From dda4c2567fb87b65d48f23e3d75837965422528e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: miod Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 23:02:34 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] More SRM information, and how to make a non model 300 DEC 3000 autoboot unattended when configured for serial console and no keyboard is plugged. --- distrib/notes/alpha/prep | 91 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 67 insertions(+), 24 deletions(-) diff --git a/distrib/notes/alpha/prep b/distrib/notes/alpha/prep index c91d1ae8398..af648ef52af 100644 --- a/distrib/notes/alpha/prep +++ b/distrib/notes/alpha/prep @@ -1,19 +1,22 @@ -dnl $OpenBSD: prep,v 1.25 2006/08/30 23:50:59 kurt Exp $ +dnl $OpenBSD: prep,v 1.26 2008/08/05 23:02:34 miod Exp $ OpenBSD/MACHINE requires the SRM console. Some alphas come with the AlphaBIOS (also known as the ARC firmware on older machines) instead; this is what Windows NT uses. It is fairly simple to replace the AlphaBIOS with the SRM firmware. Switching your MACHINE to SRM console: - Recent machines (such as the Miata and later models) have enough flash - ROM space to carry both the AlphaBIOS and the SRM console. + + AlphaServer class machines (except for model 400) and recent machines + (such as the Miata and later models) have enough flash ROM space to + carry both the AlphaBIOS and the SRM console. + To switch to SRM from AlphaBIOS, do the following: - enter the AlphaBIOS setup upon startup - (F2 key, or ^B from serial console) + (F2 key, or Ctrl-B from serial console) - choose "CMOS Setup" from the menu - - select "Advanced CMOS Setup" (F6 key, or ^F from serial console) + - select "Advanced CMOS Setup" (F6 key, or Ctrl-F from serial console) - change the "Console Selection" setting to "OpenVMS console (SRM)" - - confirm your changes with F10 (or ^U) twice, then enter. + - confirm your changes with F10 (or Ctrl-U) twice, then enter. - power-cycle your system for the changes to take effect. If you didn't find a "Console Selection" entry (for example on 164SX or @@ -27,7 +30,12 @@ Switching your MACHINE to SRM console: http://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware/readme.html for more information. + Note that, on most models, upgrading the firmware requires a jumper + to be moved on the motherboards; refer to the firmware update + instructions for details. + AXPpci33 Motherboard specific notes: + The 1994 version of the OEM guide has an incorrect pinout for the serial ports. The newer version from ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/axppci/design_guide.ps.Z @@ -37,6 +45,7 @@ AXPpci33 Motherboard specific notes: you won't get any output from the serial console. Using the SRM console: + This is not intended to be an exhaustive guide on using the SRM firmware console. It should, however, give you enough information to boot OpenBSD/MACHINE. @@ -48,30 +57,56 @@ Using the SRM console: You can set ROM variables by saying "set VARIABLE VALUE". Some variables you will want to set: - auto_action Determines what happens when you turn the power on, - halt, or crash your machine. Valid values - {:-include-:} "halt", "boot", and "restart". - Most users will want to set this to "boot". - bootdef_dev Default boot device (or list of devices). - boot_file Name of the kernel to boot. If this variable is - empty, "bsd" will be loaded. Note that this - variable does not exist in all versions of the SRM - console, in which case you need to always specify a - kernel filename if it differs from "bsd". - boot_osflags Flags to pass to the kernel. + + auto_action + Determines what happens when you turn the power on, + halt, or restart your machine. Valid values are: + + "halt" + the system will not autoboot, will restart when + rebooted (shutdown -r), and will not restart + when halted (shutdown -h). + "boot" + the system will autoboot on powerup, and when the + system is halted (shutdown -h) or rebooted + (shutdown -r). + "restart" + the system will autoboot on powerup, will restart + when rebooted (shutdown -r), and will not restart + when halted (shutdown -h). + + Most users will want to set this to "boot". + + bootdef_dev + Default boot device (or list of devices). + + boot_file + Name of the kernel to boot. If this variable is empty, + "bsd" will be loaded. Note that this variable does not + exist in all versions of the SRM console, in which case + you need to always boot manually and specify a kernel + filename if it differs from "bsd". + + boot_osflags + Flags to pass to the kernel (there is no need to prefix + them with a `-' dash sign). + To see a list of all variables on your machine, use the "show" - command with no arguments. + command with no arguments. If there are too many of them, you + might want to page with "show | more". You can bypass the boot_file and boot_osflags values from the command prompt, with the -fi (to override boot_file) and -fl (to override boot_osflags) options. For example, + boot -fi bsd -fl c dka0 - will boot the "bsd" kernel with the "c" flag on dka0. However, some + + will boot the "bsd" kernel with the "c" flag on dka0. However, some versions of the SRM console (mainly on DEC 3000 series) will only let you specify uppercase filenames. - SRM console boot device restrictions: + The SRM firmware on your system may or may not be able to boot from any disk controller you may install in your MACHINE. The built-in disk controllers on your MACHINE will always be supported, @@ -79,19 +114,20 @@ SRM console boot device restrictions: well as the low-end Personal Workstation (non-u models), you can plug in a SCSI controller, and boot from it if it is recognized. - Recent SRM releases for these machines will be able to boot from the - following controllers: + Recent SRM releases for these machines will be able to boot (or netboot) + from the following controllers: QLogic PCI SCSI controllers Symbios Logic (NCR) 53C8xx (but not on PC164) Adaptec AHA-[23]9[34]x[U][W] cards + Intel i8255x-based cards (EtherExpress PRO) The following controllers are known not to be supported as boot devices by the SRM: Adaptec AHA-[23]9[34]xU2 cards Depending on your specific model, your mileage may vary, though. - OpenBSD/MACHINE console device restrictions: + On systems with no framebuffer supported, including all TURBOchannel-based machines, OpenBSD/MACHINE must be used with a serial console. Setting an Alpha system to use a serial console @@ -100,6 +136,11 @@ OpenBSD/MACHINE console device restrictions: DEC 3000/[4-9]00's: Flip the appropriate switch on the back of the machine. + It is also necessary to set the ``server'' SRM + environment variable to ``on'' for the system to + autoboot on powerup despite the lack of a keyboard + and mouse plugged in. + DEC 3000/300 family machines: Boot the machine with the keyboard/mouse connector unplugged. @@ -109,7 +150,9 @@ OpenBSD/MACHINE console device restrictions: set console serial at the SRM prompt, then enter init - or cycle power. + or cycle power. Switching back to glass console is + done with the opposite command: + set console graphics See your owner's manual for more details on how to set your machine to use a serial console. -- 2.20.1