Installing and Setting the IBM Token-Ring 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A The IBM Token-Ring 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A is functionally different from the IBM Token-Ring 16/4 Adapter/A in two ways: þ Busmaster capability Busmastering allows the IBM Token-Ring Network 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A to transfer between the network and the server's memory without the aid of the server's CPU. The server's CPU can then process other network tasks more quickly than it otherwise could. þ Downloadable microcode Downloading microcode allows you to upgrade the IBM Token-Ring Network 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A's firmware without replacing any chips on the adapter. FIRMLOAD.COM (supplied by Novell) allows you to download the firmware (supplied by IBM) to the adapter. Before you install this adapter in a 3.1x server, you should have designed your network and assembled the necessary hardware. If you have any questions about Token-Ring hardware or network layout, see the Novell IBM Token-Ring Network Supplement manual for further information. For information concerning installation and configuration of the 16/4 Busmaster card, please refer to the IBM Token-Ring Network 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A Installation and Testing Instructions that accompany the adapter. Additional information concerning the following setable parameters can be found in the "change configuration" selection in the Reference program: þ Data rate The default data rate for the adapter is 4 Mbps. The other valid data rate is 16 Mbps. Important: You must set all IBM Token-Ring 16/4 adapters on a ring to use the same data rate (either 16 Mbps or 4 Mbps). Failure to do so will cause network errors. þ Interrupt level The default is Interrupt 2. Other valid levels include interrupts 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12. þ I/O address The default I/O address is 86A0-86AF. Each valid address consists of a 16-byte block of RAM within the Micro Channel machine. There are seven additional valid I/O addresses: 96A0, A6A0, B6A0, C6A0, D6A0, E6A0, and F6A0. Ensure each adapter installed in the machine has a unique I/O address. þ Arbitration level The default arbitration level is E. Other valid arbitration levels are 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, and D. Each busmaster adapter requires a unique arbitration level for negotiating with other busmaster adapters within the same machine for control of the microchannel bus. þ Fairness The default is to operate with fairness ON. The other valid option is to operate with fairness OFF. Fairness determines how a Micro Channel busmaster adapter negotiates with other busmaster adapters within the same machine for control of the microchannel bus. For more information about arbitration and fairness, read the IBM publication, PS/2 Hardware Technical Reference. þ Bus release The default is "Maximum." The other valid setting is "Immediately." The bus release setting determines how long a Micro Channel busmaster adapter has to relinquish the bus when another adapter preempts it during a DMA operation. A setting of "Immediately" causes the adapter to relinquish control of the Micro Channel bus upon receiving the preempt signal. A setting of "Maximum" allows the adapter time to finish critical DMA operations, resulting in better overall performance. þ Early Token Release (ETR) When the data rate is 16 Mbps, the default is to operate with ETR. The other valid option is NO ETR. Operation with ETR is not valid for Token-Rings with a data rate of 4 Mbps. ETR can increase network performance by causing the adapter to release the token immediately upon deencapsulating the data packet, rather than after it has successfully transferred the deencapsulated data to the next higher network protocol. DOWNLOADING the Microcode IMPORTANT The Microcode must be downloaded to the Busmaster Server Adapter/A each time the machine is powered up. This can be accomplished manually (from the command line) or can be automated in a batch file. The IBM Token-Ring 16/4 Busmaster Server Adapter/A requires microcode that is not resident on the adapter. The microcode is contained in two files included on the adapter's option diskette (supplied by IBM): þ MONT400.BIN þ WRTRAM.BIN To download MONT400.BIN and WRTRAM.BIN to the adapter, you must use FIRMLOAD.COM, a utility supplied by Novell. When you have located these three files (including FIRMLOAD.COM), complete the following steps: 1. Copy the MONT400.BIN, WRTRAM.BIN, and FIRMLOAD.COM files to the same diskette (or to the same directory). 2. Change to drive or directory that contains MONT400.BIN, WRTRAM.BIN, and FIRMLOAD.COM. 3. Type the following: FIRMLOAD A message similar to the following appears: MESSAGE Novell Token-Ring DownLoad Utility for IBM DMA Bus Master v1.00 (901129)(C) Copyright 1990 Novell Inc. All Rights Reserved. IBM Token-Ring DMA Bus Master FOUND in Slot 2; Data Rate = 04 Mbps DMA Level = 0E; Interrupt Level=02 Node Address = 1000 5A4F 00AE; Port = 86A0 IBM Token-Ring DMA Bus Master DownLoad SUCCESSFUL IMPORTANT Applies to NetWare 3.11 only The loader portion of SERVER.EXE will need to be modified to properly load the new TOKENDMA.LAN driver. To make this change in SERVER.EXE, you need to use XLOAD.EXE and LDR001.PTF. Novell recommends patching SERVER.EXE on NetWare 3.11 servers except NetWare SFT III 3.11. NetWare 3.12 does not require the new loader because it is built into SERVER.EXE. For more information about XLOAD and LDR001, read XLOAD.DOC and LDR001.DOC. XLOAD should always be applied when using interrupts 2 and 9 on Micro Channel bus machines. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information. -----------------------------------------------------------------