1. DL manuals
  2. RadiSys
  3. Desktop
  4. EPC-8A
  5. Hardware reference manual

RadiSys EPC-8A Hardware reference manual

Manual is about: Highly integrated PC-compatible computer designed specifically for use in the VMEbus and extended VMEbus (VXIbus) environments

Summary of EPC-8A

  • Page 1

    Epc-8a hardware reference radisys corporation 5445 ne dawson creek drive hillsboro, or 97124 (503) 615-1100 fax: (503) 615-1150 www.Radisys.Com 07-0961-01 december 1998.

  • Page 2

    Epc-8a hardware reference ii epc, intime, and radisys are registered trademarks of radisys corporation. † all other trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners. December 1998 copyright 1998 by radisys corporation all rights reserved..

  • Page 3: Before You Begin

    Iii before you begin this guide describes the epc-8a, a highly integrated pc-compatible computer designed specifically for use in the vmebus and extended vmebus (vxibus) environments. About this guide this guide explains how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the epc-8a, and describes the epc-8...

  • Page 4

    Epc-8a hardware reference iv notational conventions this manual uses the following conventions: • all numbers are decimal unless otherwise stated. • bit 0 is the low-order bit. If a bit is set to 1, the associated description is true unless otherwise stated. • data structures and syntax strings appe...

  • Page 5: Contents

    V contents chapter 1: product description overview........................................................................................................................................................... 1 vmebus ........................................................................................

  • Page 6

    Epc-8a hardware reference vi resident flash/sram memory ................................................................................................................ 33 resident flash memory..............................................................................................................

  • Page 7

    Contents vii appendix c: connectors rs-232 port (com1)........................................................................................................................................ 59 rs-422/485 port (com2).......................................................................................

  • Page 8

    Epc-8a hardware reference viii adapter architecture ................................................................................................................................. 88 boot prom ............................................................................................................

  • Page 9: Figures

    Contents ix figures figure 2-1. Jumper locations................................................................................................................................ 6 figure 2-2. Daisy-chain signal concept .....................................................................................

  • Page 10: Tables

    Epc-8a hardware reference x tables table 1-1. Epc-8a environmental specifications .............................................................................................. 3 table 1-2. Additional epc-8a specifications.................................................................................

  • Page 11: Product Description

    1 chapter 1 product description overview the epc-8a, compatible with major pc software environments such as microsoft † dos, microsoft windows † 3.X, microsoft windows 95, and microsoft windows nt † is a highly integrated pc-compatible computer designed specifically for use in the vmebus and extende...

  • Page 12: Vmebus

    Epc-8a hardware reference 2 ne2000+ ethernet controllers. Interface configuration (emulation mode and address/ interrupt control) is software controlled; a dos-based application is provided to perform this operation. • second modified rs-422/485 pc-compatible serial port interface implemented with r...

  • Page 13: Specifications

    Chapter 1: product description 3 vmebus extended register set as an extension to the vmebus interface, the epc-8a implements the set of vxibus (ieee 1155-1992) standard multiprocessor support registers in the a16 space. These registers provide a set of standard identification, status, control and co...

  • Page 14

    Epc-8a hardware reference 4 vme master address a16, a24, a32 master transfer d08(eo), d16, d32 slave address a16 slave transfer d08(eo), d16 interrupter i(1–7) interrupt handler d08(o),d16 ih(1–7) requester ror, ronr arbiter rrs, pri system controller sysclk, iack and bus grant daisy chains, bus tim...

  • Page 15: Configuration and

    5 chapter 2 configuration and installation to configure and install the epc-8a, you must complete the following steps: 1. Set jumpers as needed for flash, bios, and slot-1 2. Select the slot location 3. Install vmebus backplane jumpers 4. Insert subplane into mainframe 5. Insert epc-8a into mainfram...

  • Page 16

    Epc-8a hardware reference 6 • starts the iack and bus grant daisy chains. • provides bus timeout error (berr) function the epc-8a can be user-configured to provide standard vmebus slot-1 functionality. The slot-1 configuration option is enabled (default) by installing the slot-1 shunt (jumper) on th...

