4. Configuring the Thin Client

4.1 Older Versions

Unplug the network cable from the NC. Then boot it up.

After checking its Memory, VGA etc, it will boot into the IBM Network Station Setup Utility. Basically you can manage everything from this menu system. The main parts will be described here.

Setting up TCP/IP

Section 5 (F5) : Your network setup should look something like this :

IP Addressed From                                NVRAM
Network Station IP Adress                        10.0.0.50
First Boot Host IP Adress                        10.0.0.1
Second Boot Host IP Adress                       10.0.0.11
Third Boot Host IP Adress                        0.0.0.0
Gateway IP Adress                                10.0.0.1
Subnet Mask                                      255.255.255.0
Broadcast IP Adress                              10.0.0.255
Ethernet Standard                                Version 2 

Resembles my setup. The NC itself has 10.0.0.50 While 10.0.0.1 is the NFS Server, 10.0.0.11 is a secondary NFS server, just in case.

Setting Up the Boot Parameters

Section 6 (F6): Looks like this in my setup.

Boot file                               kernel
TFTP Boot Directory                     /usr/netstation/
NFS Boot Directory                      /usr/netstation/
Configuration File                      /usr/netstation/configs/standard.nsm
Configuration Directory                 /usr/netstation/configs
TFTP Order                              2
NFS Order                               1
MOP Order                               Disabled
Local Order                             Disabled

Where /usr/netstation is the directory export on 10.0.0.1

Setting Up the Monitor

Section 7 (F7): You can choose the right resolution / refresh rate from a nice menu. I have mine running on an old 14" VGA Screen running in 1024x768 @60Hz

Basically that's all you need to install.

Just plug in your Network cable again. And Reboot the NC. After testing the Video / DRAM, the NC will search the Host system and request the startup information, download the Kernel from the NFS and boot up.

In some cases, the NC might download an updated Firmware from the host.

When starting the graphical Console you should get a menu bar and a screen where you can select the X Hosts. You are now in the CLE (Common Login Environment): it's a desktop from where you can start all sessions, either telnet or X . It uses a local window manager which is a small window manager based on MWM.

Your NC is now setup. Congratulations !

Further Configuration

Further configuration of the NC can be done e.g. be setting the colors, window sizes, default keymaps etc. I'm not going to describe these in detail. If you have troubles finding your way through the menu system. The IBM Network Station Runtime Environment for RS/6000 User's Guide which can be found in either .pdf or .ps at http://www.as400.ibm.com/networkstation/rs6000/ and will provide you with detailed information.

4.2 Newer Versions

Newer versions of the Setup screen might look like this

• F2 = View Hardware Configuration
• F3 = Set Network Parameters
• F4 = Set Boot Parameters
• F5 = Set Configuration Parameters
• F6 = Set Monitor Parameters
• F7 = Set Language Parameters
• F10 = Set Verbose Diagnostic Message Disabled

With F3 you get a panel to set the IP adresses of the Station, the boot server and the gateways as well as the subnet mask. With F4 you get a panel to set the boot kernel name and path and method (tftp or NFS). F5 brings you to a panel to set your configuration files and paths.