2 Hardware Installation

This chapter is designed to inform the System Administrator on how to install the SNC board in the system. Normally the SNC boards will be installed and configured in the factory.

The hardware installation process has three segments:

1. Preparing the server for SNC hardware installation.

Power down and take off the protective covers.

2. Installing SNC board(s).

Check the jumpers and switches.

Install the board in the cardcage.

3. Changing backplane jumpers for added hardware.

Remove jumpers for used slots

4. Reassemble server covers.

Replace protective covers.

Power up the system.

2.1 What You Need to Install the Hardware

2.1.1 Tools needed

Standard (flat blade) screwdriver

2mm (or 5/64") allen wrench for installing and removing boards.

Sun ESD mat, P/N 250-10881-01

Grounding wrist strap

2.2 Preparing a Server for SNC Hardware Installation

The installation of the SNC hardware is essentially the same for all SPARCservers, whether they are rack mounted or pedestal mounted.

Complete the Software installation portion of the installation process before installing the hardware.

You may interrupt the installation process during or after the hardware installation. Make sure backplane jumpers are properly set for the board you have installed and that you boot your original kernel. You can safely resume the installation at a later time.

If the server is running, halt it and power down the system as follows. If you have previously run the deinstall_snc script, re-install using cdm or cdmanager before you shutdown.

1. Gracefully shut down the server with shutdown

2. Power the system down, and unplug it from the AC outlet.

3. Remove the protective covers for your server to gain access to the backplane jumpers and the card slots as described in the server installation manual.

2.3 Installing SNC Boards

2.3.1 Electrostatic Discharge Precautions

Caution -

Circuit board components are vulnerable to damage by electrostatic discharge (ESD). An electrostatic charge can build up on the human body and then discharge when you touch a board. Such discharge can be produced by walking across a carpet and touching a board, or by other similar cause. Before handling any board, make sure you dissipate your body's charge. Touch a conductive surface of the chassis or other element connected to common earth ground to discharge the static electricity present in your body.

To minimize risk of ESD damage:

Handle board by edges only

Store board in anti-static bag provided

Use a grounding strap and Sun ESD mat, PN 250-1088-01, whenever you work on a board (instructions are printed on the mat)

2.3.2 Server/Board Limits

Table 2-1 SNC Boards per Server Limits

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                        
System  SNC Board Limit          SNC Board Limit        SNC Board Limit
        (# of IPI Controllers)(  (without Prestoserve)  (with Prestoserve)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                        
4/470   4 (2)                    4                      4
                                                        
4/490   6 (2)                    6                      6
                                                        
670MP   4 (2)                    6                      5
                                                        
690MP   8 (3)                    8                      5

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note - SNC and Prestoserve both use large amounts of the operating system kernelmap space on SPARCserver 6xxMP systems. Using Prestoserve therefore reduces the number of SNC boards that can be used on these systems.

The instructions that follow are for installing the SNC board.

Refer to one of the following manuals for SNC cardcage slot assignments and board installation and removal in your SPARCserver:

5-Slot Office Pedestal Service Manual, P/N 800-3272

12-Slot Office Pedestal Service Manual, P/N 800-3255

56-Inch Data Cabinet Service Manual, P/N 800-3259

1. Check the switches and jumpers on the SNC before installing it in the cardcage.

2. Verify the configuration of DIP switches (if present) and jumpers on the SNC Board.

These switches may have to be changed if there is a chance of VME address space conflicts. See Appendix C, Address Space Conflicts with Other Hardware.

Make sure the jumpers and switches are set as illustrated.

Note - If you are installing more than one SNC, you will have to modify the switch settings on the additional boards. The SNC comes configured as if it will be the only SNC in the system. Refer to Figure 2-3 and Figure 2-4.

3. Remove the filler panel(s) and air restrictor(s) from the card cage.

The SNC is usually installed to the right of most communication boards, but to the left of disk controller boards [1]). For more about installing cards in the card cage, see Sun Card Cage Slot Assignment and Backplane Configuration Procedures, which is supplied with your Sun server.

Note - If you are installing additional SNCs, they should be placed in the slots immediately to the right of the first SNC.

4. Remove the two allen screws: one located at the top and bottom of each filler panel, and extract the filler panel/air restrictor set(s).

5. Install the SNC board in the slot (with correct jumper/switch settings for the SNC board). Press the board firmly into place, and attach it with two allen screws.

Caution -

When inserting the board in the slot, ensure that the ribbon cable connecting the daughter card to the front panel does not contact a board or air restrictor in the slot to the right. If contact occurs, the cable may be disconnected and cause the SNC to malfunction.

6. Unless you will continue to use the original native Ethernet interface, move the Ethernet cable from the

2.3.3 SNC Jumpers and Switches

Currently-shipping SNC boards are equipped with jumpers for all hardware addressing, while the first version of the SNC includes some DIP switches in that role, as shown in Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-1 SNC Board Jumper Locations

Figure 2-2 Switched SNC Board Jumper and Switch Locations

2.3.4 Setting SNC Board Addresses

To avoid conflicts, each SNC's board's VME address must be set properly, as shown in Figure 2-3 and Figure 2-4.

Figure 2-3 16-Bit VME Address SNC Jumper Configurations

Figure 2-4 16-Bit VME Address Switched SNC Settings

2.4 Changing Backplane Jumpers for Added Hardware

Each slot on the card cage has jumpers on the backplane. When installing boards, these jumpers must be properly configured.

When installing the SNC in a slot in the cardcage remove both BG3 and IACK jumpers.

1. Configure the backplane jumpers for the boards you have added. For jumper locations on SNC boards, refer to Figure 2-1, for address switch locations on the older switched SNC boards, refer to Figure 2-2.

2. Go to the backplane jumper access panel which is in the front of the server. Open the access panel if you have not already done so.

Refer to the documentation you received with your SPARCserver.

3. Remove two backplane jumpers (BG3 and IACK) for each slot into which you have added an SNC board.

The figure below shows where the backplane jumpers are located.

Figure 2-5 Backplane Jumper locations for Cardcage Slots

You have now completed the hardware installation portion of the SNC. Continue to the next chapter to complete the installation process.