Before you can use the iSeries virtual console for installation, you must create a DST userid and give it authority to access the virtual console. In V5R2 you simply start SST (STRSST from the command line of the hosting OS/400 partition) and select option 8, Work with service tools user IDs. You cannot use the QSECOFR userid to access the virtual console, you must create a new userid. Once you have created your userid, give it Partition remote panel key access for your Linux partition.

To access the virtual console, use the command telnet <systemname> 2301 where <systemname> is the hostname of the OS/400 partition. When it connects, the virtual console lists the Linux partitions hosted by that OS/400 partition. Select the partition number and enter your DST userid and password as prompted.

The virtual console is usable from a variety of Telnet clients, but it works best when used either from Linux-based X terminals (or GNOME terminals) using the standard telnet client or the MS Windows PuTTY client. Other Telnet clients, such as the standard Windows Telnet client, have problems with the virtual console's rendering of the text based installation program or the control sequences in programs such as vi, so their use is not recommended.