Digital Equipment VAX 4000 108 Operation manual

VAX4000Model108
UserInformation
Part Number: EK-VX108-UI. A01
December 1996
This book introduces the VAX 4000 Model 108 system. Use the information in this
book to configure, start, use, update, and troubleshoot your system. You will also find
general system information, such as console commands and system care in this book.
Revision/Update Information: This is a new manual.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

First Printing, December 1996
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this
publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication
imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only pursuant to a valid
written license from Digital or an authorized sublicensor.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1996. All rights reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: VAX, OpenVMS, StorageWorks, ThinWire,
VAX, and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
SIMM is a trademark of Molex Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
[S3267]

FCC NOTICE -- CLASS A DEVICE
Warning!
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Achtung!
Dieses ist ein Gerät der Funkstörgrenzwertklasse A. In Wohnbereichen können bei Betrieb
dieses Gerätes Rundfunkstörungen auftreten, in welchen Fällen der Benutzer für
entsprechende Gegenmaßnahmen verantwortlich ist.
Avertissement!
Cet appareil est un appareil de Classe A. Dans un environnement résidentiel cet appareil
peut provoquer des brouillages radioélectriques. Dans ce cas, il peut être demandé à
l'utilisateur de prendre les mesures appropriées.

VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information v
Table of Contents
1 System Overview
Introduction...................................................................................................................1-1
System Unit...................................................................................................................1-2
Enclosure Front Panel....................................................................................................1-4
Enclosure Rear Panel.....................................................................................................1-6
System Components ......................................................................................................1-8
System Board ..............................................................................................................1-10
Internal SCSI Signal Cable Routing.............................................................................1-12
Internal Power Cable Routing......................................................................................1-16
The Keyboard..............................................................................................................1-18
2 Getting Started
Introduction...................................................................................................................2-1
Before Starting Your System .........................................................................................2-2
Converting the System to Lie Flat on the Desktop .........................................................2-3
Locking Your System....................................................................................................2-4
Identifying the Correct AC Power Cord.........................................................................2-7
Installing Your System ..................................................................................................2-7
Starting Your System...................................................................................................2-36
Computer Security.......................................................................................................2-43
Posture and Work Habits .............................................................................................2-43
3 Installing Hardware Options
Introduction..................................................................................................................3–1
Removing the Cover.....................................................................................................3–2
Cache Memory ............................................................................................................. 3–3

Table of Contents
vi VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
System Memory ........................................................................................................... 3–3
Installing or Removing Memory Modules (SIMMs)...................................................... 3–4
Storage Devices............................................................................................................ 3–7
Installing Optional Storage Devices.............................................................................. 3–9
Communications Options............................................................................................ 3–16
External Options......................................................................................................... 3–21
Connecting Systems Into a DSSI VAXcluster Configuration ...................................... 3–22
System Board Access ................................................................................................. 3–27
4 HSD10 Operation
Using the HSD10 Console Terminal............................................................................ 4-16
5 Troubleshooting
Introduction...................................................................................................................5-1
Initial Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................5-1
General Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................5-2
6 Diagnostic Tests and Commands
Power-Up Tests............................................................................................................ 6–1
Diagnostic Self-Tests and Utilities................................................................................ 6–3
Power-Up Error Messages ............................................................................................ 6–8
Configuration Display ................................................................................................ 6–14
Error Display.............................................................................................................. 6–16
Contacting Digital Services ........................................................................................ 6–17
Equipment Log........................................................................................................... 6–17
A Console Commands
B Console Security
C Setting the Defaults
D Setting SCSI IDs
E Programming Parameters for DSSI Devices

Table of Contents
VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information vii
F System Care
G Technical Specifications
H Equipment Log

