PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide ® ™ Part Number: 15-30009-00, Rev.
Copyright © 2002, Aurora Technologies, Inc, A Carlo Gavazzi Group Company. All Rights Reserved. This publication is protected by Federal Copyright Law, with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, translated, transmitted, or transcribed in any form or by any means manual, electric, electronic, electro-magnetic, mechanical, optical, or otherwise, in whole or in part without prior written consent from Aurora Technologies, Inc.
CONTENTS Chapter 1. About This Guide About This Guide ....................................................................1-1 Audience..................................................................................1-2 Navigating This Document......................................................1-2 Documentation Conventions ...................................................1-3 Regulatory Information ...........................................................1-3 Related Documents.......................
Contents (continued) Factory-Default Card Settings ........................................... 2-9 Windows, Linux, and Solaris x86 Support ........................ 2-10 5.0v Expansion Card Support ............................................ 2-10 PCI-SB Card Operating Modes ......................................... 2-11 How StarFabric Technology Works........................................ 2-16 Networking StarFabric Devices......................................... 2-17 Address Routing and Path Routing....
Contents (continued) Chapter 5. Warranty & Maintenance Information Warranty on Hardware & Software .........................................5-1 Standard Hardware Warranty Policy ..................................5-1 Standard Software Warranty Policy....................................5-1 Product Registration Form .....................................................5-2 Appendix A . Cable & Port Requirements Introduction .............................................................................
Contents (continued) iv Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 About This Guide About This Guide This guide describes Aurora Technologies’ PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card (PCI-SB) for the purpose of installing and operating the card. After reading this guide, you’ll understand: • • • • The basic components and controls of the PCI-SB card. How to set DIP switches to control the operational behavior of the PCI-SB card. How to install the PCI-SB card in a typical environment. How to perform troubleshooting procedures for the PCI-SB card.
About This Guide Audience This document is intended for system integrators, system engineers, network engineers, or anyone responsible for installing and operating a PCI-SB card. Navigating This Document Table 1 shows you where to look for specific information on this product in this guide. TABLE 1. How 1-2 to Navigate This Document If you want to learn about: Read This Chapter... The purpose or audience for this guide Chapter 1, “About This Guide.
Documentation Conventions Documentation Conventions Table 2 describes the symbolic conventions used in this guide. TABLE 2. Conventions Symbol Description screen display Graphic text that appears on screens, menus and dialog boxes appears in sans serif font. User input User input values appear in boldface. These are characters or commands you type literally. emphasis Italics are used in the text for emphasis, titles, and variables.
About This Guide Related Documents Refer to the following documents for more information about StarFabric technology or using the Aurora Technologies PCI-SB card in your environment. • PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card QuickStart™ Guide • PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Data Sheet at www.auroratech.com. • PCI 1.1 and 2.2 Bridge Specification(s) at www.pcisig.org. • StarGen StarFabric Protocol Reference Manual • StarGen StarFabric Programmer’s Manual at www.stargen.com.
CHAPTER 2 About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Introduction This chapter describes the components, features, and functionality of the PCI-SB card, including: • • • • Basic components and functions of the PCI-SB card. Features and benefits of the PCI-SB card. Basic concepts of StarFabric Technology. Sample applications for the PCI-SB card.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card About the PCI-SB Card The PCI-SB card (see Figure 1) interconnects legacy PCI hardware with StarFabric-enabled devices to design highly-scalable and reliable, next-generation PCI expansion topologies based on StarFabric® technology. FIGURE 1. PCI-SB PCI Interface Card The PCI-SB card installs into any standard PCI slot on a PCI 2.
About the PCI-SB Card High Availability • Link-by-link Cyclic Redundancy Checking • Fault detection and isolation Easy Support & Maintenance • Standard CAT5 shielded cabling • Standard RJ-45 interface jacks PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide 2-3
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Basic StarFabric Connectivity The PCI-SB card provides the bridge functionality that enables your primary PCI bus to seamlessly, transparently and simply expand into a StarFabric network, as shown in Figure 2. . You can add up to two StarFabric-enabled devices to your PCI topology from a single PCI-SB card on the primary bus, without a switch.
