National Instruments GPIB-SCSI-A User manual

October 2003
323734A-01
INSTALLATION GUIDE
Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A
and NI-488.2 for Solaris
This document describes how to configure and connect the GPIB-SCSI-A to
your Sun SPARC system and how to install NI-488.2 for Solaris. The NI-488.2
software included in this kit is intended for use with Sun SPARC systems running
Solaris 2.6 or later. Other documentation, including the software reference
manual, is available on your NI-488.2 software for Solaris CD in the
\documentation folder.
Before you install your GPIB controller, consult the manual that came with your
workstation for specific instructions and warnings. You must have superuser
privileges to install the hardware and software.
™

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris 2 ni.com
Figure 1. GPIB-SCSI-A Rear Panel
Configuring the Hardware
The hardware configurations of the SCSI ID (Target ID) and the GPIB primary
address must match the software configuration in the system configuration files
and the NI-488.2 software.
The GPIB-SCSI-A is shipped from the factory with a 100–120 V or a 220–240 V
power supply. Before you use the GPIB-SCSI-A, verify that the voltage on the
power supply matches the voltage that is supplied in your area.
Caution Operating the GPIB-SCSI-A at any voltage other than the one
specified on the bottom of the unit could damage the unit. Replacement
fuses must be the proper type and rating, which are 100 to 120 VAC,
200 mA UL/CSA approved, or 220 to 240 VAC, 125 mA IEC approved.
The GPIB-SCSI-A is shipped from the factory configured to operate in SCSI (S)
mode. Optional parity checking on the SCSI port is disabled. The SCSI ID that the
GPIB-SCSI-A responds to is set at 5, and the primary GPIB address is set at 0.
Additionally, the GPIB-SCSI-A kit is shipped from the factory with a SCSI
A
B
SW1 SW2
ON
OFF
12345678
9120
O
N
CTS 206-8
12345678
9120
O
N
CTS 206-8
GPIB
SCSI

© National Instruments Corporation 3 Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris
terminating resistor installed. Depending on how you connect the GPIB-SCSI-A
to your system, you may want to remove the terminating resistor.
Note The only parameters available for configuration with this kit are
the SCSI ID (Target ID) and the GPIB address. Do not change any other
switch settings from the factory default settings.
The factory default setting of the GPIB-SCSI-A Target ID is 5. To confirm that a
Target ID of 5 is available in your system, print out the startup messages from the
last time you booted with the following command:
dmesg
Among the startup messages are the devices found on the SCSI bus and their
respective Target ID numbers. If a Target ID of 5 is not available in your system,
select an unused Target ID (a number between 0 and 7) and set the appropriate
switch to that Target ID number (refer to the Configuration Switch Settings for
SW1section). Typically,Targets 1 and 3 are used bythe internal disks, Target 4 is
used by a tape drive (if you have a tape drive), and Target 0 is used by an external
disk drive. Target 7 is always used by the Sun SPARC system central processing
unit.
Configuration Switch Settings for SW1
The DIP switch at location SW1 on the rear panel in Figure 1 is used to configure
the power-on primary GPIB address and SCSI ID of the GPIB-SCSI-A. Figure 2
shows the factory default settings.

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris 4 ni.com
Figure 2. SW1 Default Mode Switch Settings
Switches 1 through 3 are used to configure the SCSI ID. Switch 1 is the most
significant bit, and Switch 3 is the least significant bit. For example, if Switches 1
through 3 are set to OFF, ON, ON, the SCSI ID is 3.
Switches 4 through 8 are used to configure the power-on primary GPIB address.
Switch 4 is the most significant bit, and Switch 8 is the least significant bit. For
example, if Switches 4 through 8 are set to OFF, OFF, OFF, ON, OFF, a primary
address of 2 is indicated. The largest primary address that can be set is 30.
The default settings of Switches 1 through 3 are ON, OFF, ON, respectively, to
select the SCSI ID of 5. Switches 4 through 8 are OFF, indicating that the GPIB
primary address of the GPIB-SCSI-A is 0.
Configuration Switch Settings for SW2
The DIP switch at location SW2 on the rear panel in Figure 3 is used to configure
the mode of operation for the GPIB-SCSI-A. These switch settings should not be
changed for use with the Sun SPARC system. Figure 3 shows the factory default
settings. Make sure that these switches are set as shown in Figure 3. If they are not,
set these switches as indicated.
SW1
12345678
9120
O
N
CTS 206-8

© National Instruments Corporation 5 Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris
Figure 3. SW2 Default Mode Switch Settings
Table 1 shows the factory default configurations of the eight switches for SW2.
Table 1. Factory Default Configurations for SW2
Switch Position Indication
1–3 OFF Reserved and should remain OFF
4ON Double buffering is enabled
5OFF GPIB-SCSI-A completes all data requests to the
count specified
6ON GPIB-SCSI-A buffers data during data transfer
commands
7ON GPIB-SCSI-A neither notices nor reports SCSI
parity errors
8OFF Operating in S (SCSI) mode
SW2
12345678
9120
O
N
CTS 206-8

