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FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
Part number: 5500043-15
Date: 10 September 2008
Navigating around this manual
Using this on-line manual. See page 5.
Fast Contents. See page 7.
Contents. See page 8.
Index. See page 127.
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Copyright statement
This document must not be reproduced in any way whatsoever, either printed or
electronically, without the consent of:
Perle Systems Limited,
60 Renfrew Drive
Markham,
Ontario,
Canada
L3R 0E1
Perle reserves the right to make changes without further notice, to any products to improve
reliability, function or design.
JETSTREAM, JETSTREAM4000, JETSTREAM8500 and LANSTREAM2000 are trademarks
of Perle Systems Limited.
Microsoft, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP,
Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Internet Explorer are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Netscape is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Solaris is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the USA and other countries.
Perle Systems Limited, 10 September 2008.
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FCC Note
The products described in this manual have been 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 when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this Guide, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required
to correct the interference at his/her own expense.
EN 55022: 1998, Class A Note
Warning: This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Caution: The products described in this manual are approved for commercial use only.
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FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
About this manual
Purpose of this manual
This manual tells you how to install, configure and use the Perle AT-FAST and PCI-FAST
serial adaptor cards, distribution hardware, associated drivers and utilities.
Who this manual is for
This manual is aimed at users who want to add extra serial ports to their system using AT-CIFAST serial adaptor cards. This manual requires a working knowledge of using personal
computers and associated operating systems, as well as experience in installing host cards.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Purpose of this manual
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Using this on-line manual
The following is a brief guide to using this manual on-line.
Document navigation
This manual features document navigation hypertext buttons in the header area as shown in
the next picture;
Jump to Using this on-line manual
Jump to Index
Jump to Quick Reference
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Jump to previous location
Hypertext jumps
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You can also navigate around this manual by clicking on any cross reference or text in blue
for example, Hypertext jumps.
Note
The Fast Contents, Contents and Index entries are all hypertext
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FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Using this on-line manual
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Revision history
Date Part number Description
July 2000 5500043-10 First issue of new AT- FAST and PCI-FAST user manual. Includes details of
drivers, utilities and installation under the Windows NT and Windows 2000
operating systems.
November 2001 5500043-11 Re-branding update.
December 2001 5500043-12 Update of manual to include installation under the SCO OpenServer, SCO
UnixWare, Solaris and Linux operating systems.
October 2005 5500043-13 Added information about SCO OpenServer 6 support.
March 2007 5500043-14 Added instructions for a new Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista
installation process. There are now three Windows drivers to support 32-bit,
64-bit x64, and 64-bit Itanium operating systems/processors.
September 2008 5500043-15 Added support for Windows Server 2008.
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FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
Fast Contents
ABOUT THIS MANUAL ........................................................... 4
REVISION HISTORY ............................................................... 6
FAST CONTENTS .................................................................. 7
C
ONTENTS ........................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................. 13
CHAPTER 2 INSTALLING DRIVERS AND HOST CARDS .............. 16
C
HAPTER 3 CABLING INFORMATION ...................................... 105
APPENDIX A TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................... 116
APPENDIX B CONTACTING PERLE ......................................... 121
I
NDEX .................................................................................. 127
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
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FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
Contents
ABOUT THIS MANUAL ............................................................ 4
Purpose of this manual .................................................................................. 4
Who this manual is for ................................................................................... 4
Using this on-line manual ..............................................................................5
Document navigation ................................................................................5
Hypertext jumps........................................................................................5
REVISION HISTORY ................................................................ 6
F
AST CONTENTS ................................................................... 7
CONTENTS ............................................................................ 8
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Page 8
Page 9
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 13
About the AT-FAST and PCI-FAST serial adaptor cards .........................14
Guide to distribution accessories ................................................................ 15
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
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CHAPTER 2 INSTALLING DRIVERS AND HOST CARDS 16
Before you start ............................................................................................... 17
Down loading FAST drivers from the Perle web site ............................... 18
Installing under Windows 95 ........................................................................ 19
General setup procedure for Windows 95 ................................................20
Installing Windows 95 drivers for PCI-FAST cards ...................................21
De-installing the driver for PCI-FAST cards ..............................................22
Installing Windows 95 drivers for AT-FAST cards .....................................23
De-installing the driver for AT-FAST cards ................................................25
Installing under Windows NT ....................................................................... 26
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 ....... 27
General setup procedure for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/
Server 2008 ..............................................................................................28
Installing device drivers and utilities onto your system .............................29
Adding additional cards and/or updating drivers.......................................31
Adding AT host cards to the system .........................................................31
Viewing and changing the resources for a device ....................................35
Configuring serial ports .............................................................................39
Installing under SCO OpenServer 5 ............................................................44
General setup procedure for SCO OpenServer 5.....................................46
Initial configuration under SCO OpenServer 5..........................................47
Suggested hardware settings for AT-FAST ...............................................48
Installing the driver software .....................................................................49
Enabling login access ...............................................................................50
Reinstalling or upgrading software............................................................50
Removing the driver software ...................................................................50
Port naming conventions for SCO OpenServer 5.....................................51
Higher baud rates under SCO OpenServer 5...........................................51
Installing under SCO OpenServer 6 ............................................................52
General installation procedure for SCO OpenServer 6.............................53
Installing device drivers and utilities..........................................................54
Serial port naming conventions.................................................................59
Configuring serial ports .............................................................................60
Removing drivers and utilities from your system ......................................64
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
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Installing under SCO UnixWare ................................................................... 65
General setup procedure for SCO UnixWare ...........................................66
Initial configuration under SCO UnixWare ................................................67
Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using command line..............................68
Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using the Desktop.................................70
Enabling login access ...............................................................................70
Reinstalling or upgrading software............................................................70
Installing additional cards..........................................................................70
Removing cards and software ..................................................................71
To remove a PCI-FAST card, jump to step 5. ................................................ 71
To remove an AT-FAST card: ........................................................................ 71
Removing the SCO UnixWare driver ............................................................. 72
Port naming conventions for SCO UnixWare............................................73
Higher baud rates under SCO UnixWare..................................................73
Installing under Solaris ..................................................................................74
General setup procedure for Solaris.........................................................75
Installing Solaris drivers ............................................................................76
Port naming conventions ..........................................................................77
Card Ordering ...........................................................................................77
Enabling logins..........................................................................................77
Installing under Linux ..................................................................................... 78
Cards Supported.......................................................................................78
Enhanced Features...................................................................................78
Known Limitations.....................................................................................78
Installing host cards and distribution accessories .................................. 79
Distribution accessory guide.....................................................................80
Installing 4 port cards................................................................................81
Installing a 4 port PCI host card .................................................................... 81
Installing a 4 port AT host card ...................................................................... 83
Installing 8 port cards and distribution accessories ..................................86
Installing an 8 port PCI host card .................................................................. 87
Installing an 8 port AT host card .................................................................... 89
Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead ........... 92
Connecting an 8 port octopus cable .............................................................. 93
Connecting an 8 port distribution cable ......................................................... 94
Installing 16 port cards and distribution accessories ................................95
Installing a 16 port PCI host card .................................................................. 95
Installing a 16 port AT host card .................................................................... 97
Connecting a 16 port distribution box ............................................................ 102
Removing host cards .....................................................................................103
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
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CHAPTER 3 CABLING INFORMATION 105
AT- AT-FAST4 and PCI-FAST4 RJ45 card edge connectors ...................106
Distribution box and cable guide ................................................................. 107
Distribution box and cable pinouts ............................................................. 108
RJ45 to DB25 male cable .........................................................................109
8 port distribution box with DB25 female connectors................................110
8 port octopus cable with DB25 female connectors..................................111
8 port octopus cable with DB25 male connectors.....................................112
8 port distribution cable with RJ45 female connector block......................113
16 port distribution box with DB25 female connectors..............................114
APPENDIX A TROUBLESHOOTING 116
Windows NT .....................................................................................................117
Windows NT general troubleshooting.......................................................117
Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 ....................................118
General troubleshooting under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/
Server 2008 ..............................................................................................119
Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 error messages.........120
APPENDIX B CONTACTING PERLE 121
Making a technical Support Query .............................................................. 122
Who to contact..........................................................................................122
Information needed when making a query................................................123
Making a support query via the Perle web page.......................................124
Repair procedure ............................................................................................ 125
Feedback about this manual ........................................................................125
Contacting Perle technical support ............................................................. 126
INDEX ................................................................................... 127
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
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FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
Chapter 1 Introduction
You need to read
this chapter if you
want to...
You need to read this chapter if you want an introduction to the Perle AT-FAST and PCIFAST serial adaptor cards, driver software and utilities.
