Digital Equipment AlphaServer 1000 User manual

AlphaServer1000
RackmountOwner’sGuide
Order Number: EK–RMALP–OG. A01
Revision/Update Information: This is a new document.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

February 1995
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.
Copyright Digital Equipment Corporation, 1995. All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
OpenVMS Alpha, AlphaGeneration, DECchip, Digital, OpenVMS, ThinWire, ULTRIX,
and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third party trademarks:
Microsoft is a registered trademark, and Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows
NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. OSF/1 is a trademark of the Open
Software Foundation, Inc. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
holders.
S2757

Information - Class A
FCC ID: AO9-PB70
FCC NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Any changes or modifications made to this equipment may void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
to radio or television reception. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

ACOUSTIC DECLARATION: Preliminary declared values per ISO 9296 and
ISO 7779:
Product Sound Power Level
L(WAd), B
Sound Pressure
Level
L(pAm), dBA
(bystander positions)
AlphaServer 1000 Model 200
(PB7RT-A9) with:
Idle Operate Idle Operate
1xRZ26/8 5.5 5.6 35 36
2xRZ26/8 5.6 5.6 36 36
3xRZ26/8 5.6 5.7 36 37
Current values for specific configurations are available from Digital representatives.
1 B = 10 dBA.
SCHALLEMISSIONSWERTE: Verläufige Werteangaben nach ISO
9296 und ISO 7779/DIN EN27779:
Schalleistungspegel
L(wAd)
Schalldruckpegel
L(pAm), dBA
(Zuschauerpositionen)
Gerät
PB7rt +:
Leerlauf Betrieb Leerlauf Betrieb
1xRZ26/8 5,5 5,6 35 36
2xRZ26/8 5,6 5,6 36 36
3xRZ26/8 5,6 5,7 36 37
Aktuelle Werte für spezielle Ausrüstungsstufen sind über die Digital Equipment Vertretungen
erhältlich. 1B = 10 dBA.

v
Contents
1 System Overview ...................................................................................1-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................1-1
System Overview.................................................................................................................1-1
Supported Operating Systems........................................................................................1-2
System Console Firmware............................................................................................. 1-2
Console Firmware Tasks.........................................................................................1-2
System Features ............................................................................................................ 1-4
Reliability/Availability..................................................................................1-4
System Expansion .........................................................................................1-4
Server Management.......................................................................................1-5
System Security.............................................................................................1-5
Front Panel Controls and Indicators...............................................................................1-6
Front Panel Switches.....................................................................................................1-8
Rear Panel Ports and Slots.............................................................................................1-9
Internal System Options .............................................................................................. 1-10
Storage Options....................................................................................................1-10
EISA, ISA, and PCI Options.................................................................................1-11
Memory Options................................................................................................... 1-11
External Options..........................................................................................................1-12
Ordering Options.........................................................................................................1-12
2 Installing Your Hardware.......................................................................2-1
Hardware Setup Overview.................................................................................................... 2-1
Verifying the Installation Site...............................................................................................2-2
Preinstallation Considerations ....................................................................................... 2-2
Environmental Conditions.............................................................................................2-4
Power Requirements...................................................................................................... 2-4

Contents
vi
System Accessories.............................................................................................................. 2-5
Optional Accessories.............................................................................................. 2-6
Connecting a Keyboard, a Mouse, or a Printer ..................................................................... 2-6
Connecting a Monitor or a Terminal .................................................................................... 2-6
Connecting to Network Hardware........................................................................................ 2-7
Verifying Hardware Setup.................................................................................................... 2-8
Locking Your System .......................................................................................................... 2-9
Recording the System Unit Key Number..................................................................... 2-10
3 Preparing to Install Your Operating System........................................3-1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3-1
Preparing to Install Windows NT......................................................................................... 3-2
Preparing the System..................................................................................................... 3-2
Setting the Operating System Type......................................................................... 3-2
Updating the Firmware........................................................................................... 3-3
Setting Default Environment Variables .................................................................. 3-3
Setting the EISA Configuration.............................................................................. 3-4
Preparing Your Hard Disk...................................................................................... 3-4
Partitioning and Formatting Your Hard Disk .......................................................... 3-5
Installing Microsoft Windows NT................................................................................. 3-6
Preparing to Install DEC OSF/1 ........................................................................................... 3-7
Setting the Operating System Type ............................................................................... 3-7
Installing DEC OSF/1 ................................................................................................... 3-8
Installing DEC OSF/1 with Remote Installation Service................................................ 3-8
Disk Space Requirements....................................................................................... 3-9
Products to Install................................................................................................... 3-9
Setting Up a RIS Area on a DEC OSF/1 Server...................................................... 3-9
Setting Up a RIS Area on an ULTRIX Server....................................................... 3-10
Updating the Boot File for New Clients................................................................ 3-11
Before Starting the Boot Procedure ...................................................................... 3-11
Booting over a Network ....................................................................................... 3-12
Booting from a DEC OSF/1 Server....................................................................... 3-12
Booting from an ULTRIX Server ......................................................................... 3-13
Verifying the Installation............................................................................................. 3-13
Preparing to Install OpenVMS ........................................................................................... 3-14
Preparing the System................................................................................................... 3-14
Preparing Hardware Components ......................................................................... 3-14
Preparing Software Components........................................................................... 3-14
Setting the Operating System Type....................................................................... 3-14
Required PALcode............................................................................................... 3-15
Installing OpenVMS.................................................................................................... 3-15

