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Chapter 2
Components
Overview
Front Panel
Rear Panel
Power Supply
Processor Bay
Multiplexor
Drive Bay
Auxiliary Junction Panel
Multiplexing Multiple Subsystems
The Cubix MultiServ/FT Subsystem consists of seven main areas:
* The Front Panel provides the operator interface and diagnostic LED display.
* The Rear Panel provides power entry and subsystem connectors.
* The Power Supply Bay houses two power supplies which provide power to the subsystem.
* The Processor Bay contains the 16-slot passive backplane.
* The Multiplexor permits the subsystem processors to share a monitor, keyboard, mouse, floppy disk drive, and reset pushbutton.
* The Drive Bay accommodates a floppy drive, hard disk drives, an optional tape drive, and an optional CD ROM drive.
* Auxiliary Junction Panels are options which provide mountings and space for auxiliary I/O adapter boards.
Cubix Management Architecture
Cubix provides optional monitoring and supervisory support of Cubix processors and subsystems. MultiServ/FT environmental data and BC activity is displayed by the BCVision software application and is also made available to any SNMP based application managing the network. Alarms are generated in the event of a hardware failure or processor lock-up.
The IES Supervisory System manages BC processors and Cubix subsystem environments. The IES Supervisory System consists of an IES (Intelligent Environmental Sensor) module installed in each subsystem to be monitored and a BC dedicated to running the BCVision software application. This BC is referred to as the BC Supervisor.
The BC Supervisor manages up to 31 subsystems via the Cubix Data Highway, which is a cable that connects to these subsystems in a daisy-chain fashion. Since eight servers may be installed per subsystem, one BC Supervisor can manage up to 248 BC processors. In addition, the Cubix Management System (CMS) may be installed to manage all Cubix devices on the network from a central location.
Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2 illustrate the front panel options of the MultiServ/FT Subsystem.
Console Operations
The front panel includes the console illustrated in Figure 2-3. The console operations are explained below.
Up/Down Pushbutton
The backplane of the MultiServ/FT contains multiple groups of slots. Each group may contain a server. Pressing either of these pushbuttons either increments or decrements the selected group number. Switches mounted on the multiplexor determine the maximum number of enabled groups - one through eight. Therefore, continuously pushing the "up" pushbutton increments the selected group number to the maximum number of groups and then rolls over to display "1". Conversely, continuously pushing the "down" pushbutton decrements the group selection to "1" and then rolls to the maximum number of configured groups.
Enable/Disable Pushbutton
If the mux is enabled (i.e., a number 1 to 8 is displayed) pressing this pushbutton "DISABLES" the keyboard/video/mouse signals, preventing them from leaving the subsystem, and also disables the reset pushbutton and the multiplexed floppy drive. Pressing this switch again "ENABLES" the mux and connects the video, keyboard, mouse, floppy and reset pushbutton to the BC processor in group number one. The multiplexor is considered "ENABLED" whenever a group number (1-8) is displayed.
Group Number Display
This LED display indicates the number of the selected group (1-8). A display of "O" is used to indicate OFF or Mux "DISABLED". The numbers 1-8 indicate which processor is connected to the video, keyboard, mouse, floppy disk, and reset pushbutton.
Keyswitch
The keyswitch, when placed in the locked position, disables the multiplexor. However, the effect of the keyswitch may be modified using the Option DIP switch. Refer to Appendix C for the description of the option switch.
Power Supply Indicators
The "on-line" and "fault" lights provide an indication of the status of each of the power supplies. Note that if a power supply is not installed, neither the on-line nor the fault light is illuminated.
Figure 2-4 illustrates the rear panel of the MultiServ/FT Subsystem.
Subsystem Input/Output
Figure 2-5 shows the connectors on the rear panel. Additional connectors may be located on the board end brackets or in the auxiliary junction panel; refer to the Auxiliary Junction Panel section later in this chapter for more information.
The VIDEO OUT/VIDEO IN (DB-25) connectors and cables connect the keyboard, video, and mouse signals of the MultiServ/FT Subsystem to another subsystem in a daisy-chained fashion. This allows a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse to be shared by multiple processors in multiple Cubix Subsystems.