This chapter provides introductory information about the Perle AT-FAST and PCI-FAST serial
adaptor cards, driver software and configuration utilities.
This chapter includes the following sections;
• About the AT-FAST and PCI-FAST serial adaptor cards on page 14
• Guide to distribution accessories on page 15
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Chapter 1 Introduction
Page 13
Page 14
About the AT-FAST and PCI-FAST serial adaptor cards
The PCI-FAST and AT-FAST are multi-port cards which provide extra serial ports for RS-232
peripherals. These cards plug into your PC servers and provide 4, 8 or 16 high speed ports
suitable for remote access, data collection, point of sale or any other RS232 applications.
You use the FAST serial adaptor cards when you want a robust entry level solution for the
small office or point of sale applications. Typically you use FASTserial adaptor cards because
you want to add extra serial ports to an existing computer system rather than replacing it with
the considerable cost that entails. Higher data rates and ESD protection in the FAST serial
adaptor cards make it suitable for any modem or ISDN TA application.
Note
To use the FAST serial adaptor cards you must first install the drivers supplied with the
card and then configure each card as required prior to mechanical installation. The
installation procedure varies for different operating systems. Please read Before you start on
page 17 in Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards before commencing installation.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
About the AT-FAST and PCI-FAST serial adaptor cards
Chapter 1 Introduction
Page 14
Page 15
Guide to distribution accessories
The distribution box or cable required for the FAST product you are using depends on the
number of ports and product type as detailed in the next table;
Product
AT-FAST4
PCI-FAST4
AT-FAST8
PCI-FAST8
AT-FAST1 6
PCI-FAST16
Cable or distribution box
options For installation information see...
RJ45 (8 pin) to DB25 male
cable.
See Installing 4 port cards on
page 81 in Chapter 2 Installing
drivers and host cards.
8 port distribution box with DB25
female connectors.
8 port octopus cable with DB25
female connectors on flying
See Installing 8 port cards and
distribution accessor ies on
page 86 in Chapter 2 Installing
drivers and host cards.
leads.
8 port octopus cable with DB25
male connectors on flying leads.
8 port distribution cable with
RJ45 8 pin female connector
block.
16 port distribution box with
DB25 female connectors.
See Installing 16 port cards
and distribution
accessories on page 95 in
Chapter 2 Installing drivers
and host cards.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Guide to distribution accessories
Chapter 1 Introduction
Page 15
Page 16
FAST Serial Adaptors
User Guide
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
You need to read
this chapter if you
want to...
You need to read this chapter if you want to install FAST serial adaptor cards, associated
hardware and software.
This chapter provides information about installing and configuring FAST serial adaptor cards.
Note
The procedure for installing and configuring FAST serial adaptor cards varies for different
operating systems. Please read Before you start on page 17 before commencing
installation.
This chapter includes the following sections;
• Before you start on page 17
• Down loading FAST drivers from the Perle web site on page 18
• Installing under Windows 95 on page 19
• Installing under Windows NTon page 26
• Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 on page 27
• Installing under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 44
• Installing under SCO OpenServer 6 on page 52
• Installing under SCO UnixWare on page 65
• Installing under Solaris on page 74
• Installing under Linux on page 78
• Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79
• Removing host cards on page 103.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Before you start
Before you install your FAST host cards and software, note that the procedure for installing
and configuring FAST serial adaptor cards varies for different operating systems.
To install under a particular operating system, please refer to one of the operating system
specific installation procedures listed below;
• Installing under Windows 95 on page 19
• Installing under Windows NTon page 26
• Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 on page 27
• Installing under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 44
• Installing under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 44
• Installing under SCO UnixWare on page 65
• Installing under Solaris on page 74
• Installing under Linux on page 78
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Before you start
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 17
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Down loading FAST drivers from the Perle web site
You can install the FAST driver and utility software from the Perle web site. To do this
proceed as follows;
1. On your PC, start the Internet browser you want to use (for example, Netscape).
2. Within your Internet browser window, select the software directory using one the following
URL;
http://www.perle.com/downloads
Note
In the event of any problems contact your System Administrator or
Internet Service provider for assistance.
3. Change to the software directory.
The software directory is now displayed.
4. Download the zip files in this directory to a suitable location on your PC for example, /tmp.
5. Uncompress the files using a suitable utility.
6. You can now install the driver software using the correct procedure for your operating
system. See Before you start on page 17.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Down loading FAST drivers from the Perle web site
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 18
Page 19
Installing under Windows 95
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under Microsoft
Windows 95.
This section includes the following;
• General setup procedure for Windows 95 on page 20
• Installing Windows 95 drivers for PCI-FAST cards on page 21
• De-installing the driver for PCI-FAST cards on page 22
• Installing Windows 95 drivers for AT-FAST cards on page 23
• De-installing the driver for AT-F AST cards on page 25
Note
The following Port naming conventions are applied for Windows 95;
Port names under Windows 95 take the form: COMx
Where the first port on each card is numbered from the next available port on the PC for
COM5 upwards for Windows 95. In the case of PCI-FAST, the ports are numbered
according to the system slot number occupied by the card in the PC, starting with slot 0.
Example:
After installing a PCI-FAST 4, the ports are labelled:
COM1 - COM4 PC system
COM5 - COM8 PCI-FAST 4
If a new PCI-FAST 8 is installed in a preceding slot, the ports will be as follows:
COM1 - COM4 PC System
COM5 - COM12 PCI-FAST 8
COM13 - COM16 PCI- FAST 4
That is, the PCI-FAST 4 ports will be moved up.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 19
Page 20
General setup procedure for Windows 95
The general procedure for installing FAST cards under the Windows 95 operating system is
as follows;
Note
Up to four PCI-FAST 4/8/16 cards or Up to four AT-FAST 4/8/16 cards
PCI and AT bus cards cannot be mixed in Windows 95 machines.
1. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
2. If you have installed any PCI host cards, now install the driver software using the
procedures given in Installing Windows 95 drivers for PCI-FAST cards on page 21.
Note
To remove drivers see De-installing the driver for PCI-FAST cards on page 22.
3. If you are going to install AT cards on your system, install driver software using the
procedures given in Installing Windows 95 drivers for AT-FAST cards on page 23.
Note
To remove drivers see De-installing the driver for AT-FAST cards on page 25.
4. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
5. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 20
Page 21
Installing Windows 95 drivers for PCI-FAST cards
PCI-FAST cards install as a Plug and Play card under Windows 95.
Once the card is installed, power up your PC and Windows 95 will automatically detect it. On
older versions of Windows 95 the New Hardware Found window will appear as shown below:
1. Load the CD, select Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer and press OK.
2. When prompted, select the CD drive and enter the path: pci-fast\drivers\win_95 and press
OK.
On more recent versions of Windows 95 the Update DeviceDriver Wizard window will
appear as follows:
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 22
3. Press Next.
4. Enter the drive name for the CD and the path: pci-fast\drivers\win_95 or browse to select
the directory.
5. Press Finish.
There will be a delay while the Update Device Driver wizard installs the ports for the PCIFAST card.
6. Now restart your system.
When port installation is complete, driver software is installed and the card is ready for use.
De-installing the driver for PCI-FAST cards
To remove the PCI-Fast driver and card:
1. Select Control Panel from the Start menu and double click the System applet.
2. Select Device Manager and expand the Multifunction Adapter tree.
3. Select the card which you require to remove and press Remove. When complete press
OK.
With the system shutdown and the power turned off the Card may now be physically
removed from the system and the machine re-booted.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 22
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Installing Windows 95 drivers for AT-FAST cards
For AT-FAST Windows 95 drivers use setup.exe on the CD in the directory
drivers\at-fast\win9x.
After the initial setup program has detected your system, it will start the Add New Hardware
Wizard. Then:
1. Select Next .
2. Select No to Do you want Windows to search for your new hardware?
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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3. Select Multi-function adapters and then Next.
4. Select Have Disk and then Next.
5. Select your AT-FAST card from the list shown and then select Next.
6. Select Next when the card hardware parameters are displayed.
7. Now restart your system.
Note:
Windows 95 already has the ability to select the baud rates 230.4 kbps and 460.8 kbps, but
for 16 bit programs running on the system that may not have this ability it is possible to
instead map 57.6 kbps and 115.2 kbps to these rates.
The AT-FAST supports auto flow control, this generally works best when linked with a
device (such as another 16650) that also supports this. If you find that performance is not as
good with auto flow control selected then you can disable it on a per port basis.