About the PCI-SB Card Complex Large Scale StarFabric Connectivity By deploying a switch fabric within your PCI topology you can implement a total of 220 expansion slots from a single PCI-SB card configured as a Root bridge on the primary bus, as shown in Figure 3. The StarFabric supports up to 220 expansion slots from a single PCISB card at the primary bus PCI-SB card Switch Fabric Primary PCI Bus Remote StarFabric Device FIGURE 3.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card PCI-SB Card in Detail The PCI-SB card is a PCI 2.2 short form factor card. It easily installs into any 32bit or 64-bit PCI expansion slot on a PCI 2.2 compliant motherboard (see Figure 4). Status Light DIP Switches Status LEDs & RJ-45 Ports 150 mm SG2010 Chip 75 mm Bus Connectors Link 0 8.2 mm Rx Link 1 Tx Rx Tx Front View of RJ-45 Ports & Status LEDs FIGURE 4.
PCI-SB Card in Detail PCI-SB Card Components PCI-SB card components include: • • • • • SG2010 PCI-to-StarFabric bridge chipset Two 2.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Table 3 shows the operational states for the PCI-SB card’s LEDs. TABLE 3. LEDs Operational States If LED is: This means... On (Green) LVDS pair is synchronized with traffic enabled Flashing LVDS pair is synchronized but traffic is disabled Off LVDS pair is not synchronized and traffic is disabled Status Indicator Light A Status Indicator light alerts you if the card malfunctions at power-up.
PCI-SB Card in Detail Factory-Default Card Settings The PCI-SB card is factory-ready to operate as a Root bridge in an address-routed legacy PCI application, or as a Root bridge in a path routed application. This means the PCI-SB card is set to provide a bridge interface from the physical or primary PCI bus in your topology to remote secondary StarFabric-enabled devices, such as a PICMG expansion chassis or an XP-SG Series expansion chassis, as shown in Figure 5.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card For details on address routing traffic in legacy PCI bridge topologies or path routing, refer to “Networking StarFabric Devices” on page 2-17. Windows, Linux, and Solaris x86 Support The PCI-SB card is currently supported on Microsoft® Windows 98® and 2000®, Linux®, and Solaris® operating systems. 5.0v Expansion Card Support The PCI-SB card supports only 5.0v or universal expansion cards in the chassis of StarFabric-enabled devices.
PCI-SB Card in Detail PCI-SB Card Operating Modes The PCI-SB card has three operating modes to meet the needs of your PCI topology: • Root • Leaf • Gateway Root Mode Setting the card to Root mode means the PCI-SB card provides a Root bridge between the physical PCI bus and the StarFabric switch fabric or remote StarFabric-enabled devices, as shown in Figure 6.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card most bridge in the expansion bus topology. It provides the interface from the primary bus to the switch fabric and all downstream or secondary StarFabric-enabled devices. The Root bridge initiates resets and enumerates (numerically identifies) all the downstream nodes configured as Leaf nodes in the switch fabric. See “Leaf Mode” on page 2-13 for details on Leaf operation.
PCI-SB Card in Detail Leaf Mode Leaf means the PCI-SB card requires resetting and enumeration from a Root bridge in order to join and operate in the StarFabric network. All downstream nodes are set to Leaf. A PCI-SB card acting as a Leaf bridge connects the remote or secondary bus to a switch fabric or directly to a PCI-SB card configured as a Root bridge, as shown in Figure 7.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Gateway Gateway is the recommended operating mode for all Leaf nodes in a path routing application. In a path routing application, one PCI-SB card is configured as the Root bridge to provide resets and enumeration for the all the downstream nodes, as shown in Figure 8. PCI-SB configured as Leaf Gateway.
PCI-SB Card in Detail EXTERNAL CLOCKING & BUS ARBITRATION A PCI-SB card operating as a Leaf requires clocking and bus arbitration from an external source. Typically, you use a single board computer or a bus mastering device installed in a PCI slot on the remote device to provide clocking and bus arbitration.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card How StarFabric Technology Works StarGen’s StarFabric® is an open switched interconnect technology that lets you design next generation voice, data, and video communications networks to expand the capabilities and flexibility of your existing PCI topology, as shown in Figure 9. PCI-SB Interface Bridge PCI-SB Interface Bridge PCI-SB Interface Bridge PCI-SB Interface Bridge StarFabric Switch StarFabric Switch PCI-SB Interface Bridge FIGURE 9.