The two receptacles and AC input switches are associated with each power supply. These receptacles permit separate AC power inputs to each MultiServ/FT power supply.
The SUPERVISOR (DsubHD26) connector and cable are intended for use with subsystems supervised by the PA 3030 Supervisor processor. The PA 3030 was released with the original Cubix Supervisory System, and was later replaced with the Intelligent Environmental Sensor (IES) module. The SUPERVISOR connector on the rear panel is to be used only in systems equipped with the PA 3030. The IES module uses RJ-11 connectors on the Auxiliary Junction Panel rather than the DsubHD26 connector on the rear panel.
The MultiServ/FT Subsystem contains two load sharing, switching power supplies. Each supply is fan cooled. When the power supply load is properly limited to 356 watts average, and the air inlet temperature of the subsystem is maintained between 00C and 400C, the power supply will provide long trouble-free service. Please refer to Appendix A for power supply load considerations.
Figure 2-6 shows the MultiServ/FT EISA backplane with two groups of 8 EISA slots each (8E + 8E).
Figure 2-7 shows the MultiServ/FT EISA backplane with four groups of 4 EISA slots each (4E + 4E + 4E + 4E).
Figure 2-8 shows the MultiServ/FT EISA backplane with eight groups of 2 EISA slots each (2E + 2E + 2E + 2E +2E + 2E + 2E + 2E).
Features of these backplanes are:
* LED indicators - located at the end of each slot connector nearest to the auxiliary junction panel, each LED is on when +5vdc is present on the slot.
* Fuses - on the +5vdc for each slot is an eight amp fuse that provides operator and externally connected peripheral protection in the event of a board failure.
* Multiplexed floppy drive connector - provides power for the multiplexed floppy drive.
* LED indicator - located near the multiplexed floppy drive fuse, this LED is on when the +5vdc voltage for the floppy drive is present.
* Multiplexed floppy drive power fuse of 8 amps.
* Eight drive power connectors - normally used to provide power for up to eight hard disk drives.
* Group power switches - relays permit an operator to control power independently on individual groups, a feature that allows maintenance to be performed on one group without affecting the operation of other groups in the same subsystem (refer to the Group Power Switching section below).
* Supervisor connector - for the Cubix Supervisory System.
Group Power Switching
Power switches and power lights for each group are located inside the MultiServ/FT 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 any module from that group.
CAUTION!
Always place the insulating barrier between the board to be removed and an adjacent board that has power on. This insulating barrier is stored on the left side of the subsystem.
The multiplexor connects the keyboard, video, mouse, reset, and floppy disk drive signals from each Cubix processor to a single set of devices. The keyboard, video, and mouse signals are multiplexed from each Cubix processor to the "Video Out" connector of each MultiServ/FT Subsystem. The reset signal from each Cubix processor is multiplexed to the reset pushbutton on the front console. The floppy disk drive controller signals from each BC processor are multiplexed into a single shared drive located on the front panel.
* CD ROM and tape drives are not multiplexed.
Operation of the multiplexor is controlled from the Front Console as described in the Front Panel section earlier in this chapter.
The "up" and "down" pushbuttons control the selection of up to 8 processors. The "reset" pushbutton is shared among all BC processors. The pushbutton labeled "Enable/Disable" enables and disables the multiplexor.
The following sections explain the configuration options of the multiplexor. Refer to Appendix C for more detailed information on the multiplexor.
Group Enable Switch
This eight position switch, mounted on the multiplexor, is used to indicate to the multiplexor which processor positions are active and determines the maximum count. The group enable switch is mounted in an accessible location on the multiplexor so it can be set by factory technicians prior to shipment (refer to Table 2-1). It can also be easily changed in the field by a system integrator or service person, if desired.
Group Enable Switch Maximum
Group
Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
EXAMPLE #1
ON X X X X X X X X 8
OFF
EXAMPLE #2
ON X X X X X 5
OFF X X X
If a group is enabled in which no BC processor is installed or the group power is turned off, all multiplexed devices will appear to be disconnected when that group is selected by the multiplexor. For example, selecting a group with power turned off will display a blank screen on the monitor.
* Enabling any mux in a daisy-chain series of Cubix Subsystems immediately disconnects all other muxes.
