Chapter 2 - Installing and Configuring the Internal Hardware
This chapter tells you how to configure and install your system's internal hardware. Configuration procedures vary depending on whether you are installing the server software on an ISA-, EISA-, or MCA-bus platform. Make sure that your system is properly configured and that you know the resource settings of your server's communication devices before you proceed with the installation.
This chapter covers the following topics:
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Understanding system configuration ![]()
Installing and configuring the internal hardware
Skip this chapter if you are familiar with configuring system hardware. If you skip this chapter, you should review Chapter 13 for special configuration issues affecting some supported hardware. You should also record the resource settings of your server's communication cards since you need these values later in the installation.
Understanding System Configuration
Configuring your system involves assigning system resources (slot numbers, I/O addresses, RAM addresses, interrupts, and Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels) to devices installed in your system.
Configuring your system for Banyan server software installation is a three-step process:
1. Configure your system's internal hardware by:
- Physically configuring cards for ISA-bus platforms
- Running the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) to configure cards for EISA-bus platforms
- Running the Reference Diskette utility to configure cards for MCA-bus platforms
2. Add the appropriate device drivers during the Banyan server software installation.
3. Configure the communication drivers to the same settings as the cards.
Platform Configuration Utilities
How you configure the system depends on your platform architecture and the type of adapters you install:
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ISA-bus cards need to be physically configured by setting switches and jumpers. ![]()
EISA-bus cards are software configurable; use the EISA Configuration Utility that came with your system to configure these cards. ![]()
MCA-bus cards are also software configurable; use the Reference Diskette that came with your system to configure these cards. ![]()
PCI-bus cards are automatically configured by a utility that resides in the system's ROM (Read Only Memory).
EISA Configuration Utility Information
On EISA-bus platforms, the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) enables you to view system hardware configurations and change hardware settings. For example, in Compaq Prosignia EISA-bus platforms, you can change the configuration of the SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) adapter by selecting the adapter from the list of configured hardware and changing the appropriate resources. If you are taking advantage of multi-processor support in VINES 8.x, ensure that MPS is set to 1.4 in the advanced ECU settings. For further information on the ECU, refer to your platform documentation.
Reference Diskette Information
On MCA-bus platforms, the Reference Diskette enables you to view and change system hardware configurations. For example, on the IBM PS/2, you can change the configuration of the SCSI adapter by selecting the adapter from a list of devices and changing the appropriate resources. For further details, refer to the Reference Diskette information that came with your platform.
Device drivers are a major component of the system software on a server. Your server uses device drivers to interact with a variety of physical devices. Such devices include serial communications cards, tape drives, SCSI adapters, and LAN cards. Each time you add one or more of these devices to your server, you may have to configure that device's resources and add the appropriate driver to the system software.
Banyan server software distinguishes between two types of drivers: communications drivers and peripheral adapter drivers. The Banyan server software handles these drivers differently; therefore, you need to be aware of the differences to plan your system configuration.
Communications Drivers
Communications drivers enable your server to use communication cards. Communication cards include such cards as LAN/WAN cards and serial cards. Communication drivers are added to your server software through the Banyan Add/Change Card screen.
For example, if you add a 3Com Etherlink II card to your server, you need to select and configure the 3Com Etherlink II driver that enables your server to communicate with this device. By adding and configuring resource settings for this card from the Add/Change Card menu, you load the driver into your system software.
In addition to communications drivers, these devices also have drivers that are configured from the Add/Change Card screen:
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Compaq 135 MB Tape Drive ![]()
Wangtek Internal Tape Drive ![]()
Emulex IB02B SCSI Adapter
Peripheral Adapter Drivers
Peripheral adapter drivers enable your server to access peripheral devices such as disk, tape, and CD-ROM drives. Peripheral adapter drivers are built into the server's operating system (also known as the system's kernel). You add peripheral adapter drivers to your system's kernel by using the Kernel Configuration Utility. For information on the Kernel Configuration Utility, see Chapter 4.
For example, if you add a DPT controller to your server, select the appropriate DPT driver that enables your server to communicate with this device. By adding this card with the Kernel Configuration Utility, you build the driver into your system's kernel.
Installing and Configuring the Internal Hardware
This section explains how to configure your system's hardware, resolve resource conflicts, and record configuration information so that you can add and configure the appropriate device drivers later in the installation. Separate configuration procedures are provided for ISA-bus, EISA-bus, and MCA-bus servers. PCI cards, which you can install in any server that has a PCI-bus, are automatically configured each time you boot the server.
Warning: Take precautions against static discharge when handling cards. You can use an antistatic strap if you have one. Before removing cards from their antistatic packaging, release static discharge from your hands by touching a grounded, unpainted metal surface. Hold cards by the edges to avoid damaging them. Do not stack cards on top of one another.
