ISA/PCI Wide Area Network (WAN) Adapters

This section explains the installation and configuration requirements for the Multiport Model 2 adapter.

This section explains the installation and configuration requirements for the Multiport Model 2 adapter (ISA) and the 2-Port Multiprotocol adapter (PCI).

Multiport Model 2 Overview

The Multiport Model 2 Adapter (MM2) device driver is a component of the communication I/O subsystem. This device driver provides support for the Multiport Model 2 at a maximum speed of 64K bps. The modems used must provide the clocking, since only external clocking is supported.

The following options provide access to the Multiport Model 2 device driver:

• Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
• The generic data link control (GDLC) Programming Interface
• User-written applications compatible with the MPQP-API (Multiprotocol Quad Port-Application Programming Interface).

These options require use of the mpqi special file, which allows access to the Multiport Model 2 adapter through the Multiport Model 2 device driver. The mpqi special file resides in the /dev directory.

Note: The i in mpqi specifies the instance of the device driver; for example, mpq0.

The Multiport Model 2 device driver allows connectivity to remote host systems using the Multiport Model 2 adapter, either directly over a leased line or over switched circuits, as shown in the Host Connectivity figure. The device driver can provide a gateway between work group environments and remote data processing facilities.

Direct connectivity to an AIX system using the Multiport Model 2 adapter is also possible over a wide area network using switched modems (see figure), through a modem eliminator (see figure), or over leased lines (see figure).

Configuring the Multiport Model 2 Adapter

The following procedures explain how to configure a Multiport Model 2 adapter.

Notes:

1. For information on adding ports, see "Configuring Multiport/2 and Portmaster Adapters"
2. Details about command line options are provided in the command descriptions for mkdev, lsdev , chdev, or rmdev in AIX Commands Reference.

Multiport Model 2 Adapter Object Information and Attributes

The following sections provide information on Multiport Model 2 adapter object classes and attributes.

Predefined Device Object Information

The Predefined Devices (PdDv) object class contains entries for all known device types supported by the system. This information is modified only when a new device is added. The following tables contain information for the Multiport Model 2 adapter.

Predefined Connection Object Information

The Predefined Connection (PdCn) object class contains connection and dependency information for devices. The following table contains predefined connection information for the Multiport Model 2 adapter.

Predefined Attribute Object Information

The Predefined Attribute (PdAt) object class contains an entry for each existing attribute for a device, beyond what is defined in the Predefined Device object class. The PdAt information for the Multiport Model 2 adapter includes the following definitions:

Subtypes:

• 4-Port Selectable Multiport Model 2 Adapter
• Multiport Model 2 Adapter
• 6-Port Multiport Model 2 Adapter (V.35)
• 6-Port Multiport Model 2 Adapter (X.21)
• 8-Port Multiport Model 2 Adapter (RS-232)
• 8-Port Multiport Model 2 Adapter (RS-422)

Note: Currently, only the 4-Port Selectable Multiport Model 2 Adapter is supported.

Multiport Model 2 Power Management

The device driver for the Multiport Model 2 adapter provides for Power Management (PM) support. PM is a technique that enables hardware and software to minimize system power consumption. PM is generally only important to low-end models, such as Notebooks and systems operating on battery.

When Power Management is enabled, the system enters a power-saving mode under one of the following conditions:

• Expiration of the idle timer.
• A direct command from the user.
• A low battery.
• Closing of the Notebook lid.

PM state transitions include the following:

• enable
• standby
• suspend
• hibernation
• shutdown

Each transition implies a further decrease in the power supply to the various system components.

Refer to "Managing Power Management" in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices for detailed information on Power Management and its configuration and function.

Impact to External Connection - Network Provider

Bringing a system to the suspend, hibernation, or shutdown states results in loss of power to the adapters. All network connections are lost. Externally, this can be viewed as pulling the physical connection (cable), since it results in loss of signal at the physical layer. A data set ready (DSR) error is generated. Any application that has the device driver opened should be stopped before suspending, hibernating, or shutting down the system.

Once power is restored, all previously configured ports are restored to an available state. At that time, any applications previously using these connections can be restarted.

2-Port Multiprotocol HDLC Network Device Driver Overview

The 2-Port Multiprotocol Adapter high-level data link control (HDLC) device driver is a component of the communication I/O subsystem. This device driver provides support for the HDLC operation over the 2-Port Multiprotocol adapter at speeds up to 64K bps.

The following options provide access to the 2-Port Multiprotocol HDLC Network device driver:

• Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
• The synchronous data link control (SDLC) version of the GDLC Programming Interface
• User-written applications compatible with the SDLC MPQP-API (Multiprotocol Quad Port-Application Programming Interface)

Note: The above options require use of the mpcn special file, which allows access to the 2-Port Multiprotocol adapter's HDLC device driver through the SDLC COMIO device driver emulation subsystem. This subsystem must be installed and configured for each HDLC network device.

• User-written applications compatible with the HDLC Common Data Link Interface (CDLI) API.

Configuring the 2-Port Multiprotocol Adapter

The following table explains how to configure a 2-Port Multiprotocol adapter.