AlphaStation 200 4/###
Internal Modem Configuration
Part One
Preface and Background
The AlphaStation 200 4/### can be configured with an internal modem for
telecommunications purposes. Most modems today are sold for installation
in PC hardware and are packaged with instructions for configuring them in
hardware assuming it is running software from that outfit in Redmond, WA.
While this outfit's software and PC hardware may be pervasive, it does not
mean that these internal modems should be relegated to a life only within
these systems.
The following will describe the configuration steps which have been used
time and time again to successfully configure the Digital AlphaStation
200 4/{100/166/233} with an internal modem.
Modem Hardware, Setup and Configuration
The adoption of the V.90 56K modem standard/protocol prompted this
page's author to seek out and purchase such a compliant modem. After
visiting several commodity hardware computer retailers, it became
evident that finding an external modem compliant with this new V.90
standard was going to be like a Quest for the Holy Grail.
Fortunately, one retailer offered me an OEM 3com (US Robotics)
model #5687 to test out and, if it didn't work for me, I was
encouraged to return it.
This is not an endorsement for the 3com model #5687 V.90 56K modem;
however, it is known to work in the AlphaStation 200 4/### using the
configuration instructions on this page. Other modem manufacturer modems
may also work, just be forewarned that these instructions were developed
for and using the 3com model #5687. All further references to the
configuration and setup of the hardware are made with the assumption that
the modem being installed is a 3com modem #5687. Please, if you
follow these instructions and find another manufacturer's modem will work
for you, do send an eMail to
VAXman@TMESIS.COM with information
on the manufacturer, model #, and any specific alterations to the console
configuration which may be necessary. Your input will be included here
for the altruistic benefit of others.
Follow the link at the end of this page for a discussion of the MultiTech
MT5634ZPX, another modem which was successfully installed and tested in
the AlphaStation 200 series by this page's author.
The 3com model #5687 V.90 56K modem must be jumpered to
set its IRQ and address. To function with the AlphaStation
configuration setup described subsequent, the modem must be set to
IRQ = 5 and the address set to
02E8(16).
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The IRQ is set on this card by placing a jumper on one of the 5
IRQ jumper posts numbered {2,3,4,5,7}. The address is
set by placing a jumper on another set of posts which are designated in
the manual as the selectors for {COM1,COM2,COM3,COM4}.
Address 02E8(16) is the COM4
designation. On the 3com model #5687 V.90 56K modem,
this cooresponds to placing the jumper across the pins which are marked
as SEL on the card. There will be three sets of pins marked
{1,2,SEL}. Pins {1,2} should have any jumpers,
which may have been placed on them at the factory, removed.
NOTICE: Reports indicate that 3com is shipping a Plug
and Pray modem using the same model number (#5687) designation.
This modem card is NOT configurable via on-board jumpers!!!
If you obtain a card without configuration jumpers, return it and do make
a formal complaint to 3com.
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Insert the modem card into any available/convenient ISA slot on the
AlphaStation's riser and secure it into place. Be careful and observe
all static precautions when working inside the system.
One last note before closing the system. If you require support from
3com, you will be asked for the serial number of your modem card.
The serial number is on a small bar coded label which will be
affixed to the card. I would suggest the careful removal of the tag
and the reaffixing to the metal plate which maintains the RJ-11 phone
jacks. Thus, if you do need to contact the manufacturer for support,
you will not need to open the AlphaStation simply to obtain the serial
number.
AlphaStation 200 4/### Console Setup and Configuration
To insure that your console is in a known state before you start
this procedure, it may be a good idea to initialize the system's
ISA configuration table with the isacfg -init command.
Here is an example of the console output when issuing the command:
>>>isacfg -init
Initializing table to defaults
type >>>init to use these changes
>>>
Confirm that the console ISA configuration table has been initialized
to the default using the show config command:
>>>show config
Firmware
SRM Console: V6.6-1
ARC Console: 4.53
PALcode: VMS PALcode V5.56-2, OSF PALcode X1.46-2
Serial Rom: V4.6
Diag Rom: V1.6
Processor
DECchip (tm) 21064-3 166Mhz 512KB Cache
MEMORY
64 Meg of System Memory
Bank 0 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x0
Bank 1 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x2000000
Bank 2 = No Memory Detected
Flash ROM0 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM1 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM2 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM3 Mfr - AMD
PCI Bus
Bus 00 Slot 06: NCR 810 Scsi Controller
pka0.7.0.6.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
dka0.0.0.6.0 RZ26F
dka100.1.0.6.0 RZ28M
dka400.4.0.6.0 RRD45
Bus 00 Slot 07: Intel SIO 82378
Bus 00 Slot 11: DECchip 21040 Network Controller
ewa0.0.0.11.0 08-00-2B-E7-AD-CE
Bus 00 Slot 13: Digital ZLXp Graphics Controller
ISA
Slot Device Name Type Enabled BaseAddr IRQ DMA
0
0 MOUSE Embedded Yes 60 12
1 KBD Embedded Yes 60 1
2 COM1 Embedded Yes 3f8 4
3 COM2 Embedded Yes 2f8 3
4 LPT1 Embedded Yes 3bc 7
5 FLOPPY Embedded Yes 3f0 6 2
>>>
If you are satisfied that your configuration is now at the default and
you wish to configure the sound card into the system, issue the built-in
macro command add_sound.