The above options can be changed via the advanced tab on the ports properties dialog box
located under the device manager tab of the system icon in Control Panel, after the card
has been installed.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 25
De-installing the driver for AT-FAST cards
To remove the driver software:
1. From Control Panel select the System icon, and select the Device manager tab.
2. Select Multi-function Adapters to list the options available.
3. Select the AT-FAST option installed earlier.
4. Select Remove, and then OK.
5. Shutdown your system and power off the PC.
6. Remove the AT-FAST card.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 95
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 25
Page 26
Installing under Windows NT
The procedure for installing and configuring host cards, drivers software and associated
utilities for the Windows NT operating system is as follows:
Note
The Perle PortDirector software contains drivers for the FAST host cards.
You will need to install the PortDirector for WIndows NT on your system in order to use
the FAST host cards.
See Chapter 5 Adding and deleting host cards in the PortDirector User guide
part number 5500028 for further details.
1. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
2. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79
3. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
4. Use the PortDirector software to update your system with the revised number and type of
host cards. See The PortDirector user guide part number 5500028 for further details.
Your system can now use the serial adaptor cards you have installed.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows NT
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 26
Page 27
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/ Server 2008
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under Microsoft
Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008.
This section includes the following:
• General setup procedure for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 on
page 28
• Installing device drivers and utilities onto your system on page 29
• Adding additional cards and/or updating drivers on page 31
• Adding AT host cards to the system on page 31
• Viewing and changing the resources for a device on page 35
• Configuring serial ports on page 39.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 27
Page 28
General setup procedure for Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
The general procedure for installing FAST cards under the Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/
Vista/Server 2008operating system is as follows:
1. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
2. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
3. Install the FAST device driver software. See Installing device drivers and utilities onto
your system on page 29.
4. If you add new FAST cards, you should run Update Driver to make sure the new cards
have the latest driver. See Adding additional cards and/or updating drivers on
page 31.
5. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
6. Using the Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 Device Manager, configure
the serial ports you have added to the system. See Configuring serial ports on page 39.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 28
Page 29
Installing device drivers and utilities onto your system
To install or enable the FAST device drivers on your system proceed as follows;
1. Turn on your PC and if required, log in.
If you have installed any new PCI host cards, a Found New Hardware message is briefly
shown followed by the Found New Hardware wizard as shown in the pictures.
2. In the Found New Hardware wizard click on the Cancel button.
3. Download the lastest FAST driver zip file from the Perle website for your operating
system:
pserial-x86.zip for 32-bit Windows operating systems.
pserial-amd64.zip for 64-bit Windows operating systems.
pserial-ia64.zip for 64-bit Windows Itanium operating systems.
4. Unzip the driver zip file to a local directory. We recommend that you use the
pserial-setup-<arch>.exe file, which will launch the installation wizard, to install the
FAST driver.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 29
Page 30
5. Double-click the pserial-setup-<arch>.exe installation executable and follow the
installation wizard steps:
6. During the installation, you may get a Windows Logo message. Click Continue Anyway
when these appear.
Note
If you are installing an unsigned driver, you may have to click through the Found New
Hardware wizard for every FAST port on your system.
Your FAST driver installation is now finished.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 30
Page 31
Adding additional cards and/or updating drivers
Whenever you add any additional FAST hardware to your system, Windows might install the
latest digitally signed driver in its database (depending on your Windows operating system
and settings). To ensure you have the latest driver installed after you add new hardware, you
can either:
• Click Start > All Programs > Perle > Perle-Serial > Update Driver
or
• Reinstall the drivers as described in Installing device drivers and utilities onto your
system on page 29.
Adding AT host cards to the system
When you physically install an AT host card in your system you also need to add the card to
the list of installed devices in the system.
To add AT host cards to your system proceed as follows:
Note
The addresses used by AT-FAST host cards are normally set by
default. This procedure is used when you wish to set non-standard
addresses.
1. In the Windows desktop, click on the Start button and select Settings > Control Panel
The control panel window is now displayed.
2. In the control panel window, double click on the System icon.
The Add/Remove Hardware Wizard is now displayed.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 31
Page 32
3. Using the instructions given in the next table, use the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard to
assign the host card addresses and IRQ levels you require.
In this Wizard page Do the following...
4. In the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard, select
Add/Troubleshoot a device and press the
Next > button.
The Choose a Hardware Device page is now
displayed.
5. In the Choose a Hardware Device page,
scroll up the list of devices and click on
Add a new device, then click on the Next >
button.
The Find New Hardware page is now
displayed.
6. In the Find New Hardware page, select No, I
want to select the hardware from a list
and click on the Next > button.
The Hardware Type page is now displayed.
7. In the Hardware Ty pe page, select Mutli-
port serial adaptors and click on the Next >
button.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 32
Page 33
In this Wizard page Do the following...
The Select a Device Driver page is now
displayed.
8. If your host card type isn’t shown, in the
Select a Device Driver page click on the
Have Disk button.
A message window is now displayed which
prompts you for the driver and location you
want to use.
9. In the message window, enter or select the
driver you want and click on the OK button to
accept settings and close the window.
The Select a Device Driver page is now
updated to show the new driver you have
selected.
10.In the Select a Device Driver page, select
the manufacturer and model you require,
then click on the Next > button.
The Start Hardware Installation page is now
displayed.
11.In the Start Hardware Installation page, click
on the Next > button to accept your choice.
A completion message page is now
displayed as shown in the next picture
Note
If resources are not free you will have to change the resource
configuration using the procedures described on page 35.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 34
12.In the completion message page click on the Finish button to complete the new
configuration.
After the you have finished adding cards to the system all connected port devices will now be
detected. You should now install the latest driver for the ports from its database or you will be
prompted for one if one cannot be found.
Note
Whenever you add any FAST hardware to your system, the default is to use the latest
digitally signed driver, although if you are using a later unsigned driver version, the
harware will automatically go through an update process. This ensures that every device
currently installed in the system is updated to use the driver on the CDROM.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 35
Viewing and changing the resources for a device
To view or change the resources for a device proceed as follows:
1. In the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard go to the last page and click on the Resources
button.
The Add New Hardware Wizard properties window is now displayed.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 36
2. In the Add New Hardware Wizard properties window, select the Resources page and
click on the Set Configuration Manually button.
The resources page is now updated to show the settings for the current installed FAST
device.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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3. In the Add New Hardware Wizard properties window, select the Input/Output Range field
and click on the Change Setting button.
The Edit Input/Output Range window is now displayed.
4. In the Edit Input/Output Range window, select the I/O address range for the host card you
want and click on the OK button.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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5. In the Add New Hardware Wizard properties window, select the Interrupt Request field
and click on the Change Setting button.
The Edit Interrupt Request window is now displayed as shown in the next picture.
6. Within the Edit Interrupt Request window, select the Interrupt Request level you want and
click on the OK button.
Note
Ensure any AT-FAST cards are set to the I/O address and IRQ levels you have set
during this procedure. See Installing host cards and distribution
accessories on page 79.
If values you have selected are not acceptable to the system, then the Device Manager
will display a problem icon as shown in the next picture.
7. If the memory settings you have selected are not acceptable to the system, check your
configuration settings and adjust memory address as required (page 79). Otherwise ring
Technical support.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Configuring serial ports
To configure FAST serial ports under Windows, proceed as follows:
1. In the Windows desktop, click on the Start button and select Settings > Control Panel.
The control panel window is now displayed.
2. In the Control Panel window, click on the System icon.
The System Properties tabbed window is now displayed.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the Hardware tab.
The hardware page is now displayed.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
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4. In the Hardware page, click on the Device Manager Button.
The Device Manager window is now displayed.
5. In the Device Manager window, click on the Multiport serial adapters icon to display the
currently installed devices.
6. In the Device Manager window, double click on the device whose properties you want to
view or change
The device Properties tabbed window is now displayed.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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7. In the device Properties window, click on the Port Settings tab to display the Port
Settings page.
8. In the Port Settings page, set the Port Number, Baud Rate and other configuration
parameters you require.
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9. If you want to change any FIFO parameters, click on the FIFO Settings tab.
The FIFO Settings page is now displayed as shown in the next picture.
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10.In the FIFO Settings page, set the FIFO buffer levels using the parameters detailed in the
next table.
Hint
To restore the default settings, use the Restore Defaults button.
Parameter Description
Tx FIFO Limit Sets the overall size of the Transmit FIFO buffer.You use this
when you want to restrict the size of the buffer in order to control
the data flow. This is useful when your application requires you
to send small amounts of data but needs acknowledgement
that the data has been sent.
For example, if your application is designed to receive 4 bytes
at a time, a larger value of say 16 would time out.
Permitted values for a FAST card are 1 to 64.
Tx FIFO Trigger Level Sets the level at which the com port Transmit FIFO buffer is
filled with data each time a request for more data is made.
For example, if set to 16 bytes you get 16 bytes at a time when
driver requests data.
Permitted values for a FAST card are 8, 16, 32 and 56.
