Each trader entry for a wanda machine contains the address to which console output from the wanda kernel is directed, when it is written from the serial port on the host. Traditionally each wanda host has its own serial line which xwcons can access by using telnet (or occasionally some other protocol) and connecting to the address specified in the trader entry ``Console''. For example, the host shooga has a console entry ``tel:selby3-r''. This specifies that a telnet session to the address ``selby3-r'' will enable an xwcons session to receive all console output from the host.
For Fairisle switches the number of serial lines which which be required to monitor all ports of a switch is excessive. Fairisle ports therefore use a network console, which works as follows: each port on a switch checks to see whether it has been given in its hostinfo an environment variable which specifies the msnl address of a master port which has access to a serial line. If so, the port directs over an msnl connection all serial line output to that address. The master port, which has a serial line connected to it, is responsible for multiplexing the console output from all other ports on the switch and outputting it over its serial output device. The switch entry in the trader contains the console output address for the multiplexed console output of all ports on the switch. xscons Demultiplexes the output from each port and displays it in its own window. The protocol for console output is described elsewhere in this document collection.
The console output from each serial port is input into a bridge PAD, which also runs a telnet service. Each serial port is accessible via a different telnet address. The address of a particular port is given in the trader entry for the switch or host which uses it. The PAD serial lines must be set to the appropriate baud rate for the serial output device using them. For Fairisle ports, both fpc3 and fpc2, the line should be set at 4800 baud. The settings differ for other wanda machines. The current settings of the ports on the bridge PADS is stored in a file /usr/groups/wanda/machines/TrojanPads. This describes which wanda host or switch is connected to which bridge PAD line, and what settings should be used.