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Chapter 5
AMI EISA Configuration
Overview
AMI ECU lets the end user configure an 80386 or 80486-based EISA-based compatible system. This manual documents AMI EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) Version 1.4.
The EISA Configuration Utility from American Megatrends, Inc. is used to configure EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) computer systems. EISA systems and adapter cards are much more complex and flexible than the older ISA designs. The EISA Configuration Utility was created to automate the configuration process.
Important Terms
.CFG - The DOS file extension for a standard EISA configuration file that provides configuration information for a specific EISA Adapter Card.
CFG File - A file that contains CFG language statements.
ECUEIS - A Configuration Utility
EISA - Extended Industry Standard Architecture
ISA - Industry Standard Architecture
.OVL or .OVR - The standard DOS file extension for an EISA CFG file extension (Overlay file).
EISA Specification
EISA is an acronym for Extended Industry Standard Architecture. EISA is basically a superset of the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), which is based on IBM's original PC/AT specifications. The EISA specifications allow 32-bit memory addressing to be used by the CPU, DMA devices, and bus mastering devices. The above devices can also use either 16-bit or 32-bit data transferring.
EISA/ISA Differences
An important difference between ISA and EISA is that in EISA systems, configuration is done through software, rather than the hardware switches used by an ISA system. In other words, I/O ports, ROM addresses, memory use, and the IRQ and DMA lines for an EISA motherboard and adapter card are configured using an ECU, where an ISA card uses DIP switches and jumpers to perform the same function.
EISA Bus Specifications
The EISA computer has 32-bit expansion slots that are all fully compatible with 8-bit and 16-bit PC/XT/AT expansion slots. EISA expansion slots have 188 pins. The upper 98 pins are exactly the same as the standard AT pinouts. The lower 90 pins are used for EISA bus signals.
The EISA bus is much faster than the ISA Bus. Not only does EISA provide a wider 32-bit bus, it also provides a maximum 33 MB/sec bus transfer rate. An ISA bus can transfer data at only 8 MB/sec. EISA achieves this higher throughput using high-speed burst mode transfers, which take only one clock cycle. Normal (ISA compatible) transfers take two clock cycles.
EISA Uses 32-bit Memory Addressing
On EISA systems, there are 32 memory address lines available. EISA systems are built around 80386DX or 80486(SX or DX) microprocessors, all of which permit 32-bit memory address space. This feature allows for a total of 4 GB of physical RAM on an EISA system. Any ISA card used in an EISA system can address only up to 16 MB of RAM (24-bit ISA memory addressing), but EISA devices can use all available RAM.
Interrupt Handling Under EISA
The original PC and ISA buses use edge-triggered interrupts, which are easy to implement but susceptible to false triggering and cannot be shared with other interrupts. In addition to supporting these edge-triggered interrupts to maintain compatibility, EISA also provides level-triggered interrupts, which are less susceptible to noise and allow multiple peripherals to share the same interrupt level. Theoretically, level-triggered interrupts can have an infinite number of levels.
Elements of EISA Configuration
EISA System Configuration
A practical benefit of EISA is automatic configuration of system resources and adapter cards. That means an end to DIP switches, jumpers, and installing configuration files, although switch configurations are still allowed for both ISA and EISA to maintain compatibility.
EISA provides a product identification mechanism for system and adapter cards. The computer automatically interrogates each device during the BIOS Power-On Self Test (POST) for the product identifier, compares it with the ID stored in EISA Extended CMOS RAM and configures the adapter card accordingly.
Configuration Characteristics
The EISA configuration scheme has the following characteristics:
*An ECU (EISA Configuration Utility) for configuration of motherboards and adapter cards,
*A software interface to the ECU used by CFG files to control the configuration process,
*CFG files for the ECU,
*CFG files for the motherboard and adapter cards,
*EISA Extended CMOS RAM to store configuration parameters,
*A mechanism to save and restore the configuration parameters,
*BIOS routines to read and write to Extended CMOS RAM,
*Automatic detection and initialization of adapter cards by the BIOS during POST routines, and
*1 KB of I/O address space for each EISA expansion device (adapter card).
EISA Adapter Cards
A floppy disk must accompany all EISA adapter cards. This floppy disk must contain a CFG file. Ordinarily, configuration information for each adapter card (expansion board) in an EISA system is provided in a configuration file (CFG file) read by the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU).