  • Page 17

    Chapter 2: configuration and installation 7 • the epc-8a connects to its peripherals via a subplane which extends to the right of the epc-8a. Make sure that the location you choose provides sufficient room for all the attached peripherals (exms and mass storage module). The epc-8a plus exm expansion...

  • Page 18

    Epc-8a hardware reference 8 the daisy-chain signal concept is shown in figure 2-2. The slot-1 controller board initiates each daisy-chain signal. Each vmebus slot to the right of the slot-1 controller must pass through each of the daisy-chain signals. For each vmebus slot, xxxin pin must be connecte...

  • Page 19: Epc-8A Insertion

    Chapter 2: configuration and installation 9 if the stake pins are on the rear of the backplane, the most common location is in the middle of the j1 connector as shown in figure 2-4. The connector may have wire-wrap tails on all pins, or just on the bus-grant and iac pins. Stake pins (front or rear) ...

  • Page 20: Remaining Steps

    Epc-8a hardware reference 10 the subplane is installed first, connecting to the backplane. After installing the subplane, the epc-8a processor module can be inserted into the vmebus chassis. Make sure that power to your vme system is off. The epc-8a module is not designed to be inserted or removed f...

  • Page 21: Bios Configuration

    11 chapter 3 bios configuration this chapter details the various menus and sub-menus you use to configure the system. The epc-8a uses the phoenixbios program to configure and select various system options. While the chapter is written as though you are encountering each field in sequence and for the...

  • Page 22: Main Bios Setup Menu

    Epc-8a hardware reference 12 main bios setup menu the next figure shows the main bios setup menu. The rightmost menu in the menu bar is the exit menu. Use the options in this menu to save your changes, re-load default bios settings, and so on. By pressing the esc key, you immediately go to the exit ...

  • Page 23

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 13 ide adapter sub-menus two ide adapter sub-menus exist: one for the master drive and one for the slave drive. To use an exm-hd, exm-mx, or exp-mx series mass storage unit, you must configure a master adapter; the slave is optional, and not relevant to most radisys har...

  • Page 24

    Epc-8a hardware reference 14 field description autotype fixed disk sets up new disks. This option allows the bios to determine proper settings for the disk based on information on the disk, which is detected by the epc-8a bios for drives that comply with ansi specifications. Press the enter key to i...

  • Page 25

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 15 memory cache sub-menu field description memory cache enables or disables the level 1 (l1) cache. The default is “enabled”. Figure 3-3. Memory shadow sub-menu phoenixbios setup - copyright 1985-95 phoenix technologies ltd. Memory cache item specific help memory cache:...

  • Page 26

    Epc-8a hardware reference 16 memory shadow sub-menu the term “memory shadow” refers to the technique of copying information from rom into ram and accessing it in this alternate memory location. The memory shadow sub-menu is discussed below. About shadow memory regions the shadow regions should be us...

  • Page 27

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 17 boot sequence sub-menu the boot sequence sub-menu allows you to change the boot sequence options. The following displays: field description boot delay sets the system to delay booting for the number of seconds that you specify. This allows for long start up times on ...

  • Page 28

    Epc-8a hardware reference 18 about drive letter assignment the bios determines the boot device algorithmically. First it determines where the floppy drive fits into the sequence; however, for simplicity here, assume no a: drive. The bios starts by determining if an ide controller is enabled. If so, ...

  • Page 29

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 19 keyboard features menu use this sub-menu to enable or disable various keyboard features. Field description numlock enables or disables the keyboard’s numlock feature. This enables the use of the keypad numbers. The default is to automatically disengage the numlock ke...

  • Page 30: Advanced Menu

    Epc-8a hardware reference 20 advanced menu the advanced menu contains settings for integrated peripherals, memory shadow, watchdog timer, large disk access mode, and setting the flash and vme romdisk bios extension base addresses. Field description integrated peripherals sub-menu selects the integra...

  • Page 31

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 21 flash romdisk enables flash memory on the epc-8a. This must be selected for the flash memory to appear as a drive. The base address you select defines where the flash romdisk bios extension is installed. Options include: dc000–dfff0h d8000–dbff0h d4000–d7ff0h d0000–d...

