The 7318 includes a simple command interpreter, the basic input/output system (BIOS), in nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), which permits configuration even when no other software is loaded.
The BIOS has four main functions. The most basic function is to obtain and execute an operational kernel from a load host. This load sequence is done automatically. Once you plug in the 7318, the BIOS runs until an operating image downloads into the 7318 RAM and takes control from the BIOS.
The second function is to verify the basic functionality of the 7318 hardware before the load image is downloaded and executed. The BIOS does this using power-up diagnostics, which disallow a download if the platform is deemed unstable. An unstable platform might be able to run the operational kernel; however, the operation might be erratic.
The third function is to run post power-up diagnostics (PPDs), which are used for field troubleshooting of a 7318 that might pass power-up diagnostics but operate improperly. Normally, with the BIOS, you can take a 7318 out of the shipping carton, attach it to the Ethernet, plug in the line cord, install the software, and download.
The fourth function provides a console to set various nonvolatile fields stored in the NVRAM of the 7318. The following partial list specifies key fields you can set using the BIOS console:
Notes:
- The default settings of the NVRAM fields do not require the use of the BIOS console. Interaction with the BIOS is usually reserved for exceptional circumstances when problems are encountered or for modification of the load sequence.
- The BIOS console is designed for system administrators who understand both the 7318 and networking. Most end users do not interact with this portion of the 7318.
The BIOS download has a general sequence of operation as follows:
Once the BIOS has successfully downloaded, it puts the hardware in a known state and runs the kernel. The BIOS does not regain control until one of the following:
In the case of a reboot, the BIOS can either reload the normal operational image or reload a directed image (using the set loadi command).
In the case of certain reboot commands, and in the case when the watchdog timer expires and the NVRAM upload field is set (using the set upload command), the BIOS attempts to upload a dump image, which then can be used as a diagnostic tool.
When uploading, the BIOS operates differently than previously described. The sequence is:
In the event of a brief power outage, memory may not erase sufficiently for the BIOS to recognize that a power failure has occurred instead of the watchdog timer timing out. The BIOS may decide to upload even though the system is operating normally. Log records from this type of upload can be ignored.
The BIOS sends the upload image to the /usr/lib/cns directory, where it creates the XXXXXXXX.uld file. The XXXXXXXX parameter is the lower eight digits of the 7318 Ethernet address.
The interface and protocol fields control the process by which the 7318 locates a load image. If the protocol field is set to 0, the Internet Packet Exchange (IPX) and User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) sequences alternate, beginning with the IPX sequence, until one of them succeeds. The inet , loadi , host1 , and host2 fields are also used in the configuration process as the following information details.
The load sequence proceeds as follows:
If the criteria for the directed load are satisfied, it runs. Otherwise, the undirected load runs.
With the directed UDP/IP load sequence, the following fields must be set:
The undirected UDP/IP load has two steps:
The directed UDP/IP load has two steps:
After the operating kernel loads, the BIOS tries to load a configuration file in the following order:
Failure to find any of the three files results in an error message. For the Model S20, this failure is fatal, and the 7318 will immediately attempt to reload. For the Model P10, this failure is nonfatal; however, all functionality defined by the configuration file remains inactive.
The BIOS console allows a terminal to communicate with the 7318 BIOS in an interactive way. Using the BIOS console, the system administrator can change certain basic 7318 fields as well as customize the load sequence.
If you need to use the BIOS console on the 7318, do the following:
The BIOS console interaction follows the same form for all commands.
The set command, which changes fields, interacts as follows:
#>set Field Parameter
Error: Message
OK #>
An indication of success or failure always follows a set command, that is, either the text string Error: and a message, or OK displays. The BIOS always supplies a command prompt for input.
For fields that are informational, such as the show command, the interaction is:
#>show Field
#>
The response to the show command is specific. Responses to the other informational commands have a variety of output formats.
The BIOS console has two different privilege levels. These privilege levels allow the user different access to the NVRAM in the 7318. The modes are:
In password privilege mode, the BIOS console operator can change certain NVRAM fields necessary for reconfiguring the 7318.
The BIOS requests input by issuing a prompt. The prompt has the following forms:
> #>
The prompts correspond to normal mode and password privilege mode, respectively. To enter password privilege mode, use the admin command. For more information on the admin command, refer to "admin Command".
