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ERS II and
ERS/FT II
Chapter 4 - Configuration
Configuration of the following options are explained in this chapter:
* Configuration of the IES address is explained in Chapter 2 - Subsystem Installation.
The backplane configuration determines the number of slots that are included in each group. Only backplanes containing ISA style slots may be configured. The Cubix backplane technology and possible backplane configurations are explained in Chapter 3 - System Components.
The backplane will be configured by Cubix manufacturing as it is specified at the time the subsystem is ordered. The backplane configuration should only be changed to reflect a modification in system requirements.
* ERS/FT II subsystems provide a row of LEDs that are illuminated to illustrate the backplane configuration. This is a useful tool in determining an existing configuration and in verifying a new configuration. Refer to Chapter 5 - ERS/FT II Functions.
To configure the backplane:
1. Select a backplane configuration option from Chapter 3.
2. Verify that the backplane to be configured supports the selected configuration option. Remember that EISA group configurations cannot be changed.
* If the backplane in the subsystem will not accommodate the desired configuration, a new backplane must be ordered from Cubix Corporation.
3. Verify that enough shunt boards are available to perform the configuration. A shunt board resembles an EISA edge connector in appearance.
* Additional boards may be ordered in the Slot Configuration Field Kit available from Cubix Corporation.
CAUTION!
Do not use more than four shunt boards in a single group. Refer to the Processor Bay section in Chapter 3 for more information
4. Power down the subsystem being configured and disconnect the power cord.
5. Depending upon the modifications to be made to the backplane configuration and the location of the boards currently installed in the backplane, it may be necessary to remove the boards to allow access to the area of the backplane being configured. Remove boards from the backplane as necessary.
6. To separate the ISA slots in an existing group, remove the shunt board from the shunt slot between the ISA groups to be separated. Shunt slots resemble EISA style slots in appearance.
7. To join the ISA slots in existing groups, insert a shunt board into the shunt slot between the ISA groups to be joined. Shunt boards must be pushed down firmly until completely seated.
8. Install any boards required into the backplane. If a new group was created, install a BC processor to control that group. Before installing the board, configure it as described in the BC Series Hardware Installation Guide. Install each BC in the leftmost slot of each group (i.e. away from the power supply).
* If installation of a new BC is required, it may be necessary to also install a disk drive into the disk drive bay and one or more connectors into the rear panel. The BC will also require connection to the multiplexor. Refer to Chapter 6 - Component Installation for complete installation instructions.
9. Verify that no more than one BC processor is installed per group and that the BC is in the leftmost slot of each group (this may require moving BC processors depending upon the changes made to the backplane configuration).
10. Verify that the correct boards are installed in each group.
11. In ERS II subsystems only, the changes to the backplane configuration must be reflected in the mux channel configuration switch. Refer to the Mux Channel Configuration section later in this chapter.
12. Connect the cables to the boards in the backplane as necessary. Complete installation instructions may be found in Chapter 6 - Component Installation.
13. Connect the power cord and power on the subsystem.
14. If an ERS/FT II subsystem is being configured, press the BC Group Up pushbutton during the five second countdown displayed on the console to force the subsystem to perform an automatic configuration (refer to Chapter 5 - ERS/FT II Functions for more information on automatic configuration). If an automatic configuration is not performed, configuration changes will not be recognized by the subsystem.
Boards with large amounts of capacitance may cause the auto-configuration process to take longer (up to 15 seconds).
15. Verify the functionality of each group. Use the monitor and keyboard to verify the functionality of this group. Proceed to the next group using the BC Group Up pushbutton on the front panel and verify that the group functions properly. Repeat this process for each group in the subsystem.
There are four configurable options that affect the behavior of the subsystem when the console is locked. Each option is explained below. Options are configured with a DIP switch. Although the location of the switch is different in the different types of subsystems, the switch definitions are the same.
Option Switch Location
In the ERS II, the option switch is a four-position switch located on the top of the multiplexor behind the fans. Switches are numbered one to four from left to right when viewed from the front of the subsystem. If the switch corresponding to an option is OFF, the option is enabled; if the switch is ON, the option is disabled. A switch is OFF (option enabled) when it is pointing up. A switch is ON (option disabled) when it is pointing toward the front of the subsystem.
In the ERS/FT II, the option switch is an eight-position switch located on the top of the IES board to the left of the IES Address switch. Switches are numbered one to eight from left to right when viewed from the front of the subsystem. If the switch corresponding to an option is OFF, the option is enabled; if the switch is ON, the option is disabled. A switch is OFF (option enabled) when it is pointing down. A switch is ON (option disabled) when it is pointing up.
Keylock Switch Definitions
For the keylock options to be useful requires an understanding of how the console keylock functions when none of these options are enabled. The console keylock is explained in the Front Panel section of Chapter 3. If none of the keylock options are enabled, locking the console disables the following functions:
The option switches override one or more of the effects of locking the console as explained in the following sections.