  • Page 32

    Epc-8a hardware reference 22 integrated peripherals sub-menu use the options in this sub-menu to configure the com and lpt ports. Vme scan range used for vme booting. To boot from vme: 1. Use xformat with the /f option to first create a file that looks like a fat/boot record. 2. Upload the file to v...

  • Page 33: Exm Menu

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 23 exm menu use this menu to set up the optional exm expansion modules in your epc-8a. Enter the exm-id, plus option byte information for ob1 and ob2. This information is found in the hardware reference manual shipped with each exm expansion module. Note the following w...

  • Page 34

    Epc-8a hardware reference 24 ob1/ob2 two “option” bytes of configuration information. All slots not occupied by an exm module should show an id of ff and ob1/ob2 of 00 00 indicating that no exm is present. Field description slots identifies the slot to which the configuration information applies: • ...

  • Page 35: Vme Menu

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 25 vme menu use the options in this menu to configure the vmebus interface and addressing. Id identifies the system’s exms. Enter the exm-ids for the exms you intend to install in this system. You can install up to six exms. Option byte 1/ option byte 2 specifies option...

  • Page 36: Exit Menu

    Epc-8a hardware reference 26 exit menu use the options in this menu to save and exit, or abandon your changes and exit to the system. Ula selects the unique logical address (ula). Possible values range from 00 through ff. The logical address controls where in the vme a16sd space the epc-8a extended ...

  • Page 37

    Chapter 3: bios configuration 27 save changes saves the edits you made during this session but does not exit. Exit & update bios updates the bios from a floppy disk. Note: select this exit option only if you obtained bios update replacement software from your supplier and reviewed the documentation ...

  • Page 38

    Epc-8a hardware reference 28.

  • Page 39: Theory of Operation

    29 chapter 4 theory of operation overview the epc-8a is a pc/at compatible computer with standard pc peripherals, a vmebus interface, and modular expansion capability via the exm expansion interface. The block diagram on page 30 provides an diagrammatic overview of the system functional blocks. Most...

  • Page 40: Processor Board

    Epc-8a hardware reference 30 resident flash memory (on the epc-8a board) is i/o mapped and appears as an exm expansion module as if in exm slot 31. Sram is memory mapped. The pc bios is shadowed into main memory at start-up. Processor board the epc-8a processor board conforms with the vmebus standar...

  • Page 41

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 31 memory the following memory options are supported: 8 mbytes, 16 mbytes, and 32 mbytes. One simm socket is available. For memory upgrade instructions, see appendix d, memory. Memory map the 2 32 byte physical address space seen by the intel486 occupies three areas: •...

  • Page 42

    Epc-8a hardware reference 32 the bios initialization software copies the rom contents into dram (a process called shadowing) at addresses 0f0000–0fffff (also called the “f” page). The vga bios is copied into 0c0000–0c7fff of dram. If the user has configured an exm vga card (for example, an exm-13a) ...

  • Page 43

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 33 the bios does not enable (using bit 2 of register 8102h) the vga controller if another vga controller is enabled on the exm expansion interface. Ethernet controller the epc-8a contains an on-board ethernet controller connected through the 16-bit exm expansion interf...

  • Page 44

    Epc-8a hardware reference 34 wdt (bit 3 of register 8154h) is set. A local “warm” hardware reset occurs. Bits 1, 2, and 3 of register 815dh are cleared to prevent the watchdog timer from expiring on a warm reset that is initiated from a source other than a watchdog timeout. The bios must set the bto...

  • Page 45

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 35 and quickly place the new battery into the empty socket. Replace the simm module and reinsert the epc-8a into the system. Peripheral ports the i/o address and irq of the peripheral ports are determined by the cmos parameters established by default and modified via b...

  • Page 46

    Epc-8a hardware reference 36 test this led is lit whenever the system is running its power-on self-test, as reflected in the pass bit in the vxi registers. If pass is 0, then this led is lit. This only occurs during a hardware reset. Resetting the epc-8a you can reset (reboot) the epc-8a in a number...

  • Page 47

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 37 ctrl+alt+del “warm” software reset. This keyboard sequence is also called a “warm boot”. The epc-8a does not reinitialize all of the processor’s hardware. The power-on self-test does not run. However, the operating system is reloaded. Vmebus sysreset “warm” hardware...