CFG Files
All EISA adapter cards come with a configuration file (CFG file), and an EISA motherboard comes with both a CFG file and an ECU. The ECU configures the EISA devices and to maintain system parameters by storing them in EISA Extended CMOS RAM. The ECU guarantees no conflicts or contention issues between adapter cards, since the ECU moderates the assignment all necessary system resources.
The CFG file describes the adapter card characteristics and the system resources that it requires.
ISA cards can also have CFG files. Older ISA adapter cards will not.
The ECU reads all CFG files and optimally configures the EISA computer so there are no resource conflicts between the system and any adapter card. This configuration information is saved in ISA CMOS RAM and EISA Extended CMOS RAM.
ECU
The ECU permits the end user to configure an EISA computer. It is executed every time ISA or EISA adapter cards are physically added, removed, or moved. The ECU operates on the information provided by the CFG (configuration) files that accompany the EISA motherboard and EISA or ISA adapter cards.
The AMI ECU reads and writes the system configuration and adapter card parameters such that a conflict-free environment is established.
The AMI ECU generates the system configuration.
The ECU takes into account the needs of all adapter cards in the system.
The ECU uses the CFG files supplied with each adapter card. The ECU stores configuration data in battery-backed EISA Extended CMOS RAM. When an EISA system is powered on, the BIOS reads this configuration information and initializes all adapter cards in the system. If the battery runs down, the contents of CMOS RAM can be lost. You must then either reconfigure the system or copy the configuration data to EISA Extended CMOS RAM from a backup source.
Adapter Cards and EISA Slot Numbers
Each adapter card (EISA or ISA) is installed in an EISA or ISA expansion slot (connector) on the EISA motherboard. The slots are numbered from 1 to n (n can be 1 through 15). The EISA motherboard is always slot 0.
Each slot is given a unique I/O address space of 4096 bytes (4 KB). The BIOS uses the I/O ports and associated registers and the information written to EISA CMOS RAM to initialize the EISA slot devices during POST. If the slot device is an ISA adapter card, the I/O space is limited to 00100h - 003FFh. The ECU displays the proper switch and jumper settings for the ISA device if a CFG file is provided with the device.
Configuration Data Stored in EISA Extended CMOS RAM
The initialization information given is read by the ECU and then stored in EISA Extended CMOS RAM. A backup of CMOS RAM configuration data is also stored on disk. When the system is rebooted, the BIOS reads the CMOS RAM configuration data and executes the initialization instructions during POST. The initialization usually consists of writing to the I/O ports assigned to the slot device.
EISA System Resources
System resources include DMA channels, memory, interrupt lines, and I/O ports. The ECU verifies that the resources requested by the slot device are not already assigned to another device and then it allocates them. this information is then stored in standard CMOS RAM and is again accessed by the BIOS during POST.
Overlay Files
Manufacturers may not be able to perform all initializations in the framework of a CFG file. Some adapter card features and characteristics are specific to the product and cannot be configured by the ECU. For these situations, the EISA specification permits the use of CFG file extensions, or overlay files. For a copy of the <MI>AMI EISA Configuration Utility Overlay File Programmer's Reference<D>, call your AMI representative or write:
American Megatrends, Inc.
Norcross, GA 30071
800-828-9264
404-263-8181
The AMI ECU is easy to install and can be used from either a hard disk drive or a floppy drive.
Hard Disk Drive Operation
Simply copy all files from the AMI ECU floppy disk to the same directory on the hard disk drive. Make sure all CFG files are copied to the same directory.
Floppy Drive
You can execute the ECU from a floppy drive.
Make a backup copy of the AMI ECU floppy disk to use as a working copy. You may have to run the ECU from a floppy drive if the system hard disk drive must be configured by the ECU before it can be used.
System Requirements
The following are the minimum hardware and software requirements necessary to successfully use the AMI ECU:
*MS-DOS Version 3.2 or later,
* 640 KB of RAM Memory,
* 1.2 MB Floppy disk Drive, and
*A hard disk drive, monitor and keyboard.
AMI ECU Files
The AMI ECU floppy disk should contain the following files:
*CFG.EXEthe ECU
*EISACFG.HLPAMI ECU Help file
*Several CFG files for AMI products.
Additional file can be created as the AMI ECU is executed.
*The CFG .ISA file is created when any ISA adapter card is configured,
*.CMS files are created in the EISA configuration process, as are
*.INF files.
