A distinction is made between the main console and – if available – subsidiary consoles.
The main console is initially always the one from which the system is loaded or the one which is recognized as the first operable console.
The various console windows which are opened on the SE Manager are only different views of the same console (which can be recognized from the 2-character console mnemonic in the status line).
Main and subterminals do not differ technically. BS2000 differentiates them only according to their function.
Main console
This function is assigned to just one console at all times. If it fails, the function is transferred automatically to one of the remaining available consoles by the system. The operator can also transfer the function to another specific console using the REQUEST-MAIN-CONSOLE-FUNCTIONS command. The console which is currently the main console has the following properties:
It receives the routing code * – even when it was not explicitly assigned to it.
It receives all “emergency messages”.
All queries and requests for additional command information, including emergency queries, can be answered from it (exception: queries connected with SCI commands and “;” queries).
With NBCONOPI=N
It is authorized to execute all commands whose routing code is not assigned to a console.
Subsidiary consoles can be assigned and other consoles can be added or removed by command from this console.
The assignment of functional areas to other consoles can be changed from this console at any time.
It normally receives all the messages which cannot be assigned to any other console.
Additional with NBCONOPI=Y
The assignment of functional areas to virtual consoles with generated authorization names can be modified with the ASR command from this console.
It receives all queries which could not be output at their desired output location.
As with all consoles, the capabilities of the main console depend on which functional areas are assigned to it.
Up to the end of the loading process, the main console function is fulfilled by the device from which the system was loaded. The main console function can only be assigned to a physical console, not to a virtual console (an authorized user program). Only the right to respond to open queries can be associated with the routing code * (asterisk) by means of the system parameter NBREPLY.
Subsidiary console
All consoles which do not have the main console function are regarded as subsidiary consoles by the system. The capabilities of a subsidiary console depend on the functional areas that are assigned to it.
Switching the main console function
The system switches over the main console function in the following situations:
When requested by an operator.
The switchover must be requested from the console which is to receive the main console function (with the REQUEST-MAIN-CONSOLE-FUNCTIONS command). The system then calls for a confirmation from the current main console. If this is received, the switchover is carried out. Otherwise, the system rejects the request.Upon failure of the current main console.
In this case the system switches over automatically to another console; if NBCONOPI=N is specified, the standby console predefined in the parameter service is selected (see section "DEFINE-CONSOLE statement"). This selection can be influenced by the operator by means of the CONSOLE command. If NBCONOPI=Y is specified, the new main console is selected via an internal algorithm.