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris 6 ni.com
Connecting the Hardware
The following are general instructions for connecting the GPIB-SCSI-A to the
Sun SPARC system. Consult the chapter on installing external drives in the
installation guide that came with your Sun SPARC system for specific instructions
and warnings.
There are two methods for connecting the GPIB-SCSI-A to the Sun SPARC
system. One method is connecting the GPIB-SCSI-A directly to the Sun SPARC
system unit by using a cable with the proper connectors at each end. The other
method is daisy-chaining. Daisy-chaining is a means of connecting a number
of SCSI devices to a host; thereby, a single port on the host can serve a variable
number of devices. Daisy-chaining is the suggested method for connecting the
GPIB-SCSI-A to the Sun SPARC system.
Whether you are using a direct connection or daisy-chaining, there are four basic
steps to connecting the GPIB-SCSI-A.
1. Shut down your system and power off your computer.
2. Connect the cables.
3. Switch on your GPIB-SCSI-A.
4. Power on your system.
Step 1. Shut Down the System
Complete the following steps to shut down your system:
1. Enter the shutdown command and power off your computer. (You need
superuser privilege to do a shutdown.)
2. Unplug the power cord from the power outlet.

© National Instruments Corporation 7 Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris
Step 2. Connect the Cables
Caution Never connect or disconnect SCSI cables when any device
(computer, tape drive, GPIB-SCSI-A, and so on) is powered on. Doing
so can cause fuses to blow inside the GPIB-SCSI-A and inside other
SCSI devices that supply termination power (TERMPWR) to the
SCSI bus.
Complete the following steps to connect the cables:
1. Connect the SCSI cable to the GPIB-SCSI-A and fasten it securely. Connect
the other end to your SCSI system. Be sure to use only shielded SCSI cables.
Total cable length in your SCSI system should be less than 6 m, and
terminating resistors should be installed on both ends, as described in the
Using SCSI Terminating Resistors section.
2. Connect the GPIB cable to the GPIB-SCSI-A and tighten the thumbscrews on
the connector. Connect the other end to your GPIB system. Be sure to use only
shielded GPIB cables. Total cable length in your GPIB system should be less
than 20 m, with a maximum separation of 4 m between any two devices. You
should have no more than 15 devices in a GPIB system, and at least two-thirds
of those devices must be powered on.
3. Plug the power cord into an AC outlet of the correct voltage.

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris 8 ni.com
Using SCSI Terminating Resistors
Because of its high-speed capabilities, the SCSI bus is sensitive to the electrical
characteristics of the SCSI cabling. When a signal is sent through the SCSI bus,
it bounces back and creates echoes along the cabling. Any device in the middle
of the daisy-chained SCSI bus receives these signal echoes. You should use
terminating resistor packs to prevent echoes and ensure proper termination of a
signal. Read the documentation for each device in your system to find out what
kind of termination it provides.
If your GPIB-SCSI-A is located at the end of an SCSI bus, you can prevent echoes
by leaving the terminating resistor pack installed on one of the ports on the rear
panel of the GPIB-SCSI-A. Also, ensure that the device at the other end of the
SCSI bus (for example, the SCSI host in Figure 4) has a terminating resistor
installed. Remove the terminating resistor packs on all devices except for the one
at each end because SCSI signals are not reliably passed along the SCSI bus after
they reach a device with a terminator.
Caution Never connect more than two sets of terminating resistors on an
SCSI bus because more than two sets might overload the signals and
generate errors.
Figure 4 shows where to install terminating resistors if the GPIB-SCSI-A is
located at the end of a system.

© National Instruments Corporation 9 Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris
Figure 4. Location of Terminating Resistors for GPIB-SCSI-A at End of SCSI Bus
If your GPIB-SCSI-A is not located at the end of the SCSI bus, remove
the terminating resistor pack from the rear panel of the GPIB-SCSI-A. Also
ensure that all other devices in the middle of the bus (for example, the SCSI disk
drive in Figure 4) do not have terminating resistors installed. The devices at each
end of the SCSI bus should have terminating resistors installed.
1 To GPIB Devices
2 Terminating Resistors
3 GPIB-SCSI-A
4 SCSI Tape Drive
5 SCSI Disk Drive
6SCSIHost
POWER READY TALK LISTEN SEND RECEIVE
GPIB-SCSI-A
IEEE-488 SCSI CONTROLLER
1
3
4
2
5
6

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris 10 ni.com
Step 3. Switch On Your GPIB-SCSI-A
Switch on your GPIB-SCSI-A by using the rocker switch on the rear panel. The
POWER LED should come on immediately and the READY indicator on the
front panel should come on after the GPIB-SCSI-A has passed its power-on
self-test, indicating that the unit is ready for operation.
If the READY indicator does not come on within 10 seconds after the unit is
powered on, recheck all connections and switch settings and retry the power-on
sequence. If the READY light still fails to come on, contact National Instruments.
Step 4. Power On Your System
Complete the following steps to power on your system:
1. Plug the power cords of the Sun SPARC system and any other SCSI
equipment into a power outlet.
2. Power on all devices.
3. Power on your system.
Installing NI-488.2
Complete the following steps to install NI-488.2 for Solaris:
1. Insert the NI-488.2 for Solaris installation CD.
2. You must have superuser privilege before you can install NI-488.2 for Solaris.
If you are not already a superuser, type su root and enter the root password.