CFG Files
Each adapter card in the EISA system should come with a CFG file on floppy disk. A card's CFG file contains detailed information on the card as well as the functions that the card can perform. The CFG file tells the ECU the possible configuration choices for the adapter card and the system resources that the adapter card needs. System resources include DMA (Direct Memory Access) channels, IRQ (Interrupt Request) lines, I/O Address Ports, and memory space. Be sure all CFG files for all cards in the system and the CFG file for the motherboard are available before running the AMI ECU.
Duplicate CFG Files
The ECU makes sure the file already exists before copying a CFG file to a directory. If the file is already present, the new file is copied, but stored under a different name. The new name is determined by the industry standard procedure for duplicate CFG files.
For example, if the file !AMI25B1.CFG is copied to a directory where a file by the same name already exists, the new file is copied using the name 1AMI25B1.CFG. If the same file is copied to that directory again, it is named 2AMI25B1.CFG. The next time 3AMI25B1.CFG, and so on. This safety procedure prevents the loss of any CFG file due to overwriting.
CFGLIST File
The CFGLIST file is a text file which contains the names of the CFG Files to be configured. The CFGLIST file can be created with any text editor. Use the CFGLIST file when you do not want to select the CFG files individually each time you create a configuration.
CMS File
The CMS file contains a copy of the configuration information that is written to EISA Extended CMOS RAM. The default name for a CMS file matches the ID of the motherboard that was used in the configuration. Each CMS file has a corresponding INF file created by the ECU.
INF File
The INF file contains detailed information about a configuration such as switch and jumper settings, software statements, connection statements, and resource allocation. The INF file is used by the <169>Display/Print<170> command to recall information on a saved configuration. Each INF file has a corresponding CMS file created by the ECU.
Worksheet For ISA Adapter Cards
The following configuration work sheet is provided to help configure ISA adapter cards that do not have CFG files.
This worksheet is generic. It does not cover the use of resources in all ISA adapter cards. It only lists resources used by standard ISA adapter cards. Some ISA adapters cards use additional resources.
Steps for Basic Configuration
Follow the steps outlined on the next page for initial configuration:
Manual Configuration
The AMI ECU provides the option of configuring the system automatically or manually. If the system has an ISA adapter card and there is no CFG file for each ISA adapter card, select <MI>Define ISA Board<D> (see page 6-26).
<MI>Manual Mode<D> lets you edit the configuration settings for all adapter cards in the system and make sure there are no conflicts in resources between the EISA and ISA adapter cards on the system. You can also use the Options Menu to show all the resources which are used by the EISA adapter cards in the system.
The Manual Configuration Screen lets you edit the adapter card configuration settings. You can change function choice settings and resource allocation settings by highlighting the adapter card to be modified and pressing
<<ENTER>>.
Once you have editing the configuration settings, there are six additional options available from the screen shown above:
Add Board
Allows one or more adapter cards to be added to the current configuration. Select the CFG files for each adapter card to be added.
Options - displays a menu of advanced options.
Remove Board - Removes an adapter card from the current configuration.
Move - lets you move the adapter card to another slot.
Save - Select this option when you are done editing, adding, and removing adapter cards. The CMS and INF files are saved. If using Local Mode, EISA Extended CMOS RAM is also updated.
Cancel - This option lets you cancel changes made in the current session. No changes ware saved.
Board Functions Editing
When you choose a configuration setting to edit by moving the cursor to the appropriate adapter card and pressing <<ENTER>> , the following screen appears:
The Adapter card Functions Menu contains a list of all functions for a selected adapter card. Each function has a choice setting and can have one or more resource blocks. To change a function's choice setting, select one of the long horizontal bars on the screen and press <<ENTER>> . To change resource allocation settings, select one of the shorter bars along the right edge of the screen. Select or press when you are finished editing this adapter card.<ES>
Function Choice Editing
This Function Choice Selection menu shows the choice settings available for a function. The current setting is indicated by a check mark beside that setting. You can change the current setting by selecting a different choice. If a setting causes a conflict with other functions or adapter cards, you cannot select that choice. Select <169>OK<170> to change the function's choice setting and return to the previous screen, or select <169>Cancel<170> to ignore changes.
Resource Allocation Editing Menu
The above screen handles IRQ assignment for this adapter card. The following screen handles Host BIOS ROM address selection.
The following screen shows I/O port address selection. If you create any conflicts while changing resources on any of the above screens, a warning is displayed. The Display/Print screen is shown when configuration is complete.
The following sample screen shows the AMI ECU Main Menu:
Main Menu Options
The five choices on the AMI ECU Main Menu are:
File - Copy files to and from floppy disks or backup configuration files for safe keeping or transport to another system. For more information, see page 6-16.
