21.176 bytes

Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: GSMH-3EUHEQ

PC Server 325 - Configuration

Applicable to: World-Wide

Configuration:
Note:
DASD and other adapters may require additional configuration information.

Configuration is the allocation of the server resources to organize and interconnect hardware devices and software programs. The steps required to configure the server depend on the number and variety of devices and programs installed.

The PC Server 325 Type 8639 supports the following types of adapters.
- Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
- Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)
- Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)

The following hardware configuration utility programs are supplied with the server.

- Built-in Configuration/Setup program
Configures system board functions, such as the serial and parallel port assignments. It also allows you to set passwords for starting up and accessing the Setup program, and allows IRQ assignments of PCI devices.
- PC Server 325 EISA Configuration Diskette Configures EISA and ISA adapters.
- Built-in SCSISelect Utility program
- Configures SCSI devices. You can use SCSISelect to change default values, resolve configuration conflicts, and perform a low-level format on SCSI hard disk drives.
- PC Server Utilities diskette
Use the PC Server Utilities diskette to backup and restore the CMOS and NVRAM configuration data.

Adapters:
Adding an adapter, such as a communication or audio adapter, extends the capabilities and power of the server. For example, a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) adapter can enhance logical-drive capacity and performance, and continue operation after a hard-disk drive failure. Up to six adapters can be installed in the connectors on the system board

Adapter Considerations:
Three types of adapters are available for the PC Server 325:
- PCI adapters
- EISA adapters
- ISA adapters

The system board in the server contains one 32-bit, EISA/ISA-bus expansion slot and one 32-bit PCI-bus expansion slot. The
remaining slots are shared PCI/EISA slots. The server supports only 5.0-volt adapters on the PCI bus. High-performance PCI adapters, such as RAID adapters, are installed in the two PCI slots closest to the processor board. See "Expansion Slots" and "System Board".

Attention:
To avoid possible damage to adapters and server components, be sure the adapters do not touch each other or the other components (such as the microprocessor) inside the server.

Assigning Interrupt Levels:
A rotational interrupt technique is used to configure PCI adapters. This technique enables the installation of PCI adapters that currently do not support sharing of PCI interrupts.

Always use the IBM PC Server EISA Configuration Diskette for the system you are servicing when assigning interrupts for EISA and ISA adapters. You cannot assign an EISA or ISA adapter the same interrupt that you have assigned to a PCI adapter. This is because the server does not support interrupt sharing among PCI, EISA, and ISA adapters.

If a situation occurs where you need an additional interrupt, you can use an interrupt from another function that you might not need, such as COM2 (Interrupt 3) or parallel port (Interrupt 5 or 7).

EISA Configuration Diskette:
You must use the EISA Configuration Diskette anytime you want to change resource allocations, such as:
- Adding or removing devices
- Moving devices
- Changing device function
- Resolving conflicts
- Adding or removing EISA or ISA adapters

In addition, if you disable the serial, parallel, infrared, or diskette drive in the Configuration/Setup utility programs, you might need to run the EISA Configuration Diskette and make the same change. Refer to the README file on the EISA Configuration Diskette for more information.

Each time you use the EISA Configuration Diskette to configure the server, the configuration information is saved in a System Configuration Information (SCI) file and in the NVRAM configuration. Only devices that you install and configure correctly appear on the EISA Configuration screens.

Backing Up the EISA Configuration Diskette:
Use an operating system command, such as the DOS DISKCOPY command, to make a complete backup copy of the EISA Configuration Diskette. Using the backup copy can prevent damage to the original diskette. The operating system documentation provides information on backing up diskettes.

EISA Configuration Menu Selections:
When you start the EISA Configuration Diskette, an introductory screen appears. PressY at the prompt. After you press Enter, the main menu, Steps in configuring the computer , appears. The EISA Configuration program main menu contains five steps:

Step 1:
Important EISA configuration information

This step provides information about the differences between the ISA configuration process and the EISA configuration process.

Step 2:
Add or remove boards

If the server is configured correctly, this step provides a list of the devices installed in the expansion slots. The Add choice allows you to add ISA devices to the configuration. If EISA adapters are installed in the server, and you have not copied the .CFG file to the EISA Configuration Diskette, you are prompted to insert the adapter's configuration diskette into the diskette drive. The .CFG file is copied to the diskette. If the adapter's .CFG file is copied to the EISA Configuration Diskette before starting the diskette, and the adapter is installed in the server, EISA devices are added automatically.