  • Page 48: Signal Register Fifo

    Epc-8a hardware reference 38 that were enabled prior to srst being asserted, resume (with the counter starting in the cleared state). The epc-8a’s reaction to sysreset* being asserted on the vme bus depends upon whether the srie bit (sysreset input enable, bit 7 of the status/control register) sysre...

  • Page 49: Vme Interface

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 39 this id byte is the same identification byte discussed earlier in chapter 3, bios configuration in the section on the exm menu. The exm expansion interface is provided on rows a, c, and d of the epc-8a’s 4-row din p2 connector. The subplane carries the exm interface...

  • Page 50

    Epc-8a hardware reference 40 byte ordering there are two fundamentally different ways of storing numerical values in byte locations in memory: • little endian, characteristic of intel microprocessors, where the least-significant data byte (lsb) is stored in the lowest byte address • big endian, char...

  • Page 51

    Chapter 4: theory of operation 41 when big-endian is selected, the bytes are swapped between the 486 and vme as shown in the next diagram. When using big-endian byte ordering, care must be taken to assure that the vme address is aligned on a boundary; for d16 accesses the vme address must be on a wo...

  • Page 52

    Epc-8a hardware reference 42 passing vme interrupts and events to the cpu the diagram below shows how vme interrupts and vme events are generated and passed to the cpu: interrupt-causing signals are visible in two state registers. Most of these are unlatched, meaning that a read of the state registe...

  • Page 53: Programming The

    43 chapter 5 programming the vmebus interface this chapter describes the epc-8a vmebus interface as seen by a program. Users should avoid direct use of most of these facilities. Whenever possible, the vmebus interface should be accessed through the epconnect software or other higher level programmin...

  • Page 54

    Epc-8a hardware reference 44 setting the vmebus access bit before any vmebus accesses can occur, the vmebus access bit must be set. The epc-8a provides two separate vmebus access bits corresponding to the two access methods described above. Both of these access bits are part of the configuration reg...

  • Page 55: Supported Address Modifiers

    Chapter 5: programming the vmebus interface 45 supported address modifiers the table below lists supported address modifiers: low-level programming “e” page accesses two examples are given here including both a verbal description and the c source code for performing vmebus accesses through the “e” p...

  • Page 56

    Epc-8a hardware reference 46 for these bits. 2dh = 00101101b bit 3 (address modifier bit 5) = 1 bit 2 (address modifier bit 4) = 0 bit 1 (address modifier bit 2) = 1 bit 0 (address modifier bit 1) = 0 thus, 8151h should be set to 1100 1010 or cah . 1. Map the address. Add the a16 address to the “e p...

  • Page 57

    Chapter 5: programming the vmebus interface 47 5. Set register 8130h with the value corresponding to bits 21–16 of the vmebus address with the two low-order bits of the register set to 0. 6. Map the address. 7. Write the data c code for example 2 lword addr; /* 32-bit a32 address */ byte data; byte ...

  • Page 58

    Epc-8a hardware reference 48 masked after doing the eoi to the interrupt controller. Remember to re-enable them prior to leaving the interrupt handler. • if you are using dos, you may need to switch to an internal stack. This may or may not be necessary in other environments and applications. You sh...

  • Page 59

    Chapter 5: programming the vmebus interface 49 directly addressable. All a24 and a16 space is directly addressable. The chart following shows how this direct mapping is used. Vme access is enabled by two bits in register 8102h. Bit 1, if set, enables the e-page access mechanism, and bit 0, if set, e...

  • Page 60

    Epc-8a hardware reference 50 high-order address nibble is 1, c, or d, i.E., only in a16 direct access mode). Note that an iack overrides any of the other access modes. With the epc-8a programmers are not restricted to using the e-page to signal an iack; direct vme memory access is possible. In prote...

  • Page 61: Chipset and I/o Map

    51 chipset and i/o map the following defines the i/o addresses decoded by the epc-8a. It does not define addresses that might be decoded by exms and the exp-mx. Table a-1. First (8-bit) dma controller: radisys r400ex chip emulating 8237 of pc ⁄ at i/o addr functional group usage 000 dma channel 0 ad...

