Digital Equipment InfoServer 100 User manual

InfoServer100
InstallationandOwner’sGuide
Order Number EK–DIS1K–IN–001
This manual describes how to install, test, operate, and maintain the
InfoServer 100 system.
Digital Equipment Corporation

First Edition, October 1990
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not
be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment
Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or
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restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c ) ( 1 ) ( ii ) of the Rights in Technical Data and
Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227–7013.
Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation 1990
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may emit
radio frequency energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such radio frequency
interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area may cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense may
be required to take measures to correct the interference.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC PDP ThinWire
DECconnect P/OS ULTRIX
DECmate Professional UNIBUS
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DECUS Q22-bus VMS
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DEMPR RSTS Work Processor
DIBOL RSX
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
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This document was prepared and published by Educational Services Development and
Publishing, Digital Equipment Corporation.

Contents
About This Guide vii
1 InfoServer 100 System
SystemHighlights ...................................... 1–2
2 Installing Your System
Choosing the Right Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Unpacking ............................................ 2–2
SettingUpYourSystem.................................. 2–4
Identify the System Unit Ports and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4
Install the SCSI Terminator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–5
Install the Connector Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–6
Attach the Ethernet Terminators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7
Connect the System Unit Power Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–9
Connect a Console Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–10
Connect External Expansion Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–11
StartingYourSystem.................................... 2–12
Loading A Compact Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–13
Unloading a Compact Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–16
Connecting to a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–16
How to Turn Off Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–16
IfYouHaveProblems ................................... 2–17
Bootstrapping the Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–17
Bootstrapping the Server Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–17
Subsequent Bootstraps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–18
If the InfoServer Fails to Boot Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–18
iii

iv Contents
3 Learning About Your System
StorageDevices ........................................ 3–1
RZ23HardDisk...................................... 3–1
RRD40 Compact Disc Drive(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
ConsoleTerminal....................................... 3–2
4 Expanding Your System
Guidelines for Connecting Expansion Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–2
Preparing Your System for an Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–3
Unpacking An Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–4
Connecting One Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
Connecting Two Expansion Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–7
RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–9
Selecting the Voltage on the RRD40 Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . 4–9
Verifying the SCSI ID on the RRD40 Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . 4–10
Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RRD40 Expansion Box . . . 4–11
5 Connecting to a Network
A Brief Introduction to Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–1
Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–3
Check the Network Select Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–3
Verify Your ThinWire Ethernet Network Installation . . . . . . . . . . 5–4
Connect Your System to ThinWire Ethernet Cable . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5
Creating a ThinWire Ethernet Work Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–7
Connecting Your System to a DECconnect Faceplate . . . . . . . . . . 5–7
Troubleshooting the ThinWire Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–8
Connecting to a Standard Ethernet Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–11
Check the Network Select Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–11
Verify Your Standard Ethernet Network Installation . . . . . . . . . . 5–11
Connect a Transceiver Cable to Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–12
Troubleshooting the Standard Ethernet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . 5–13

Contents v
6 Solving Problems
IfaProblemOccurs... ................................. 6–1
How to Use the Troubleshooting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–2
Power-Up Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–5
Self-Tests............................................. 6–7
ConfigurationDisplay ................................... 6–8
Displaying Device Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–10
Using the System Exerciser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–11
RunningTestUtilities ................................... 6–13
RRD40 Test Disc Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–13
Restarting the System After Running Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–13
CommandSummary .................................... 6–14
ServiceInformation ..................................... 6–16
A SCSI IDs
SCSI ID Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–1
SettingtheSCSIID..................................... A–2
SettingSCSISwitches................................... A–3
B System Specifications
C Related Documents
D Removable Storage Media
CompactDiscs ......................................... D–1
How to Remove the Disc from the Caddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D–2
How to Insert a Compact Disc Into a Caddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D–3
Glossary
Index

vi Contents
Figures
1–1 InfoServer 100 System Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1
1–2 InfoServer 100 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
2–1 Unpacking Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3
4–1 Expansion Box and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–4
4–2 Connecting One RRD40 Expansion Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–6
4–3 Connecting Two RRD40 Expansion Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–8
4–4 RRD40 Voltage Selector and SCSI ID Switch Positions . . . . . 4–10
D–1 CompactDiscCaddy ............................... D–1
D–2 Inserting or Removing a Disc from the Housing . . . . . . . . . . D–2
Tables
1 Conventions...................................... viii
4–1 SCSI Devices Self-Test Status Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–11
6–1 Troubleshooting Basic System Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–2
6–2 Power-Up and Self-Test Display Identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–6
6–3 Definition of Mnemonics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–10
6–4 SET Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–14
6–5 TEST Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–14
6–6 SHOW Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–15
A–1 SCSI IDs for InfoServer 100 systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–2
A–2 RRD40 Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions . . . . . A–4
C–1 RelatedDocuments ................................ C–1

