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MP 2008/2208
Appendix E - Novell/Cubix Connect
Theory of Operation
NetWare Connect operates as an enhanced subset of Novell's file server software (NetWare). NetWare Connect consists of communications software and core elements of NetWare, supplied as "NetWare Runtime", to support NetWare Loadable Modules (NLMs) and the Connect NLMs.
Connect NLMs provide security and form the virtual links between a NetWare service, such as Remote Node Service (RNS) or NASI Connection Services (NCS), and the outside world via an Asynchronous Input/Output (AIO) module. The Cubix supplied driver (AIOCUBIX) provides an interface between this AIO module and the MP adapter.
The MP Series adapter and its associated driver provide the function of moving data to/from the network under control of the Connect software.
The Cubix software driver moves data to/from the MP adapters(s) via the ISA bus in 16-bit "programmed I/O" transfers. The MP adapter has the following for each of the 8 ports:
The MP Adapter’s 80C286 20MHz CPU moves data and control/status information to/from the UARTs and the Connect host CPU.
Software Installation and Configuration
The MP adapter includes an AIO software driver that executes as a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) in a Novell NetWare server. A NetWare server running the NetWare Connect application is referred to as the Connect server. The MP adapter’s NLM, named "AIOCUBIX.NLM", is loaded onto the Connect server.
The MP Series’ driver checks for hardware base I/O address conflicts with other types of hardware in the system. If a conflict is detected, another selection is required. Set the hardware switch settings using switches 1 and 2 of switch bank SW1 to match the software options selected.
Loading the Software Using the Default Hardware Configuration
If the address switches are set to the default hardware configuration (all switches in the ON position), no command line options are necessary to load the AIO driver.
To load the NLM in this configuration, issue the command:
load aiocubix
at the NetWare server. The driver name, version, and date are displayed.
The AIO driver attempts to locate all MP adapters in the system using the default I/O address. As each adapter is located, a message is displayed that indicates the self-test results and whether or not the adapter was successfully loaded. If all adapters do not load successfully, check the I/O base address settings and refer to the Troubleshooting section of Chapter 2.
If all adapters pass the self-test and are successfully loaded, the MP Series driver loads and the MP adapter is ready for use.
Using Non-Default Base I/O Address Configuration
The MP adapter requires a series of 16 consecutive I/O locations beginning with the base I/O address. If non-default settings for the base I/O address are configured (as described in Chapter 2 - Hardware Configuration), specify the I/O address when the AIOCUBIX.NLM driver is loaded. Use the command:
load aiocubix port=<base I/O address>
where <base I/O address> is "200", "210", "300", or "310", corresponding to the settings for switches 1 and 2 of switch bank SW1. Alternatively, omit the <base I/O address>, leaving only the parameter "PORT=", and a prompt including valid I/O addresses will be displayed. I/O addresses already in use by other components in the system are not included in the valid options list.
ALL MP SERIES ADAPTERS IN THE SYSTEM MUST USE THE SAME BASE I/O ADDRESS. Further, I/O addresses used by the MP adapter must not conflict the I/O addresses in use by any other hardware in the system.
MP Adapter Names
The MP adapter automatically sets a default board name of "MP2x08". To override this name, use the command line option "NAME=<board name>". For example, the command line:
load aiocubix name=my_name
establishes MP Series adapters using the name "MY_NAME". Cubix recommends using the default board name for the MP adapter.
Unloading the MP Series Driver from Memory
Unload the MP Series AIO driver from memory using the command:
unload aiocubix
There are no options for the unload command. Be sure to close any active connections before unloading the MP Series driver.
Command Line Help
An on-line description of command line options is available for the MP Series AIO driver. Use the command:
load aiocubix help
to view this command usage information. Note that the driver is not loaded if command help is requested. The driver must be loaded as described in this appendix.
Verifying that the Driver has Loaded Successfully
In addition to the messages printed on the system console, the MP adapter provides a rear panel indicator lamp, visible through the bracket, that may be used to confirm that the driver has loaded successfully. The lamp states are:
OFF SOLID indicates that the driver is not present; that is, it has not yet been loaded, or it has been unloaded.
ON/OFF FLASHING indicates that the driver is present and operating normally.
ON SOLID indicates that the board failed self-test or that the software load was unsuccessful.
Software Specifications
| Software Interface | AIO (as an NLM), name=AIOCUBIX.NLM |
| Unloadable | yes |
| Bit rates | 50, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 300,
600, 1200, 1800, 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 7200, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 (bits per second) |
| Stop bits | 1, 1.5, 2 (as appropriate for character length) |
| Parity types | none, even, odd, mark, space |
| Character lengths | 5, 6, 7, and 8 bits |
| Flow control types | none, hardware (RTS/CTS), software (Xon/Xoff), hardware and software |
| Port deadman timers | supported |
| RS-232 break signal | generated and detected |
| Firmware | dynamically loaded from driver software |
This document, and all Web contents, Copyright © 1997 by Cubix Corp., Carson City, NV, USA.
