Allows one TTY stream (monitor) to attach to another TTY stream (target) and monitor the user session that is taking place on that stream. This command only applies to AIX Version 4.2.1 and later.
portmir { -d mir_modem -t target [ -m monitor ] | -t target [ -m monitor ] | -s mir_modem } | { -o | -c monitor | -q }
The portmir command allows one TTY stream (monitor) to attach to another TTY stream (target) and monitor the user session that is taking place on that stream. This is accomplished by pushing a special "mirror" module into both the target and monitor TTY streams. It is an enhancement of the mirrord command available on Micro Channel Adapter SMP machines with AIX Version 4.2.0 or earlier. The portmir command is available on all types of machines with AIX 4.2.1 or later and is backward-compatible with previous versions of the mirrord command.
Both the target and monitor TTYs receive a printed message on their respective displays when a monitoring session begins. The monitoring session can be terminated from either the target TTY, monitor TTY, or a third TTY not involved in the monitoring session. When the monitor is used in a non-service mode, both streams must be in the open state (that is, either a getty or active session must be taking place on each TTY) in order for the command to work. This is necessary to allow the pushing of the "mirror" streams module. The portmir command is supported for use with TTY devices only (PTS, TTY, LFT).
The terminal type, as defined in the TERM environment variable, must be the same for both the monitor and target TTY. The value of this environment variable must correspond to a valid entry in the terminfo database. An example terminal type would be ibm3151 or vt100. The LFT is similar to the vt100. Terminal emulators such as aixterm are usually similar in function to vt100.
Although the console can be used as either the target TTY or the monitor TTY, using the console as the monitor TTY is not recommended. However, if the console is used as the monitor TTY, note that the console is first automatically redirected to the target TTY for the duration of the monitoring session. When the monitoring session is terminated, the console is redirected back to the device specified in the CuAt ODM database attribute syscons. If the console had been previously redirected, the redirection is not preserved.
Async devices that provide offloading of character processing may have problems if they are mirroring devices that rely on the line discipline (ldterm) to provide this function. An example of this would be the 128-port async adapter. Use the chdev command to disable the fastcook attribute if a port of a dissimilar adapter is monitored. Run the command as follows:
chdev -l tty1 -a fastcook -disable
You can use the Web-based System Manager Devices application (wsm devices fast path) to run this command. You could also use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) smit portmir fast path to run this command.
| -c monitor | Configures port for service boot by creating CuAt ODM database attribute portmir_monitor, which contains the device parameter as the value field. This device is used later as the default monitoring device when the portmir command is invoked in service mode (-s flag).
Mirroring must be configured by the system administrator to execute at service boot time using the -c option. The target defaults to the device defined in the portmir_monitor attribute. |
| -d mir_modem | Sets monitoring port for dial-in purposes. Only the root user can issue the command with this flag. Ensure that /usr/share/mir_modem is linked to the correct modem setup file. /usr/share/mir_modem contains example files; you may need to create your own, depending on your type of modem. |
| -m monitor | Specifies monitoring device. If neither the -m option nor the -s option are specified, then the monitoring device defaults to the port on which the portmir command was run. |
| -o | Turns off monitoring and terminates the command. |
| -q | Queries the value set with the -c option. |
| -s mir_modem | To be used in service mode only for Micro Channel Adapter SMP machines. For further information, refer to the mirrord daemon. |
| -t target | Specifies target device to be monitored. |
Only a single mirror session may be running at any one time.
To mirror a port in the nonservice mode, place a list of users who may monitor them in a .mir file in your home directory (not required for the root user). When the mirror daemon begins running, the daemon checks to see who is on that port. It then checks to see if the user of the monitoring port is authorized to monitor that port. The mirrord command also validates the monitoring port's user.
The .mir file must have the format of a single user ID per line.
Attention: Running the su command to change to root user during a mirror session gives root authority to both users.
portmir -t tty1 -m tty2
portmir -t tty1 -m tty2 -d mir_modem
portmir -c tty
portmir -c off
portmir -q
| /usr/share/modems/mir_modem | Modem configuration file examples for setting up dial-in. |
| /usr/sbin/portmir | Contains the command file. |
The mirrord daemon, the chdev command.
Setting up and running Web-based System Management in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices.