Configuring the Console

Entering Control Mode and Using the Command Interpreter

Control mode is the mode of operation needed to use the access port commands. Activate the AP control mode interface by entering CTRL B at the system console:

   :CTRL B
   CM>

To use the access port command interpreter, enter a two-character AP command at the control mode prompt (CM>), followed by a carriage return:

   CM>RS
 
   Execution of this command irrecoverably halts 
   all system processing and I/O activity and 
   restarts the computer system.
   .
   .
   .

If the AP command parser does not recognize the two characters entered as a command, the system displays an error message similar to the following:

   Illegal command, type HE for help.

Interpreting the System Status Line

When in control mode, the AP displays the system status line across the softkey labels of the system console. The system status line has this format:

CODE:  xxxx  REMOTE:  <  1  > <  2  > <  3  > ACCESS FAULT:  yy

Table A-1 “Status Line Display” describes the information presented in the status line.

The status line is updated with each change, such as when the system cycles through its self-test.

Using Access Port Commands

The AP has several commands for manipulating its activities. Table A-2 “Access Port Commands” lists these commands and their functions.

Using the AP Help Facility

Obtain online help by entering either HELP or the abbreviated command, HE.

The command issues the following display:

   CM>HELP

           Access Port Revision xxx  m.d.y
 
CA  Configure system remote support modem port.
CO  Enter console mode.
DI  Disconnect line to remote console terminal.
DR  Disable access by a remote console terminal (enables session
      access).
DS  Disable display of system status line during console mode.
ER  Enable access by a remote console terminal (disables session
      access).
ES  Enable display of system status line during console mode.
HE  Display this screen.
RS  Stop all processing, initiate SPU Self-Test, load software
      from load device if enabled for autoboot.
SE  Transfer remote terminal from console/control to session mode.
TA  Initiate Access Port Self-Test.
TC  Transfer processor execution to operating system specific routine.
TE  Send message between local and remote console terminals.

In the preceding display, xxx is the number of the revision of the operating firmware contained on the AP and m.d.y is the month, day and year the firmware revision was released. These identifications are necessary to manage ROM updates in the field if they become necessary.

Returning from Control Mode to Console Mode

The access port command, CO, returns the console from control mode to console mode. Once returned to console mode, the system console operates in its normal session mode. This command does not generate messages.

Configuring the Access Port

Issuing the AP command, CA, allows either the local or remote console operator to reconfigure the baud rate for the remote support modem port, the setting of the T1 RATE line, and the system identification. The AP accepts any configuration, making no judgment on the validity.

Using the CA command generates the following prompts:

   CM>CA Return
 
   Current remote support modem port configuration:
 
      Bit rate                      9600 bits/sec
      Rate Select/CCITT 111         High rate (ON)
      System identification:   Joe's Sink and Pipe Shop
 
   Do you wish to change the configuration? (Y/N): Y Return
 
Enter your changes.  <CR> retains the current value.
 
Current bit rate is 9600 bits/sec.  Select the new bit rate.
   (0=300, 1=1200, 2=2400, 3=4800, 4=9600):  Return
 
Rate Select (CCITT 111) is currently HIGH (ON).  Choose the
   new setting (H=high or ON, L=low or OFF): H Return
 
Current System identification:   Joe's Sink and Pipe Shop.
   New identification (limited to 1 to 24 displayable characters
   or space for none): Yi's Jug and Bottle Shop Return
   New configuration (takes effect at next remote connection):
 
      Bit rate                      9600 bits/sec
      Rate Select/CCITT 111         High rate (ON)
      System identification:   Yi's Jug and Bottle Shop
 
   CM>

The baud rate for the remote console port can be set to 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 bits per second. This should be equal to the speed that is supported by your modem (usually 2400).

The remote console port rate can be turned on or off. ON is the high voltage and OFF is the low voltage, within the definitions for control lines for both RS-232c and V.28.

The system identification is a displayable character ASCII string (24 characters maximum) that is stored on the AP, for the AP's exclusive use. The AP identification has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with any other system identification stored elsewhere in the SPU. No other entity has access to it, and the AP has no access to any other system identification.