Table of Contents
viii VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Front Controls, Indicators, and Drive Bay Locations...........................................1-4
Figure 1-2 Rear Connectors (Rear View)..............................................................................1-6
Figure 1-3 System Unit Components....................................................................................1-8
Figure 1-4 System Board Components................................................................................ 1-10
Figure 1-5 SCSI Cable Routing with Optional Removable Media Devices .........................1-12
Figure 1-6 SCSI Cable Routing for Optional Hard Drives in Front Drive Bay ....................1-14
Figure 1-7 Power Cable Routing.........................................................................................1-16
Figure 1-8 Typical Keyboard Layout..................................................................................1-18
Figure 2-1 VAX 4000 Model 108 System.............................................................................2-2
Figure 2-2 Desktop Configuration ........................................................................................2-3
Figure 2-3 Removing the Front Door....................................................................................2-4
Figure 2-4 Removing the Cover............................................................................................2-5
Figure 2-5 Installing the Hasp...............................................................................................2-6
Figure 2-6 System Enclosure Airflow...................................................................................2-8
Figure 2-7 Connecting the Console Terminal .....................................................................2-10
Figure 2-8 Selecting ThinWire or ThickWire Ethernet .......................................................2-11
Figure 2-9 Assembling the ThinWire Ethernet Connector...................................................2-12
Figure 2-10 Connecting ThinWire Ethernet........................................................................ 2-13
Figure 2-11 Connecting Thickwire Ethernet.......................................................................2-14
Figure 2-12 Connecting the System to a DECconnect Faceplate......................................... 2-15
Figure 2-13 Connecting Peripherals to a DEC423 MMJ Port..............................................2-17
Figure 2-14 Connecting an EIA 232 Connector to the Asynchronous Port.......................... 2-18
Figure 2-15 Connecting a DEC 423 Connector to the Asynchronous Port...........................2-19
Figure 2-16 Connecting the SCSI Terminator or Cable....................................................... 2-20
Figure 2-17 Connecting to a DHW42-BB Asynchronous Port.............................................2-22
Figure 2-18 Connecting to a DHW42-CB Asynchronous Port.............................................2-24
Figure 2-19 Connecting to a DSW43-AA Synchronous Port...............................................2-26
Figure 2-20 Connecting the TriLink Adapter...................................................................... 2-27
Figure 2-21 Connecting Devices or a Terminator to the TriLink Adapter ..........................2-28
Figure 2-22 Connecting to the HSD10 SCSI Port................................................................2-29
Figure 2-23 Connecting a SCSI Terminator to the HSD10 SCSI Port .................................2-30
Figure 2-24 Connecting a TriLink Adapter to the Optional KFDDA Port ...........................2-31
Figure 2-25 Connecting Devices or Terminator to the Optional KFDDA Port..................... 2-32
Figure 2-26 Connecting to the Qbus Port............................................................................ 2-33
Figure 2-27 Connecting the Power Cord............................................................................. 2-35
Figure 2-28 Turning the System On.................................................................................... 2-36
Figure 2-29 Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits.............................................. 2-45
Figure 3-1 Removing the Cover........................................................................................... 3–2
Figure 3-2 SIMM Bank Configuration................................................................................. 3–4
Figure 3-3 Removing a SIMM Carrier................................................................................. 3–5
Figure 3-4 Removing and Installing a SIMM....................................................................... 3–6

Table of Contents
VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information ix
Figure 3-5 Installing the 3.5-Inch Brackets..........................................................................3–9
Figure 3-6 Removing the Front Bezel................................................................................ 3–11
Figure 3-7 Installing Optional Devices in the Front Bay .................................................... 3–12
Figure 3-8 Removing the Rear Drive Bay.......................................................................... 3–14
Figure 3-9 Installing Optional Hard Drives in the Rear Bay...............................................3–15
Figure 3-10 CDAL I/O Slots.............................................................................................. 3–16
Figure 3-11 Installing the Synchronous Communication Option ........................................ 3–18
Figure 3-12 Installing the Asynchronous Communication Option...................................... 3–20
Figure 3-13 Installing the KFDDA DSSI Port Option ........................................................ 3–21
Figure 3-14 Connecting Systems into a VAXcluster .......................................................... 3–24
Figure 3-15 Removing the System Board........................................................................... 3–27
Figure 3-16 Removing the System Board Cover................................................................3–28
Figure 4-1 HSD10 ................................................................................................................4-2
Figure E-1 VMS Operating System Requires Unique Unit Numbers for DSSI..................... E-5