Note: All set subcommands run only in password privilege mode.
The BIOS console is a simple interactive command-response language. Typed characters echo to the console and can be deleted by typing Backspace (Ctrl-H). A carriage return ends a line.
The following commands are useful for configuring the 7318:
Refer to "BIOS Command Summary" for a complete listing of BIOS commands.
The set command configures the fields in the NVRAM. The BIOS keeps a local copy of the NVRAM, from which it runs. The set command changes this local copy. The user must run the save command to modify the actual NVRAM and to continue with the load.
Some of the set command fields define standard user functions, while others toggle debugging functions. For information on the troubleshooting fields, refer to "7318 Troubleshooting".
The format for inputting parameters for the set command varies, depending on the command. The following information defines the allowed parameter formats. The set command makes use of the following special strings:
If a parameter is a Boolean value, then the numeric values of 0 (False) or 1 (True) toggle the function. The enable or disable strings may also be used for Boolean parameters.
If a parameter is a decimal value, a positive integer from 0-32768 (depending on the bounds of that value) defines that function. Integers in the BIOS are not signed.
A string is a sequence of characters entered for a parameter: 0-9, a-z, A-Z, # (pound sign), _ (underscore), and / (slash). Strings start after the first space after the command field (for example, set name StringStartsHere) and may contain blanks. A carriage return ends the string. If a parameter is a string, the string default leaves the field undefined. Strings should not contain quotes.
The BIOS allows entry of either IPX or IP addresses. In either case, the string null leaves the address undefined. An IPX address is of the form:
nnnnnnnn:dddddddddddd
where nnnnnnnn is a hexadecimal representation of the internal network number, and dddddddddddd is a hexadecimal representation of the node number. An example of an IPX address might be:
0000b325:000000000001
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is a dotted decimal representation of the network number.
The following configuration subcommands require password privilege mode.
Note: In the following command syntax information, italics identify parameters whose actual names or values are to be supplied by the user.
The set name command enables a system administrator to modify the NVRAM name field, a requirement for use with the SAP protocol. The default name is CNSEthernetAddress, where the EthernetAddress parameter specifies the 7318's 12-digit hexadecimal Ethernet number (alpha digits A-F are in uppercase). The system administrator can specify an alphanumeric name for a 7318, which then is assigned automatically using the save command. To specify a unique name for a 7318, type:
set name Name
where the Name parameter is an alphanumeric string.
The download image field for the 7318 is normally set to default . In this case, the host determines the download image. However in some circumstances, it is useful to preconfigure the load image. The set loadi command specifies a complete path name on the desired host. If the path name isn't found, the 7318 does not download. Set the download image field by typing:
set loadi Path
As mentioned, setting the Path parameter to null sets the download image field to null.
Note: AIX paths should be used in this command.
The set config command specifies a configuration file for the 7318. The values for the name parameter are as follows:
Set the config parameter by entering:
set config Name
Note: AIX file names should be used in this command.
Initially, no password is defined. As long as the password is null , access to password privilege mode is unrestricted; that is, the admin command requires no password. Set the password to restrict access to password privilege mode. Because the set password command requires password privilege mode, you must run the admin command prior to setting the password. The maximum length of this password is 10 characters. Set the password by issuing the command:
set password String
Once you have set the password, you must supply it with the admin command to enter password privilege mode.
Note: If you forget or misplace this password, call your next level of support.
Run the set frametype command by typing:
set frametype Type
Acceptable values for the Type parameter are the following:
The interface field, a decimal value, determines from which network interface (if any) to load. Valid values for the Integer parameter are:
| 0 or auto | Determines interface automatically. |
| 1 | Specifies a 10BaseT interface. |
| 2 | Specifies an AUI interface. |
| 3 | Reserved. |
| 4 | Disable loading. |
This field defaults to 0 or auto. To set the network interface from which to load, type:
set interface Integer
The protocol field, a decimal value, determines the network load protocol type. Valid values for the Integer parameter are:
| 0 or auto | Use SPX/IPX or UDP/IP for load. |
| 1 | Use SPX/IPX for load. |
| 2 | Use UDP/IP for load. |
The default for this field is 0 or auto. To set the network load protocol, type:
set protocol Integer
When downloading in an SPX/IPX or UDP/IP environment, you can force the BIOS to direct its network load to a particular host. This is done by issuing one of the following commands:
set host1 nnnnnnnn:dddddddddddd
set host2 nnnnnnnn:dddddddddddd
set host1 xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
set host2 xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Use the SPX/IPX format when downloading in a NetWare environment. Use the UDP/IP address format when downloading in a BOOTP environment. The default value for the host1 and host2 fields is auto . Setting this field to auto disables the feature. Refer to "7318 BIOS Load Sequence" for more information on loading. Refer to "set Command" for information on acceptable address formats.