Rx FIFO Trigger Level Sets the level at which the com port Receive FIFO buffer is filled
before the data is passed on to an application.
For example, if set to 16 bytes, 16 bytes of data are
accumulated at a time before data is passed on to an
application. The FIFO trigger will also time out if the level is not
achieved within two character periods of the last byte received.
Permitted values for a FAST card are 8, 16, 56 and 60.
High Flow Control
Threshold
Sets the level at which data flow is suspended.
If the limit is exceeded, the driver will stop collecting data.
For FAST, value is read only, set automatically from FIFO
trigger level.
Low Flow Control
Threshold
Sets the level at which data flow is resumed.
If the low flow threshold is exceeded, the driver requests more
data.
For FAST, value is read only, set automatically from FIFO
trigger level.
11.Within the Serial Port properties window, click on the OK button to save changes and
close the window.
The configuration process is now complete.
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Installing under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under SCO
OpenServer 5.
The SCO OpenServer 5 drivers support any mix of AT-FAST and PCI-FAST cards up to a
maximum of four cards. Each card can contain 4, 8 or 16 high-speed serial ports.
The drivers for Unix are supplied as 'disk images' on the CD, formatted for use with the
pkgadd utility. Each package has been given the label comf for com- Fast reflecting the fact
that these are fast communications ports.
This section includes the following;
• General setup procedure for SCO OpenServer 5 on page 46
• Initial configuration under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 47
• Suggested hardware settings for AT-FASTon page 48
• Installing the driver software on page 49
• Enabling login access on page 50
• Reinstalling or upgrading software on page 50
• Removing the driver software on page 50
• Port naming conventions for SCO OpenServer 5 on page 51
• Higher baud rates under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 51
Note
When installing additional AT or PCI cards the standard software installation creates
operating system device and control entries for a single card. When you wish to add extra
cards you should run the command mkdev to add new device and control entries.
mkdev comf
This command will prompt you with the possible actions for the addition or removal of cards.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 45
Note
A mouse or similar device (a few scanners and non-intelligent FAX modems) can be
confused by the extra buffering that the card provides. This buffering can be disabled on a
port by port basis using the mkdev comf command. The unbuffered ports use similar
names to those above with comf changed to com. e.g. com1a.
mkdev comf
The unbuffered ports will now work with a mouse or similar device but they are not
recommended for general use as they will present a higher load on the system and their
performance will be limited.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 45
Page 46
General setup procedure for SCO OpenServer 5
The general procedure for installing FAST cards under the SCO OpenServer 5 operating
system is as follows;
1. Before commencing the installation process under SCO OpenServer 5, configure your
system as described in Initial configuration under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 47.
Note
If you are installing AT-FAST hardware you should examine your system
configuration and determine non-conflicting I/O addresses and IRQs for use with
each ISA card.
See Suggested hardware settings for AT-FASTon page 48.
2. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
3. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
4. Install the driver software onto your system using the procedures given in Installing the
driver software on page 49.
5. You can then enable login access using the procedures given in Enabling login
access on page 50.
Note
For information on upgrading or re-installing drivers, see Reinstalling or
upgrading software on page 50.
To remove drivers, see Removing the driver software on page 50
6. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 46
Page 47
Initial configuration under SCO OpenServer 5
Before installing any new software on your system it is important that the existing software is
correctly installed and configured.
The Perle software supplied comprises various files plus a kernel module called a device
driver that has to be linked into the Unix kernel. Before attempting to install the driver
software, it is advisable to check that the kernel can be rebuilt. The steps to do this are:
1. Log in as root.
2. Change directory to /etc/conf/cf.d.
cd /etc/conf/cf.d
3. Run link_unix.
./link_unix -y
4. Reboot the machine.
sync
init 6
Any problems that cause the rebuild to fail must be resolved (by your operating system
vendor or other third-party product vendor) before installing the driver software.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 48
Suggested hardware settings for AT-FAST
If you are installing AT-FAST hardware you should examine your system configuration and
determine non-conflicting I/O addresses and IRQs for use with each ISA card. Some
suggested locations to try:
Card I/O base IRQ Suitable for
1st 0x180 5 4 and 8 port cards.
2nd 0x100 10 All cards
3rd 0x240 11 4 and 8 port cards
4th 0x280 12 4 and 8 port cards.
Possibly 16 port if using
SCSI hard disk
Possibly 16 port if not
using COM2
Note
Do not use IRQ12 if a
PS/2 mouse is
connected.
As can be seen from the above, I/O space is in short supply especially if installing multiple
cards - particularly 16 port units. Using PCI-FAST cards in multiple card configurations is
advised. If suitable non-conflicting addresses can be determined then up to four AT-FAST
cards can be installed.
The command hwconfig can be used to display resources used by existing hardware.
The parameters base and offset give the start address and size of the I/O space used by a
card and vec gives the IRQ number. This list is not exhaustive as some drivers do not
declare all the resources they use.
On SMP (multi-processor) systems an additional command displayintr can be used to show
the IRQ lines currently in use by the various device drivers.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 49
Installing the driver software
Before commencing software installation, you will need to create a diskette using the
'diskette image' supplied on the CD supplied with this product. When you have created the
installation diskette, proceed as follows:
1. Login as root.
2. Insert the created installation diskette.
3. Check for the presence of the /install directory. If this does not exist then create it.
mkdir /install
4. Call pkgadd to install the driver software.
pkgadd -n -d /dev/fd0135ds18 comf
5. pkgadd will remind you to insert the floppy in drive A and assuming you have done this
you should enter go to continue. Before the kernel is rebuilt you will be asked if the card
you are installing is an AT-FAST card.
If you answer yes then you will be asked to supply the I/O address and IRQ you have
determined for the card along with the number of serial ports on the card.
If you are installing a PCI-FAST card simply answer no to this question as PCI
configuration is automatic.
6. You will then be asked if you wish to add any additional cards with this initial installation.
If installing more than one card you should answer Yes and will then be prompted with a
general configuration menu. Otherwise say No. You may add further cards at a later date
by issuing the command.
mkdev comf
7. It may take a couple of minutes to rebuild the system kernel. You will now be asked
whether you wish to use the new kernel by default and whether you want the new kernel
environment to be built. You should answer Yes to both these questions.
8. Finally, to activate your new kernel you must reboot the system by typing:
shutdown -y -g5 (Gives users 5 mins) or reboot (Immediate)
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 50
Enabling login access
Once installed, operation of the ports is identical with that of standard serial ports with the
exception of the differing names described in Port naming conventions for SCO
OpenServer 5 on page 51 and higher possible baud rates described in Higher baud rates
under SCO OpenServer 5 on page 51.
Thus to enable a login on the first port, you would use the enable command just as you would
with the standard serial ports:
enable comf1a
As installed, the ports operate at 9600 bps. To change this you should edit /etc/inittab and /
etc/conf/init.d/comf and change the speed letter for the port.
Remember that /etc/inittab is your current configuration but that it is rebuilt from /etc/conf/
init.d/comf whenever the kernel is rebuilt, therefore it is important to update both files.
Reinstalling or upgrading software
New versions of the software can be installed over the top of any existing version using the
above installation procedure.
The installation software will attempt to preserve as much of the existing configuration as
possible.
Removing the driver software
No action is required when removing cards other than the standard operating system actions
to disable login processing on the removed ports. Do not use pkgrm to remove the driver.
However, if you wish to remove the card device names and control entries then this can be
done as follows:
1. Type: mkdev comf and select the required action.
Once all card entries have been removed using the above method, the command will
prompt to remove the device driver from the kernel.
2. Select yes to remove all references to the software apart from some package
management entries and the mkdev program itself.
Note
Having removed the device driver in this way you would need to reinstall from the
distribution disk should you wish to use the cards again in the future.
For information on the port labelling conventions and high-speed baud rate
mapping please go to Port naming conventions for SCO OpenServer 5 on
page 51 and Higher baud rates under SCO OpenServer 5on page 51.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 50
Page 51
Port naming conventions for SCO OpenServer 5
If the first card has 16 ports, the ports on the first card are named comf1a through to comf1p.
Only the first four or eight names will be used on smaller cards. If a second 16 port card is
subsequently added, it’s ports are named comf2a to comf2p, etc.
Cards are numbered and named in PCI system slot order, with cards in the lower numbered
slot on the lower numbered bus appearing first in the list.
Note
Adding a new card in a lower numbered slot than an existing one will
cause the ports on the existing board to be renumbered.
For OpenServer 5, any AT-FAST cards configured will appear in the list in the order they
have been configured.
