TBBS 2.x - Using the ARNET Multi-4 and Multi-8 Serial Communications Board

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
           (303) 699-6872      Fax
           (303) 699-8222      BBS
           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

USING THE ARNET MULTI-4 AND MULTI-8 SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD
---------------------------------------------------------------

THIS INFORMATION APPLIES TO TBBS VERSIONS 2.1 AND 2.2

The Multi-8 board made by ARNET can be used with TBBS to support up to 64 
lines.  This document includes information for setting up with 8 or 16 lines.  
If you wish to run more than 16 lines with the ARNET hardware, please call our 
Technical Support department at (303)699-1300. 

There are two methods for setting up two cards.  The first method is setting up 
each card on an individual interrupt (8 ports for IRQ3 and 8 ports for IRQ4).  
The second method is to daisy chain two cards together to share one interrupt 
(IRQ3 or IRQ4).

In either case, the first ARNET Multi-8 board switch settings are:

  Switch Block SW1     Switch Block SW2             Switch Block SW3
  1   2   3   4   5    1   2   3   4   5   6   7    1   2   3   4   5   6
  -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------
  ON  ON  ON  OFF ON   ON  ON  ON  OFF ON  OFF ON   OFF ON  OFF OFF OFF OFF

  Switch Block SW1 specifies the address set of 100 thru 138 for the UARTS
  Switch Block SW2 specifies the I/O address as 140 which makes the status
    port setting 142.
  Switch Block SW3 specifies to use IRQ3

  In CEDIT, in the MULTI-PORT HARDWARE OPTIONS, move the cursor to
  the section for interrupt number IRQ3.  Set Interrupt Handler
  Method to "Efficient".  Set MultiPort Board Type to
  "BitMap(-) LSB=1".  Set # of Lines on Board to "8", regardless of
  the actual number of lines you will support.  Set the Status Port
  Address to "142".

The second ARNET Multi-8 board (if you are using one) switch settings are: 

  Switch Block SW1     Switch Block SW2             Switch Block SW3
  1   2   3   4   5    1   2   3   4   5   6   7    1   2   3   4   5   6
  -------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------
  ON  ON  OFF OFF ON   ON  ON  ON  OFF OFF OFF ON   OFF OFF OFF ON  OFF OFF

  Switch Block SW1 specifies the address set of 180 thru 1B8 for the UARTS
  Switch Block SW2 specifies the I/O address as 1C0 which makes the status
    port setting 1C2.
  Switch Block SW3 specifies to use IRQ4

  In CEDIT, in the MULTI-PORT HARDWARE OPTIONS, move the cursor to
  the section for interrupt number IRQ4.  Set Interrupt Handler
  Method to "Efficient".  Set MultiPort Board Type to
  "BitMap(-) LSB=1".  Set # of Lines on Board to "8", regardless of
  the actual number of lines you will support.  Set the Status Port
  Address to "1C2".

The base addresses for the first board are:

    Line 01: 100  IRQ=3
    Line 02: 108  IRQ=3
    Line 03: 110  IRQ=3
    Line 04: 118  IRQ=3
    Line 05: 120  IRQ=3
    Line 06: 128  IRQ=3
    Line 07: 130  IRQ=3
    Line 08: 138  IRQ=3

The base addresses for the second board are:

    Line 09: 180  IRQ=4
    Line 10: 188  IRQ=4
    Line 11: 190  IRQ=4
    Line 12: 198  IRQ=4
    Line 13: 1A0  IRQ=4
    Line 14: 1A8  IRQ=4
    Line 15: 1B0  IRQ=4
    Line 16: 1B8  IRQ=4

To daisy chain both boards to the same IRQ, do the following:

  1.  Setup the board as described above.
  2.  Attach the daisy chain adapter cable between the two boards.
  3.  Change SW3 of the SECOND board to:

        Switch Block SW3
        1   2   3   4   5   6
        -----------------------
        OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF

       This step will setup the SECOND board to use the same interrupt as
       the first board.

   4.  Change the Multi-Port Hardware Options screen (in CEDIT) to look
       like this:
                          MULTI-PORT HARDWARE OPTIONS
      ͻ
       Inter-    Interrupt       MultiPort      # of      Status  
        rupt      Handler          Board       Lines on    Port   
         No.      Method           Type         Board     Address 
      Ķ
        IRQ3     Efficient    BitMap(-) LSB=1     8         142   
                              BitMap(-) LSB=1     8         1C2   
                                                                  
                                                                  
      Ķ
        IRQ4     Polled           All          
                                                                  
                                                                  
                                                                  
      ͼ

- END -
TBBS0050
Rev. ??/??

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