Option Switch
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)
Appendix C describes the operation of the multiplexor in detail and the effect of the four option switches. It also contains detailed information about the two boards comprising the multiplexor.
Two configurations for the disk drive bay are supported. Both accommodate a multiplexed floppy drive. Both also accommodate hard disk drives, although the number of hard drives varies with the configuration. The mounting bracket for each hard disk drive bay will either support one 3.5" third height hard disk drive or two 2.5" mini disk drive.
In addition to the muxed floppy, the standard disk drive bay in the MultiServ/FT subsystem accommodates up to eight third-height 3.5" hard disk drives or sixteen 2.5" mini drives.
The optional drive bay configuration supports one muxed 3.5" floppy drive, up to either four 3.5" third-height hard disk drives or eight 2.5" third-height hard disk drives, a CD ROM drive, and a tape drive.
Each 2.5" disk support bracket accommodates one 3.5" third-height drive or two 2.5" hard drives. The 2.5" drives require only one connector each. Both IDE data and +5 volts drive power are routed through one 44-pin 2mm ribbon connector. The cable may be directly connected to Cubix QL 3222 or QL 4222 processors.
Each 3.5" third-height disk drive requires two connections: one for power and one for data. The disk drives obtain power from connectors on the EISA backplane - eight connectors are supplied. The data cables for each IDE disk drive installed in the subsystem are connected directly to the Cubix processor IDE disk drive controller header located on the top edge of the BC board. The cable is a 40-pin ribbon.
An optional Auxiliary Junction Panel may be installed in the Cubix MultiServ/FT Subsystem. The Auxiliary Junction Panel is installed in the top rear panel of the subsystem and allows the user to customize solutions for a wide range of I/O requirements.
The Cubix processor boards provide several I/O functions via internal headers. To access the I/O, these headers are connected to an I/O adapter printed circuit board (PCB) installed in an auxiliary junction panel.
Three panels are offered on MultiServ/FT Subsystems. The panel, illustrated in Figure 2-9, provides space to install up to eight DB-25, eight DB-9, and eight Mini-DIN connectors. Typically this panel is used to provide parallel printer, COM2, and mouse support.
An external mouse connector requires disconnecting the mouse cable on the Cubix processor board that goes from the PCB to the Mux. This means, of course, that a shared mouse capability and a direct mouse connection can not be used concurrently.
The panel illustrated in Figure 2-10 provides space to install up to six DB-25, six DB-9, and six Mini-DIN connectors, and two RJ-11 modular phone plug connectors. This panel is similar to Figure 2-91 except that the RJ-11 I/O is supported. The BC Supervisor, which is an integral part of the Cubix Supervisory System, requires these RJ-11 connectors as they provide access to the Cubix Data Highway.
The panel illustrated in Figure 2-11 provides space to install up to sixteen DB-25 connectors typically used for printer support.
Multiple MultiServ/FT 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 subsystems. To accommodate this requirement, the System 1010 is equipped with a Video/keyboard/mouse interface module located on the upper right rear rail. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse devices are connected to this interface module, which in turn is connected to the daisy-chain of MultiServ/FT Subsystems.
To multiplex between MultiServ/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 subsystem on then end of the daisy-chain.
ERS, ERS/FT, and MultiServ/FT Considerations
Cubix manufactures subsystem products other than the MultiServ/FT. These are the Enhanced Resource Subsystem (ERS) and Fault Tolerant ERS (ERS/FT). It is possible for ERS, ERS/FT, and MultiServ/FT subsystems to share the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
ERS/FT
The ERS/FT has the same Video In and Video Out connectors on the rear panel that are provided on the MultiServ/FT. Simply insert the ERS/FT subsystems as required into the daisy chain as previously described for MultiServ/FT connections.
ERS
The ERS subsystems cannot be daisy-chained with the ERS/FT and MultiServ/FT subsystems. To multiplex ERS subsystems with ERS/FT and/or MultiServ/FT subsystems requires use of a cabinet multiplexor as described below.
First daisy-chain the ERS/FT and MultiServ/FT subsystems to the System 1010 interface module as previously explained. Connect the interface module video and keyboard outputs to the cabinet multiplexor (input). Connect each ERS multiplexor output to one cabinet mux input. Connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse devices to the cabinet mux output.
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