  • Page 62

    Epc-8a hardware reference 52 table a-4. Counter-timer functions: radisys r400ex emulating 8254 of pc ⁄ at i/o addr functional group usage 040 timer counter 0 041 counter 1 042 counter 2 043 control (w) table a-5. Keyboard port: radisys r400ex emulating 8742 of pc/at i/o addr functional group usage 0...

  • Page 63

    Appendix a: chipset and i/o map 53 08b channel 5 page register 08f refresh page register table a-8. Port a i/o addr functional group usage 092 port a fast a20 and reset control table a-9. Exm configuration i/o addr functional group usage 096 exm config exm slot register (part of the subplane) table ...

  • Page 64

    Epc-8a hardware reference 54 table a-12. Coprocessor interface: for the epc-8a dx, dx replaces the 80287 of pc ⁄ at i/o addr functional group usage 0f0 coprocessor clear coprocessor busy 0f1 reset coprocessor table a-13. Exm configuration i/o addr functional group usage 100 exm configuration exm ids...

  • Page 65

    Appendix a: chipset and i/o map 55 3c2 miscellaneous output, input status 3c3 sleep 3c4 sequencer index 3c5 sequencer data 3c6 video dac pixel mask, hidden dac register 3c7 pixel address read mode, dac state 3c8 pixel mask write mode 3c9 pixel data 3ca feature control readback 3cc miscellaneous outp...

  • Page 66

    Epc-8a hardware reference 56 table a-21. Vxi, vme/misc., and on-board exm-2a registers i/o addr functional group usage 8140 vxi registers id low 8141 id high 8142 device type low 8143 device type high 8144 status/control low 8145 status/control high 8148 protocol low 8149 protocol high 814a response...

  • Page 67: Interrupts and

    57 interrupts and dma channels interrupts the assignment of interrupts for the epc-8a is shown in the following table: dma channels the assignment of dma channels for the epc-8a is shown in the following table. Table b-1. Interrupts interrupt description nmi dram parity error, exm expansion interfac...

  • Page 68

    Epc-8a hardware reference 58.

  • Page 69: Connectors

    59 connectors this appendix specifies the details of the connectors on the epc-8a. Please note, however, that all the connectors adhere to existing standards. The exm expansion interface connectors are not defined here; their definition is available upon request. Connectors on exms and the exp-mx ar...

  • Page 70: Parallel Port

    Epc-8a hardware reference 60 parallel port the db-25 lpt1 parallel port connector is defined as: keyboard the keyboard connector is a 6-pin din defined as: 13 1 25 14 table c-3. Db-25 pin-out pin signal pin signal 1 strobe 14 auto line feed 2 db0 15 error 3 db1 16 initialize printer 4 db2 17 select ...

  • Page 71: Vga

    Appendix c: connectors 61 vga the svga db-15 monitor connector is defined as follows: ethernet the dte rj-45 phone jack supplies the 10base-t interface to the ethernet controller. Table c-5. Db-15 pin-out pin signal pin signal 1 red 9 (key) 2 green 10 ground 3 blue 11 (not used) 4 (not used) 12 (not...

  • Page 72

    Epc-8a hardware reference 62.

  • Page 73: Memory

    63 memory do not handle the epc-8a or memory modules unless you are in a static-free environment. Memory the epc-8a has a single simm socket that can handle a simm as large as 32 mb. The memory configurations use a simms with the following specifications: • 72 pin • fast page mode or edo (parit or n...

  • Page 74

    Epc-8a hardware reference 64.

  • Page 75: Subplanes

    65 subplanes subplane installation a subplane is a printed-circuit board with connectors on both sides. A subplane provides several functions. Primarily it acts as the pc/at bus. Additionally, it provides power from the vmebus backplanevme to the epc-8a and expansion modules. Depending on the partic...

  • Page 76

    Epc-8a hardware reference 66 exp-bp2 subplane figure e-2. Exp-bp2 subplane this subplane is to provide connectivity for the processor and two exm modules. The exp-bp2 is an l-shaped board with three connectors on each side. After jumpering the backplane, plug the subplane into the vmebus backplane s...

  • Page 77

    Appendix e: subplanes 67 exp-bp4 subplane figure e-3. Exp-bp4 subplane the exp-bp4 subplane is used to couple an epc-8a processor module, two txm modules, and an exp-mx mass storage module. The exp-bp4 is a t-shaped board with four connectors on the front side and three on the rear. After jumpering ...