Contents
vii
4 Basic Operation .....................................................................................4-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................4-1
Turning the System On.........................................................................................................4-2
Systems with Preinstalled Software...............................................................................4-2
Systems without Preinstalled Software ..........................................................................4-3
Turning the System Off........................................................................................................4-5
Turning the System Off for an Extended Period...................................................... 4-5
Accessing the System from a Remote Location....................................................................4-5
Interpreting Startup Messages ..............................................................................................4-6
Systems with Windows NT.....................................................................................4-7
Systems with DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS................................................................. 4-7
Reading the Startup Test Results...................................................................................4-8
If the System Passes Startup Tests.................................................................4-8
If the System Fails Startup Tests.................................................................... 4-8
Using the Consoles...............................................................................................................4-9
Invoking Console Mode ................................................................................................4-9
When to Switch Consoles..............................................................................................4-9
Switching to the DEC OSF/1 and OpenVMS (SRM) Console...................................... 4-10
Switching to the Windows NT (ARC) Console............................................................ 4-10
Windows NT (ARC) Console Menus........................................................................... 4-10
Boot Menu Functions ........................................................................................... 4-11
Supplementary Menu Functions............................................................................4-11
Setup Menu Functions.......................................................................................... 4-11
DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS (SRM) Console Commands................................................ 4-12
Basic Commands.................................................................................................. 4-12
Comprehensive Commands .................................................................................. 4-12
Getting Help About the Windows NT (ARC) Console................................................. 4-13
Setup Menu .......................................................................................................... 4-14
Setup Menu Help.................................................................................................. 4-15
Getting Help About the DEC OSF/1 and OpenVMS (SRM) Console........................... 4-15
Booting the Operating System............................................................................................ 4-16
Running the EISA Configuration Utility...................................................................... 4-17
Checking Required Environment Variable Settings..................................................... 4-17
Changing Startup and Boot Defaults............................................................................ 4-17
Startup and Boot Environment Variables.............................................................. 4-17
Entering the Windows NT Firmware........................................................................... 4-19
Entering the DEC OSF/1 and OpenVMS Firmware ..................................................... 4-19
Verify Your Configuration....................................................................................4-19
Windows NT Systems .......................................................................................... 4-19
DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS Systems....................................................................... 4-20
Booting Windows NT..................................................................................................4-20
Changing Windows NT Boot Selections............................................................... 4-21

Contents
viii
Using the Windows NT Boot Menu...................................................................... 4-21
Windows NT Boot Selection Menu ...................................................................... 4-22
Booting DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS Operating Systems................................................ 4-23
DEC OSF/1 and OpenVMS System Defaults........................................................ 4-23
Boot Command .................................................................................................... 4-24
Using Storage Drives ......................................................................................................... 4-24
Using a Diskette Drive................................................................................................ 4-25
Using a CDROM Drive............................................................................................... 4-25
Caring for Your System ..................................................................................................... 4-27
Cleaning Your Mouse ................................................................................................. 4-27
Cleaning Your Keyboard............................................................................................. 4-27
Moving Your System .................................................................................................. 4-27
Installing Your System at a New Location .................................................................. 4-28
5 Installing and Removing Components.................................................5-1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 5-1
Preparing to Install or Remove Components ........................................................................ 5-2
Required Equipment...................................................................................................... 5-2
Antistatic Precautions.................................................................................................... 5-2
Top Cover............................................................................................................................ 5-3
Removing the Top Cover .............................................................................................. 5-3
Replacing the Top Cover............................................................................................... 5-4
Memory Modules................................................................................................................. 5-4
Removing Memory Modules......................................................................................... 5-6
Installing Memory Modules .......................................................................................... 5-7
EISA, ISA, and PCI Option Cards........................................................................................ 5-9
Installing an Option Card ............................................................................................ 5-10
Removing an Option Card........................................................................................... 5-12
Testing an Option Card Installation............................................................................. 5-12
Configuring an Option Card........................................................................................ 5-14
Storage Devices ................................................................................................................. 5-14
Identifying the Drive Bays .......................................................................................... 5-15
Installing Externally Accessible Devices..................................................................... 5-16
Removing Externally Accessible Devices ................................................................... 5-17
Installing a Diskette Drive........................................................................................... 5-17
Removing a Diskette Drive ......................................................................................... 5-18
Network Interface Card...................................................................................................... 5-18
Power Supply..................................................................................................................... 5-18
Removing and Installing the Power Supply ................................................. 5-18
CPU Card........................................................................................................................... 5-20
Removing the CPU Card............................................................................................. 5-20

Contents
ix
Installing the CPU Card............................................................................................... 5-22
Removing/Replacing Other Options............................................................................ 5-22
6 Configuring Your System.......................................................................6-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................6-1
Viewing the System Configuration.......................................................................................6-1
ARC Console Configuration Options............................................................................. 6-2
SRM Console Configuration Commands.......................................................................6-3
The show config Command.................................................................................... 6-3
The show device Command....................................................................................6-4
The show memory Command................................................................................. 6-6
The set and show Commands.................................................................................. 6-6
Memory ...............................................................................................................................6-8
Network Connections........................................................................................................... 6-9
Setting Network Configuration......................................................................................6-9
Keyboard Type................................................................................................................... 6-10
EISA and ISA Options ....................................................................................................... 6-10
EISA Bus ....................................................................................................................6-10
ISA Bus....................................................................................................................... 6-12
EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) .............................................................................. 6-12
Before You Run the ECU..................................................................................... 6-13
Configuring EISA Options ..........................................................................................6-14
Configuring ISA Options............................................................................................. 6-16
PCI Option Cards............................................................................................................... 6-18
Storage Devices ................................................................................................................. 6-19
Determining SCSI Storage Device IDs........................................................................ 6-19
On-board SCSI Bus Configuration............................................................................... 6-21
Internal Configuration .......................................................................................... 6-21
External Configuration ......................................................................................... 6-22
SCSI Controller Option Cards ..................................................................................... 6-22
SCSI Bus Backplane Configurations............................................................................ 6-23
Configuring the Backplane with One Controller.......................................................... 6-23
Single-Controller SCSI Configuration ..................................................................6-24
7 Upgrading Your System........................................................................7-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................7-1
Planning Your Upgrade........................................................................................................7-1
Digital Systems and Options Catalog............................................................................. 7-3
Upgrade Options..................................................................................................................7-4
Firmware.......................................................................................................................7-4

Contents
x
Updating Firmware Using the CDROM Drive............................................................... 7-5
Updating Firmware Using the Network......................................................................... 7-5
Updating Firmware Using the Diskette Drive................................................................ 7-5
8 Troubleshooting Your System..............................................................8-1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 8-1
Troubleshooting Overview................................................................................................... 8-2
System Diagnostics.............................................................................................................. 8-3
Interpreting Error Beep Codes....................................................................................... 8-3
Reading the Console Event Log .................................................................................... 8-3
The test Command........................................................................................................ 8-4
The kill and kill_diags Commands................................................................................ 8-6
The show_status Command........................................................................................... 8-6
Power Problems................................................................................................................... 8-7
Console Problems ................................................................................................................ 8-8
Boot Problems ..................................................................................................................... 8-9
Problems Detected by the Operating System...................................................................... 8-10
Storage Problems............................................................................................................... 8-11
Option Card Problems........................................................................................................ 8-12
Network Problems....................................................................................................... 8-13
EISA/ISA Bus Problems.............................................................................................. 8-13
PCI Bus Problems....................................................................................................... 8-13
Monitor and Terminal Problems......................................................................................... 8-14
Keyboard and Mouse Problems.......................................................................................... 8-15
Printer Problems ................................................................................................................ 8-16
Overheating Problems........................................................................................................ 8-16
Using the Fail-Safe Loader................................................................................................. 8-17
Using the Update Utility.............................................................................. 8-17
9 Quick Reference.....................................................................................9-1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 9-1
Messages.............................................................................................................................. 9-1
Hardware Overview............................................................................................................. 9-2
System Front View........................................................................................................ 9-2
System Rear View......................................................................................................... 9-3
System Top View.......................................................................................................... 9-4
System Board Connectors, Chips, and Slots .................................................................. 9-5
Port Pinouts................................................................................................................... 9-6
VGA Port Connector.............................................................................................. 9-6
Parallel Port Connector........................................................................................... 9-7

Contents
xi
Serial Port Connectors............................................................................................ 9-8
Keyboard and Mouse Port Connectors.................................................................... 9-8
SCSI Port Connector...............................................................................................9-9
LEDs..................................................................................................................................9-10
System Board Jumper Settings ........................................................................................... 9-11
SCSI ID Settings................................................................................................................9-14
Single-Controller Configuration Jumper Options..........................................................9-14
Specifications.....................................................................................................................9-15
System Architecture.............................................................................................................9-17
Glossary.........................................................................................Glossary-1
Index.....................................................................................................Index-1

xiii
Preface
About This Guide
Purpose and Audience
This guide describes how to set up, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain your AlphaServer
1000 Rackmount system. This information is intended for users, system managers, and
others who perform system management tasks.
Before You Use This Guide
If you have not already installed your system, refer to the installation sheet shipped with
the system.
Some procedures in this guide refer you to your operating system documentation. You
will use your operating system documentation along with this guide.

Preface
xiv
Organization
This guide is organized as follows:
The Preface provides an overview of this guide.
• Chapter 1, "System Overview," provides an overview of system features and
capabilities.
• Chapter 2, "Installing Your Hardware," provides instructions for installing your
system hardware.
• Chapter 3, "Preparing to Install Your Operating System," explains how to prepare
your system for installation of an operating system.
• Chapter 4, "Basic Operation," describes how to turn the system on and off, interpret
startup messages, use console mode, boot an operating system, and use storage
devices.
• Chapter 5, "Installing and Removing Components," explains how to install and
remove internal system components and options.
• Chapter 6, "Configuring Your System," describes how to configure the system.
• Chapter 7, "Upgrading Your System," describes how to plan for upgrading your
system with additional memory, network connections, power supply, options, and
firmware.
• Chapter 8, "Troubleshooting Your System," explains how to identify and solve system
problems and how to perform diagnostics.
• Chapter 9, "Quick Reference" contains system messages, jumper settings, SCSI ID
settings, specifications, and the system diagram.
• The Glossary defines technical terms related to the system.
• The Index locates main topics in this guide.

Preface
xv
Conventions
The following table lists the typographical conventions used in this guide.
Convention Meaning
Ctrl/xYou hold down the Ctrl key while you press
another key, indicated here by x.
Warning: Contains information to prevent personal injury.
Caution: Provides information to prevent damage to
equipment or software.
Note: Important additional information you may need
when you perform certain procedures.
boot Commands you enter are shown in this special
typeface. Commands in lowercase letters can be
entered in either uppercase or lowercase.
Commands in uppercase letters must be entered in
uppercase.
show config Console command abbreviations must be entered
exactly as shown.
[ ] In command descriptions, brackets indicate
optional elements.
{ } In command descriptions, braces containing items
separated by commas indicate mutually exclusive
items.
< > In console mode online help, angle brackets
enclose a placeholder for which you must specify
a value.
italic type
Italic type in console command sections indicates
a variable.
1In figures, a numbered callout labels a part of a
figure. In text, the numbered callout refers to a
labeled part of a corresponding figure.

Preface
xvi
Related Documentation
This section lists related documents you may find helpful when you are operating your
system or adding options.
To Learn More about the System
Document Part Number
Alpha Architecture Concepts (DEC OSF/1) EY-N389E
Alpha Architecture Concepts (OpenVMS) EY-K725E
To Install the System
Document Part Number
AlphaServer 1000 Rackmount Installation Guide EK-RMALP-IN
DEC OSF/1 AXP Factory Installed Software User
Information EK-SFFIS-UG
OpenVMS Factory Installed Software User
Information EK-A0377-UG
To Install and Operate Options
Document Part Number
RRD43 CDROM Disc Drive Operating Guide EK-RRDDD-IN
TZK11 Tape Backup System User's Guide EK-TZK11-UG
To Service the System
Document Part Number
AlphaServer 1000 Service Guide EK-DTLSV-SV
AlphaServer 1000 Hardware Reference Manual EK-DTLSV-RM

AlphaServer 1000 Rackmount Owner's Guide 1-1
1
System Overview
Introduction
This chapter includes the following topics:
• System Overview
• Supported Operating Systems
• System Console Firmware
• System Features
• Front Panel Controls and Indicators
• Rear Panel Ports and Slots
• Internal System Options
• External Options
• Ordering Options
System Overview
This high-performance, single-processor system is intended for use as a local area network
(LAN) server or commercial applications server. It is housed in a rackmount enclosure,
which contains the system board, CPU card, other logic modules, fans, and the power
supply.
The system uses the DECchip 21064, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC)
microprocessor based on the Alpha architecture, and provides all the power of a 64-bit
computing environment. The Alpha Privileged Architecture Library code (PALcode)
supports multiple operating environments that offer a choice of applications.