Table of Contents
xVAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
List of Tables
Table 1-2 Rear Connectors...................................................................................................1-7
Table 1-3 System Unit Components .....................................................................................1-9
Table 1-4 System Board Components.................................................................................1-11
Table 1-5 SCSI Cable Routing with Optional Removable Media Devices ..........................1-13
Table 1-6 SCSI Cable Routing with Optional Hard Drives in Front Drive Bay...................1-15
Table 1-7 Internal Power Cable Connectors........................................................................ 1-17
Table 1-8 Key Groups and Functions.................................................................................. 1-19
Table 2-1 Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits.................................................2-45
Table 3-1 SCSI Address Recommendations......................................................................... 3–7
Table 3-2 CDAL I/O Slots................................................................................................. 3–17
Table 4-1 HSD10 Switches...................................................................................................4-5
Table 5-1 System Troubleshooting.......................................................................................5-2
Table 5-2 Disk Drive Troubleshooting..................................................................................5-4
Table 5-3 Terminal Troubleshooting ....................................................................................5-5
Table C-1 Alternate Default Boot Devices .......................................................................... C-1
Table C-2 Default Recovery Actions and Associated Values............................................... C-2
Table D-1 Devices and Priorities Normally Associated with SCSI IDs................................D-2
Table G-1 System Specifications.......................................................................................... G-1
Table G-2 Acoustic Levels..................................................................................................G-3
Table G-3 System Unit Metrics...........................................................................................G-4
Table G-4 System Operating and Non-operating Conditions................................................ G-4
Table G-5 AC Power Cords (Country Specific).................................................................. G-5
Table H-2 SCSI Address......................................................................................................H-3
Table H-3 Hardware Configuration .....................................................................................H-3
Table H-4 Installed Software............................................................................................... H-3

VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information xi
Preface
Welcome to the VAX 4000 Model 108 System
This book introduces the VAX 4000 Model 108 System.
Use the information in this book to configure, start, use, update, and troubleshoot your
VAX 4000 Model 108 System. You can also find general system information such as
console commands and system care in this book.
Audience
If you will be operating, configuring, or adding options to the VAX 4000 Model 108
System, the information included in this book will be helpful to you.
Organization of the Information
This information for users covers the following topics:
• Chapter 1, System Overview, describes the hardware components, including the Small
Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) architecture, the controller, the keyboard, the
system unit front panel, and the system unit rear panel.
•• Chapter 2, Getting Started, describes installing, starting, restarting, and turning off the
system.
• Chapter 3, Installing Hardware Options, describes the system unit components and
gives instructions and illustrations to help you remove and replace them.
• Chapter 4, HSD10 Operation, presents a basic description of the HSD10 DSSI-to-
SCSI bus adapter's features, performance, operating environment, controls, indicators,
and configuration information.
• Chapter 5, Troubleshooting, describes system troubleshooting.
• Chapter 6, Diagnostic Tests and Commands, describes system troubleshooting.

Preface
xii VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
• Appendix A, Console Commands, contains a basic description of the console
commands.
• Appendix B, Console Security, Provides information on setting the security password,
and logging in to the privileged console mode.
• Appendix C, System Defaults, describes how to set/change the default boot device and
how to set/change the default recovery action.
• Appendix D, Setting SCSI IDs, describes how to select a unique SCSI ID for any SCSI
device installed in or attached to your system.
• Appendix E, Programming Parameters for DSSI Devices, describes the console mode
procedures for setting and examining parameters for DSSI devices.
• Appendix F, System Care, describes how to clean your system, terminal, and
keyboard. It also contains instructions for moving and reinstalling your system.
•
Appendix G, Technical Specifications, describes the technical characteristics of the
system.
•
Appendix H, Equipment Log, contains tables that you can use to record information
about your system hardware and software components.
Refer to the Table of Contents for a detailed listing of topics.
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Convention Example Description
PARAMS>SHOW NODENAME> Monospaced, bold text indicates file names, path
names, directories, or screen text.
[Enter] Square brackets surrounding text represent a key on
the keyboard.
[Ctrl]+[R] A plus sign between keyboard keys indicates that
the keys shown should be pressed at the same time.
auto_action Italic text indicates environment variables. Titles of
information sources are in italic, and occasionally
italic is used for emphasis in the text. Italics such
as n or xare used to indicate numeric variables.
)
A pointing hand indicates a reference to additional
information.

Preface
VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information xiii
Abbreviations
This guide uses the following abbreviations:
Abbreviation Meaning
AC alternating current
amp ampere
C Celsius
CD compact disc
CD-ROM compact disc read-only memory
CEE International Commission for Conformity Certification of
Electrical Equipment
CFG configuration file
cm centimeters
CPU central processing unit
CSA Canadian Standards Association
DC direct current
DMA direct memory access
DRAM dynamic random-access memory
FDI Floppy Drive Interconnect
flashROM electrically erasable, rewriteable, nonvolatile memory
ft feet
GB gigabyte
Hz hertz
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
I/O input/output
IRQ interrupt request
ISO International Organization for Standardization
Kb kilobit
KB kilobyte
kg kilogram
lb pound
LED light-emitting diode
m meter

Preface
xiv VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
Abbreviation Meaning
MAU media adapter unit
Mb megabit
MB megabyte
MHz megahertz.
mm millimeter
ns nanoseconds
NVRAM nonvolatile random-access memory
ROM read-only memory
SCSI small computer system interface
SIMMs single in-line memory modules
SROM serial read-only memory
UL Underwriters Laboratories
VAR value-added reseller
V AC volts alternating current
VMS Open VMS Operating System
W watt

Preface
VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information xv
Special Notices
This guide uses three kinds of notices to emphasize specific information.
________________________WARNING __________________________
A WARNING indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause personal
injury.
____________________________________________________________
________________________ CAUTION___________________________
A CAUTION indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause damage to
hardware or that might corrupt software.
____________________________________________________________
__________________________NOTE ____________________________
A NOTE gives general information, such as compatibility with other products or
pointers to other information.
____________________________________________________________
Additional Information Resources
You may wish to consult the following information resource for additional information
about your VAX 4000 Model 108 System:
• VAX 4000 Model 108 Installation Information (order number EK-VX108-II), which
presents a graphical overview of the system installation.
Contact your distributor or Digital representative for other available product-related
information.

Preface
xvi VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
Reader’s Comments
Digital welcomes your comments on this or any other manual.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Shared Engineering Services
PKO3-2/21J
129 Parker Street
Maynard, MA 01754-2199
Please reference order number EK-VX108-UI. A01 in your correspondence.

VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information 1-1
1
System Overview
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a VAX 4000 Model 108 System. This machine has
been designed and tested with the utmost attention to performance and reliability. Your
system runs the OpenVMS operating system; its performance range can be extended by the
addition of memory and hard disk drives.
This chapter describes the VAX 4000 Model 108 System’s hardware components,
including the Digital Storage System Interconnect (DSSI) and the Small Computer
Systems Interface (SCSI) architectures, the keyboard, the system unit front panel, and the
system unit rear panel.
Following the information provided here will assure safe and proper operation of your
VAX 4000 Model 108 System.

System Overview
1-2 VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
System Unit
Your VAX 4000 Model 108 System uses a mini-tower desktop enclosure.
The system unit includes:
• CPU module/motherboard with built-in SCSI, NI Bus and port, Console port, and 2
serial ports, as well as:
10 ns VAX CPU chip
512 KB of on-board cache memory
• From 64 MB to 512 MB of memory, consisting of single inline memory modules
(SIMMs)
• Six accessible/non-accessible drive bays
a) One with a standard 5.25-inch CD-ROM drive
b) One with a standard 3.5-inch RZ2x SCSI disk
c) Two more slots for optional 3.5 or 5.25-inch hard disk or removable-media drives
d) Two non-accessible drive bays for optional 3.5-inch hard disk drives only.

System Overview
VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information 1-3
• One standard SCSI port
• Qbus port
• HSD10 with SCSI port
• KFDDA DSSI port with TriLink adapter
• Second KFDDA DSSI port (optional)
• Synchronous and asynchronous communication adapters (optional).
• ThinWire and Thickwire Ethernet
• Three-year, on-site warranty
• The latest version of OpenVMS (installed)
• OpenVMS 5.5-2xx
)
Refer to Appendix G, Technical Specifications, for additional information.

System Overview
1-4 VAX 4000 Model 108 User Information
Enclosure Front Panel
Figure 1-1 shows a front view of the system enclosure with pointers to the controls and
indicators (storage bay door opened for clarity). Table 1-1 describes these items.
MLO-013510
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Figure 1-1 Front Controls, Indicators, and Drive Bay Locations