COMMON POWERUp 2026

IBM i OS network communications has changed a lot since the AS/400 primarily communicated to workstations and printers using Twinax and to other computer systems using specialized communications lines. In some ways things are more complex because our IBM i OS systems communicate to a lot of other devices in many different ways, but in other ways things are simpler today because nearly all network communications are built on top of the foundation of Ethernet and TCP/IP. This session will take a look at the foundations of Ethernet and TCP/IP and how they are built up within the IBM i OS. We will look at your communications adapters, Line Descriptions, and IP addresses, subnets, routes and more including the commands and interfaces used to manage these. As time allows we may also look at some of the most commonly used networking servers Telnet and FTP and cover their basics of configuration, management and even troubleshooting.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the building blocks of IBM i Network Communications configuration and how they fit together. - Communications Adapters - Line Descriptions - IP Interfaces/Addresses - Routes - TCP/IP Start Up - and more...