Product data

Typical Startup
Sequence
119
Software
MEN Software
MENMON needs only a small amount of memory, nevertheless
it provides a number of interesting features:
■ Fallback during startup with two MENMON copies in Flash
(primary MENMON for fallback, secondary MENMON active –
total code size max. 1MB)
■ Runs when no external RAM is available (using on chip RAM
or cache)
■ Network stack with telnet and HTTP server (MENMON console
over network, Flash update over network, setup/control via
browser)
■ Graphics consoles with VGA/framebuffer devices
(optional touch/virtual keyboard) and boot logo while booting
(BMP file from onboard medium, f.e. CompactFlash)
■ Console features with PC style setup menue, multiple console
support (user selectable and simultaneously active) and a
Command Line Editor
■ Web access
■ Disk support with loading file from disk, disk update
■ Single stepping, break points
■ Change/examine memory
■ Line-by-line assembler/disassembler
■ Memory testing
■ Exception reporting
MENMON is somewhat similar to a BIOS as known from x86
systems. Major differences to a BIOS structure are that MENMON is
no longer active when the operating system has started and that it
provides a limited number of system calls (PPCbug compatible).
MENMON is a sort of BIOS for all MEN boards based on PowerPC processors. It can be used for bootstrapping operating systems,
for hardware testing, or for debugging applications without running any operating system.
■ CPU/board setup: Initialize the CPU and its peripherals
■ Load the FPGA code
■ PCI auto configuration
■ Perform selftest
■ Provide debug/diagnostic features on MENMON command line (serial console)
■ Diagnostics: POST, enhanced diagnostics for user and final production test
■ Boot operating system (from disk, Flash or network)
MENMON –“BIOS” for PowerPC Boards