  • Page 78

    Epc-8a hardware reference 68 exp-bp3a subplane figure e-4. Exp - bp3a subplane the exp-bp3a subplane allows for a processor and a total of four exm modules. The exp-bp3a has five connectors on each side. After jumpering the backplane, plug the subplane into the vmebus backplane such that the p2 conn...

  • Page 79

    Appendix e: subplanes 69 exp-bp5 subplane figure e-5. Exp-bp5 subplane the exp-bp5 subplane is used to build a system with a processor, four exm modules, and an exp-ms mass storage module. The exp-bp5 has six connectors on the front side and five on the rear. After jumpering the backplane, plug the ...

  • Page 80

    Epc-8a hardware reference 70 exp-bp4a subplane figure e-6. Exp-bp4a subplane the exp-bp4a subplane is used in systems needing a cpu and six exm modules. The exp-bp4a has seven connectors on each side. After jumpering the backplane, plug the subplane into the vmebus backplane such that the p2 connect...

  • Page 81

    Appendix e: subplanes 71 exp-bp6 subplane figure e-7. Exp - bp6 subplane the exp-bp6 subplane is used in a configuration with an epc-8a processor module, six exm modules, and an exp-mx mass storage module. The exp-bp6 has eight connectors on the front side and seven on the rear. Plug the subplane in...

  • Page 82

    Epc-8a hardware reference 72.

  • Page 83: Registers

    73 registers registers specific to the epc-8a registers in the i/o space that are specific to the epc-8a are defined below. Only registers 8140h–814fh are “dual-ported” to both the pc and vme bus. The addresses shown below are used by the pc port. The vme addresses for the registers 8140h–814fh are ...

  • Page 84: Configuration (8102H)

    Epc-8a hardware reference 74 where a bit position has been described by a 0 or 1, the bit is a rom bit, and writing to it has no effect. Unless otherwise noted below, all registers and bit values are readable and writeable. Configuration (8102h) this register controls vga controller enables and the ...

  • Page 85

    Appendix f: registers 75 vme a21–16 address register (8130h) when the epc-8a performs an access in its “e page” (address range 0e0000–0effff), the access is mapped onto the vmebus. The least-significant sixteen of the vme address bits are provided directly (from the 486), and the remaining 8 (for an...

  • Page 86

    Epc-8a hardware reference 76 bit is then set if four rising edges of the sysclk signal are detected. This bit is intended to be used to detect that sysclk is being generated on the backplane. Ready this is a ram bit defined by the vxi specification. In a vxibus software environment, if ready=1 and p...

  • Page 87

    Appendix f: registers 77 protocol register/signal fifo (8148h and 8149h) a read of this register from either the pc or vme ports reads the rom constants stored in the protocol register. A write from either the pc or vme port writes the signal register. The protocol register (the read value) defines ...

  • Page 88

    Epc-8a hardware reference 78 read-only. Mlck this epc-8a specific bit is used for synchronization of messages from multiple senders, something not provided for in the vxi specification. 1 the message register can be locked for the sending of a message. 0 the message register is locked. Wrcp this epc...

  • Page 89: Reserved (814C And 814D)

    Appendix f: registers 79 reserved (814c and 814d) these registers are reserved and return 1s when read. Writes to these registers have no effect. Message low register (814eh and 814fh) there are actually two 16-bit registers at this address, outgoing and incoming 16 bit registers (uart model). • out...

  • Page 90

    Epc-8a hardware reference 80 vme interrupt state register (8152h) this read-only register defines the state of the vmebus and message interrupts. Irqx if clear (0), the associated vmebus interrupt line is asserted. Msgr if clear (0), a message interrupt is being signaled. Msgr is clear if both bits ...

  • Page 91

    Appendix f: registers 81 a 1 and the corresponding bit in the event state register is a 0, the epc-8a irq10 interrupt is asserted. Software may then examine the interrupt and event state registers to determine the cause. Vme interrupt generator register (8158h) this register is used to assert one of...

