ERS/FT - Frequently Asked Questions

ERS/FT
Frequently Asked Questions

Q01: Why don't I see any video on my new BC card?

A01: For a board to be recognized it must be connected to a channel on the multiplexor. The multiplexor connects the keyboard, video, mouse, reset and floppy disk drive signals from each Cubix processor to a single set of devices. Verify the cable connections. Check the 7 segment display on the front panel. A "0" is used to indicate OFF or Mux "DISABLED". Toggle the Enable/Disable Push-button. Verify the Group Enable Switch is set correctly. This eight position switch, mounted on the multiplexor, is used to indicate to the multiplexor which positions are active. Check the switch settings on the BC Processor. Review the BC Series manual for the correct settings.

Q02: How do I determine my backplane configuration?

A02: The backplane configuration determines the number of slots that are included in each group. All slots in a passive backplane are interconnected with traces, creating a bus. If these traces are broken between slots, the backplane can be separated into smaller independent backplanes or groups. Groups are connected by inserting a "shunt". A shunt is a small board (approx. 6" x 3/4") that is installed between each group of ISA slots. When installed the shunt board joins the groups together.

Q03: What is the Cubix Supervisory System?

A03: The Cubix Supervisory System provides optional monitoring and supervisory support of Cubix processors: the QL Series processors are supervised by the QL Vision software application, and the BC Series processors are supervised by the BC Supervisory system, Which consist of the BC Vision software application and supervisor hardware.

Q04: How do I power off individual groups?

A04: Power switches and power lights for each group are located inside the Fault Tolerant Subsystem under the top cover on the fan panel. Powering down an individual group requires a tool (small pen or screwdriver) and turns off all DC power to the slots and hard disk drives associated with that group. There are individual LEDs on the backplane near the end brackets indicating the presence of +5vdc for each slot. Use these LEDs to ensure that each slot in a group has power off before removing and module from that group. Disable MUX ("0" displayed) before turning the power off in any group.

Q05: How do I connect multiple drawers?

A05: Multiple Fault Tolerant Subsystems installed in a Cubix System 1010 cabinet can be connected together in a daisy-chained fashion allowing single keyboard, video and mouse devices to be shared among Fault Tolerant Subsystems. To multiplex between FT Subsystems, connect a 25-conductor DB-25 male to DB-25 male cable to the 25-pin connector labeled Video/KB/Mouse on the Video/keyboard/mouse interface module. Connect the other end of the cable to the 25-pin connector labeled Video Out on the rear panel of the FT Subsystem on the end of the daisy-chain.

Q06: How should my option switches be set?

A06: A four position switch mounted adjacent to the group enable switch is used to select the following options:

Monitor only (when locked, only the monitor is connected)
Monitor-keyboard-mouse only (when locked, only the monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected)
Floppy/Group 1 (when locked, the floppy is connected to group 1)
Master keyswitch selection (locking this subsystem will force all connected subsystems to also be locked)

Q07: Why doesn't my Hard Drive work?

A07: On the backplane each group has it's own drive power connector associated with that group. Verify the cable is connected to it's correct group. Verify the I/F cabling is correct and that CMOS is able to do an auto detect on the drive. If auto detect fails or is not an option enter the parameters manually and try again. Replace the cable. Try the drive on another processor. Does FDISK see the drive? Are you able to do a Format?

Q08: How do I install a BC5090/5120 processor?

A08: When installing a Cubix ISA BC Series processor, the BC Series board should be installed in the left most slot of the group (i.e. away from the power supply). When installing a Cubix EISA BC Series processor, the processor must be installed an EISA master slot. Refer to the manual for master slot locations. An additional cable (CABLEMUX08) is required to connect the BC Series processor to the multiplexor. Run the BIOS setup program on each BC Series processor. Refer to the setup documentation provided with the BC board.

Q09: Why doesn't my Floppy Drive work?

A09: Each processor shares the floppy drive via the multiplexor. Verify the CMOS of your BC processor has a floppy drive selected. Check the cable is installed and seated properly. On the back of each processor board pin #1 is identified by a square solder connection. Verify the I/F cable from the drive to the multiplexor is seated properly. Check the fuse on the backplane. Replace drive if necessary.

Q10: How many Hard Drives can I install?

A10: The standard disk drive bay in the subsystem will accommodate either on or two floppy disks and up to nine third-height 3.5" hard disk drives. An optional disk drive bay capable of supporting up to 3.5" floppy drives and up to either nine 3.5" third-height hard disk drives or up to eighteen 2.5" third-height hard disk drives is also available.

More Information

Tell me more about the ERS/FT

Show me the front panel controls on the ERS/FT

Show me how to reset or power on/off a BC processor in a ERS/FT