices do not apply to the maximum device limit of 80.

Flexibility

Figure 3. Configuration with twinaxial-attached workstations connected to an AS/400 through the 5494 and a LAN

When interim microcode changes or fixes are sent from the AS/400 through the network to the 5494, the 5494 automatically checks to see if it has the latest changes and applies the updates if needed. And the 5494 can also pass on any microcode updates to compatible devices that are attached at the remote site.

Usability

The front panel of the 5494 contains a 21-key keypad and a 16-position LCD that provide direct management capabilities. Together they can be used to check device status, input date and time parameters, look up and display error codes, or run concurrent diagnostics. By accessing these functions directly from the 5494, you can eliminate the need, in most cases, for a workstation to be installed close to the controller.

However, you can accomplish these tasks, and others, remotely because you can now access the 5494 from any programmable workstation in the network, using the 5494 Utility Program.

Using the Utility Program, the 5494 can be managed from a PC or PS/2, providing it has access to the 5494. This access is secured through a password. Additional capabilities include changing configuration parameters and resetting and restarting the 5494.

During operation, the 5494 recognizes changes in all attached devices. The 5494 automatically recognizes device address changes and, without operator intervention, passes this information to the AS/400s affected. No reconfiguration is necessary to add or move devices.

Reliability

The reliability of the 5494 Remote Control Unit helps increase your system availability. All communication cables have built-in auto-wrap capability for problem resolution.

The AS/400 and the 5494 are designed to work together to promote fast problem detection and resolution. From a single source of maintenance and error correction circuitry, through prerelease testing and trained specialists, the highest level of reliability and system availability is ensured.

Continuous-retries support lets you establish communication with your AS/400 automatically.

The 5494 works with Performance Tools/400 to capture remote response times and pass the information to the AS/400.

The 5494 provides the same functional capabilities as the AS/400 local workstation controller-right down to the latest InfoWindow II functions of shared addressing, fax, video, and mouse support.

The 5494 also supports applications using Enhanced User Interface (EUI). EUI allows user programs for nonprogrammable displays to have functional capability found in PC and OS/2 screen applications, such as scroll bars, windows, and help screens. This capability can increase user productivity in many data entry activities.

Features

The IBM 5494 is designed for flexible growth. To protect your hardware investments, each new release is synchronized with upcoming AS/400 capability enhancements. Today, the 5494 includes Frame-Relay attachment and bridging support, concurrent host access, and much, much more.

With concurrent host access, the 5494 communicates with up to four preconfigured AS/400 computers. This provides nonprogrammable workstations and printers access to a choice of AS/400s in an APPN or SNA subarea network. Multiple-session terminals can access all preconfigured AS/400s simultaneously.

The 5494 also lets you use additional configurations stored on a system diskette, for quicker activation of a backup computer link. And, it provides LAN printer support, including support for 3130 and 3935 token-ring attached printers.

Best of all, the 5494 EXT is extendable. You can integrate enhancements that will extend your options and capabilities in remote computing.

IBM 5494 Model EXT Remote Control Unit at a glance

Specifications
140mm (H) x 440mm (W) x 430mm (D) (5.5" x 17.3" x 16.9"); 11.8kg (26lbs)

Operating environment
10° to 40.6° C (50° to 105° F) temperature; 8% to 80% relative humidity; 26.7° C (80° F ) maximum wet-bulb temperature

Programming requirements
For IBM Application System/400: IBM Operating System/400, Version 2 Release 1.1, or higher
For PWS: IBM PC Support/400, Version 2 Release 1, or higher, or IBM PC Client Access/400, or OS/2 Extended Edition, Release 1.3, or higher, or OS/2, Version 2.x, and Communications Manager/2, Version 1.0, or higher

Input voltage requirements
100-127 V or 200-240 V; 50/60 MHz; 1-phase

Heat output
26 Kcal/hour

Power consumption
37 watts

5494 Model EXT Hardware Configurator

Standard features:

Voltage

Power cord

Communications cable*

* Additional cable can be ordered, see Optional features.

Twinaxial Expansion kit #1200

Adapters and features
(choose one token-ring or Ethernet adapter if required)