Step 3:
View or edit details

After adding EISA or ISA adapters in Step 2, use the Edit selection of this step to configure them. Use the Edit Resources selection of this step for complex configurations. If you change a setting in this step, you might have to change a switch or jumper setting on the system board or on a device.

Note:
You can view the settings for PCI devices, but you cannot change them through the EISA Configuration utility program. To change settings for PCI devices, see "PCI Bus Control".

Step 4:
Examine switches or print report

After Steps 1 and 2 have been completed correctly, this step displays the correct switch and jumper settings for the installed devices that have switches and jumpers. Also, you can choose to print a system configuration report.

Step 5:
Save and exit

This step allows you to save the configuration or to discard the changes before exiting the program.

Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to highlight your selection, then press Enter to make your selection. To help you track your progress, a checkmark appears on the main menu next to the completed steps.

You can access help information through:
- Help windows, which remain active.
- Information windows, which appear automatically as a result of some configuration activities.
- The Help=F1 prompt, which allows you to access the Help Menu for screens displaying the prompt. To remove the Help Menu, press Esc.

Recording EISA Configuration Settings:
Record the configuration settings you made in Step 3: View or edit details and Step 4: Examine switches or print report on a
separate sheet and store it in a safe place for future reference. If a printer is attached to the server, you can use the Print Screen key to print these settings. The settings are helpful when you install additional options. Also, record the new settings each time you make changes. Be sure to record the current configuration settings for the user.

Starting the EISA Configuration Diskette:

Note:
Use a backup copy of the EISA Configuration Diskette. (see "Backing Up the EISA Configuration Diskette").

To start the EISA Configuration Diskette:
1. Insert the backup copy of the EISA Configuration Diskette into the diskette drive.
2. Power-on the computer, or if it is already on, shut down the operating system and restart the computer.
3. When the first screen appears, pressY and then, press Enter. Follow the instructions on the screen until the Steps in configuring the computer menu appears.
4. Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to advance through the items on the screen. Use the Tab key to select choices on the bottom of the screen Press the Esc key to return to a previous menu.
5. Press Enter to make a selection.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to view or change (edit) the configuration information.

Note:
Adapters installed in the server appear automatically on the EISA Configuration screens after you copy the adapter's configuration file (file with an extension of .CFG ) to the EISA Configuration Diskette. If you want to manually add an adapter that you have not yet installed in the server, add it using Step 2 from the menu. To configure ISA adapters, follow the instructions on the screen.

EISA Configuration Advanced Function:
Locking an ISA adapter reserves the selected resources and prevents the system from using them to resolve resource conflicts. Use the Advanced function to lock ISA boards. An exclamation mark (!) appears next to locked adapters.

To use the Advanced functions, do the following:
1. Start the EISA Configuration Diskette (see "Starting the EISA Configuration Diskette").
2. At the main menu, select Step 3, The View or edit details screen appears.
3. Press F7. The Advanced functions screen appears.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to:
a. Lock or unlock boards
b. View additional system information
c. Set verification mode d. Maintain SCI files

EISA, ISA, and PCI Adapters:
Before installing a new device or program, read the documentation supplied with it. Reading the instructions helps you determine the steps required for installation and configuration. The following list provides a preview of the actions that might be required to configure the server.
When installing different types of adapters at the same time, install and configure them in the following sequence:
1. ISA
2. EISA
3. PCI

Note:
During POST, the server automatically configures PCI devices.

1. Run the Setup program and record the current configuration settings. See "Recording EISA Configuration Settings"
2. Start the EISA Configuration Diskette. See "Starting the EISA Configuration Diskette".
a. Record the current settings.
b. Install configuration files (.CFG).

Note:
If the .CFG files were not supplied with the adapter, see "Files."

3. Set jumpers or switches on the server system board.
See "System Board Jumpers".
4. Set jumpers or switches on the device. Refer to the instructions supplied with the adapter.
5. Install the adapter in the server.
6. Install software programs. Refer to the installation instructions supplied with the software.
7. If necessary, resolve any configuration conflicts. See "Configuration Conflicts".

EISA or ISA Features and Options:
Some ISA and most EISA devices are supplied with option diskettes. These diskettes can contain any or all of the following types of information:
Configuration files (.CFG)
Diagnostic files (.DGS)
Device drivers
Sample applications (mini-applications)

To configure the server for an ISA or EISA adapter:
1. Read the documentation supplied with the adapter.
2. Copy any files with the extension of .CFG from the option diskette to the EISA Configuration Diskette. See "Files" for important information about configuring ISA adapters.
3. Start the EISA Configuration Diskette (see "Starting the EISA Configuration Diskette").
4. Record the new configuration information (see "Recording EISA Configuration Settings").
5. Save the new configuration settings to the EISA Configuration Diskette and to the nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) (see "Starting the EISA Configuration Diskette").
6. Set any jumpers or switches on the adapter.
7. Install the adapter in the server.