Using the Server Configuration Worksheet
Before you configure your server, plan the server's resource configuration. Ensure that all the hardware in your server is properly configured and that there are no resource conflicts between devices. To assist you in planning the configuration of all your server's devices and avoiding conflicts, a blank Server Configuration Worksheet is included at the end of this chapter. Table 2-1 shows a sample worksheet, partially completed.
Note: Slot numbers uniquely identify LAN cards and other cards in the server. Slot numbers allow you to restrict user-login locations and enforce internetwork security for links between servers.
Hardware Device | Slot Number | DMA Channel | Interrupt | I/O Address Range | RAM/ROM Address Range |
3Com EtherLink | 3 | 3 | 300 | c8000 | |
Dayna TALK | 5 | 5 | 240 | ||
IBM Token-Ring | 2 | 2 | 220 | d8000 - cc00 |
By filling in the worksheet, you can check LAN, serial communications, and other card values against one another and against the values for other devices. The result is a configuration for all cards that causes no conflicts in your server. Refer to "Setting Hardware Configurations for ISA-Bus Servers," "Setting Hardware Configurations for EISA-Bus Servers," and "Setting Hardware Configurations for MCA-Bus Servers" later in this chapter for specific instructions on filling in the Server Configuration Worksheet.
Avoiding Configuration Conflicts
Some of your server's resources are reserved for specific devices, such as devices that are embedded or built-in to a server (for example, keyboard, monitor, and diskette drive controllers). In addition, your server may contain optional equipment that is not standard in a server, such as a special graphics card or a SCSI adapter.
You need to avoid resource conflicts between the devices already in your server and any additional cards (LAN/WAN, serial, and so on) that you install. To determine a workable configuration for each card in the server, use the Server Configuration Worksheet to record the resources each device uses.
To determine resource settings for embedded devices, check your system's configuration utility or SETUP program. If these programs do not list the resource settings, check your system documentation. If your server contains any optional devices, check the documentation for those devices to find out what resources they use. For specific information on configuring optional devices, refer to Chapter 13. For information on configuring Banyan supported LAN cards, refer to Appendix A.
If a server has several optional devices, finding an available value to use for LAN and serial cards can be difficult. If all values are taken, you may need to disable a function provided by an optional device, or remove a device that is no longer needed (for example, a graphics adapter). For assistance, refer to the documentation for your system and the optional devices.
If your server has an IBM Serial/Parallel adapter, refer to Appendix B, which explains how to reconfigure the adapter to free some interrupts.
Note: If the LAN card you are installing is a 16-bit card, additional DMA channel and interrupt values can be used if you put the card in a 16-bit slot. Wherever possible, you should take advantage of these additional hardware resources. For more information, refer to Managing Workstations.
Setting Hardware Configurations for ISA-bus Servers
Since ISA cards are configured physically by setting jumpers and switches, you must determine a workable configuration for your system before you install the cards. Use the Server Configuration Worksheet and the following instructions to configure an ISA-bus server.
Note: ISA-bus systems that also contain a PCI-bus may provide a utility to store ISA card settings. If this is the case, run this utility and list the resource settings of your server's ISA cards. The PCI configuration utility in the system BIOS will check the ISA settings to determine what resources are already assigned.
To Configure an ISA-bus Server
1. On the Server Configuration Worksheet, record the resource settings (interrupt, DMA channel, I/O and memory addresses) of your system's embedded devices (keyboard, monitor, diskette controllers, and so on). Check your system's configuration utility or refer to your system documentation for this information.
2. Record the default settings of any optional devices that are installed on your server. For default settings, refer to the device documentation. (For special configuration issues involving some optional devices, refer to Chapter 13.)
Note: If your server contains any PCI cards, do not record the resource settings of these cards.
3. Record the default settings of any communication cards (LAN, WAN, serial) that you are installing. For default settings, refer to the communication card documentation.
4. Check each column in the worksheet for values that are assigned to more than one device:
- If no values are the same, the default settings are acceptable.
- If two values in one column are the same, or if two memory or I/O addresses overlap, you must select an alternate value for a card. Record the changes on your Server Configuration Worksheet.
5. If you selected alternate values for any cards, change the switches and jumpers on the cards to the new values. Refer to the documentation that came with the cards for instructions on how to configure them.
6. After taking precautions against static discharge, install the cards in your server.
7. Go to Chapter 3 to continue setting up your server.
Setting Hardware Configurations for EISA-bus Servers
To configure EISA-bus servers, you must configure your platform hardware with the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU). The ECU automatically detects and configures EISA cards. You can install ISA cards in an EISA-bus server, but since the ECU cannot detect ISA cards, you must run the ECU and enter the names and resource settings of your server's ISA cards.
"To Configure an EISA-Bus Server" below provides general configuration procedures for an EISA-bus server. The actual procedure varies depending on the system manufacturer's version of the ECU. Refer to your server documentation for specific instructions on running the ECU.