To use modem control for dial in operations the port name should be used with the last letter
of the name in uppercase;
e.g. comf1A. Upper case port names assume at least a five-wire connection (RXD, TXD,
RTS, CTS, GND) with another serial device. Lower case port names assume a three-wire
connection only (RXD, TXD, GND).
Higher baud rates under SCO OpenServer 5
Because the system does not support the selection of baud rates above 38.4 kpbs, we have
permanently remapped some of the lower baud rates to support higher card speeds.
Original
speed
(bps)
50 57.6 a
75 76.8 b
110 115 .2 c
134 230.4 d
150 460.8 e
Is mapped
to (kpps) Getty letter
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 5
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under SCO
OpenServer 6.
The SCO OpenServer 5 drivers support any mix of AT-FAST and PCI-FAST cards up to a
maximum of four cards. Each card can contain 4, 8 or 16 high-speed serial ports.
• General installation procedure for SCO OpenServer 6 on page 53
• Installing device drivers and utilities on page 54
• Serial port naming conventions on page 59
• Configuring serial ports on page 60
• Removing drivers and utilities from your system on page 64.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 53
General installation procedure for SCO OpenServer 6
The general procedure for installing and configuring host cards, drivers software and
associated utilities for the SCO OpenServer 6 operating system is as follows:
1. Install any AT-FAST cards you require into your system. See Installing host cards and
distribution accessor ies on page 79
2. Install the SPEED SCO OpenServer 6 drivers and utilities onto your system using the
procedures described in Installing device drivers and utilities on page 54.
3. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
4. Using the Port Configuration tool, configure the serial ports you have added to the
system. See Configuring serial ports on page 60.
Your system can now use the serial adaptor cards you have installed. If required, you can
reconfigure serial ports following initial installation.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 54
Installing device drivers and utilities
To install the PCI-FAST device drivers and utilities for the SCO OpenServer 6 operating
system proceed as follows;
1. Login to your system as super user.
2. Load the CDROM into your system CD drive.
3. At the command prompt, make a directory for your installation by typing:
mkdir /cdrom
4. Mount the CDROM file system using the following commands:
mount -f ISO9660 -r/dev/cd0 /cdrom
Note
The example above shows the directory name as /cdrom, You can either use this
name or use another directory name to suit your requirements. For example, /mnt.
5. In the SCO OpenServer desktop, double click on the System Administration folder.
The System Administration window is now displayed.
6. In the System Administration window, double click on the software manager icon.
The Software Manager window is now
displayed.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 55
7. In the Software Manager menu, click on Software > Install New.
The Begin Installation window is now displayed as shown in the next picture.
Click here to
select the local
host as the host
machine.
8. In the Begin Installation window, select the local host as the machine to install from by
clicking on the From localhostname button and then click on Continue.
The Select Media window is now displayed.
9. In the Select Media window, using the Media Device selector choose the Media Images
option then click on Continue.
The Enter Image Directory window is now displayed.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 56
10.In the Enter Image Directory window, enter the following in the Image directory field;
/cdrom/drivers/pci-fast/openserver6/
Note
The example and picture above show a directory name including /cdrom, You can
either include this name in the path or use another directory name to suit your
requirements. For example, /mnt.
11.In the Enter Image Directory window, click on OK.
The Install Selection window is now displayed.
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Page 57
12.In the Install Selection window, click on the Install button.
The following progress message is now displayed.
The above window will display various progress messages and then the Speed
Installation Options window will be displayed.
13.If required, in the Speed Installation Options window, select the Re-Link kernel option.
Hint
If you are installing more then one driver, you can de-select this option until you
have installed all the drivers and utilities you require to save time.
14.In the Speed Window Installation menu, click on Options > Exit to close the window and
continue the installation process.
If you select Re-link kernel, a message window is displayed at the end of the driver
installation prompting you to re-boot the system.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 58
15.In the message window click on OK to continue the installation process.
The following message is now displayed upon completion of the installation process.
16.In the message window, click on OK to close the window.
The software manager window is now updated to show the driver you have installed as
shown in the next picture.
17.In the Software Manager window, click on the Host > Exit menu option to close the
window.
18.Shut down your system and turn the power off.
You can now continue with the rest of the installation process see General installation
procedure for SCO OpenServer 6 on page 53.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 59
Serial port naming conventions
Each serial port has three device nodes associated with it. Each node takes the form of a file
which you can access from operating system utilities and user applications. Details of these
nodes are shown in the next table.
Device name Function Description Location
ttyz1 Normal communications port
ttyZ1 Modem port Indicates that a port open will
ttyz1p Transparent print port. Indicates that device should
for local “tty” devices.
Indicates normal
communications port
behaviour.
not complete unless DCD is
present
only be used for transparent
print.
/dev
/dev
/dev
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 60
Configuring serial ports
The Port Configuration utility allows you to configure the SPEED serial ports you have
installed on your system. To do this proceed as follows;
Starting the Port
Configuration utility
Menus see
page 61.
Select one or
more ports
from this list.
1. In the command prompt, type spdpcfg and press the Enter key. Alternatively use the
SCO OpenServer desktop as follows;
a. In the SCO OpenServer desktop, open the System Ad minist ra tion folder.
The System Administration window is now displayed.
b. In the System Administration window, click on the Perle-Serial folder to open it.
The Speed window is now displayed.
c. In the Speed window, click on the Speed Port Configuration Icon.
The Port Configuration window is now displayed as shown in the next picture.
Select a getty
definition
here.
See page 61.
Enables or
disables login.
See page 62
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
Select a
terminal type
here.
See page 62
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 61
Menu map The Port Configuration tool menu is as follows;
Menu
option
Description
Ports > Quit Quit Port Configuration tool without saving
changes.
Logins Display all ports with logins enabled.
Unconfigured Display all ports without logins enabled.
All Display all ports.
Save & Exit Exit the Port Configuration tool and save
changes.
Selecting ports 2. In the Port Configuration window, select the ports you want you want to configure by
clicking on one or more items in the list of ports (example in next picture).
Hint
To select multiple items which follow each other in the list, hold down the Shift key and click
on all the items you want.
To select multiple items from anywhere in the list, hold down the Ctrl key and click on all the
items you want.
Selecting a getty
definition
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
3. In the Port Configuration window, select the getty definition you want by double clicking
on an item in the Available gettydefs list. Alternatively, click on the Set button.
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Page 62
The list of currently selected ports is now updated to show the new getty definition.
New definition
displayed here
Selecting terminal
type
Setting up a port
login
4. In the Terminal type list, double click on the terminal type you want for the currently
selected ports. Alternatively, single click on the item you want in the Terminal type list and
press the Set button.
The list of ports is now updated to show the new terminal type.
New terminal type
displayed here
5. In the Port Configuration window, click on one of the menu options shown in the next
table to display the ports with the login status you want to change. For example, ports
without logins enabled.
These options allow you to filter on the type of ports you are looking for. This facility is
helpful when you have a large number of ports installed.
To Display Click menu option
All ports with logins enabled Ports > Logins
All ports without logins enabled Ports > Unconfigured
Display all ports Ports > All
6. If required, in the Port Configuration window, select the ports whose logins status you
want to change, then click on one of the following to change the login status;
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
Tc Click on
Enable logins for a port Enable button
Disable logins for a port Disable button
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Page 63
Exiting the Port
Configuration tool
The selected ports in the list now are updated show their new login status. For example if
you enable the login for a port, a tick is displayed along side the port as shown in the next
picture.
7. Repeat steps 2. to 6. until you have configured all the ports you want.
8. In the Port Configuration menu, click on Ports > Save & Exit.
Note
To quit the Port Configuration tool without saving changes,
• In the Port Configuration menu, click on Ports > Quit.
The Port Configuration tool now closes and saves any changes you have made.
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Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 64
Removing drivers and utilities from your system
To remove the PCI-FAST device drivers and utilities for the SCO OpenServer operating
system proceed as follows;
1. In the SCO OpenServer 6 desktop, double click on the System Administration folder.
The System Administration window is now displayed.
2. In the System Administration window, double click on the software manager icon.
The Software Manager window is now displayed.
3. In the Software Manager window select the driver you want to remove.
4. In the Software Manager menu, click on Software > Remove software.
A confirmation window is now displayed prompting you to confirm removal.
5. In the confirmation window, click on the Remove button.
The software is now removed. The software manager window is now updated to show the
remaining software.
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Installing under SCO OpenServer 6
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
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Page 65
Installing under SCO UnixWare
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under SCO UnixWare.
This section includes the following;
• General setup procedure for SCO UnixWare on page 66
• Initial configuration under SCO UnixWare on page 67
• Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using command line on page 68
• Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using the Desktop on page 70
• Enabling login access on page 70
• Reinstalling or upgrading software on page 70
• Installing additional cards on page 70
• Removing cards and software on page 71
• Port naming conventions for SCO UnixWare on page 73
• Higher baud rates under SCO UnixWare on page 73.
