Specifications

5
System Configuration
This chapter provides detailed information on how to use the EISA system
configuration utility (SCU).
5.1 EISA Architecture
The EISA bus provides an open architecture for installation of any EISA or ISA
compliant option module. Specific parameters must be configured according to
the option modules installed and how the system is configured. Parameters
that can be assigned include:
• Interrupt request (IRQ) lines
• Memory address
• Port address
• DMA channel
The EISA architecture includes a means of configuring these parameters by
the SCU. ISA modules are generally configured with jumpers and switches.
EISA option modules have no jumpers or switches, and their addresses and
interrupt selections are all made with the SCU.
The EISA architecture is an industry standard architecture shared by many
manufacturers. The EISA system configuration utility (revision 2.0) is an
industry standard utility which is customized for each manufacturer’s system.
5.2 System Configuration Utility
The system configuration utility (SCU) is used to configure the system. The
SCU performs many of the same functions that a firmware-based setup
utility performs in other ISA systems. However, the SCU provides additional
functionality beyond traditional setup utilities.
System Configuration 5–1