How StarFabric Technology Works Networking StarFabric Devices StarFabric-enabled devices can be interconnected in different ways to improve the scalability and reliability of your PCI topology. Interconnecting these devices is like weaving a fabric of related links, devices, and components throughout your PCI topology. The StarFabric-enabled device components such as the PCI-SB cards lie within the fabric, as shown in Figure 10.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Address Routing and Path Routing There are two ways to interconnect StarFabric-enabled devices: • Address Routing • Path Routing Address Routing Application Address routing is the PCI-to-PCI bridge method similar to a typical legacy PCI environment. This is the mode the PCI-SB card operates in by default.
How StarFabric Technology Works All StarFabric-enabled devices are identified at power-up and topology remains static PCI-SB card configured as Root bridge PCI-SB Interface Root Bridge A break in a link here means this remote device is unreachable FIGURE 11. Remote StarFabric Device Address Routing for Legacy PCI Mode In address routed or legacy PCI mode, StarFabric-enabled devices behave as normal legacy PCI bridges because they are unaware that they are part of a fabric.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card PCI-SB card configured as Root bridge All StarFabric-enabled devices are identified at power-up and topology remains static Remote StarFabric Device PCI-SB Interface Root Bridge A break in a link here means this topology reconfigures itself automatically to reach the remote device Remote StarFabric Device Dynamic path Primary path FIGURE 12.
Sample Applications Sample Applications Figure 13, Figure 14, and Figure 15 demonstrate how you can deploy a PCI-SB card in your environment. Legacy PCI Bridge Expansion Figure 13 shows a typical legacy PCI application where a PCI-SB card connects a primary PCI bus to an Aurora Technologies XP-SG expansion chassis to provide access to additional PCI slots in the remote StarFabric-enabled device. PCI-SB card configured as Root bridge XP-SG Expansion Chassis FIGURE 13.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card High Reliability and PCI Expansion Figure 14 shows another PCI Legacy application where a single PCI-SB bridge connects two remote StarFabric-enabled devices to increase the number and availability of a topology’s expansion slots or remote StarFabric devices by building redundant links between the primary PCI bus and remote devices.
Sample Applications High Availability and Scalability Switching Figure 15 shows how to add StarFabric switch functionality to your expansion bus topology to greatly increase the number of expansion slots in your environment while adding high availability and improved reliability. Other Switch or Devices Other Switch or Devices Switch Fabric Remote StarFabirc Device PCI-SB Interface Root Bridge FIGURE 15.
About the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card 2-24 PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide
CHAPTER 3 Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Introduction This chapter describes how to install the PCI-SB card in a device, including: • Setting DIP switches to control the operational behavior of the PCI-SB card. • Installing the PCI-SB card in the PCI slot of a device. • Reading LEDs to obtain the operational status of the PCI-SB card.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Before You Begin... This section describes steps you should take before you install the PCI-SB card. Check the Shipping Contents... Check the contents of your shipment against the contents shown in Figure 16 to make sure you have everything you need to install the PCI-SB card. Product CD-ROM with Installation Guide PCI-SB card QuickStartTM Sheet FIGURE 16.
Before You Begin... Discharge Static Electricity Wear an anti-static wrist strap fastened to a suitable ground point at all times when handling the PCI-SB card, as shown in Figure 17. . FIGURE 17. Use an Anti-Static Wrist Strap During Installation The strap protects the card from damage and prevents you from damaging the computer motherboard or other components during the installation process.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Inspect the PCI-SB card Your PCI-SB card is configured for Root Bridge operation by default at the factory. If Root Bridge is the desired operation mode, just visually inspect the card to make sure it is configured as shown in Figure 18. RJ-45 port connectors All DIP switches are set to Down or Off position for Root Bridge operation. PCI-SB card DIP Switches should be configured as a Root Bridge by default FIGURE 18.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Complete the following procedures to install the PCI-SB card in a PCI slot in a device. 1. Configure PCI-SB Card DIP switches for Root or Leaf operation. 2. Shut down the local device and remote devices. 3. Insert the card in a PCI slot in a device. 4. Connect the CAT5 shielded cabling. 5. Perform power-up sequence for remote devices and local device. 6. Install hardware drivers. 7. Verify operation and connectivity.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Step 1 - Configuring the Card for Root or Leaf Operation Set the DIP switches on the PCI-SB card for Root or Leaf mode operation, as shown in Figure 19. Root Mode Setup Use these settings to configure a PCI-SB as Root. If the PCI-SB card is installed in the device containing the primary PCI bus, configure it as a Root. bridge. UP Leaf Mode Setup Use these settings to configure a PCI-SB as Leaf.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Table 4 shows the configurable settings for DIP switches on the PCI-SB card. TABLE 4. DIP Switch Settings Slot Number Down/Off Up/On 1 Set to Root mode Set to Leaf mode 2 Enables Bridge Disables Bridge 3 *Test mode *Test mode 4 *Test mode *Test mode * For factory-use only by Aurora Technologies personnel. To use the PCI-SB card as a Gateway, set the DIP switches to Disable Bridge.