Enter up to 24 characters as the system identification. Characters 00 hex through 1F hex are control characters and are not considered displayable. Entering a space at the system identification prompt deletes the previous identification string.

The new configuration is written to nonvolatile memory (NVM) at the end of command processing. It is not used until the next incoming call is answered and the configuration has been written to NVM. If CA is executed by a remote user and the line is lost, the new configuration is still not in effect and the remote user can redial and pick up the process where the disconnection occurred.

For NVM failure, the configuration uses default parameters. These values are 1200 bits per second, for the bit rate; rate select (CCITT 111) high; and system identification set to the null string.

If, during the configuration of the remote support modem, the AP encounters any unexpected or inappropriate input, it may respond with a combination of the following messages.

     Expecting "Y" or "N" (APERR 11)
 
     Expecting "H" or "L" (APERR 12)
 
     String was truncated to 24 characters. (APMSG 04)
 
     Your selection is outside of the legal range.
     (APERR 14)

Enabling Remote Console Access

The command ER enables remote access to control and console modes through the remote support modem port. The command is only valid from the system console. ER allows you to set the remote access password, the number of password tries, and single or multiple access.

Using the ER command generates the following prompts:

   CM>ER Return
 
   Current remote console access configuration:
 
   Mode:                Multiple
   Password:            The quick brown fox
   Password faults:     10
 
   Do you wish to change the configuration? (Y/N): Y Return
 
Enter your changes.  <CR> retains the current value.
 
Current mode:   Multiple
Select the new setting (S=single, M=multiple):  Return
Current password:    The quick brown fox
New password (1 to 24 displayable characters or space
if no password is to be required):  Return
Current password fault limit:   10
New number of password faults (Range:  0-99 or space.
Space or 0 will permit unlimited password faults.): 5 Return
   New remote console access configuration:
 
   Mode:                Multiple
   Password:            The quick brown fox
   Password faults:     5
 
   Remote console access is now enabled.
 
CM>

The new access status settings do not take effect until you finally answer the change query with NO.

If, during the process of updating the access status settings, the AP encounters any unexpected or inappropriate input, it may respond with a combination of the following messages:

   Expecting "Y" or "N" (APERR 11)
 
   Expecting "S" or "M" (APERR 16)
 
   String was truncated to 24 characters. (APMSG 04)
 
   Your selection is outside of the legal range. (APERR 14)
 
   Command may not be executed by a remote user. (APERR 13)

Upon NVM failure, the following default values are used: remote disabled, multiple access mode, maximum fault limit = 3, no password required.

Sending Messages to Both Consoles

The AP treats all displayable characters following the TE command as a comment. They are displayed but not executed. This allows you to enter a message of up to 80 characters at the master terminal that can be viewed by both consoles. For example, entering:

   CM>TE System backup begins in 5 minutes.

displays the message:

  System backup begins in 5 minutes.

at the remote console.

Disabling Remote Console Access

Entering DR disables remote access by the remote support modem port to control and console modes.

If the command is successful, the system displays the message:

   Remote console access disabled.

	NOTE: The remote enabled light on the front panel goes out once remote console access is terminated.

Disconnecting the Remote Line

Entering the DI command initiates a clean disconnect from the telephone line connected to the remote support modem port. This command is valid only from a remote console. If a local operator attempts to use this command, the system issues a message:

   Command may not be executed by a local user. (APERR 15)

The system displays the message, Remote line is disconnected, when the line is disconnected.

Connecting the Remote Support Modem to a Session Port

This command is valid from the remote support modem port only.

Entering SE causes the remote support modem port to connect through to a session port. If DTR is on, the remote support port's modem remains connected. The remote support modem is able to initiate a session using a normal connection protocol, as if a new modem connection had just been established. To reenter control mode, the remote support port modem must drop the connection and redial.

Using this command and the port operation, a user at the Response Center is able to use control, console, and session mode without any intervention by the local operator. (The operator must enable remote capability of the system.)

