C H A P T E R 4 - Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers

C H A P T E R 4

Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers

This chapter describes procedures for setting up multiple frame buffers.

Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers Through the Xservers File

Xinerama

Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers Through the `Xservers` File

To run more than one frame buffer, modify the /etc/dt/config/Xservers file. The Sun XVR-2500 graphics accelerator device name is kfb (for example, kfb0 and kfb1 for two Sun XVR-2500 graphics accelerator devices). To modify the file:

1. Become superuser and open the /etc/dt/config/Xservers file.

# cd /etc/dt/config

# vi + Xservers

If the /etc/dt/config/Xservers file does not exist, create the /etc/dt/config directory and copy the Xservers file from /usr/dt/config/Xservers to /etc/dt/config.

# mkdir -p /etc/dt/config

# cp /usr/dt/config/Xservers /etc/dt/config

# cd /etc/dt/config

# vi + Xservers

2. Modify the Xservers file by adding the device locations for the applicable frame buffers being used.

To get a list of all devices on your system, type:

host% fbconfig -list

For example, enter the Xservers file content on a single line.

This example shows the Xservers configuration file modified for two
Sun XVR-2500 graphics accelerators:

:0 Local local_uid@console root /usr/openwin/bin/Xsun -dev /dev/fbs/kfb0 -dev /dev/fbs/kfb1

3. Log out, then log back in.

If you are editing the Xservers file after completing all the installation steps outlined in Chapter 1, Installation Process, including the reconfiguration, reboot your system.

Xinerama

Xinerama is an X window system feature that enables multiscreen displays over a single logical screen. Xinerama is available in the Solaris 10 Operating System software and subsequent compatible releases for Sun graphics boards.

Refer to the proper Xservers(1) and XSun(1) man pages and Xservers documentation for further information.

Using Xinerama

When the window system is started in Xinerama mode, all windows can be seamlessly moved across screen boundaries, thus creating one large, super high-resolution, virtual display. With Sun OpenGL 1.3 and 1.5 for Solaris or subsequent compatible releases, this functionality is extended to OpenGL applications. No recompilation is necessary for a legacy application to work with Xinerama mode across multiple screens, even if the application was compiled with an older version of Sun OpenGL for Solaris.

1. To enable Xinerama mode (single logical screen) on multiscreen displays, add +xinerama to the Xsun command line in the /etc/dt/config/Xservers file.

As superuser, type:

# cd /etc/dt/config

# vi + Xservers

2. Modify the Xservers file.

Enter the Xservers file content on a single line:

:0  Local local_uid@console root /usr/openwin/bin/Xsun +xinerama -dev /dev/fbs/kfb0 -dev /dev/fbs/kfb1

3. Log out, then log back in.

Restrictions When Using Xinerama

Both screens must use the same Sun PCI-Express based graphics device.

Both screens that the X window system thinks are side by side must have the same height.

Both screens that the X window system thinks are above and below must have the same width.

Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers Through the Xservers File

Xinerama

Using Xinerama

Restrictions When Using Xinerama

Configuring Multiple Frame Buffers Through the `Xservers` File