Note: For some EISA-devices, Banyan software supports only certain settings. Refer to Chapter 13 for a list of supported devices and their settings. If you have one of these devices in your server, you may have to manually change the resource settings to match those supported by Banyan.
To Configure an EISA-bus Server
1. After taking precautions against static discharge, install all EISA cards in your system.
2. Run the ECU and add the EISA cards to the list of cards installed in your server. You may have to load configuration files for the cards either from an EISA Library diskette or from configuration diskettes that accompanied the cards.
3. If you are installing any ISA cards in your server, add the ISA cards to the ECU's list of cards for your server and physically configure the ISA cards to the settings indicated by the ECU.
Note: If your server contains any PCI cards, do not add these cards with the ECU. PCI cards are configured dynamically each time you boot your server.
4. Save the configuration.
5. View the configuration. On your Server Configuration Worksheet, record the resource settings for each communications card. Later, you will enter these resource settings from the Add/Change Card menu. The values you enter from the Add/Change Card menu must match those listed by the ECU.
6. If you are installing ISA cards, take precautions against static discharge and install the ISA cards in your system.
7. Go to Chapter 3 to continue setting up your server.
If you change the hardware configuration after installing the Banyan software (for example, if you add another LAN card), you must rerun ECU.
Example ECU Configuration on a Compaq ProSignia
1. Boot the server. If you installed any new cards in the server, the server detects the unconfigured card and displays the following error message:
175 - EISA Configuration/Slot Mismatch
Run System Configuration2. Insert the ECU diskette into drive A of the server and press F1. The Compaq ECU title screen appears.
3. Press any key to continue. The Auto-Configuration dialog box appears.
4. Select YES to auto-configure your server. The ECU prompts you to load the ECU Library diskette.
Note: If you do not want to auto-configure your server, select NO. The ECU loads the default configuration file for the new card. You will have to manually change the card settings to prevent resource conflicts.
5. Remove the ECU diskette and insert the ECU Library diskette into drive A and press ENTER. The ECU reads the configuration files from the library diskette, and then adds and configures the new card.
If the ECU Library diskette does not contain the configuration file for the new device, the ECU prompts you to load the configuration diskette for the device. Follow the instructions to load the configuration file from the vendor's diskette.
6. Select OK to continue. The ECU displays the Configuration Complete screen.
7. Select Review or Modify Hardware Settings. The Steps in Configuring Your Computer screen appears.
8. Select View or Edit Details. The ECU displays your server's configuration information.
Note: If your server contains EISA-devices for which Banyan software supports only certain settings, you must change the settings at this time. Check the new settings against other device settings to prevent resource conflicts.
9. Record all communication card resource settings on your Server Configuration Worksheet.
10. Exit from this screen. The Steps in Configuring Your Computer screen reappears.
11. Select Save and Exit. The ECU saves a copy of your server's configuration in the server's nonvolatile memory and on the ECU diskette.
When you install the Banyan software, make sure that the values set up by the ECU match the values in the Add/Change Card screen at the server console.
Setting Hardware Configurations for MCA-bus Servers
To configure MCA-bus servers, you must use the system Reference Diskette. MCA cards are automatically detected and configured by the Reference Diskette.
Although MCA-bus servers are designed to configure resources automatically, your card may require you to physically configure some resources and automatically configure others. For example, some LAN cards require that you physically set the Node Address switch. If the automatic configuration does not work, consult the documentation provided with your LAN card or your system Reference Diskette.
"To Configure an MCA-bus Server" provides general configuration procedures for an MCA-bus server. The actual procedure varies depending on the system manufacturer's version of the Reference Diskette. Refer to your system documentation for specific instructions on running the Reference Diskette configuration utility.
To Configure an MCA-bus Server
1. Copy information from the option diskettes that came with the MCA cards onto the system Reference Diskette. For details, refer to the Reference Diskette documentation.
2. Power off the server, and, after taking precautions against static discharge, install the cards.
3. Insert the Reference Diskette in drive A and reboot the server. If the server contains unconfigured cards, the configuration utility prompts you to automatically configure the system.
4. Choose to automatically configure the system. The Reference Diskette configuration utility selects a configuration for the MCA cards that does not conflict with the configuration of other devices.
Note: If your server contains any PCI cards, the Reference Diskette utility does not configure them. PCI cards are configured dynamically each time you boot your server.
5. Check the View Configuration utility. On your Server Configuration Worksheet, record the resource settings established by the Reference Diskette.
Note: For some MCA-devices, Banyan server software supports only certain settings. Refer to Chapter 13 for a list of supported devices and their settings. If you have one of these devices in your server, you may have to manually change the resource settings to match those supported by Banyan.
6. Go to Chapter 3 to continue setting up your server.
If you change the hardware configuration after installing the Banyan server software (for example, if you add another LAN card), you must rerun the Reference Diskette utility.