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Step 2 - Shutting Down the Local and Remote Devices Follow these steps to power down the local and remote devices before installing the card: 1. Shut down the local and remote device(s) according to their recommended shutdown procedures. FIGURE 20. 2. 3-8 Shutting Down Local and Remote Devices Remove power cords from wall outlets.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Step 3 - Installing the PCI-SB Card Follow these steps to insert the PCI-SB card in a PCI slot in the local device. 1. Remove the cover from the device enclosure to expose the connector panel for the PCI slots. Refer to your device system’s hardware manual for details on removing the cover. 2. Find an available and easily accessible PCI slot and remove the cover plate from the back of the device to create an opening for the PCI-SB card’s RJ-45 connectors.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card accommodate newer expansion cards. 4. Make sure the card’s bus connector is pressed in until no gold is visible and the card is seated firmly in the expansion slot, as shown in Figure 22 and Figure 23. Then, secure the card in place by fastening a single screw to the fastener bracket while holding the card in place. Fasten screw while holding the card firmly in place 32-bit PCI Expansion Slots FIGURE 22.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Fasten screw while holding the card firmly in place 64-bit PCI Expansion Slots FIGURE 23. 5. Securing the PCI-SB Card in 64-bit Slot Replace the device’s cover.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Step 4 - Connecting the Cables Follow these steps to connect shielded straight-thru cables: 1. Connect the Transmit (Tx) port on the local device to the Receive (Rx) port on the remote device, as shown in Figure 24. 2. Connect the Receive (Rx) port on the local device to the Transmit (Tx) port on the remote device. Connect the Transmit port (Tx) on the local computer to the Receive port (Rx) on the remote StarFabric device.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card in Figure 25 on page 13 and Figure 26 on page 14. By connecting two serial links to a remote chassis, you can provide high availability, enhanced reliability, and higher bandwidth for your StarFabric topology, as shown in Figure 25. Link 0 Link 1 Rx Rx Tx Tx Rx Tx Rx Link 1 FIGURE 25. Tx Link 0 Aggregating Dual Serial Links to Remote Chassis The link bundling application shown in Figure 25 requires path routing software.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card StarFabric topology. Refer to StarGen user documentation for details on path routing functionality and programming. Figure 26 shows how to daisy-chain a Root bridge device with two StarFabricenabled Leaf bridge devices for redundancy and high availability of remote systems. Cable the devices as shown here: Local Computer, Link 1 to Remote Device 1, Link 1.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Step 5 - Powering Up the Local and Remote Devices Follow these steps to correctly power-up the devices: 1. Power-up the remote device first, as shown in Figure 27. The PCI-SB card in the local device must synchronize with the remote interface card at power-up, so power-up the remote device before powering up the local device. Local device 2 Then, power-up the local device. Remote Device 3 1 Power-up the remote StarFabric device, first. FIGURE 27. 2.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Step 6 - Installing Hardware Drivers For the Linux or Solaris x86 OS: No driver installation is required. Proceed to Step 7, on page 3-21 to complete the installation. For Microsoft Windows OS: After powering up the local device, Windows automatically detects the PCI-SB card installed in your device and runs a wizard to help you install a device driver for the new hardware. Follow these steps to select a driver: Step 1.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Click Next to Continue FIGURE 29. Select Next to Search for Driver Step 2. Select Search for a better driver... and click Next to continue with the driver installation as shown in Figure 29.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Select a media to obtain the driver and click D:\ FIGURE 30. Select Standard Bridge Driver and Click Next Step 3. Select a location to search for the driver, as shown in Figure 30. For Windows 98, select CD-ROM to search for the PCI-SB driver on the CD-ROM that shipped with your card. For Windows 2000, select Specify a location: and provide the following path to the driver: AURAsfb/Win2k/aurasfb2k.inf.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Step 4. Windows searches for the driver in the selected location. Once it finds the location of the driver, click Next as shown in Figure 31. D Click Next to Continue the install FIGURE 31.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card Click Click Finish Finish to to Complete the install FIGURE 32. 3-20 Complete the Driver Installation 5. After Windows installs the driver. click Finish to complete the installation. 6. Proceed to Step 7, on page 3-21 and verify that there is connectivity between the devices by viewing local components and remote components in the expansion bus.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card Step 7 - Verifying Link Connectivity As a final check, you can view the actual components that make up the connection to ensure there is connectivity. Follow these steps to verify connectivity between the local and remote devices. For Linux... 1. Type in lspci at the system prompt. The text string in Figure 33 appears. This identifies the bridge to the physical PCI bus on the local device.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card For Solaris x86... 1. Type sysdef -d at the (shell) system prompt, as shown in Figure 34. bash-2.03# sysdef -d PCI slots on the primary bus appear, first.