  • Page 92: Vmebus Mapped Registers

    Epc-8a hardware reference 82 00 disables events from the watchdog timer 01 8.2 s 10 128 ms 11 1.02 s a read of the module status/control register also has a side effect of resetting the watchdog timer. Therefore, if you are using the watchdog timer, the intention is that you are required to read thi...

  • Page 93: Xformat Software For

    83 xformat software for the epc-8a xformat software you use the xformat utility program to: • build dos file structures on the epc-8a’s optional resident flash memory. • build file system images that can be used in vme ram disks. For complete information about xformat, see the xformat software user’...

  • Page 94

    Epc-8a hardware reference 84.

  • Page 95: Autoset Software

    85 autoset software autoset software the autoset program is used to configure the ethernet controller. Since this may be set up by your supplier, you may never be required to use this program. The software is contained on the optional net 1software diskette that is an optional item for the epc-8a. T...

  • Page 96

    Epc-8a hardware reference 86 to start the program, move to the ethernet controller subdirectory and type autoset , then press enter. The menu depicted in the figure below displays. The following options are in the main menu: display/change adapter configuration, diagnostics, and quit. To initialize ...

  • Page 97

    Appendix h: autoset software 87 for a single ethernet controller installation, follow these steps: 1. From the autoset program, select “display/change adapter settings” to set up the ethernet controller just installed. 2. Skip the novell configuration prompt. It does not apply to the epc-8a. 3. Sele...

  • Page 98

    Epc-8a hardware reference 88 ethernet controller must use the same i/o base address parameter as the ethernet controller. The ethernet controller is programmed at the factory with a default i/o base address of 300h. If necessary, use the tab key to choose an optional address according to the guideli...

  • Page 99

    Appendix h: autoset software 89 ne2000 and ne2000+ users should select the i/o port mode. Wd8003 and wd8013 users should select the shared memory mode. Systems with limited amounts of memory should select i/o port mode to avoid conflicts with other memory-mapped devices. Systems with ample memory, w...

  • Page 100

    Epc-8a hardware reference 90 diagnostics once the lan adapter is installed and cabled, use the autoset diagnostic program to check the adapter installation. Note that the autoset diagnostic program test requires that the adapter be attached to a properly-terminated network or to a bnc “t” connector ...

  • Page 101

    Appendix h: autoset software 91 • boot prom changes occur only after cold boot of pc this message displays following a saved change to the boot rom configuration. Boot rom changes are not in effect until a hardware reset is initiated—either push the reset button, or turn the system off, wait ten sec...

  • Page 102

    Epc-8a hardware reference 92 • using autoset on large systems if you are using autoset on a system with more than eight (8) exm slots, you must use a switch when starting autoset to tell it how many slots are present. For example, on a system with 20 exm slots, enter the following: autoset /20

  • Page 103: Svga

    93 svga video controller hardware the epc-8a contains an svga graphics controller using the chips and technologies 65545. This is connected to the cpu local bus to give the best possible graphics performance. Svga memory is 512 kbytes, resulting in the following resolutions: • 640 x 480 16 colors • ...

  • Page 104

    Epc-8a hardware reference 94 before you begin the following instructions assume that the user is familiar with dos and certain dos commands. Please review the associated dos commands before performing the installation. Notational conventions throughout this manual, the term ’dos’ refers to both ms-d...

  • Page 105: Utility Software

    Appendix i: svga 95 utility software the chips and technologies svga software for windows 95 provides several functions for setting screen resolution and color depths. These are selected under the display tab as normally accessed through windows 95. Microsoft windows 3.1 before upgrading from a prev...

  • Page 106: Microsoft Windows 95

    Epc-8a hardware reference 96 to install windows 3.1 drivers from within windows, proceed as follows: 1. Ensure that windows 3.1 is already installed on your computer and start windows 2. From the main window of the program manager run the windows 3.1 setup program. 3. Highlight the desired choice by...

  • Page 107

    Appendix i: svga 97 3. Click the settings tab, then click the advanced properties button. 4. Click the change button in the adapter area. 5. Click the have disk button, then click the ok button. 6. Specify the path to the new driver and press the key. 7. Insert the drivers disk labeled “vga disk 1 o...

  • Page 108

    Epc-8a hardware reference 98.