System Overview
1-2 AlphaServer 1000 Rackmount Owner's Guide
This system is intended for the following types of uses:
• As an applications server, running relational databases, electronic mail,
communications, or other applications
• As a print server, providing common printing resources to PCs and other systems in a
LAN
• As a file server, providing disk storage to PCs and other systems in a LAN
• As a compute server, displaying the output of applications you run remotely on the
server
Supported Operating Systems
This system supports the following operating systems:
• Windows NT
• OpenVMS
• DEC OSF/1
While the operating system is running, it controls the system, which is in program mode.
When the operating system is not running, a second mode, console mode, allows you to
control system management functions, described in the next section.
System Console Firmware
You perform many of the tasks for managing and configuring your server system in
console mode, where the system is controlled by the console subsystem, rather than the
operating system.
The console subsystem, located in read-only memory (ROM) on the system board,
contains special software, called firmware, that interacts directly with hardware
components and facilitates interaction between the system hardware and the operating
system.
Because the system is designed to support multiple operating systems, it offers two
separate interfaces to the console subsystem. The Windows NT operating system is
supported by the Advanced RISC Computing (ARC) console. The OpenVMS and DEC
OSF/1 operating systems are supported by the Alpha System Reference Manual (SRM)
console. Regardless of the operating system you use, you need to access both consoles,
depending on the particular task.
Console Firmware Tasks
The console firmware allows you to perform the tasks listed in Table 1-1 through either
the ARC or the SRM console.

System Overview
AlphaServer 1000 Rackmount Owner's Guide 1-3
The Windows NT (ARC) console firmware has a menu-based interface designed to
facilitate hardware interaction with the Windows NT operating system.
The OpenVMS and DEC OSF/1 (SRM) console firmware has a command line interface
designed to facilitate hardware interaction with the DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS operating
systems.
Table 1–1: Console Firmware Tasks
If You Are
Running... And You Want to... Use this Console...
Windows NT Boot Windows NT ARC
Run the EISA Configuration Utility ARC
Update firmware ARC
Switch to the SRM console ARC
Run programs specifically written to run
within the ARC firmware ARC
List Windows NT device names ARC
Change Windows NT boot configurations and
environment variables ARC
Initialize the system ARC
Display system configuration SRM
Perform diagnostic tests SRM
DEC OSF/1 or
OpenVMS Boot DEC OSF/1 or OpenVMS SRM
Update firmware SRM
Switch to the Windows NT console SRM
Initialize the system SRM
Display system configuration SRM
Display system storage devices SRM
Set and display environment variables specific
to DEC OSF/1 and OpenVMS SRM
Set and display environment variables
common to DEC OSF/1, OpenVMS, and
Windows NT
SRM
Perform diagnostic tests SRM
Run the EISA Configuration Utility ARC

System Overview
1-4 AlphaServer 1000 Rackmount Owner's Guide
System Features
The system provides a number of special features that enhance reliability, ensure
availability, and improve expansion capabilities, as well as facilitate hardware
management and improve security.
Reliability/Availability
64-bit Alpha RISC
architecture Provides significantly better performance than 32-bit architecture.
Error Correction Code (ECC)
memory and CPU cache Allows recovery from most cache and memory errors.
Dual SCSI backplanes One SCSI controller for each backplane
allows fully redundant disk subsystems.
Variable fan speed Adjusts fan speed according to system
temperature.
Internal sensors Monitor and detect internal system
temperature, fan failure, and power
supply temperature.
System Expansion
Flexible memory architecture Provides a 128-bit data path with ECC
protection. System memory can be
upgraded from 16 MB to 512 MB using
memory options.
Seven EISA expansion slots, two
PCI expansion slots, and one PCI
or EISA expansion slot
Accommodates industry-standard option
cards such as Ethernet, FDDI, SCSI, and
modems.
Integrated Fast SCSI-2 controller
with external SCSI-2 connector Supports tape, CDROM, and hard disk drives without use of an expansion slot.