Communicator e3000 MPE/iX Release 7.0 Express 1 (Software Release C.70.01) (30216-90328)

Chapter 3 47

New Networking

Multi-function core I/O card

by Learning Products Team

Commercial Systems Division

The Core I/O card is a component installed in the N-Class and A-Class systems that

contains all the I/O components necessary to conﬁgure a bootable system (not including

disks and tapes drives and terminals). The core I/O card contains the following functions

Guardian Service Processor

The Guardian Service Processor (GSP) provides the functionality required for basic

console operations to control the hardware before the OS is booted and to provide the

connectivity to manage the system. The functions supported by the GSP are similar in

nature to those provided by the Access Port (AP) interface on previous platforms. For

example, the functions display selftest chassis codes, execute boot commands, determine

installed hardware, etc. For more information on the GSP functions see System Startup,

Conﬁguaration, and Shutdown Reference Manual Appendix H and the article in this

chapter, MPE/iX A-Class and N-Class Console.

Serial ports

The three external serial ports perform the same general purposes as on previous

platforms.

• Local console provides direct connect for a C1099A terminal.

• Remote console port provides a modem capable port for remote support access. It is not

recommended for this port to be used for general user dial-in access.

• The third serial port is intended for use to connect to a UPS. The console driver will not

allow a user to logon to this port. This behavior is the same as on previous platforms.

The GSP LAN/Console Port

This port provides a 10Base-TX connection into the GSP. When a logon is established to

the GSP, that logon can be used to perform almost all console functions that are available

on the local and remote console ports such as startup and shutdown of the system.

SCSI Connections

The N-Class Core I/O card contains embedded versions of both an A5159A (Dual Port) and

an A5149A (Single Port) cards. The A5159A portion of the Core I/O card supports the two

internal system disk slots The A5149A portion of the Core I/O card presents a single

LVD/SE bus for the connection of device(s) external to the system.

The A-Class Core I/O card contains embedded versions of both the A5159A (Dual Port) and

a A5150A (Dual Port) cards. The system uses one port from each card to support a single

internal disk and presents the other SCSI bus to allow the connection of external SCSI

peripherals. Path 0/0/1/0 (from the A5159A) is provided with a VHDCI 68-pin LVD/SE