  • Page 109: Error Messages

    99 error messages and diagnosis troubleshooting this section deals with problems that you may encounter that do not provide an error message. If an error message displays, see the error messages and diagnosis section of this appendix, starting on page 99. Table j-1. Troubleshooting error messages sy...

  • Page 110: Bios Beep Codes

    Epc-8a hardware reference 100 bios beep codes if the bios detects a critical error condition while running the power on self test (post) code, it may halt after issuing a beep code and attempting to display the error code in the upper left corner of the screen. The audible codes consist of patterns ...

  • Page 111

    Appendix j: error messages and diagnosis 101 bad or missing command interpreter problem: the dos operating system cannot find the command line interpreter. Solution(s): either command.Com is not present at the specified (or default) directory level of the boot disk or the “shell=” statement in your ...

  • Page 112

    Epc-8a hardware reference 102 if you are using the exm-9 to cable to an external disk, make sure that you have power to the disk, the ribbon cable is good and correctly oriented, and that the end of the ribbon cable is not shorting to the front panel of the exm-9. If you are not using an ide drive, ...

  • Page 113

    Appendix j: error messages and diagnosis 103 it is a pc/xt-only or ps/2 keyboard). If this is the case, replace the keyboard with a pc/at style keyboard. Memory parity interrupt at ... Problem: this could be a software error (reading a nonexistent memory area) or a true hardware failure. Solution(s)...

  • Page 114

    Epc-8a hardware reference 104 execution of your own proprietary software, verify that the memory location specified in your software is valid. Real time clock error problem: the battery-backed tod clock fails the bios test. Solution(s): run the bios setup program to determine what is wrong, and corr...

  • Page 115: Configuring The

    105 configuring the ethernet drivers after the epc-8a is installed, cabled and configured, follow the instructions in this appendix to configure the network interface drivers. The distribution diskettes supplied with the epc-8a contain drivers for ipx, odi, ndis and a packet driver under dos/ window...

  • Page 116

    Epc-8a hardware reference 106 single workstation. Refer to the novell netware odi shell for dos manual for additional installation instructions. Once the epc-8a is configured using autoset, and the distribution diskettes are loaded onto the system, use a text editor to modify the net.Cfg file to mat...

  • Page 117: Packet Driver Installation

    Appendix k: configuring the ethernet drivers 107 packet driver installation the diskettes distributed with the epc-8a contain two packet drivers named atdrive.Com (for 16-bit ne2000 mode) and wd8003e.Com (for 16-bit western digital mode). Radisys also supplies files named telbin (a telnet terminal e...

  • Page 118

    Epc-8a hardware reference 108.

  • Page 119: Index

    109 index a a16 41, 44, 45, 49, 82 a24 44, 45, 49, 75 a32 44, 45, 46, 49, 75 acfail 47, 80 address lines 44 address modifier 45, 49, 79 altitude 3 arbitration mode 74 arbitration priority 74 atlanic.Com driver 105 autoset 105, 106, 107 b backplane 8 backplane jumpers 7 battery 34, 104 berr 39, 47, 7...

  • Page 120

    Epc-8a hardware reference 110 error messages 100 esd 5 exm 7, 38, 69 configuration error 102 expansion interface 38, 59 setup menu 39 slot numbers 69 exmid signal 38 exp-am 7 exp-bp2 65, 66 exp-bp3a 68 exp-bp4 67 exp-bp4a 70 exp-bp5 69 exp-bp6 71 exp-mc 7 exp-ms/mx 7, 69 extended memory 31 ezsetup i...

  • Page 121

    : index 111 n ndis 105, 106 net.Cfg file 106 network interface drivers 105 non-system disk error 103 notational conventions iv o odi 105, 106 p p2 39 packet driver 105, 107 parallel port 24, 60 parity error 103 part numbers 63 pass bit 37 pc/at bus 65 peripherals 7, 10 power 3, 65 power-on self-test...

  • Page 122

    Epc-8a hardware reference 112 address bits 75 chassis 9 event enable register 81 mapped registers 82 modifier register 40 vme access bit 74 vmebus 49 accesses 39, 43, 45, 49 addressing 4 arbiter 4 backplane 65 daisy-chain signals 8 direct mapping 39, 43 interface 39, 74 interrupt handler 4 interrupt...