Note
A mouse or similar device may not work correctly on buffered ports, such as those
offered with the PCI-FAST / AT-FAST cards. If possible, connect your mouse to one
of the existing PC serial ports. To configure the cards for connection to a mouse,
disable the buffering option as follows:
1. Run the atfconfig utility:
/etc/comf/atfconfig
2. At the Action? prompt, select M. Add a mouse port. A list of available ports is
shown and a prompt follows for the name of the port you wish to unbuffer.
Example: Type comf2c to unbuffer the third port on the second card.
3. Repeat as required for other ports.
4. Quit the utility.
An extra device will now be added to the /dev directory for each unbuffered port
configured. In the example above it is called com2c and this name should be
specified to the mouse software, etc.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 65
Page 66
General setup procedure for SCO UnixWare
The general procedure for installing FAST cards under the SCO UnixWare operating system
is as follows;
1. Before commencing the installation process under SCO UnixWare, configure your system
as described in Initial configuration under SCO UnixWare on page 67.
Note
If you are installing AT-FAST hardware you should examine your system
configuration and determine non-conflicting I/O addresses and IRQs for use with
each ISA card.
2. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
3. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
4. Install the driver software ionto your system using the procedures given in Installing SCO
UnixWare drivers using command line on page 68 or Installing SCO UnixWare
drivers using the Desktop on page 70
5. You can then enable login access using the procedures given in Enabling login
access on page 70.
Note
For information on upgrading or re-installing drivers, see Reinstalling or
upgrading software on page 70.
To remove drivers, see Removing the driver software on page 50
For information on installing additional cards see Installing additional cards on
page 70.
6. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 66
Page 67
Initial configuration under SCO UnixWare
Before installing any new software on your system it is important that the existing software is
correctly installed and configured.
The software supplied comprises various files plus a kernel module called a device driver
that has to be linked into the Unix kernel.
Before attempting to install the software, it is advisable to check that the kernel can be
rebuilt.
The steps to do this are:
1. Log in as root.
2. Change directory to /etc/conf/bin.
cd /etc/conf/bin
3. Run idbuild.
./idbuild
4. Reboot the machine.
sync
init 6
During the reboot, the kernel will be rebuilt. Any problems that cause the rebuild to fail must
be resolved (by your operating system vendor or other third party product vendor) before
installing the driver.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 67
Page 68
Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using command line
Before commencing software installation, you will need to create a diskette using the
'diskette image' supplied on the CD supplied with this product. How to use this CD-ROM
When you have created the installation diskette, proceed as follows:
1. Log in as root.
2. Insert the created installation diskette.
3. Run pkgadd to install the package.
pkgadd -d diskette1 comf
4. When prompted, give the total number of PCI-FAST and AT-FAST you want to install at
this time (cards can be added later).
Example: If you are installing 2 PCI-FAST cards and 1 AT-FAST card, enter 3.
5. You will be prompted to run the Device Configuration Utility (dcu) if you are installing any
AT-FAST cards. If you are installing PCI-FAST cards only, go to step 12.
6. Unless you are confident that you know suitable values for the IRQ line and I/O address
range to use with AT-FAST cards, it is advisable to run the scansd utility.
/etc/comf/scansd
This produces a report such as:
The following IRQs are free:
2 5 7 12 13 14 15
The following IRQs are shareable (ipl level in () ):
9(5)
The following I/O address ranges are free:
0x63-0x63 0x65-0x6F 0xE0-0x2F7 0x320-0x32F
0x334-0x3EF
The following memory address ranges are free
0xC8000-0xCBFFF 0xD0800-0xDBFFF 0xDE000-0xDFFFF
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 68
Page 69
7. Select a unique free IRQ for each AT-FAST card from the subset that is supported by the
card. Then select a free I/O range from the subset supported by the card.
The following table shows the address range required for each card type.
Ports Range
4 base to base+0x1F
8 base to base+0x3F
1 6base to base+0x7F
From the example above, we could select an IRQ of 15 and an I/O range of 0x100 to
0x17F to install a 16-port card.
8. Run dcu.
dcu
9. When the main menu appears, select software Device Drivers. Then select
Communications Cards or All Software Device Drivers.
10.Use the PgDn key and/or tab key to move to the comf entry and press F5. On the New
Hardware Configuration form, fill in the fields as follows:
IPL 5
ITYPE 1
IRQ [chosen value (15 in example above)]
IOStart [chosen value (100 in example)]
IOEnd [chosen value (17F in example)]
MemStart -
MemEnd -
DMA -
11.Press F10 to leave this form, then <Enter> to return to Software Device Driver Selections
menu. Press R then <Enter> to return to the main menu. Finally press A then <Enter> to
make the changes.
12.Remove the installation diskette and reboot the machine.
sync
init 6
The new devices will be available after a successful rebuild and reboot.
Note
The default stty setting for UNIXWARE 2.1.1 is 7 bits even-parity. The default ports are
8 bit no-parity. These usually need to match the connecting device.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 69
Page 70
Installing SCO UnixWare drivers using the Desktop
The system owner can install the driver from the desktop as follows:
1. Insert the created Installation diskette.
2. Select the Admin_Tools/App_Installer icon.
3. Set the Install From box to Disk_A and wait for the comf icon to appear, then select it.
4. Select the Install button.
5. If you are installing any AT-FAST cards, see steps 4. to 8. of the command line
installation on page 68. The Device Configuration Utility may be envoked from the
desktop by selecting Admin_Tools/ Hardware_Setup icon.
6. Remove the diskette.
7. Select the Shutdown icon on the main desktop.
Enabling login access
Logins are not enabled by default. For example, to enable a login on the third port of the
second card, type:
pmadm -e -p comf2 -s 2c
The -p parameter is comf1 for the first card to comf4 for the fourth card. The -s parameter is
the last two characters of the port name (see page 73). See the pmadm man page for more
details.
Reinstalling or upgrading software
New versions of the software can be installed over the top of any existing version using the
installation procedure listed on page 65.
Installing additional cards
To install extra cards (up to the maximum of four):
1. Run the atfconfig utility.
/etc/comf/atconfig
2. At the Action? prompt, select A. Add a card.
3. On completion of the program, quit and then for AT-FAST cards only, use dcu to
configure the cards in the same way as discussed in Command line installation on page
68, or Desktop installation steps on page 7 0.
4. Finally reboot the system:
sync
init 6
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 70
Page 71
Removing cards and software
To remove a PCI-FAST card, jump to step 5.
1. Run the atfconfig utility.
/etc/comf/atfconfig
2. At the Action? prompt, select D. Delete a card.
3. Reboot the system.
sync
init 6
To remove an AT-FAST card:
1. Run dcu from the command line as root, or Admin_Tools/Hardware_Setup from the
desktop as the system owner.
2. Select Hardware Device Configuration. Use the PgDn and/or Down-arrow key to move
the cursor to the first column of the entry for the card to be removed.
3. Type N into this column, then press F10.
4. Press A, then <Enter>.
5. Run the atfconfig utility.
/etc/comf/atfconfig
6. At the Action? prompt, select D. Delete a card.
7. Reboot the system.
sync
init 6
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 71
Page 72
Removing the SCO UnixWare driver
To remove the driver, the following steps are required:
1. Remove all ' comf'cards as per the steps in page 71.
2. Log in as root and type:
pkgrm comf
3. Follow the on-screen prompts, or from Admin_Tools/App_Installer (as system owner)
select the comf icon and then select Remove.
4. Reboot the system.
sync
init 6
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 72
Page 73
Port naming conventions for SCO UnixWare
If the first card has 16 ports, the ports on the first card are named comf1a through to comf1p.
Only the first four or eight names will be used on smaller cards. If a second 16 port card is
subsequently added, it’s ports are named comf2a to comf2p, etc.
Cards are numbered and named in PCI system slot order, with cards in the lower numbered
slot on the lower numbered bus appearing first in the list.
Note
Adding a new card in a lower numbered slot than an existing one will
cause the ports on the existing board to be renumbered.
For OpenServer 5, any AT-FAST cards configured will appear in the list in the order they
have been configured. Under UnixWare 2.1.1 cards are numbered in the order that dcu
detects them.
To use modem control for dial in operations the port name should be used with the last letter
of the name in uppercase;
e.g. comf1A. Upper case port names assume at least a five-wire connection (RXD, TXD,
RTS, CTS, GND) with another serial device. Lower case port names assume a three-wire
connection only (RXD, TXD, GND).
Higher baud rates under SCO UnixWare
Because the system does not support the selection of baud rates above 38.4 kpbs, we have
permanently remapped some of the lower baud rates to support higher card speeds.
