This chapter describes how to install the Multi-Channel Option (MCO) in a VME slot in the following IRIS chassis:
deskside: POWER Series, Crimson (Diehard II), and Onyx (Eveready)
rack: POWER Series (Predator), SkyWriter, and Onyx (Terminator)
The installation procedure is divided into the following steps:
preparing the chassis
installing the panels on the I/O door
changing the physical VME address on the board
attaching microstrip cables to the paddleboards
attaching the internal cables and closing the chassis
cabling the breakout box
cabling the VIDI/O BOX from Truevision for use with MCO
restarting the system and installing the Multi-Channel Option software
For MCO in an Onyx, IRIX release 5.0.1 or later is required. If the Onyx is running 5.0, upgrade to 5.0.1 or later before .proceeding
For POWER Series or Crimson, 4.0.5H or later is required. If the system is running an earlier version, upgrade it before proceeding.
The system should have been upgraded to latest versions of hardware; for example, the F chips on the IO4 board must be version 2 for the Multi-Channel Option to function in the system.
Other Silicon Graphics manuals contain instructions for exchanging circuit boards. Make sure you have the appropriate one(s):
Single Tower Maintenance Manual (108-7002-xxx): Crimson and POWER Series systems
CHALLENGE™/Onyx™ L Deskside Installation Instructions (108-7039-xxx)
CHALLENGE™/Onyx™ XL Rackmount Installation Instructions (108-7042-xxx)
CHALLENGE and Onyx Retrofit Instructions (domestic version: 802-0107-002; international version: 802-0106-002)
Challenge/Onyx Rackmount Third Cardcage (CC3) Upgrade Instructions (release note, 802-0105-xxx): setting up cardcage 3 for Onyx rackmount
SkyWriter Installation Instructions (108-7011-xxx)
Make sure you have other pertinent release notes and Field Information Bulletins as well.
You need a flat-blade screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver to install the Multi-Channel Option. To run diagnostics, use the IDE diagnostics CD for IRIX 5.2 (812-0119-005), 5.1 (812-0121-003), IRIX 5.0.1 (812-0121-002), or IRIX 4.0.5H (806-0007-009) as explained in Chapter 6, "Using Multi-Channel Option Diagnostics." in this document.
If you install the MCO board in slot 3 in an Onyx and leave slot 1, slot 2, or both unoccupied, you will need jumpers for the backplane or midplane:
Onyx deskside chassis and cardcage 2 (CC2) of an Onyx rackmount chassis: up to 20 jumpers (p/n 9090003)
cardcage 3 (CC3) of an Onyx rackmount chassis: up to four interrupt boards (p/n 030-0516-xxx)
To prepare the chassis for installing the option, follow these steps:
 | Caution: Board components are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Use proper antistatic procedures while handling the board. |
Make sure all users are off the target system. To check the revision level of the RM board(s) before you shut down the system, type as root
In the result, look for a line such as
2 RM boards (rev. 00102/00102)
To work properly with MCO, the last digit of each RM board reported must be a number other than zero. If the system is running a field-sequential format, the digit must be greater than one.
Shut down the system; open the chassis, removing the rear outer panel if necessary.
Open the rear metal panel to expose the slots.
Check the revision level of the VCAM in the system. Not many of these exist. Determine the revision level by inspecting O0B0 and M9C0:
no rework at O0B0 and no rework at M9C0: 030-0500-003
rework at O0B0 and no rework at M9C0: 030-0500-004
rework at O0B0 and rework at M9C0: 030-0500-005
If the VCAM is revision level 030-0500-004, swap it for another revision level.
Check the revision level of the RM boards in the system. Each board must have a number other than zero (or one) as its last digit, or have one of these part numbers:
Plan where to install the MCO board and its three I/O panels. All this hardware needs room for clearance:
Internal cables attached to the three panels The connectors and internal cables attached to the three I/O panels are bulky.
Paddleboards The paddleboards that you will attach to the MCO and DG2 boards extend into the space between the board slots and the I/O door.
Note: For a Crimson chassis, clearance between the edges of the paddleboards and the I/O door, when closed, is only 1/10 inch. Microstrip cables connecting the paddleboards on the DG2 and the MCO board Although they are long enough to reach the DG2 even if the MCO board is installed in the VME slot farthest from the DG2 in all chassis, these fragile cables must have enough room so that they are not chafed or crimped.
Other options already in the chassis Take into account the customer's other options, some of which you might have to move to different slots.
If you put the board closest to the graphics head (VME slot 3 in most chassis), put the I/O panels into slots at the left side of the I/O door so that the connectors do not interfere with the paddleboards and microstrip cables.If you put the MCO board in slot 1 in most chassis, put the I/O panels into slots near the middle of the board.