Monitor Only (Switch 1)
The Monitor Only option is enabled or disabled via switch 1. If this option is enabled and the console is locked, all of the muxed devices except for the monitor are disabled. The monitor remains functional on the channel that was selected at the time the lock occurred.
This is a useful feature if there is a management application running on one of the computers in the subsystem. By selecting the BC group containing this computer before locking the console, the screen on the management application can be monitored. However, the other muxed devices and the console functions remain disabled, thus eliminating the possibility of unauthorized intervention.
Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse/Reset (Switch 2)
The Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse/Reset option is enabled or disabled via switch 2. If this option is enabled and the console is locked, the only muxed device that will be disabled is the floppy disk drive. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse will continue to function on the selected channel. In addition, the BC Reset pushbutton on the front panel of the subsystem will remain functional, allowing an operator to reset the computer selected as the current BC group at the time the console is locked. The BC Group pushbuttons are disabled, thus preventing the operator from resetting another BC group.
This is a useful feature if the system administrator wants to prevent use of the floppy drive for security purposes.
Floppy Channel 1 (Switch 3)
The Floppy Channel 1 option is enabled or disabled via switch 3. If this option is enabled and either the console is locked or the subsystem is disabled, the floppy drive will be connected to the first mux channel, regardless of the BC Group pushbutton selection. Therefore, the floppy drive will service the BC processor in group one any time that the subsystem is locked or disabled.
* This option requires the BC in group one to be connected to the first channel on the multiplexor. If this option is enabled and the floppy fails to function as expected, verify the multiplexor connection.
Master Console Keylock (Switch 4)
The Master Console Keylock option is enabled or disabled via switch 4. Subsystems may be connected by daisy-chaining them via the Video In and Video Out connectors on the rear panel of the subsystems. This connection is required to share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse between subsystems. If the Master Console Keylock option is enabled, the subsystem will function as a "master console." If the master console is locked, the consoles of all subsystems connected to the master console are locked regardless of the position of the key switch on their front panels.
An ERS/FT II subsystem will not function as a master console if the subsystem is turned off; however, an ERS II with the master console keylock option enabled will remain as master through a power failure.
More than one subsystem in a daisy-chain can have the master console keylock option enabled. If this is the case, it is necessary to unlock the key switch on the front panel of each subsystem with the option enabled. As long as the key switch remains in the locked position on any subsystem with the master keylock option enabled, all of the subsystems in the daisy-chain will remain locked.
This configurable option is available only on the ERS/FT II, which contains a ninth channel on the multiplexor referred to as the "custom channel." The custom channel is provided to allow a QL Series processor to connect to the muxed devices for installation purposes.
If the custom channel is required, it must be configured using switch 5 of the option DIP switch located on the top edge of the IES to the left of the IES Address switch. Switches are numbered one to eight from left to right. If switch 5 is up, the custom channel is disabled. If switch 5 is down, the custom channel is enabled. Verify the configuration by pressing the BC Group pushbuttons. The mux will switch to the custom channel between channels eight and one. Therefore, if the BC Group is 8 and the up pushbutton is pressed, the mux will go to the custom channel (the letter "C" is displayed on the front panel when the custom channel is selected). Likewise, if the BC Group is 1 and the down pushbutton is pressed, the mux selects the custom channel.
On the ERS II subsystems, a DIP switch must be configured to reflect which mux channels are in use by processors in the backplane. Cubix will configure the mux channel switch appropriately for the configuration at the time the subsystem is manufactured. However, if the backplane configuration is changed in the field, it will be necessary to change this switch. The ERS/FT II automatically configures the mux channels, thus eliminating the need to perform this configuration on ERS/FT II subsystems.
NOTICE!
The mux channel switch must be configured to reflect the proper mux channel configuration in ERS II subsystems. Improper configuration will result in incorrect operation of the front panel console and the muxed devices. In addition, any installed Cubix software applications (BCVision or CMS) will not manage the subsystem correctly.
The channel configuration switch is located on the top of the multiplexor residing in the ERS II. This is an eight-position DIP switch numbered one to eight from left to right. Each switch position corresponds to one channel on the multiplexor. For each processor connected to a mux channel, the corresponding switch must be OFF to enable that mux channel. Likewise, if no processor is connected to a mux channel, the corresponding switch must be ON to disable that channel. A switch is OFF when it is pointing up. A switch is ON when it is pointing toward the front of the subsystem.
To configure the mux channel switch, first determine which mux channels are connected to processors. The mux connections may be examined by viewing the multiplexor from the rear of the subsystem. From this viewpoint, the first mux channel is on the right and the eighth channel is on the left (closest to the power supply).
Configure the mux channel switch. If channel one on the multiplexor is connected to a processor, enable it by turning switch 1 ON; if channel one is not connected to a processor, disable it by turning switch 1 OFF. Repeat this process for each of the eight multiplexor channels.
Verify the multiplexor configuration by cycling through the channels using the BC Group pushbuttons on the front panel. The muxed devices should function for each channel.
This document, and all Web contents, Copyright © 1997 by Cubix Corp., Carson City, NV, USA.