Files:
A configuration file is required to configure the server for ISA or EISA adapters. You must copy this configuration file, which has a file-name extension of .CFG , from the device diskette to the EISA Configuration Diskette before installing the device in the server. The configuration file reserves the system resources that the adapter needs to function properly.

Some ISA adapters are supplied with a diskette that contains the .CFG file for the adapter. If ISA adapters are installed that were not supplied with their own CFG files, you must use the PC Server EISA Configuration Diskette for the system you are servicing to create a unique .CFG file for each adapter.

Note:
The unique .CFG file is system resource sensitive. To use a configured adapter card in another system, the adapter configuration must be cleared. See the instructions that were supplied with the adapter.

To create a unique .CFG file for an ISA adapter, do the following:
1. Insert the IBM PC Server EISA Configuration Diskette for the system you are servicing into diskette drive A.
2. Start the configuration utility program.
3. At the main menu, select Step 2, Add or remove boards.
4. At the next menu, select the slot in which you installed the adapter.
5. At the next screen, select OK.
6. At the next screen, press F5 ; then, select Create .CFG file.
7. Press Enter.
8. At the Create a board CFG file screen, type in the adapter manufacturer and description (for example IBM Token Ring); then,
press Enter.
9. Refer to the adapter documentation for information about specific configuration parameters (such as IRQ or DMA channel) required for the adapter. Then, follow the instructions on the screen to enter the appropriate parameters on the menu.

Notes:
1. Normally, ISA adapters do not use every parameter. Most adapters require only a port address.
2. The SVGA video controller in the server requires specific memory and I/O address assignments to function properly.
To avoid configuration conflicts, do not assign the following SVGA memory and I/O addresses to other adapters or options in the server:
Memory address space:
A000H - C7FFH

I/O address spaces:
02E0h- 02EFh
03B0h- 03DFh
46E8h

10. After you type in all of the appropriate parameters, press F10.
11. At the next screen, carefully verify that the information is correct; then, press Enter.
12. At the Add Confirmation window, press Enter again.
13. In the next window (add), press Enter . The adapter description appears in the selected slot.
14. Verify the installation; then press F10.
15. At the next menu, select Save and exit the configuration utility.

Note:
PCI devices do not require .CFG files.

Device Drivers:
Device drivers are programs designed to support a specific type of hardware device. They provide instructions that enable the computer to interact with the device, or to take advantage of a device's special feature. The device driver might be supplied with the operating system, the application program, or on the option diskette. Not all devices require device drivers. Refer to the documentation supplied with the option for additional information.

Sample Applications:
Some optional devices provide small applications or sampler files. These applications demonstrate the capabilities of the device and serve as software examples for programming the device. Refer to the documentation supplied with the option for additional information.

Memory:
Notes:
1. Not performing the following procedure could result in memory errors, POST error 164, and in the operating system not recognizing the added (or removed) memory.
2. After you add or remove memory, you must update the Configuration/Setup Utilities program.

1. Power-on the server and watch the screen.
2. When the message Press F1 to enter Configuration/Setup appears, press F1.
3. Select Save Settings , then exit Setup.

Notes:
1. The server supports 60 ns, 32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB, Buffered EDO, ECC DIMMs.
2. For signal quality, install the largest size DIMM starting from the outside edge DIMM connector, J2. See "Processor Board".

PCI Features and Options:
PCI devices automatically communicate with the server's configuration information. This usually results in automatic configuration of a PCI device. If a conflict does occur, refer to "Configuration Conflicts."

Multiple-function PCI adapters use more than one interrupt. When installing one of these adapters, IRQ assignments should be
reviewed in the Configuration/Setup utility programs to assure the IRQ assignments are correct.

The PC Server 325 automatically configures PCI adapters. This enables the installation of a variety of PCI adapters that currently do not support sharing of PCI interrupts. For information on manually overriding the interrupt, see "Advanced Setup".

	Search Keywords
	Hint Category	Configuration, Hardware Maintenance Information
	Date Created	04-03-97
	Last Updated	04-08-98
	Revision Date	03-08-99
	Brand	IBM PC Server
	Product Family	PC Server 325
	Machine Type	8639
	Model	EJ0; ES0; ESV; RD0; RF0; RS0; XD0; XDV; XF0; XFV; XJ0; XS0; XSV; YS0
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes