The IRIS 4-Port Fast Ethernet Adapter with Asynchronous Serial XIO board (MENET/MSER option board) for the OCTANE workstation provides four Ethernet and six asynchronous serial port expansion capability for the OCTANE workstation. It can be installed in any slot on the OCTANE workstation's XIO module that is not occupied by XIO graphics boards.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
Each Ethernet port auto-negotiates to operate at either 10 megabits per second (10-Base-T) or 100 megabits per second (100-Base-T).
An IRIS Fast Ethernet port, if used, must be connected to an Ethernet port on a hub, switch, or host.
Each asynchronous serial port can operate with RS-232-style signals or Apple Macintosh-style signals; each serial port can operate at up to 460 Kbaud.
All the serial ports the OCTANE workstation (including the ports on this board) function as data terminal equipment (DTE).
An asynchronous serial port can be connected only to an asynchronous peripheral device or to itself via a loopback cable (for testing purposes) to another port on the same board.
The Ethernet and serial ports use the same software drivers as those built into the OCTANE workstation. They have identical functionality.
The maximum number of MENET/MSER XIO boards that can be installed into an OCTANE workstation with an OCTANE/SI graphics board is three, or two in a system with OCTANE/SSI or /MXI graphics boards.
Before shutting down your system and installing the MENET/MSER board, be sure you have the current version of the IRIX operating system installed on your system. Install the operating system that came with your board before installing the hardware.
Read the flier and install the MENET/MSER software that came with your shipment. Also read any release notes and the notes in the CD booklet for detailed information about the software. To review release notes, choose Toolchest > Help > Release Notes. Release notes are available here after the software has been installed.
To display ASCII text in an IRIX shell, at the prompt, enter cdrelnotes.
It's a good idea to check your shipment when you receive it. You should receive the supplies shown in Figure 1-1.
A 1.3 (or later) version of the xbow chip (located on the frontplane) is required for use with the MENET/MSER option board. Follow these instructions to determine if the OCTANE workstation has a 1.3 or later version of the xbow chip, and if not, for information on ordering this no-cost upgrade.
Read these instructions before following them. The system powers on very quickly.
Open the front cover and push to the power button to power off the OCTANE workstation.
When the system has powered off, push the power button and power on the OCTANE workstation.
When the System Startup Notifier appears, click the Stop for Maintenance button, or press the Escape key.
Click the Enter Command Monitor icon.
At the prompt, type system.
You will see a response similar to the following:
% system
IP30
--
Chips/NICs:
--
xbow(rev1.2)
(This example shows an xbow chip that needs to be upgraded.)
The line beginning with xbow tells you which version of the xbow chip is in the workstation. If you have rev1.2, call your authorized Silicon Graphics service provider to request the no-cost upgrade. In the United States call 1800-800-4SGI. A Silicon Graphics service engineer performs the upgrade, due to the complexity of the task.
Click Done.
Click the Start System icon.
You are finished checking for the xbow revision number.
Installing an MENET/MSER option board requires that you completely shut down the system and protect yourself and the system by attaching the wrist strap.
Open the cover and push the power button to power off the OCTANE workstation.
Unplug the power cord.
Push the power button on the monitor to power it off. Wait five minutes.
Face the rear of the workstation.
Warning: The heat sinks on the XIO boards become very hot. Wait 5 minutes after powering off the OCTANE workstation before you remove the XIO module. Test before touching any of the XIO boards.
Remove the monitor cable and other cables from the XIO module. (For illustration purposes, only the monitor cable is shown in Figure 1-3.)
The XIO module can be thought of as a tray to which the XIO graphics boards and option boards are attached.
 | Note: The XIO module is always installed with the graphics board toward the top of the workstation, in the upper left quadrant. See Figure 1-3. |
 | Caution: The components inside the OCTANE workstation are extremely sensitive to static electricity; you must wear the wrist strap while replacing parts inside the workstation. |
To attach the wrist strap, follow these steps:
Unwrap the first two folds of the band and wrap the exposed adhesive side firmly around your wrist.
Unroll the rest of the band and peel the liner from the copper foil at the opposite end.
Attach the copper foil to a convenient and exposed electrical ground, such as a metal part of the OCTANE workstation.
Before removing the XIO module, you must power off the OCTANE workstation, wait
five minutes to allow the heat sinks to cool, and attach the wrist strap. If you have not already done this, go to “Preparing the Workstation” and follow the instructions through attaching the wrist strap. Then return here.
When you remove the XIO module, the compression connectors on the back of the XIO module (XIO boards) are accessible and easily damaged. All XIO graphics boards have compression connectors, as do most XIO option boards. The MENET/MSER option board has a compression connector.
| Caution: The compression connectors on XIO boards are very delicate and easily damaged. Do not touch or bump the gold, bristled pad. For more information on care and cleaning of compression connectors, see “Guidelines for Storing and Handling the Compression Connector”. |
| Warning: The heat sinks on the XIO boards become very hot. Wait 5 minutes after powering off the OCTANE workstation before you remove the XIO module. Test before touching any of the XIO boards. |
The XIO module is the holding mechanism for XIO graphics and XIO option boards; it holds up to four boards. It can be thought of as a tray to which boards are attached.
Loosen the two captive screws in the XIO module handles until the handles move free from the workstation.
Grasp the handles and pull until the XIO module protrudes a couple of inches from the chassis.
The handles and the XIO module move out about two inches before the I/O panels move.
Grasp the XIO module along its length, and support the module and XIO boards as you remove them from the chassis.