The following message is generated if the local console operator tries to execute the SE command:

   Command may not be executed by local user.  (APERR 15)

Enabling the SPU Hex Status Display

The ES command displays the system status line, including the front panel LED codes, on console terminals during console mode. Console terminal performance and software performance may be affected when a remote console is connected to the system.

The operating system writes the LED display every 0.5 seconds.

For a 300-bit per second modem, 60 percent of the available throughput is taken by the writing of the LED code. For a 1200-bit per second modem, 15 percent of the line capacity is used.To minimize the effect, the entire system status line is not displayed. In console mode, the following display is shown:

     CODE:  xxxx

The status line is placed over the softkey labels. To temporarily view the soft keys display, enter a Return.

After successfully executing the command, the following message is displayed:

     System status display during console mode is enabled.

Disabling the SPU Hex Status Display

Entering DS disables the display of the system status line, including the system front panel hex display codes on the console during console mode. See the ES command for more details.

The system displays a message when the command is successful:

   System status display during console mode is disabled.

Hard Resetting the SPU

Issuing the RS command causes the AP to reset the entire SPU, halting all processing and I/O activity with the exception of itself and a few operations that must maintain state even over resets. The AP clears all data from the standard output (SO) and data processing first-in-first-out (DP FIFO) buffers. When the first character arrives from either buffer, the AP returns the console from control mode to console mode.

	NOTE: The AP command interpreter is active during the period between command execution and the arrival of characters (on either buffer ports) from the system, though the control mode prompt (CM>) isn't available.

Executing this command generates messages and prompts essential to resetting the system.

If the AP command interpreter encounters errors or inappropriate input during the reset (RS) process, it may display a combination of the following messages:

   Expecting "Y" or "N" (APERR 11)
 
   Unable to verify assertion of RESET_SYS backplane
   signal (APERR 01).
 
   RESET SYS backplane signal asserted, but unable to
   verify SPU deassertion of PPON backplane
   signal (APERR 02).
 
   PPON not reasserted by SPU after RESET_SYS
   deassertion (APERR 03).

The last three messages appear as a result of certain failures detected by the AP during the reset process. These messages are key to isolating the cause of the failure of the failed field-replaceable unit.

Once the reset is complete, the system displays the following message:

   SPU hardware was successfully reset. (APMSG 02)

Transferring Control (Soft Reset)

The TC command initiates a transfer of control, or soft reset, of the system.

Should an error be encountered during a TC, the system displays following error message:

   Unable to verify assertion of TOC_SYS backplane signal
   (APERR 04).

Testing the AP

Entering TA executes the AP self-test. The system displays a message during self-test:

CM>TA Return
 
Console data arriving during self-test execution
will be lost.
 
Type Y to confirm your intention to execute AP Self-Test (Y/N): Y
 
Starting AP Self-Test.  Last subtest will be 30.
 
Executing test number:
 
00     01     02     03     04     05     06     07     08     09
10     11     12     13     14     15     16     17     18     19
20     21     22     23     24     25     26     27     28     29
30
 
AP Self-Test passed. (APMSG 01)

If the self-test fails:

   AP Self-Test failed subtest xx (APERR 05).

where xx is the number of the test causing the failure. If the self-test hangs, the last number displayed is the failing subtest, provided that the numbers have appeared in numerical order (which is the expected sequence).

During the execution of self-test, some of the test numbers shown above may have the mnemonics NC, NT1H, or NS1H appended to them. Whether or not these appear depends upon the test hood configuration present at the time of test execution.

	NOTE: The master terminal after the completion of the self-test is the terminal that was master when the test was initiated.

Using Control Commands

The following section describes additional commands that can be executed with the simultaneous use of the control key.

Interpreting AP Error and Informational Messages

The AP provides two classes of messages. A message that is followed by (APERR XX) is an error message. "XX" indicates the error number. A message that is followed by (APMSG XX) is an informational message, although it can indicate a potential error. Error and informational numbers may be duplicated; for example, there is both an APERR 01 and an APMSG 01.