Steps to Install the PCI-SB Card For Windows... 1. From the Start menu, select Settings -> Control Panel -> System or right-click on the My Computer icon and select Properties. 2. Click on the Device Manager tab. 3. Select View by Connection to display a list of components configured on your system. A list of devices appears, as shown in Figure 35. Any additional expansion cards on the secondary bus should also appear here. Linked Devices appear here FIGURE 35. 4.
Installing the PCI-SB StarFabric® PCI Interface Card 3-24 PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide
CHAPTER 4 Troubleshooting Introduction This chapter provides troubleshooting information for problems you may encounter while installing or operating the PCI-SB card, including: • Determining the operational status of your PCI-SB card. • Performing troubleshooting procedures to support your PCI-SB card.
Troubleshooting Determining Operating Status The LEDs and Status Indicator Light on the PCI-SB card help you determine the operational status of your card. Follow the steps in Figure 36 and Figure 37 to determine the operational status of your PCI-SB card. 1 At power-up, the Status light should turn on briefly before shutting off. If the Status light remains on at power-up, there is a voltage problem. See Step 1 in Troubleshooting procedures. 2 FIGURE 36.
Determining Operating Status 3 After power-up, Green LEDs for ports in use should remain on or solid if links are synchronized and passing traffic. If LEDs are Off, the link is disabled. See Step 6 in Troubleshooting procedures. If both rows of Green LEDs flash on and off, there is a problem with the links. See Step 2 in the Troubleshooting procedures. FIGURE 37. If one row of LEDs flashes on and off, traffic is disabled on that link. See Step 3 in Troubleshooting procedures.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting the PCI-SB Card This section shows you how to resolve problems you encounter while installing or operating your PCI-SB card. Troubleshooting Procedures Table 5 describes problems to look for and procedures to follow when you are troubleshooting your PCI-SB card. TABLE 5. Troubleshooting Step 1 Procedures If this happens... Do this: The card’s status light remains on or solid after power-up. The motherboard cannot supply 3.3v power to the PCISB card.
Troubleshooting the PCI-SB Card TABLE 5. Troubleshooting Step 3 Procedures If this happens... Do this: One row of LEDs is flashing and the other row of LEDs remains on or solid. Only one serial port link is transmitting and receiving data traffic. The serial port with the flashing LEDs is synchronized, but unable to transmit or receive data. • Make sure the RJ-45 shielded cable plugs are securely attached on the ports with the flashing LEDs.
Troubleshooting TABLE 5. Troubleshooting Step 5 Procedures If this happens... Do this: The PCI-SB card is not visible after executing the lspci command in Linux or sysdef in Solaris. There is a cable problem, the card is not seated properly, or it is configured incorrectly. • Make sure the card is fully seated in the expansion slot. • Check the DIP switches to make sure the card is configured correctly for Bridge_Enabled operation.
CHAPTER 5 Warranty & Maintenance Information Warranty on Hardware & Software Aurora products carry the following standard warranties: Standard Hardware Warranty Policy All Aurora hardware products are warranted against defects for two (2) years from the date of delivery. The Standard Warranty includes 90 days of free Technical Support, two (2) years product repair, and driver upgrades.