Configure - Configure an EISA system either automatically or manually, check syntax of CFG files, or write configuration information to CMOS RAM. For more information see page 6-18.
Display/Print - Display or print any information related to a configuration that has been saved. For more information see page 6-32.
Help - Context sensitive help. For more information, see page 6-32.
Quit - Exit the AMI EISA Configuration Utility.
Options
The options on the file menu are:
*File Copy,
*Backup, and
*About the AMI ECU
File Copy
This option copies CFG Files from a floppy disk to the current directory. You can override the source and destination to copy files between any two drives/directories. Configuration is easier if all CFG files are in the default directory.
When prompted, insert the floppy disk in the specified drive. Make sure that the drive door is closed.
The ECU displays the names of all CFG files on the floppy disk. Use the cursor keys to move the selection bar over the files to be copied and press <<ENTER>> . Or, if using a mouse, click on the files to be copied and click on <<OK>> .
The ECU displays the destination drive/directory and prompts to <MI>Continue<D> or <MI>Change Directory<D>.
You can also use the DOS COPY command to copy the CFG files to the ECU hard disk directory.
Backup Configuration
The Backup option backs up the CMS and INF files to a floppy disk.
If more than one pair of CMS/INF files are in the current directory, screen prompts help choose the files to back up.
Make a backup of the configuration in the event of a battery failure, or to copy a configuration to another EISA system.
To restore an old configuration, choose <MI>Write Extended CMOS<D> from the configuration menu. This command copies the information in the CMS file to EISA Extended CMOS RAM which is maintained by a battery when the system is turned off.
About the AMI ECU
This option displays basic information about the AMI EISA Configuration Utility.
The AMI ECU is menu-driven for ease of installation. There is also an extensive online help facility which can be accessed at any time by pressing the <<F1>> key or by moving the cursor to the Help option at the top of the Main Menu screen.<F1>
The initial configuration screens are described in this chapter. These screens appear when the system is initially configured or an existing configuration is modified.
Before you start, copy all EISA and ISA CFG files in the same directory on the hard disk drive as the AMI ECU.
In this section, the following topics (all ECU configuration options) are discussed in this chapter:
*Configure Option,
*Define ISA Board Option,
*Check CFG File,
*Write Ext. CMOS, and
*Board ID Map.
Configure Option
Use the mouse or the cursor keys to highlight the Configure option as shown in the above sample screen and press <<ENTER>> . You can also choose by pressing the key corresponding to the choice's highlighted letter. A screen like the following screen is displayed.<E>
There are three ranges of options that can be chosen:
Configuration Type
Select either of the following:
*Create New Configuration, or
*Modify Old Configuration.
Configure Option, Continued
Create New Configuration or Modify Old Configuration
Choosing Create New Configuration begins a new configuration from scratch. If you want to make changes to a configuration that was saved from an earlier configuration session, choose Modify Old Configuration.
Configuration Mode
You must select one of each of the following modes:
*Automatic or Manual, and
*Local or Remote.
Automatic or Manual
In <MI>Automatic Mode<D>, the ECU asks only a few essential questions and a default configuration is produced.
In <MI>Manual Mode<D>, advanced features such as function choice selection and resource allocation editing is available. <MI>Add Board<D> and <MI>Remove Board<D> are available only in <MI>Manual Mode<D>.
Local or Remote
Select <MI>Local Mode<D> if the configuration that you are working on is for this computer. In <MI>Local Mode<D>, configuration information is stored in EISA Extended CMOS RAM and a CMS File and INF File.
Select <MI>Remote Mode<D> to generate a configuration for a system other than the current system being used. In <MI>Remote Mode<D>, the configuration is stored in files only. These files can be copied to a floppy disk via the Backup option. The configuration can be copied to that system's EISA Extended CMOS RAM.
Which CFG Files to configure
If <MI>Create New Configuration<D> is selected, enter the CFG files (one for each adapter card) to be used for the configuration. There are four options here:
1. Use CFG files for installed boards - Automatically detects the EISA adapter cards installed and uses the appropriate CFG files for these cards. This option is available in <MI>Local Mode<D> only. A screen such as the sample screen on page 6-21 appears when you select this option.
2. Use filenames listed in CFGLIST file - This option opens the CFGLIST File that contains a list of CFG files to be used.
