Configuring Multiple Expert3D Graphics Cards

You can frame lock only two Expert3D cards for multiviewing. When two Expert3D cards are used in a multiviewing configuration, one of the cards is designated as the master and the other as the slave.

• When your system is first started, Solaris places all Expert3D cards in the system in master mode. To use the Expert3D cards for multiviewing, use the SUNWifb_config utility to set one of the cards to be the slave.

• There can only be one master Expert3D card in a system.

• You must choose a screen resolution supported by Expert3D and assure that each Expert3D monitor in frame lock is set to that resolution.

• Refer to the boot man page for device location and device numbering information for how devices are numbered based on their physical location. You may select any device (that is, ifb0 or ifb1) to be the master Expert3D device.

To configure two Expert3D cards for multiviewing through frame locking:

1. Select an Expert3D card to designate as the master for the system.

   One solution for designating an Expert3D to be the master is to use the Expert3D card that serves as the boot/console head for the system.

2. Make sure that each Expert3D card installed has the same screen resolution as the Expert3D in the master mode.

   If the resolution on each Expert3D card is not the same, you must change it to match the Expert3D in master mode.

   To check the resolution of an Expert3D card, use the SUNWifb_config utility. For example:

   % SUNWifb_config -dev /dev/fbs/ifb0 -prconf

   You must repeat this command for each Expert3D card in the system.

   The SUNWifb_config utility displays the current screen resolution setting. It also displays additional information, such as whether the Expert3D card is a master or a slave.

   If you need to change the resolution of an Expert3D card, use the SUNWifb_config utility. For example

   % SUNWifb_config -dev /dev/fbs/ifb1 -res 1280x1024x76 now nocheck

   :

3. Connect the frame lock multiview cable to each Expert3D card.

   See Figure 8-4.

   1. Connect the top of the multiview frame lock cable assembly to the Multiview-out Jx connector of the master Expert3D card.

   2. Connect the other end of the multiview frame lock cable to the Multiview-in Jx connector of the slave Expert3D card.

4. From the master Expert3D card display window, configure the other Expert3D card in slave mode.

   To do this, use the SUNWifb_config utility.

   % SUNWifb_config -dev /dev/fbs/ifb1 -slave on

   You must configure each card separately.

Your system is now ready for frame lock and buffer swap synchronization software applications.

To reconfigure your Expert3D card from slave mode back to master mode, do one of the following:

• Power cycle the system.

• Use the SUNWifb_config utility. For example:

  % SUNWifb_config -dev /dev/fbs/ifb1 -slave off

You must configure each card in slave mode separately.