Original
speed
(bps)
50 57.6 a
75 76.8 b
110 115 .2 c
134 230.4 d
150 460.8 e
Is mapped
to (kpps) Getty letter
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under SCO UnixWare
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 73
Page 74
Installing under Solaris
This section describes how to install the FAST device driver software under Solaris.
This section includes the following;
• General setup procedure for Solaris on page 75
• Installing Solaris drivers on page 76
• Port naming conventions on page 77
• Card Ordering on page 77
• Enabling logins on page 77.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Solaris
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 74
Page 75
General setup procedure for Solaris
The general procedure for installing FAST cards under the SCO UnixWare operating system
is as follows;
1. Install any PCI host cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system.
See Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
2. Install any AT cards and distribution cables or boxes you require into your system. See
Installing host cards and distribution accessories on page 79.
3. Install the driver software onto your system using the procedures given in Installing
Solaris drivers on page 76.
4. You can then enable login access using the procedures given in Enabling logins on
page 77.
5. If required, remove any host cards you want from your system. See Removing host
cards on page 103.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Solaris
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 75
Page 76
Installing Solaris drivers
This driver is available either from the Perle Systems web site or on the CD supplied with this
product.
1. If this package comes on a CD-ROM, the first step is to copy the image on the CD-ROM
to a floppy diskette. Use the 'dd' command for this.
For example: # dd if=sol_1_00.dd of=/dev/fd0 bs=18k
2. Insert the diskette in the floppy drive and, as root, type # pkgadd -d diskette1 comf
3. Follow the on-screen prompts until the prompt "How many AT-Fast cards to install?
[0]" appears.
4. If you are installing PCI-Fast and/or PCI-RAS cards only, you can accept the default value
of 0 AT-Fast cards. Otherwise, enter the number (1-4) of AT-Fast cards you want to
install.
5. For each card you will then be prompted for a base I/O address and interrupt line (IRQ).
Note: there no tools to tell you what is already in use and that the following restrictions
apply:
A 4-port card requires 32 bytes of I/O space
An 8-port card requires 64 bytes of I/O space
A 16-port card requires 128 bytes of I/O space
Each AT-Fast requires exclusive use of an IRQ
Note
The jumpers on the AT-FAST card must be adjusted to agree with the
above selection
The installation process will continue to the point where pkgadd reports that the package
contains scripts which will be run with root permissions, offering the chance to abort the
installation. Perle scripts are not intentionally destructive, but you can see for yourself by
aborting the installation, mounting the floppy and the inspecting the request and postinstall
scripts.
At the end of the installation, pkgadd may report that the driver was added to the kernel but
the module failed to attach. This is normal if you haven't yet installed any cards.
After pkgadd completes, a reconfiguration boot is required to make AT/PCI-Fast and/or PCIRAS ports work.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Solaris
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 76
Page 77
Port naming conventions
By default, each port is associated with two entries under the /dev directory. One takes the
form /dev/comfxy, where x is the card number (1-4) and y is a lower-case letter in the range
a-p. a is port 1, ..., p is port 16. These device names are intended for local devices or call-out
modem ports. The other device name takes the form /dev/term/comfxy, where x is the card
number as before and y is an upper-case letter in the range A-P. These devices are intended
to use with modems. These mappings can be altered by careful modification of the mkdev
and start_comf scripts in /usr/lib/i86.
Card Ordering
Cards are numbered by first taking AT-Fast cards in the order that there were entered in the
installation procedure, followed by PCI cards in PCI slot order.
Enabling logins
By default, logins on cards are not enabled. Use 'pmadm' to enable logins. For example, to
enable login on the fourth port of the third card, you would type #
pmadm -e -p comf3 -s 3d
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Solaris
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 77
Page 78
Installing under Linux
Cards Supported
The driver has been rewritten to support the following Perle products only:
• 4-port AT-Fast
• 8-port AT-Fast
• 16-port AT-Fast (restricted modem control)
• 4-port PCI-Fast
• 8-port PCI-Fast
• 16-port PCI-Fast (restricted modem control)
• 16-port PCI-Fast (full modem control)
• 4-port PCI-RAS
• 8-port PCI-RAS
Enhanced Features
The range of baud rates has been extended to 460800 bits/sec. The on-chip hardware and
software flow control capabilities of the 16C654 UART are utilised to reduce host load.
Known Limitations
1. The driver cannot be installed as a module on multi-processor systems. It can only be
2. Data can be lost if multiple ports are run simultaneously at 230400 or 460800 bits/sec.
installed as a statically-linked driver. On single-processor systems it can be installed
statically linked or as a module.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing under Linux
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 78
Page 79
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
This section describes the mechanical installation of the FAST host cards and associated
distribution boxes and cables for 4, 8 and 16 ports and includes the following;
• Distribution accessory guide on page 80
• Installing 4 port cards on page 81
• Installing 8 port cards and distribution accessories on page 86
• Installing 16 port cards and distribution accessories on page 95.
For information on connector pinouts and cabling, see Chapter 3 Cabling information.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 79
Page 80
Distribution accessory guide
The distribution box or cable required for the FAST product you are using depends on the
number of ports and product type as detailed in the next table;
Product
AT- FAS T4
PCI-FAST4
AT- FAS T8
PCI-FAST8
AT- FAS T1 6
PCI-FAST16
Card edge
connector
RJ45 8 pin
female
See page 106
Custom D type
connector, no
wiring
information
required by
user.
Custom D type
connector, no
wiring
information
required by
user.
Cable or distribution box
options For installation information see...
RJ45 (8 pin) to DB25 male
See page 81.
cable.
8 port distribution box with DB25
See page 86 and page 92.
female connectors.
8 port octopus cable with DB25
See page 86 and page 93.
female connectors on flying
leads.
8 port octopus cable with DB25
male connectors on flying leads
8 port distribution cable with
See page 86 and page 94.
RJ45 8 pin female connector
block.
16 port distribution box with
See page 95 and page 102.
DB25 female connectors.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 80
Page 81
Installing 4 port cards
This section describes the mechanical installation of the 4 port FAST host cards and includes
the following;
• Installing a 4 port PCI host card on page 81
• Installing a 4 port AT host card on page 83
For information on installing other card types and associated distribution accessories, see
Distribution accessory guide on page 80.
Installing a 4 port PCI host card
To install a PCI host card proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
1. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
2. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 81
Page 82
3. Insert the PCI card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
4. Repeat step 3. until you have installed all the PCI cards you want.
5. Replace and secure the system cover.
Installation of PCI host cards is now complete. For further details about installing host cards
including other types, see Before you start on page 17.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 82
Page 83
Installing a 4 port AT host card
1
Setting parameters
on an AT host card
Before you install an AT card in your system you need to physically set the I/O address, IRQ
level and operating mode for the card using the jumpers provided as follows;
JP4 sets operating mode, set to
Fast.
Default setting: Fast
See page 83.
JP3 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ level
required.
Default s etting: IRQ 1 0
See page 83.
JP1 and JP2 set I/O address,
JP2 sets high order address value. Default: 02XX
JP1 sets low order address value. Default XX40
See page 84.
JP2
JP
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
Operating mode 1. On the host card, set the jumper JP4 to the FAST setting.
IRQ level 2. Using jumper JP3 on the host card, set the IRQ level you want from the values listed on
the card;
JP3 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ
level required.
For example to
select a value of 12,
move jumper to
IRQ12 position.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 83
Page 84
I/O address 3. Using jumpers JP1 and JP2 on the host card, set the high order and low order I/O
J
1
address you want in hexidecimal using the one of the settings shown in the next table;
Address JP2 setting JP1 set tin g
0100 01XX XX00
P2
0140 XX40
0180 XX80
01c0 XXc0
JP
Mechanical
installation
0200 02XX XX00
0240 XX40
0280 XX80
JP1 and JP2 set I/O address,
JP2 sets high order address value
JP1 sets low order address value
02c0 XXc0
0300 03XX XX00
0340 XX40
0380 XX80
03c0 XXc0
You can now install the AT host card in your system. To do this proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
4. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
5. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 84
Page 85
6. Insert the AT card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
7. Repeat steps 1. to 6. until you have installed all the AT cards you want.
8. Replace and secure the system cover.
9. Plug in the mains and turn on the power.
Installation of AT host cards is now complete. For further details about installing host cards
including other types, see Before you start on page 17.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 85
Page 86
Installing 8 port cards and distribution accessories
This section describes the mechanical installation of the 8 port FAST host cards and
distribution accessories and includes the following;
• Installing an 8 port PCI host card on page 87
• Installing an 8 port AT host card on page 89
• Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead on page 92
• Connecting an 8 port octopus cable on page 93
• Connecting an 8 port distribution cable on page 94
For information on installing other card types and associated distribution accessories, see
Distribution accessory guide on page 80.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 86
Page 87
Installing an 8 port PCI host card
To install a PCI host card proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
1. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
2. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
3. Insert the PCI card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
4. Repeat step 3. until you have installed all the PCI cards you want.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 87
Page 88
5. Replace and secure the system cover.
Note
Do not turn on the power to your system until you have connected the distribution cable or
box you are using with this host card. See the following for details;
• Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead on
page 92
• Connecting an 8 port octopus cable on page 93
• Connecting an 8 port distribution cable on page 94
Installation of PCI host cards is now complete. For further details about installing other host
cards types and distribution accessories, see Distribution accessory guide on page 80.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 88
Page 89
Installing an 8 port AT host card
Setting parameters
on an AT host card
Before you install an AT card in your system you need to physically set the I/O address, IRQ
level and operating mode for the card using the jumpers provided as follows;
JP4 sets operating mode, set to
FAST.
