This guide provides you with information about the features of the IRIS 4-Port Fast Ethernet Adapter with Asynchronous Serial XIO (MENET/MSER) board for the OCTANE workstation and explains how to install, remove, and configure it.
The Fast Ethernet option board provides up to four additional external Ethernet and six additional serial ports for the OCTANE workstation. Features include:
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.
Below is an overview of the contents of this guide.
The introduction provides information about hardware resources, products, and support.
Chapter 1 provides information about installing the MENET/MSER option board.
Chapter 2 provides instructions for configuring and cabling the MENET/MSER option board.
Chapter 3 provides information on removing the MENET/MSER option board.
Chapter 4 provides troubleshooting information.
Appendix A provides illustrations of the IRIS 4-Port Fast Ethernet Adapter with Asynchronous Serial XIO option board, and the OCTANE/SI, OCTANE/SI with texture memory option board, OCTANE/SSI, and OCTANE/MXI graphics boards.
Appendix B provides instructions on the care and cleaning of the XIO compression connector.
Read this guide once all the way through before you start to work. You will become familiar with the OCTANE system and the parts with which you will be working.
It's always a good idea to back up your system before installing a new board. If you have not backed up your system recently, do so now. For instructions on backing up your system, see the online Personal System Administration Guide.
Administration for the IRIS 4-Port Fast Ethernet Adapter with Asynchronous Serial board's ports and interfaces is described in the online documents Personal System Administration Guide, IRIX Admin: Networking and Mail, and IRIX Admin: Peripheral Devices.
See the online documentation that shipped with your system for any configuration or programming guides related to the IRIS 4-Port Fast Ethernet Adapter with Asynchronous Serial XIO board. When looking for a configuration or programming guide, look or a title similar to that of the board protocol name.
Check the release notes for any additional information.
OCTANE Hardware Central is an online resource that provides access to hardware movies and other information previously found only in your printed owner's guide, such as port pinout information, user tips, environmental information, and so on. To access it, choose Toolchest >Help > Online Books > SGI End User > OCTANE Hardware Central.
Or, access it through your Web browser. In the location window, type file:/usr/share/Insight/library/SGI_bookshelves/SGI_EndUser/books/
Octane_HWCntl/index.html and press Enter.
For complete information on installing software, see the online Personal System Administration Guide. You can find it on your desktop by choosing Toolchest > Help > Online Books. For more advanced information, see the online IRIX Admin: Software Installation & Licensing Guide. For system administration information, see the SGI_Admin section of the online bookshelf.
A listing of available configurations (upgrades and options) is available on the Web. In the location window type: http://www.sgi.com/Products/hardware/desktop/
products/configurator/configurator.html
The OCTANE workstation is designed so that you can maintain and repair it without the help of a trained technician. Contact your Silicon Graphics subsidiary or authorized distributor for information about product support.
Silicon Graphics, Inc., provides a comprehensive range of product support for its products. If you are in North America and would like support for your Silicon Graphics supported products, contact the Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-800-4SGI or your authorized service provider. If you are outside North America, contact the Silicon Graphics subsidiary or authorized distributor in your country.