AboutThisGuide
Purpose of This Guide
This guide describes how to install, test, operate, and maintain the
InfoServer 100 system. The InfoServer 100 is a general-purpose disk
storage server that quickly and efficiently transfers data between disks
connected to the server and remote network client systems.
For information on session management and software commands, see the
InfoServer 100 System Operations Guide.
Who Should Use This Guide
This guide is for anyone responsible for installing, operating, or
maintaining the InfoServer 100 system. The guide requires little or
no previous experience with computers.
Structure of This Guide
This manual contains six chapters, four appendixes, and a glossary of
technical terms.
• Chapter 1, ‘‘InfoServer 100 System,’’ provides an overview of the
InfoServer 100 system and introduces you to the product’s features.
• Chapter 2, ‘‘Installing Your System,’’ provides instructions for
installing new InfoServer 100 systems.
• Chapter 3, ‘‘Learning About Your System,’’ discusses the storage
devices that may be part of your InfoServer 100 system.
• Chapter 4, ‘‘Expanding Your System,’’ provides information on
installing and using add-on storage devices and software-loading
devices such as contact disc drives with your system.
vii

viii About This Guide
• Chapter 5, ‘‘Connecting to a Network,’’ describes how to connect your
system to a ThinWire Ethernet or standard Ethernet network. The
chapter also describes how to serially connect systems into a simple
ThinWire work group.
• Chapter 6, ‘‘Solving Problems,’’ provides basic troubleshooting
information.
Appendixes provide information on the following topics:
• Setting SCSI IDs on drives, for custom configurations
• System specifications
• Related documents
• The use and care of removable media, such as compact discs
The glossary explains technical terms used in the guide.
For More Information
See Appendix C for a list of related documents to help you become
acquainted with your new system.
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this guide (Table 1):
Table 1 Conventions
Convention Meaning
Return A key name is shown enclosed to indicate that you press
a key on the keyboard.
l O This is the on/off power switch on equipment. You press
| to turn power on, or O to turn power off.
UPPERCASE Uppercase letters indicate commands that you enter.
For example: enter TEST 1.
>>> TEST 50 In examples, user input appears in red .
Caution Cautions provide information to prevent damage to
equipment or software.
Note Notes provide general information about the current
topic.
bootstrap New terms are highlighted in text and appear in the
glossary.

1
InfoServer100System
The InfoServer 100 is a general-purpose disk storage server that quickly
and efficiently transfers data between disks connected to the server and
remote network client systems. It provides users with a low-cost data
sharing capability that is flexible and easy to manage. Figure 1–1 shows
the system enclosure for InfoServer 100.
The InfoServer 100 can support many diverse applications. For example,
VMS client systems can share software distribution and documentation
on compact discs connected to the server. Some VAX systems can use the
server to load their bootstrap program, then perform a VMS operating
system installation from a compact disc in the server.
LJ-00062-TI0
Figure 1–1 InfoServer 100 System Enclosure
1–1

1–2 InfoServer 100 System
System Highlights
Your InfoServer 100 system has many special features:
•Memory
The system comes with 4 megabytes (Mbytes) of internal random
access memory (RAM).
•ThinWire and standard Ethernet connectability
You can connect the InfoServer 100 to standard Ethernet or ThinWire
Ethernet work groups and networks, but not to both types at the same
time.
•RRD40 compact disc drive
One or two compact disc drives are mounted behind the server’s
front panel, depending on your configuration. Figure 1–2 shows the
the InfoServer 100’s system enclosure with the compact disc drives
exposed.
LJ-00063-TI0
Ethernet
Address Label
Drive Labels
Compact
Disc Drive
Compact
Disc Drive
Figure 1–2 InfoServer 100 Front Panel

InfoServer 100 System 1–3
•RZ23 hard disk drive
The system includes one 104 Mbyte hard disk drive. This drive:
— Stores configuration information from the server.
— Works as a secondary disk cache, to optimize the performance of
all disks connected to the server.
— May also be served to client nodes as writable storage.
•Self-sensing power supply
The system power supply accepts power inputs in the ranges of 100
Vac to 120 Vac and 200 Vac to 240 Vac, at 50 or 60 Hertz. A selection
switch is not needed.
•Communication ports
A single DEC-423 asynchronous port (with MMJ connector for
VT series terminals) is provided as standard. You can use this
port to connect a terminal to the server to establish a local server
management session. (See the InfoServer 100 System Operations
Guide for more information). This port is preset to run at 9600 baud,
so any terminal connected to this port must be set at 9600 baud.
•SCSI connectability
The small computer systems interconnect (SCSI) is an industry
standard for connecting mass storage devices.
•Add-on storage devices
You can purchase external expansion boxes to provide added storage
capability. These external boxes must be qualified by Digital in order
to meet the system requirements. You can connect up to six external
drives to the server.