For maximum clearance for MCO components, use the lower or middle slots on the I/O door.
VME slot required To allow room for internal cables, the option should go into VME slot 3 in the Crimson or POWER Series, the VME slot closest to the DG2 board in the Onyx deskside, and any available VME slot in the SkyWriter and Onyx rackmount.
If the appropriate slot is occupied by an existing option, move it to free the slot. If slot 1, slot 2, or both are unoccupied, you must jumper the backplane, as explained in Chapter 2.
Illustrations of complete option installations appear later in this chapter:
Crimson chassis: Figure 3-8
POWER Series rackmount chassis: Figure 3-9
SkyWriter chassis: Figure 3-10
Onyx deskside chassis: Figure 3-11
Onyx rackmount chassis: Figure 3-12 and Figure 3-13
The three panels—ANALOG 1 (p/n 018-0450-001), ANALOG 2 (p/n 018-0451-001), and ANALOG 3 (p/n 018-0452-001)—are not interchangeable; the free ends must be plugged into specific connectors on the VS2 board. To install the I/O panels, follow these steps:
Remove slot covers for the slots you have selected for the panels. Reserve the screws for use with the MCO panels.
Note: If you are installing the option in a POWER Series or Crimson, detach the cable assembly from the panel silkscreened ANALOG 1. Attach the substitute panel silkscreened ANALOG 1 (p/n 040-0897-001) from the cable kit. Repeat this step for the ANALOG 2 and ANALOG 3 cable assemblies. Position the ANALOG 1 panel over the leftmost slot, orienting it as shown in Figure 3-1. Screw it in using the reserved screws.
Attach the other two MCO I/O panels as in step 2. In a multipipe system, attach each set of I/O panels. Figure 3-2 shows all panels installed in a single-pipe system.
Changing the default VME address for the Multi-Channel Option is required when:
the board's address space conflicts with another A24 VME peripheral installed in the same system
you are installing a second MCO into the same VME bus to split the graphics output from pipe 1 of a dual-head MP bus-based SkyWriter system (RealityEngine graphics)
| Note: If you are installing an MCO in a Crimson or POWER Series workstation (not in a SkyWriter system) under 4.0.5H, it must be on graphics pipe 0. |
Changing the MCO board's address requires resetting DIP switches, as explained in this section, and, for IRIX versions before 5.2, making software changes, as explained in Chapter 4, "Setting VME Addresses."
The VME address is factory set to 0x00800000, corresponding to graphics pipe 0. The DIP switch on the far right is set; all others are unset. Default physical VME addresses are listed in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1. Default VME addresses
Pipe | Name in /usr/sysgen/master.d/mem | Physical Starting Address and Range |
|---|---|---|
VIDEO_VS2_A24_NP_BASE_PIPE0 | 0x00800000 - 0x0080ffff | |
VIDEO_VS2_A24_NP_BASE_PIPE1 | 0x00810000 - 0x0081ffff |
DIP switch settings for th ephysical VME addresses are diagrammed in Figure 3-3.
To change the VME address on the second MCO board in an MP bus-based system, set the DIP switches for pipe 1 as follows:
set leftmost switch
leave rightmost switch set
all others are unset
| Note: For multipipe in an Onyx rackmount chassis, leave all (one, two, or three) VS2 boards set to the default DIP switch settings. Use an adapter number when configuring the DG2 EEPROM with the address for each board, as explained in Chapter 4, "Setting VME Addresses." You must use the separate VME buses that accompany each graphics pipe in the Onyx rackmount system; otherwise, the MCO microstrip cabling cannot reach the DG2 board. |
If the customer wants to use addresses other than the defaults, follow these guidelines:
The MCO board requires an address space of 0x10000 (65536) bytes.
For release 5.2 and later, you must choose an address from the following:
POWER Series, pipe 0: 0x00800000, 0x00900000, 0x0a00000, 0x0b00000, 0x0c00000, 0x0d00000, 0x0e00000, 0x0f00000
POWER Series, pipe 1: 0x0810000, 0x0910000,0x0a10000, 0x0b10000, 0x0c10000, 0x0d10000, 0x0e10000, 0x0f10000
Onyx, any pipe: any address listed at the two subbullets above
For release 5.1 and earlier, the valid range of physical starting addresses for the MCO board is the upper 8 MB of VME A24:
0x00800000 - 0x00ff0000
Addresses should be on 64-KB boundaries (0x10000, 65536) for proper alignment.
| Note: You must also reconfigure the DG2 EEPROM and (for MP bus-based systems) the mem file. Instructions are in Chapter 4, "Setting VME Addresses." |
For instructions on jumpering the backplane, which you must do if slot 1, slot 2, or both are unoccupied, see Section 2.5, "Jumpering the Onyx Backplane or Midplane," in Chapter 2, "Installing the Option: Older Version (No Breakout Box)," in this guide.
In this step you attach the paddleboards to the MCO board (labeled VS2) and DG2 board, attach nylon spacers (standoffs) to each of the two paddleboards, and insert the MCO board into the chassis.
The paddleboards must be attached as follows:
The names of the paddleboards are silkscreened onto the component side.
To attach the paddleboard to the DG2 board, follow these steps:
Detach the front plane so that the DG2 board is accessible. Detach the 24W7 cable connector from the EF7; leave the small cable (stereo sync) attached to the DG2 board.
Remove the DG2 board from the chassis and lay it on a nonstatic surface.
Install three nylon spacers (p/n 7430100) into the connector side of the PB2, as shown in Figure 3-4. Make sure you have the PB2 paddleboard (p/n 030-0328-001), not the PB3 paddleboard.
Making sure the two cables for stereo and swap ready remain connected to the two-pin connectors on the DG2, mate the three connectors (J1, J2, and J3) on the PB2 paddleboard to the P6, P7, and P8 connectors on the DG2 board.
Supporting the DG2 board from the other side, carefully push the PB2 paddleboard onto the connectors. Be careful not to bend the DG2 board.
Caution: Be extremely careful not to bend or smash the pins in the paddleboard connectors; they are very fragile. If a pin gets bent, vertical stripes appear on all MCO channels. These pins cannot be reliably repaired. If they are damaged, replace the entire paddleboard. From the other side of the DG2 board, screw three nylon screws (p/n 93-00407) into the spacers.
Reinsert the DG2 board into its slot. Reattach the front plane and 24W7 cable.
Note: If you need to replace the DG2 board for any reason, you must reset the default address for the MCO board, which is stored in the DG2's EEPROM. Instructions are in Chapter 4, "Setting VME Addresses." Figure 3-4 shows installation of the paddleboard onto the DG2 board.
To attach the paddleboard to the MCO board, follow these steps:
Install three nylon spacers (p/n 7430100) into the connector side of the PB3 as you did for the PB2, as shown in Figure 3-4.
Mate the three connectors (J1, J2, and J3) on the PB3 paddleboard to the three connectors (J1, J2, and J3) on the MCO board.
Supporting the MCO board from the other side, ease the PB3 paddleboard onto the connector. Be careful not to flex the MCO board.
Caution: Be extremely careful not to bend or smash the pins in the paddleboard connectors, as they are very fragile. If a pin gets bent, vertical stripes appear on all MCO channels. These pins cannot be reliably repaired. If they are damaged, replace the entire paddleboard. From the other side of the MCO board, screw three nylon screws (p/n 93-00407) into the spacers.
Grasp the Multi-Channel Option board so that your hands are on the ejector tabs and the component side of the board faces right.
The MCO board goes in:
Caution: Check for ribbon cables to the immediate left of the slot you have selected. Hold any cables flat against their respective boards while inserting the Multi-Channel Option board to prevent them from being chafed by the Multi-Channel Option board components. Insert the MCO board all the way into the cardcage slot. Angle the board's plastic ejectors outward so that the U-shaped grooves of the ejectors fit into the upper and lower metal frames of the system.
Push the upper and lower ejector tabs toward the center of the board's lower edge until both are vertical. You should hear and feel the board seat into the connectors on the backplane.
Figure 3-5 shows both boards in place, with paddleboards attached.
The three sets of microstrip cables that connect the two paddleboards are shipped in rolls protected by plastic.
| Note: The cables, which are taped in the middle to minimize tangling, are very fragile. Exercise care in handling them. |
The cables are attached as follows, so that they nest and lie flat:
Follow these steps:
Holding down the metal strip connector latches on each side of a connector of a microstrip cable, insert the connector onto the top socket (J4) on the PB3 paddleboard. The connector is keyed. Release the connector latches to secure the cable in place.
Holding down the connector latches, insert the connector on the other end of the microstrip cable onto the bottom socket (J4) on the PB2 paddleboard; release the connector latches to secure the cable in place.
Attach the middle microstrip cable: plug a connector into the middle socket (J5) on the PB3 board and insert the other connector onto the middle socket (J5) on the PB2 board.
Attach the last microstrip cable: plug a connector into the bottom socket (J6) on the PB3 board and insert the other connector onto the top socket (J6) on the PB2 board.
Note: For the best cable routing, feed each microstrip cable underneath all of the other cables in the cable trough so that the microstrip cables actually lie on the sheet metal. The cables can lie on the floor of the cardcage. Figure 3-6 shows the cables attached.
To install the free ends of the 24W7 cables onto the MCO board, follow these steps:
Attach the connector of the 24W7 cable from the ANALOG 1 panel to the J4 connector (the top 24W7 connector) on the MCO board and screw it in. The cable must exit from the bottom of the connector.
Attach the connector of the 24W7 cable from the ANALOG 2 panel to the J5 connector (the middle 24W7 connector) on the MCO board and screw it in. The cable must exit from the bottom of the connector.
Attach the connector of the 24W7 cable from the ANALOG 3 panel to the J6 connector (the bottom 24W7 connector) on the MCO board. The cable must exit from the bottom of the connector.
Carefully and gradually close the I/O door.
Caution: Exercise extreme care in closing the I/O door so that the paddleboards and cables are not damaged. This process may require repositioning cables and, in the worst cases, reinstalling panels and boards in different locations.
Figures 3-7 through 3-14 show the 24W7 cables completely installed.
| Caution: If the specific connectors on the MCO board are not cabled to the specific panels detailed in these instructions, channel output is not guaranteed. |
Figure 3-8 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in a Crimson chassis.
Figure 3-8. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for the Crimson Chassis (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Figure 3-9 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in a POWER Series chassis.
Figure 3-9. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for the POWER Series Chassis (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Figure 3-10 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in a SkyWriter chassis.
Figure 3-10. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for the SkyWriter Chassis (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Figure 3-11 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in an Onyx deskside chassis.
Figure 3-11. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for the Onyx Deskside Chassis (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Figure 3-12 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in cardcage 2 of an Onyx rackmount chassis.
Figure 3-12. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for Onyx Rackmount (Cardcage 2) (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Figure 3-13 shows all boards, cables, and panels installed in cardcage 3 of an Onyx rackmount chassis.
Figure 3-13. Complete Multi-Channel Option Installation for Onyx Rackmount (Cardcage 3) (Breakout Box Version)
 |
Three identical cables connect the MCO breakout box to the ANALOG 1, ANALOG 2, and ANALOG 3 panel connectors on the I/O door. The MCO breakout box has been designed to fit into equipment racks.
If the customer desires, mount the breakout box in the customer's rack, using the flanges and screws included with the breakout box. The breakout box can be mounted with its panel facing either direction, as shown in Figure 3-14.
If appropriate, remove the plastic feet on the bottom of the breakout box to provide clearance for other equipment.
If the customer wants the breakout box placed on top of an Onyx, swap two of the feet on the breakout box for the two taller feet included with the breakout box, as shown in Figure 3-15.
Attach one end of one of the three external cables to the ANALOG 1 panel on the I/O door. Attach the other end to the connector for ANALOG 1 on the breakout box.
Cable the ANALOG 2 and ANALOG 3 connectors in a similar fashion.
Figure 3-16 shows the breakout box cabling.
The breakout box is passive and therefore has no power cord or power switch.
If the customer is using a VIDI/O BOX from Truevision to convert RGB output to NTSC output (one VIDI/O BOX is required for each output channel) using the n@640x486_30i video output format, you must cable the box for use with MCO. Follow these steps:
Daisy-chain the MCO green output (sync on green) to the encoder green input, the decoder video input, and the sync input.
Set the termination switch for the sync input to 75. Set the termination switches for the green input and video input to OFF.
Connect red and blue normally. Set the termination switches to 75. No connection to the MCO genlock is required.
Figure 3-17 diagrams these connections.
Load the Multi-Channel Option software from the CD included in the package. Installing the Multi-Channel Option software changes some of the IRIX system files, so backup is recommended.
| Caution: Do not install the 4.0.5H or 5.0.1 MCO software that comes with the MCO kit if the system has 5.1 system software release or later installed. The MCO software support is completely integrated into 5.1 and later versions. |
The Multi-Channel Option software images are created in inst format; thus, they require that the inst program be used. Installation software and instructions are included with the standard Silicon Graphics software products.
If you want to remove the Multi-Channel Option software after you have installed it, be sure to reinstall the standard system software afterward by running inst in interactive mode. Mark each installed subsystem for installation, even if the version history shows that the product is already installed.
When you are finished installing the software, proceed to Chapter 4, "Setting VME Addresses," if you changed DIP switches on the VS2 board(s) and are installing software earlier than 5.2. Otherwise, test the installation following the instructions in Chapter 5, "Testing the Installation."
If the X server hangs and the keyboard and mouse do not respond, use the famous Vulcan Death Grip to kill the X server. Press these four keys simultaneously:
<Left-Ctrl> <Left-Shift> <F12> <NumPad-/>
You must use the left <Ctrl>, left <Shift> and the / key at the top of the keypad; other keys do not work.