HP-UX Reference (11i v1 05/09) - 1M System Administration Commands A-M (vol 3)

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eisa_config(1M) eisa_config(1M)
NAME
eisa_config - EISA configuration tool
SYNOPSIS
eisa_config
eisa_config
[-a]
eisa_config [-c cfgfile ]
eisa_config [-n scifile ]
DESCRIPTION
eisa_config is a specialized program for configuring
EISA and ISA (referred to collectively as E/ISA) I/O
boards on HP-UX workstations equipped with EISA
backplanes. It is used each time the E/ISA configuration
is to be changed in any way; i.e., whenever an
EISA or ISA board is added to the system, removed from the
system, or moved to a different location in the system.
eisa_config should be run before any physical
board configuration or installation changes are made. (This is not necessary in some cases -- see automatic
mode below.)
eisa_config interprets information stored in configuration files and uses it to configure system
resources needed to properly interact with E/ISA boards. Even though they may be physically present in
the computer, E/ISA boards cannot be used by the HP-UX operating system until configuration by
eisa_config is complete.
The eisa_config command takes one of four forms:
eisa_config Use interactive commands to examine or modify configuration.
eisa_config prompts for a command, executes it, reports the
results of command execution, then prompts for the next command.
eisa_config -a Attempt to automatically add new
EISA boards to the configuration.
This option is used by
/sbin/bcheckrc
but should not be used
elsewhere.
ISA boards cannot be added with this option.
eisa_config -c cfgfile Check configuration (CFG) file (discussed below). This option is used
mostly by E/ISA board developers. It simply checks the specified CFG
file to verify that it follows correct grammar and can be used by
eisa_config . This option does not affect current configuration in
any way.
eisa_config -n scifile Non-target mode. This option uses the contents of scifile instead of
non-volatile memory (NVM) to set up E/ISA configuration, and is most
commonly used for creating identical configurations on multiple
workstations.
Assigning Resources
Depending on their design, internal capabilities, and their role in system operation,
E/ISA boards use vari-
ous combinations of one or more system resources such as
DMA channels, interrupt lines, memory, etc.
Also, given boards do not always use a full set of system resources; for example, EISA
provides 11 interrupt
lines, but a given board might be able to use only lines 3, 5, and 6. Thus a means for the board to deter-
mine what resources are to be used must be provided.
ISA boards use physical switches or jumpers on the board to specify what resources are to be used. The
person installing the board sets the switches or jumpers as specified by the board’s manufacturer and based
on system needs. There are thousands of different kinds of ISA boards, but unfortunately there are no stan-
dard conventions for switch and jumper usage. This results in much confusion and numerous configuration
problems. For example, it is easy to inadvertently assign a given resource to two different boards, but often
very difficult to diagnose the problem.
EISA boards usually have no switches or jumpers for resource assignment. Instead, each EISA board has a
corresponding configuration (CFG) file that tells the system how the board can be used and what resources it
needs. eisa_config is the HP-UX system program that interprets the various CFG files for all boards
in the system, then builds a conflict-free configuration.
Configuration Files
All EISA boards have a corresponding CFG file. ISA boards, when used in HP-UX systems, must also have a
corresponding CFG file. Although eisa_config cannot automatically configure an ISA board, it can use
HP-UX 11i Version 1: September 2005 − 1 − Hewlett-Packard Company Section 1M−−199