2
InstallingYourSystem
Setting up your InfoServer 100 system is easy. This chapter provides
step-by-step instructions on how to:
• Prepare for installation.
• Unpack, inspect, and check the system’s equipment
• Set up your system unit.
• Attach Ethernet terminators for networking or diagnostic tests.
• Connect a terminal.
• Load and unload compact discs.
• Start your system.
Choosing the Right Location
Use the following checklist to keep your system operating at its best:
• Carefully read all installation instructions before you turn on the
power.
• Keep the air well circulated to prevent excess heat and dust from
accumulating.
• Keep your equipment away from heaters, photocopiers, direct
sunlight, and abrasive particles.
• Before you set up your system, select a surface that is large enough to
hold the system unit. Your desk or work table is a good choice.
• Keep the area clean. Do not place food or liquid on or near your
equipment, and do not place your system unit directly on the floor.
Dust and dirt will damage the system components.
• Keep air vents clear on each side of the system unit for proper
ventilation.
2–1

2–2 Installing Your System
Do not place the system unit on its side. Blocking the air vents can
cause the system unit to overheat.
• Connect your system to a dedicated grounded circuit.
If you have several pieces of equipment that need to be plugged into
a power outlet, use a grounded power strip. Many power strips come
with an on/off switch and a surge protector.
Do not exceed the voltage requirement of the circuit.
• To avoid damaging equipment that has been moved inside from a cold
environment, let the equipment warm to room temperature before you
turn it on.
Unpacking
The InfoServer 100 system is shipped in two boxes, one for hardware and
one for software. The larger box contains the InfoServer 100 hardware
with accessories and documentation. The smaller box contains the
software compact discs with licenses and instructions.
Figure 2–1 shows the hardware components shipped for the InfoServer
system. Check the contents of the cartons against the shipping list
provided. Expansion devices are packed in separate cartons (‘‘Unpacking
An Expansion Box’’, Chapter 4).
NOTE
Depending on how you set up your system, you may not use all the
components supplied with your system. Store any unused parts
safely for future use.
If You Move the System . . .
Always repack the system unit in its original packing material when
moving or relocating your system. This precaution will protect the
hardware from damage.

Installing Your System 2–3
Documentation
Power Cord
ACCESSORIES:
Two Terminators and
One T-Connector (ThinWire Ethernet)
Connector Covers
SCSI Terminator
Loopback Connector (Standard Ethernet)
Server System Unit
Drive Label Pockets
Operator’s Card
LJ-00054-TI0
AMD Inserts
Figure 2–1 Unpacking Your System

2–4 Installing Your System
Setting Up Your System
After unpacking, you are ready to set up your server.
Identify the System Unit Ports and Connectors
The following figure shows all the ports and connectors on the rear of an
InfoServer 100 system. Take some time to become familiar with the ports
and connectors. Symbols (called icons) identify each port and connector
you will use when installing your system.
On/Off Switch
System AC Power
SCSI Port
Standard Ethernet
Connector
Standard Ethernet Light
Network Select Button
ThinWire Ethernet Light
ThinWire Ethernet
Connector
Halt Button
MMJ Ports
Break Enable Switch
(For Field Service Use Only)
Diagnostic LEDs
1
LJ-00055-TI0
MMJ Port
(Not Used)
NOTE
Not all of the connectors shown are usable. In particular, MMJ
ports 2 and 3 and the modem port (to the left of MMJ port 1) are
not supported by the server.

Installing Your System 2–5
Install the SCSI Terminator
If you do not intend to connect additional drives to your system, install
the SCSI terminator on the SCSI port at the rear of the system unit, as
shown.
MLO-003288
SCSI Terminator
MA-0355-90.DG

2–6 Installing Your System
Install the Connector Covers
You system comes with three connector covers to protect the unused
connectors on the rear panel of the system unit. If you do not use the
external SCSI interface, install cover 1 over the SCSI terminator.
1
2
3
LJ-00064-TI0

Installing Your System 2–7
Attach the Ethernet Terminators
You need to connect the T-connector, two Ethernet terminators, and
the loopback connector (Figure 2–1) to the system unit so you can run
diagnostic tests to verify the Ethernet circuits.
NOTE
The system will not boot if the power-up self-test detects an
Ethernet error.
For diagnostic purposes:
• The T-connector and two terminators complete the ThinWire Ethernet
circuit. Later, when you decide to connect to a network, you exchange
ThinWire cable sections for one or both terminators, depending on
your network setup.
• The loopback connector completes the standard Ethernet circuit.
To connect the T-connector and loopback connector:
1. Push one terminator into one side of the T-connector, then turn the
terminator clockwise until it locks in place.
T-Connector
Terminator
Terminator
MLO-000947
MA-0367-90.DG
2. Push the second terminator into the other side of the T-connector,
then turn the terminator clockwise until it locks in place.

2–8 Installing Your System
3. Connect the T-connector to the ThinWire Ethernet connector on the
rear of the system unit by turning the T-connector clockwise until it
locks into place.
T-Connector
MLO-002752
MA-0357-90.DG
4. Connect the loopback connector to the standard Ethernet port on the
back of the system unit. If needed, rotate the T-connector slightly to
make room for the loopback connector.
Ethernet
Loopback Connector
MLO-002751
MA-0358-90.DG