The set inet command assigns an IP address to the 7318. The IP address needs to be assigned when the 7318 uses the UDP, BOOTP, and TFTP to download the boot image and configuration file. If you use an SPX/IPX environment, an Internet address is unnecessary. If the bootptab file specifies the IP address, it is unnecessary to set the address in NVRAM (using the set inet command). Assign an IP address by typing:
set inet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
The set netmask command assigns a gateway netmask. Specify the netmask if the operating kernel is using TCP/IP and the netmask field is not set in the configuration or bootptab file. To set the netmask, type:
set netmask xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
The set gateway command assigns a default gateway address. Specify the gateway if the operating kernel is using TCP/IP and the gateway field is not set in the configuration or bootptab file. To set the gateway, type:
set gateway xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
The set nameserver command assigns a name server address. Specify the name server if the operating kernel is using TCP/IP and the nameserver field is not set in the configuration or bootptab file. To set the name server, type:
set nameserver xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
The set domain command specifies the Internet domain name of the 7318. The default value for the domain field is undefined. To set the domain, type:
set domain String
The show command displays the internal settings of the 7318 as they pertain to the BIOS. The show command invoked without arguments displays many of the field values, translating some of the field settings into more meaningful output.
In cases where the translated output differs significantly from the command syntax value, the syntax value (as well as its mnemonic) are shown in parentheses. To run the show command, type:
show
The output from the show command is as follows:
#> show Internet Address (inet=0.0.0.0): 0.0.0.0 Netmask (netmask=0.0.0.0): 0.0.0.0 Gateway (gateway=0.0.0.0): 0.0.0.0 Nameserver (nameserver=0.0.0.0): 0.0.0.0 Domain (domain=null): null Primary Download Host (host1=auto): auto Download Framing (frametype=auto): ETHERNET_II Download Image Name (loadimage=default): /usr/lib/cns/cns-s20 Configuration File (config=default): default Name (name=CNS<ethernet>): CNS00406E0002DB Ethernet Address: 00406E0002DB Debug Console (console=disable): disable Ram Available: 2M Self Test Result (self): passed BIOS version: 5.20 BIOS date: 12/01/94 #>
Useful items from this list are:
| Name | Specifies a name assigned to the 7318. |
| Ethernet Address | Shown on a sticker on the back of 7318. |
| Ram Available | Specifies the 7318's configured memory size (M=megabyte). |
Any field that can be set, using the set command, can be shown by typing the command:
show Field
For more information about the show command's troubleshooting capabilities, refer to "BIOS Console Troubleshooting Commands". The following show subcommand, as well as the save and default commands, are useful as installation commands.
The show version command displays the BIOS version in the form:
N.M
where the N.M parameter specifies the version.
The admin command places the BIOS console in password privilege mode. The format for the command is:
admin Password
where the Password parameter is the administrative password. The system returns to normal mode when you type:
admin
without a password. If no password is defined, typing admin without a password places the BIOS console in password privilege mode.
The default command resets the contents of the NVRAM to initial settings. Depending on the mode of operation (normal or password privilege), some or all of the BIOS NVRAM can be reset.
Note: Remember to run the save command to write the reset values to the NVRAM.
The reboot command resets the 7318 hardware and restarts the BIOS. The reboot command is useful when users want to restart the 7318 from the BIOS console instead of power-cycling the unit.
Note: The reboot command acts like a warm start for the BIOS.
The save command rewrites the NVRAM and stores local copy values, changed with the set command, in a permanent manner. Run the save command before running the load command to save changes. Refer to "set Command" for a description of configuration fields.
Note: Issuing the load command after having changed parameters without saving results in a warning.