HP OpenVMS 8.x manual

enabling multihead DECwindows graphics operation, the VGA console defaults to screen

0.If no VGA device is configured as a console, DECwindows selects a default screen based on the Integrity server model and device bus ordering. For details about enabling multihead DECwindows graphics operation, see Section 7.7.3 (page 121).

Note the following restrictions:

—OpenVMS supports up to four add-on graphics devices plus any built-in graphics, depending on the Integrity server and available slots. The firmware available on some Integrity servers might limit which devices can be used as a VGA console device. For information about your specific configuration's platform and graphics configuration rules, see your hardware documentation .

—For correct operation of the VGA console, OpenVMS requires that at least one other non-VGA device be configured as the Secondary console.

—XDELTA is not available when using the VGA console; it is disabled when requested.

—Conversational (interactive) boot (SYSBOOT>) is not supported with the VGA console. To change SYSGEN parameters, use SYSGEN from OpenVMS, or boot OpenVMS from a non-VGA console for conversational boot.

—When using a VGA console and installing from vMedia or a USB DVD drive with the keyboard plugged into a USB hub, the keyboard might not be operational initially. To enable keyboard operation, simply unplug the hub and plug it back in.

For more information, platform-specific details, and the firmware required for VGA support, see the HP OpenVMS Version 8.3-1H1 for Integrity Servers New Features and Release Notes and the hardware documentation for your Integrity server.

The procedure for selecting the correct console varies according to the Integrity server model and firmware. For Integrity servers other than the rx2600, follow the steps in Section A.2.1 (page 154). For rx2600 Integrity servers and servers for which you cannot obtain the required firmware, follow the steps in Section A.2.2.

NOTE: Make sure your Integrity server has the latest firmware updates installed.

A.2.1 Selecting Your OpenVMS Console (Not Applicable to rx2600 Integrity Servers)

On Integrity servers other than the rx2600 (or on servers with outdated firmware), console devices can be configured as one of the following three types:

•Primary console—The device enabled as a console for the firmware interface and used as the OpenVMS console (OPA0). If a VGA device (device path) is selected as the Primary console, at least one serial device path must be set as a Secondary console in order to use the VGA device to boot OpenVMS.

•Secondary console—A device enabled as a console for the firmware but not used as the OpenVMS console during or after booting. The device is configured as a normal serial port device. Note that if you specify an MP port as the Secondary console, it will not be visible to OpenVMS. The MP port is visible to OpenVMS only when selected as a Primary console. If multiple serial ports are available as a console on your Integrity server and you select one for a Secondary console, do not use that console for transmission of binary data.

•Not Configured—A device that is not enabled as a console for the firmware or operating system.

Your system can be booted from any Primary or Secondary console but OpenVMS output displays only on the primary console. For information about serial devices that can be selected as the console and the serial device port enumeration, see the HP OpenVMS Version 8.3-1H1 for Integrity Servers New Features and Release Notes.

You can select a console in one of two ways:

•Using the EFI Boot Manager, as described in Section A.2.1.1 (page 155)

•Using the EFI shell, as described in Section A.2.1.2

The examples in the following two subsections show how to select a VGA device for the OpenVMS console.

154 Configuring OpenVMS I64 Hardware Operation and Boot Operations, and Booting and Shutting Down Your System