Warranty & Maintenance Information Product Registration Form Important! Please print, complete, and return this Product Registration Form to Aurora’s Customer Service and Support (CSS) Department at 508-588-0498. The information you provide here allows CSS to validate your warranty and inform you of software and hardware upgrades. Purchase Order No.:________________Sales Order No.:____________ Serial No.
APPENDIX A Cable & Port Requirements Introduction This chapter contains information on cable and pinout specifications for the PCI-SB card, including: • The correct cable to use to connect a PCI-SB card to remote devices. • The pinout layout for each RJ-45 port on the PCI-SB card.
Cable & Port Requirements Cable & Port Pinouts Cables The PCI-SB card uses standard Category 5 (CAT5) or better Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) straight-thru cables with RJ-45 connectors to attach to remote devices, as shown in Figure 38. RJ-45 Straight-thru Cable FIGURE 38.
Cable & Port Pinouts RJ-45 Pin Layout The Dual RJ-45 connectors use all eight pins in each jack for transmitting and receiving signals. In each link, one jack receives signals and the other jack transmits signals, as shown in Figure 39.
Cable & Port Requirements A-4 PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide
APPENDIX B Specifications Introduction This chapter contains information on specifications for the PCI-SB card, including: • Hardware specifications. • Physical specifications. • Environmental specifications.
Specifications Hardware, Physical, & Environmental Table 6, Table 7, and Table 8 provide information on specifications you should know about when installing and operating the PCI-SB card in your environment. Hardware Table 6 describes hardware specifications for the PCI-SB card and peripherals. TABLE 6. Hardware Specification Description Model PCI-SB card PCI Compliance PCI 2.2 Bus Type PCI Bridge 1.1 Specification Motherboard PCI 2.
Hardware, Physical, & Environmental Physical Table 7 describes physical specifications for PCI-SB card. TABLE 7. Physical Specification Description Bus Interface PCI 2.2 Dimensions 75mm x 150mm x 8.2mm Weight 6 oz. Interface cable Two or four Category 5 shielded cables with RJ-45 connectors Power Supply 3.3 vDC required, SV tolerant Power Consumption 2 Watts maximum Environmental Table 8 describes environmental specifications for the PCI-SB card. TABLE 8.
Specifications B-4 PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide
APPENDIX C About the PVX Utility Introduction This appendix describes how to use Stargen’s PCI Validation eXtension (PVX) Utility to support StarFabric-enabled devices in your topology. Topics include: • PVX Utility components. • How to use PVX to view StarFabric-enabled devices in your topology. • How to use PVX to troubleshoot StarFabric-enabled devices in your topology.
About the PVX Utility About the PVX Utility PVX is a handy MS-DOS® utility from StarGen that lets you view the configuration memory of StarFabric-enabled devices in your topology and perform some basic testing and troubleshooting on them. The PVX Utility is compatible with Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
Using the PVX Utility Fabric Primitives Library StarGen’s Fabric Primitives Library (FPL) lets you take full advantage of the SG2010 chipset’s advanced features by helping you develop software to fully utilize your StarFabric-enabled interface card for path routing and gateway functionality. Using the FPL requires customized programming and advanced knowledge of the PVX Utility. Contact Stargen for recommendations and guidelines on using the FPL.
About the PVX Utility Double-click on the PVX Utility FIGURE 40. Pointing and Clicking on the PVX Utility Or: Open a MS-DOS window by selecting Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt form Windows 2000 or Start -> Programs -> MS-DOS. Prompt from Windows 98. At the MS DOS prompt, type the drive location of the CD-ROM followed by pvx and press Return to run the PVX Utility, as shown in Figure 41.
Using the PVX Utility Type pvx at the MS-DOS prompt to launch PVX Uility.t FIGURE 41. Launching PVX from the MS-DOS Window The PVX Utility splash screen and prompt appear, as shown in Figure 42.
About the PVX Utility FIGURE 42. 3. PVX Utility Prompt Click OK at the prompt to open the utility. The PVX Utility interface window appears as shown in Figure 43. From this window, you can launch the debugger or select another tool from the menu bar.
Using the PVX Utility Help menu provides Online Help for using the PVX Utility. Actions menu lets you display a new command line or Exit PVX utility. Use the Window menu options to cascade or tile screens in the interface window. Tools menu contains options for scanning and testing StarFabric devices. Status bar shows user mode and allows for point and click Exit. FIGURE 43.