The handles protrude from beneath the XIO boards when the XIO module is out of the chassis. When the handles protrude, the identification slots for the XIO boards (D and A, B and C) are visible. Slots B and C are on the opposite side of the XIO module from slots D and A.
Note: Do not push on the handle area after you have removed the XIO module. The XIO module locks to the workstation only if the handle area is protruding. Place the XIO module on a flat, antistatic surface. An empty antistatic bag on your desk works well.
| Note: Figure 1-9 above shows and OCTANE/SI graphics board in slot A and blank panel in slot D. OCTANE/SSI or /MXI graphics are twice the width of the OCTANE/SI board and reside in slots D and A, although these boards connect to the workstation through the single compression connector on the slot A side of the board. See Appendix A for illustrations of various graphics boards and the MENET/MSER option board. |
Place a cap on the XIO graphics board compression connector.
Note: The cap prevents damage to the gold (front) surface when the XIO boards are removed from the workstation. These caps are placed on any XIO compression connector as soon as the XIO module is removed from the chassis, and then removed before placing the XIO module back in the chassis.
The XIO module is the holding mechanism for XIO graphics and XIO option boards and holds up to four boards. It can be thought of as a tray to which boards are attached. The four quadrants of the XIO module are slots A, B, C, and D. Slots D and A are on one side, Slots B and C on the other. A graphics board, option board, or blank panel attaches to each slot on the XIO module.
The XIO module must be placed so that the graphics board in slot A is in the upper left corner, or the graphics board may overheat and be damaged.
The graphics board is always in slot A or slot A and (covering) slot D.
Option boards occupy slots B and C and possibly D.
Graphics and option boards may be linked by flex cables.
A baffle must be attached to two side-by-side blank panels to ensure proper airflow.
The XIO compression connector is always covered by a protective cap when an XIO board is out of the OCTANE workstation. Extra caps for the compression connectors are shipped with the workstation.
Attaching the MENET/MSER option board is a lengthy process. Here is a quick overview of the preliminary steps.
Before installing the MENET/MSER option board, you must follow a series of steps detailed in the preceding sections of this chapter, beginning on page 1. If you have not already done so, go to page 1 and follow the instructions through removing the XIO module. If you have already removed the XIO module, go to step 1 on the next page. (Be sure you also read “About the XIO Module” before beginning your task.)
| Caution: Do not touch the gold (front) surface of the XIO compression connector. Touching it could damage the connector. Place a protective cap on the XIO compression connector to prevent damage when the XIO boards are removed from the OCTANE workstation. See Appendix B, “Care and Cleaning of the XIO Compression Connector.” |
Turn the XIO module so that slots B and C are facing you. Select your next step from the task list below.
If You Have...
Go to...
An option board in the slot in which you want to install the MENET/MSER option board.
The option board installation guide for instructions on removing the board.
A blank panel and an option board, or an SI graphics board and blank panel, in side-by-side slots.
Step 3.
Blank panels in slots B and C.
Step 2.
Note: For illustration purposes, in this manual, the MENET/MSER option board is shown in slot C. Remove the baffle attached to the two blank panels:
Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws holding the baffle to the two blank panels.
Remove the baffle.
Replace the two screws into the blank panel that stays on the XIO module.
Remove the four (or remaining) screws from the blank panel you are removing.
Remove the blank panel. Keep it in case you remove an option board. A blank panel or board must be in place in each slot on the XIO module.
Keep the baffle. The baffle must be in place over two blank panels to ensure proper airflow.
Note: The baffle is never used with an option board, only with two side-by-side blank panels.
Place the MENET/MSER option board on the XIO module, aligning the holes in the board to the standoffs on the XIO module.
Insert and tighten four screws through the MENET/MSER board and into the standoffs on the XIO module.
Remove the cap from the compression connector.
| Caution: Do not install the baffle. The baffle is used only with two side-by-side blank panels. |
Go to page 18 for instructions on replacing the XIO module.
| Caution: The XIO module must be replaced with the graphics board toward the top of the workstation to prevent overheating and damage to the boards. If the XIO module with the OCTANE/SSI or OCTANE/MXI graphics board is inserted incorrectly, a notifier appears during power on telling you to insert the XIO module with the graphics boards toward the interior of the workstation, and power-on stops. Power off the system and correctly insert the XIO module as shown in Figure 1-14. |
Follow these steps to replace the XIO module:
Replace and orient the XIO module in the OCTANE workstation. Slide the XIO module into guides on the top and bottom of the workstation, with the graphics board oriented to the upper left. See Figure 1-15.
Before you insert the XIO module, make sure the handle portion protrudes from the I/O panels, as shown in Figure 1-15.
If the handles are flush with the I/O panels, the XIO module will stop during insertion. Pull out the handles until the sliding portion of the XIO module looks like that shown in Figure 1-15, and then continue inserting the XIO module.
Use the handles to push the XIO module into a locked position.
Note: The I/O panels are not completely flush with each other or the chassis; there is some slight variation in the depth of the individual boards.
Tighten the screws in the handles so that the XIO module is attached to the chassis.
Remove the wrist strap.
You have finished replacing the XIO module and are ready for the next step, “Powering On the OCTANE Workstation.”
Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
Push the power button on the front of the OCTANE workstation.
Push the power button on your monitor.
Go to the next section for instructions on placing any upgrade label, and then go to Chapter 2 for instructions on configuring the MENET/MSER board and installing the cables.
If you received a system upgrade label, place it on the system label (top of workstation).
Face the back of the OCTANE workstation. The system label (model/CMN number, VCCI, CISPR 22 data) is located at the top center of the back of the workstation.
Place the label over the VCCI and CISPR 22 information.