3. Select files one by one - This option lets you choose CFG files and configure adapter cards interactively.
4. Use all CFG files in this directory - The ECU configures all CFG files in the current directory.
Which CMS File to modify:
If <MI>Modify Old Configuration<D> is selected, select the CMS file that contains the saved configuration data. There are three options here:
1. Use default CMS name - The ECU searches for a CMS file matching the name of the motherboard. This option is available in Local Mode only.
2. Select CMS file from directory listing - Select the correct CMS file from a list of all CMS files in the current directory.
3. Enter CMS file name using keyboard - Enter the file name of the CMS file to be modified.
After you have made a selection, move the cursor to <<OK>> and press <<ENTER>> . The following screen appears:<E>
Choose a slot for each adapter card. The slots are listed in order of preference. If you have already placed an EISA adapter card in a slot, the ECU puts that slot at the top of the list.
If you selected <MI>Create New Configuration<D> and <MI>Use CFG files for installed boards<D>, a screen like the following sample screen appears.
The ECU lists all CFG files that were found in the current directory. Before running the ECU, make sure all CFG files are in the same directory as the ECU. Select OK to continue.
The following is a sample of the next screen that is displayed.
This screen is used to select the slot where the adapter cards are placed. Select the slot on the screen that corresponds to the actual slot where the adapter card being configured resides. For example, if the EISA adapter card being configured is physically in Slot 1, select Slot 1. Select OK to continue the configuration process.
This screen verifies the slot selection and lets you add, remove, move, display additional options, save, or cancel this configuration.
Select Save if this configuration is correct. The other selections let you modify the configuration at this time.
If you selected <MI>Manual Mode<D>, you can modify the configuration using the screens shown below.
If you selected <MI>Automatic Mode<D>, the configuration is saved as soon as you select a slot for the last adapter card. The ECU skips to the Display/Print menu as shown below.
This screen gives you the option of printing or displaying system configuration information.
The following screens present a sample display.
Several additional screens can be displayed. The above sample screens are shown here as examples.
Define ISA Board
In addition to EISA adapter cards, you can install ISA adapter cards by choosing the <MI>Define ISA Board<D> option.
Most ISA adapter cards do not have a CFG file. Without a CFG file, the ECU cannot reserve system resources automatically for ISA adapter cards. These cards must be configured manually.
The chart below lists the resources used by common ISA adapter cards and helps avoid assigning one of these resources to an EISA adapter card.
Use the chart as a worksheet and list any other ISA adapter cards.
You can configure the system automatically or manually. If the system has an ISA adapter cards and there is not a CFG file for each adapter card, use <MI>Manual Mode<D> to configure a system.
<MI>Manual Mode<D> lets you edit the configuration settings for all adapter cards in the system and make sure there are no resource conflicts between the EISA and ISA adapter cards.
You can also use the Display/Print option to show all resources used by the EISA adapter cards in the system.
The above screen is displayed when configuring an ISA board. Complete the screen as appropriate and select Save. The following sequence of screens is displayed.
Choose <MI>Save<D> to save this ISA Board definition.
This definition can be used in subsequent configuration sessions.
Check CFG File
Runs a syntax check on one or more CFG files and reports any errors.
The following sample screens depict the screens that can be displayed.
This option copies the contents of a CMS File to EISA Extended CMOS RAM which is maintained by the battery when the system is turned off.
Doing this erases any previous configuration information stored in Extended CMOS RAM. If there is more than one CMS File in the current directory, a prompt asks which one to use. The following sample screen shows the extended CMOS screen.
Board ID Map
This option displays a map of all EISA adapter cards in the system.
Display/Print Menu
The Display/Print option presents a screen display of configured adapter cards. The following screen appears. You can select any number of the listed options to display. See pages 6-24 and 6-25 for examples of the Display/Print function.
The Display/Print menu has three groups of options.
1. The information to be displayed or printed. You can choose one or more option.
2. The information source <MI>All Boards<D> or <MI>Selected Board<D>. If you choose <MI>Selected Board<D>, a list of adapter cards is displayed.
3. Select the screen, printer (LPT1), or file. If you choose <MI>File,<D> the ECU asks for a DOS filename.
4. Select <MI>OK<D> to display the information. Choose Cancel to return to the Main Menu.
Using Help
Help can be accessed at any time by pressing or moving the cursor to the Help option at the top of the Main Menu.<F1>
Quit
The last Main Menu option exits from the AMI ECU and returns to DOS.
This document, and all Web contents, Copyright © 1997
by Cubix Corp., Carson City, NV, USA.