About the PVX Utility commands at the command line or use the Up and Down arrow keys to recall previous commands. Type commands at this prompt FIGURE 44. Command Mode in PVX Utility Scroll mode This mode displays scroll bars in the current window so you can easily navigate through screens of information using a scroll bar, as shown in Figure 45.
Using the PVX Utility Scroll bars appear on the outside edges of current window FIGURE 45.
About the PVX Utility Using the Command Line Debugger The command line debugger provides a number of useful commands for testing and troubleshooting StarFabric devices and components in your topology. See “Debug Commands & Descriptions” on page C-13 for a list of commonly used commands and descriptions. To Run the Debugger: 1. Select Tools -> Debug from the menu bar as shown in Figure 46. Or: Type Alt-D from the user interface window. FIGURE 46.
Using the PVX Utility 2. Type in the command you want to perform at the system prompt during this session. For example, type dis(cover) to discover and initialize all the StarFabric devices in your topology, as shown in Figure 47. FIGURE 47. Discovering Devices in the StarFabric A scrolling list of all the StarFabric-enabled devices in your topology appears, along with other important topology information, as shown in Figure 48 on page C-12.
About the PVX Utility Use the scroll bars to navigate through the list FIGURE 48. 3. C-12 Scrolling List of Discovered StarFabric-enabled Devices Use the scroll bar on the right side of the window to navigate through the information.
Using the PVX Utility Debug Commands & Descriptions Table 9 describes common debug commands supported for the PVX Utility. Refer to StarGen user documentation for a complete list of supported commands. TABLE 9. Common Debugger Commands for StarFabric Devices Command Parameters Description dis(cover) None Discovers and initializes all reachable devices and components attached to the StarFabric.
About the PVX Utility Scanning for StarFabric Devices The Scan option available from the Tools menu lets you quickly view a list of all the StarFabric-enabled peripheral devices installed and attached to the StarFabricenabled device on the primary PCI bus in your topology. To scan all devices in your topology: 1. Select Tools -> Scan from the menu bar, as shown in Figure 49. Or: Type Alt-S from the user interface window. FIGURE 49.
Using the PVX Utility All devices and components attached to the primary PCI bus appear in this list. FIGURE 50. 2. Scan Tool Scrolling Window Point and click on a device or component in the list or press the Space bar while a device or component is highlighted to display details on that device or component, as shown in Figure 51 on page C-16.
About the PVX Utility Left window shows devices and components on the PCI bus. Right window shows the details for selected device or component. FIGURE 51.
Using the PVX Utility Tiling and Cascading User Interface Windows The PVX Utility lets you tile or cascade screens in the user interface window. If you have more than one debug session running or you are scanning and debugging at the same time, you can tile the interface windows as shown in Figure 52. By tiling screens, you can display scan results at the same time you are debugging. FIGURE 52.
About the PVX Utility C-18 PCI-SB StarFabric PCI Interface Card Installation Guide
GLOSSARY Terms and Definitions This chapter describes terminology you should be familiar with to install and operate Aurora Technologies products in your environment. Address Routing Refers to the addressing scheme used during legacy PCI operation of a StarFabric switch fabric where all StarFabric-enabled devices in the topology are identified by a Fabric Identification Number (FID) and a static path to and from the Root bridge is established for each device in the Switch Fabric.
ANSI: (American National Standards Institute) A U.S. organization that establishes computer standards, such as ASCII (the most common way computers represent characters). Bandwidth The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second. For analog devices, the bandwidth is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz). Bit Abbreviation for binary digit. A binary digit has one of two values: 1 or 0.
Bus The shared pathway in a computer used to connect multiple peripherals or devices. Imagine it as a freeway with multiple lanes connecting various parts of the system. There are different types of buses, including VME, EISA, and PCI. Bus bandwidth The clock frequency of a bus interface. To calculate peak bus throughput, multiply the bus frequency by the bus width.
Carrier Card Refers to a non-intelligent, slave module that interfaces 3U or 6U analog, digital, or serial I.O cards to a CompactPCI computer system to preserve space slots and lower system costs Category-5 Category-5 or CAT5 describes network cabling standard for data throughput that consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by RJ-45 connectors.
Downstream Used with the transmission flow of data in the switch fabric to indicate a direction flow away from the Root bridge. Dual High-Speed Serial Links Refers to pair of RJ-45 serial connectors on an Aurora Host Interface Card (such as the PCI-SB or PMC-SB cards) that support data transmission speeds up to 622 Mbps. Driver The software that communicates between a hardware peripheral and the rest of the computer system.