Default setting: FAST
See page 83.
JP3 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ
level required.
Default setting: IRQ10
See page 83.
JP1 and JP2 set I/O address, Default: 02XX
JP2 sets high order address value Default: XX40
JP1 sets low order address value. See page 84.
JP2
JP1
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
Operating mode 1. On the host card, set the jumper JP4 to the FAST setting.
IRQ level 2. Using jumper JP3 on the host card, set the IRQ level you want from the values listed on
the card;
JP3 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ
level required.
For example to
select a value of 12,
move jumper to
IRQ12 position.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 89
Page 90
I/O address 3. Using jumpers JP1 and JP2 on the host card, set the high order and low order I/O
J
1
address you want in hexidecimal using the one of the settings shown in the next table;
Address JP2 setting JP1 set tin g
0100 01XX XX00
P2
0140 XX40
0180 XX80
01c0 XXc0
JP
Mechanical
installation
0200 02XX XX00
0240 XX40
0280 XX80
JP1 and JP2 set I/O address,
JP2 sets high order address value
JP1 sets low order address value
02c0 XXc0
0300 03XX XX00
0340 XX40
0380 XX80
03c0 XXc0
You can now install the AT host card in your system. To do this proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
4. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
5. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 90
Page 91
6. Insert the AT card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
7. Repeat steps 1. to 6. until you have installed all the AT cards you want.
8. Replace and secure the system cover.
Note
Do not turn on the power to your system until you have connected the distribution cable or
box you are using with this host card. See the following for details;
• Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead on
page 92
• Connecting an 8 port octopus cable on page 93
• Connecting an 8 port distribution cable on page 94
Installation of AT host cards is now complete. For further details about installing host cards
including other types, see Before you start on page 17.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 91
Page 92
Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead
To allow 8 ports to be connected using a distribution box proceed as follows;
1. Install your 8 port AT or PCI FAST card using the procedures given in Installi ng an 8
port PCI host card on page 87 and Installing an 8 port AT host card on page 89.
2. Turn off the power to your system.
3. Push fit the large connector on the end of the distribution box cable onto the card edge
connector.
4. Secure the connector in place in place using the screws provided as shown in the next
picture.
Push fit onto card
edge connector
Connect peripheral cable
here via DB25 connectors
Port numbers
labelled on unit
5. Connect peripherals to the required ports on the distribution box using DB25 connectors
provided.
6. Turn on the power to your system.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 92
Page 93
Connecting an 8 port octopus cable
To allow 8 ports to be connected using an octopus cable proceed as follows;
Note
Octopus cables are available with both DB35 male and DB25 female
connectors for connection to each port.
1. Install your 8 port AT-FAST or PCI-FAST card using the procedures given in Installing
an 8 port PCI host card on page 87 and Installing an 8 port AT host card on page 89.
2. Turn off the power to your system.
3. Push fit the large connector on the single end of your octopus cable onto the card edge
connector and secure in place using the screws provided as shown in the next picture.
Push fit onto card
edge connector
Port numbers
labelled on DB25
flying lead
DB25 flying leads
connected to card edge
connector.
Connect peripheral cable
here via DB25 flying lead
4. Connect peripherals to the required ports on the distribution box using the DB25 flying
leads provided.
5. Turn on the power to your system.
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Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 93
Page 94
Connecting an 8 port distribution cable
To allow 8 ports to be connected using a distribution cable proceed as follows;
1. Install your 8 port AT or PCI FAST card using the procedures given in Installi ng an 8
port PCI host card on page 87 and Installing an 8 port AT host card on page 89.
2. Turn off the power to your system.
3. Push fit the large custom D type connector on the single end of your distribution cable
onto the card edge connector and secure in place using the screws provided as shown in
the next picture.
RJ45 connector block
Push fit onto card
edge connector
Port numbers
labelled on unit
Connect peripheral
cable here via RJ45
View
looking
into RJ45
connector
block
4. Connect peripherals to the required ports on the connector block on the end of the
distribution cable using the RJ45 sockets provided.
5. Turn on the power to your system.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 94
Page 95
Installing 16 port cards and distribution accessories
This section describes the mechanical installation of the 8 port FAST host cards and
distribution accessories and includes the following;
• Installing a 16 port PCI host card on page 95
• Installing a 16 port AT host card on page 97
• Connecting a 16 port distribution box on page 102
For information on installing other card types and associated distribution accessories, see
Distribution accessory guide on page 80.
Installing a 16 port PCI host card
To install a PCI host card proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
1. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
2. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 95
Page 96
3. Insert the PCI card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
4. Repeat step 3. until you have installed all the PCI cards you want.
5. Replace and secure the system cover.
Note
Do not turn on the power to your system until you have connected the distribution cable or
box you are using with this host card. See the following for details;
• Connecting an 8 port distribution box fitted via hardwired flying lead on
page 92
• Connecting an 8 port octopus cable on page 93
• Connecting an 8 port distribution cable on page 94
Installation of PCI host cards is now complete. For further details about installing other host
cards types and distribution accessories, see Distribution accessory guide on page 80.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 96
Page 97
Installing a 16 port AT host card
Setting parameters
on an AT host card
JP6 sets operating
mode, set to FAST.
Default setting: FAST.
See page 83.
JP4 sets IRQ delay time,
set to 2MS for larger
systems.
Default setting: 0MS
See page 83.
JP7 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ
level required.
Default setting: IRQ10
See page 83.
Before you install an AT card in your system you need to physically set the I/O address, IRQ
level and operating mode for the card using the jumpers provided. On the 16 port cards you
can also set an IRQ delay time and choose between DTR and RTS as follows;
JP5 allows you to select flow control to
either RTS or DTR modes.
Default setting: RTS. See pag e 83.
JP1,JP2 and JP3 allows
you to set I/O address to
one of the following
values:
100, 180, 200, 280, 300,
and 380.
Default setting: 280
See page 84.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 97
Page 98
Operating mode 1. On the host card, set the jumper JP6 to the FAST setting.
IRQ level 2. Using jumper JP7 on the host card, set the IRQ level you want from the values listed on
the card;
JP7 sets IRQ level,
move jumper to IRQ
level required.
For example to
select a value of 12,
move jumper to
IRQ12 position.
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Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 98
Page 99
I/O address 3. Using jumpers JP1, JP2 and JP3 on the host card, set the I/O address you want in
hexidecimal using the one of the settings shown in the next table;
Address Jumper setting Address Jumper se ttin g
100 280
180 300
200 380
IRQ delay time 4. If you are using larger systems with between 12 and 16 ports simultaneously at a baud
rate greater than or equal to 9600bps, you can improve system performance by setting
jumper JP4 to 2MS setting instead of the default 0MS value.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
JP4 sets IRQ delay
time, set to 2MS for
larger systems.
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 99
Page 100
5. Using jumper JP5 select the flow control type to RTS or DTR as required.
Mechanical
installation
You can now install the AT host card in your system. To do this proceed as follows;
Note
The exact location of host card slots varies for different systems, for exact mechanical
details of your system, refer to your system documentation.
Warning
Dangerous voltages exist inside computer systems. Before
installing host cards in your system, turn off the power supply
and disconnect the mains lead.
6. Turn off the power to your system and disconnect the mains supply.
7. Remove the system cover to expose the inside of the connector panel for host cards.
8. Insert the AT card you want to install into a vacant host card slot and secure in place as
shown in the next picture.
Caution
Full anti-static precautions shou ld be taken whe n handling host
cards.
9. Repeat steps 1. to 8. until you have installed all the AT cards you want.
FAST Serial Adaptors User Guide
Installing host cards and distribution accessories
Chapter 2 Installing drivers and host cards
Page 100
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