FCC Class A Refers to an electrical device classification that signifies the device is compliant with Part 15 of FCC rules indicating device does not cause harmful interference and device accepts harmful interference and operates as intended. Form factor The industry standard that defines the physical, external dimensions of a particular device or board. Front I/O Refers to ports or interface connectors that reside on the front of an I/O card such as the PMC-SBF card.
I/O (Input/Output) System Refers to the part of a computer system that handles inputting or outputting data such as from a terminal, hard disk or tape. Data moving to or from memory is not considered I/O. IP (Internet Protocol) The IP part of the TCP/IP communications protocol. IP implements the network layer (layer 3) of the protocol, which contains a network address and is used to route a message to a different network or subnetwork.
Leaf Node Refers to any edge node that is not configured as a Root bridge in a StarFabric application. Typically, Leaf refers to downstream StarFabric-enabled edge nodes in a path routing application. the Leaf node requires reset and enumeration from the Root node to join the StarFabric. Legacy Mode A function of the PCI-to-StarFabric bridge that supports legacy addressrouted traffic, providing 100% backwards compatibility with existing PCI hardware, software, drivers, and operating systems.
Megabyte (MB) A unit of measurement equal to roughly 1 million bytes or 1,024 kilobytes. Megahertz (MHz) A measurement of frequency in millions of cycles per second. MTBF An acronym for mean time between failure. This is a reliability rating indicating the expected failure rate of a product based on number of hours in operation. Node Generic name for any edge node or switch that supports the StarProtocol.
Path Routing A mechanism used to transmit or route data frames through the switch fabric based on the relative path the data must take to travel from the source node to the destination or target node. Typically, path routing is able to dynamically select the best path to take between two nodes based on a user-defined algorithm. PCI Refers to Peripheral Component Interconnect.
PICMG 2.17 Refers to the StarFabric CompactPCI specification that defines backplane, node card and switch card requirements that are compatible with both the StarFabric Protocol Specification and appropriate existing PICMG Specifications. Primary Bus The physical PCI bus in a personal computer or workstation operating as a host system in PCI topology. Typically, the host system operates as a Root bridge ion a StarFabric-enabled topology.
Root Mode This is an operational mode that establishes the StarFabric-enabled device as the uppermost bridge in a StarFabric Switch Fabric. The Root bridge is attached to the primary physical PCI bus. It establishes the transparent bridge interface between the physical PCI bus and the switch fabric and all downstream bridges or nodes. The Root node initiates fabric resets and enumerates all the StarFabric-enabled devices in the topology.
Serial Port(s) An I/O port that supports only serial data transmission. It must convert data from the parallel port format of the system bus to a serial data stream, and back again. SCSI Acronym for Small Computer System Interface. SCSI is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) interface between the computer and peripheral controllers. Many UNIX operating system workstations and Apple Macintosh systems use the SCSI interface. Source The originator node of a data transmission in the Switch Fabric.
Synchronous Most communication between computers is asynchronous, meaning it can occur at any time and at irregular intervals. Communication within a computer, however, is usually synchronous and is governed by the microprocessor clock. Signals along the bus can occur only at specific points in the clock cycle. Target A node in the switch fabric that is the destination or target of a data transmission from a source node.
INDEX A About this manual 1-1 Applications samples 2-21 Audience 1-2 C Cables Category 5 cables 2-8 connecting 3-12 daisy-chain 3-14 redundant links 3-13 Configure operating mode 3-6 Connectivity verify 3-13 Conventions 1-3 Lights status light 2-8 M Modes Leaf 2-13 operating modes 2-11 Root 2-11 N Navigating this document 1-2 O Operating modes configure 3-6 P I PCI card functionality 2-9 details about PCI card 2-2 PCI SB components 2-7 details 2-6 features 2-2 installation 3-9 PCI SB Interface desc
Index (continued) Specifications environmental B-3 hardware B-2 physical B-3 Status normal operating status 4-2 Status Indicator Light description 2-8 T Terminology glossary terms G-1 Troubleshooting 4-1, A-1, C-1 operating status 4-2 procedures 4-4 W Warranty information 5-1 IX-2 PMC-SB StarFabric PCI Mezzanine Card Installation Guide