Here is an example of the console output when issuing the command:
>>>add_sound
type >>>init to use these changes
>>>
Confirm that the console ISA configuration table has been configured
with the sound card (PCXBJ) using the show config
command:
>>>show config
Firmware
SRM Console: V6.6-1
ARC Console: 4.53
PALcode: VMS PALcode V5.56-2, OSF PALcode X1.46-2
Serial Rom: V4.6
Diag Rom: V1.6
Processor
DECchip (tm) 21064-3 166Mhz 512KB Cache
MEMORY
64 Meg of System Memory
Bank 0 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x0
Bank 1 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x2000000
Bank 2 = No Memory Detected
Flash ROM0 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM1 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM2 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM3 Mfr - AMD
PCI Bus
Bus 00 Slot 06: NCR 810 Scsi Controller
pka0.7.0.6.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
dka0.0.0.6.0 RZ26F
dka100.1.0.6.0 RZ28M
dka400.4.0.6.0 RRD45
Bus 00 Slot 07: Intel SIO 82378
Bus 00 Slot 11: DECchip 21040 Network Controller
ewa0.0.0.11.0 08-00-2B-E7-AD-CE
Bus 00 Slot 13: Digital ZLXp Graphics Controller
ISA
Slot Device Name Type Enabled BaseAddr IRQ DMA
0
0 MOUSE Embedded Yes 60 12
1 KBD Embedded Yes 60 1
2 COM1 Embedded Yes 3f8 4
3 COM2 Embedded Yes 2f8 3
4 LPT1 Embedded Yes 3bc 7
5 FLOPPY Embedded Yes 3f0 6 2
2
0 PCXBJ Singleport Yes 530 9 0
388 1
>>>
The system is now ready for the magic incantation which will
define the modem card. This command assumes that the card has been
jumpered as described in the "Modem Hardware Setup and
Configuration" section.
The modem card may be inserted into any one of the ISA
slots on the riser card in the AlphaStation 200 4/###. The position
and/or numbering of the slot is not important. Insert the card into
any slot which will make the access to the RJ-11 phone jacks
convenient in your configuration/system.
The command for configuring the modem is:
>>>isacfg -mk -dev 0 -slot 4 -handle TTA -irq0 5 -iobase0 2E8 -etyp 1 -enadev 1
type >>>init to use these changes
>>>
Confirm that the console ISA configuration table has been configured
with the modem card using the show config
command:
>>>show config
Firmware
SRM Console: V6.6-1
ARC Console: 4.53
PALcode: VMS PALcode V5.56-2, OSF PALcode X1.46-2
Serial Rom: V4.6
Diag Rom: V1.6
Processor
DECchip (tm) 21064-3 166Mhz 512KB Cache
MEMORY
64 Meg of System Memory
Bank 0 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x0
Bank 1 = 32 Mbytes(16 MB Per Simm) Starting at 0x2000000
Bank 2 = No Memory Detected
Flash ROM0 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM1 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM2 Mfr - AMD
Flash ROM3 Mfr - AMD
PCI Bus
Bus 00 Slot 06: NCR 810 Scsi Controller
pka0.7.0.6.0 SCSI Bus ID 7
dka0.0.0.6.0 RZ26F
dka100.1.0.6.0 RZ28M
dka400.4.0.6.0 RRD45
Bus 00 Slot 07: Intel SIO 82378
Bus 00 Slot 11: DECchip 21040 Network Controller
ewa0.0.0.11.0 08-00-2B-E7-AD-CE
Bus 00 Slot 13: Digital ZLXp Graphics Controller
ISA
Slot Device Name Type Enabled BaseAddr IRQ DMA
0
0 MOUSE Embedded Yes 60 12
1 KBD Embedded Yes 60 1
2 COM1 Embedded Yes 3f8 4
3 COM2 Embedded Yes 2f8 3
4 LPT1 Embedded Yes 3bc 7
5 FLOPPY Embedded Yes 3f0 6 2
2
0 PCXBJ Singleport Yes 530 9 0
388 1
4
0 TTA Singleport Yes 2e8 5
>>>
The init command which has been requested at each step of this
configuration may now be issued:
>>>init
ff.fe.fd.fc.fb.fa.f9.f8.f7.f6.f5.
ef.df.ee.ed.ec.f4.eb.....ea.e9.e8.e7.e6.e5.
V6.6-1, built on Aug 26 1997 at 14:28:09
...
It's now time to boot the system.
OpenVMS Setup and Configuration
The ISA devices do not "announce" themselves such that OpenVMS can
auto-configure them and load the appropriate device driver. Therefore,
Digital has provided a special mechanism for ISA devices. These
instructions are for OpenVMS V7.n. If you are running V6.2, there is a
similar feature in OpenVMS for accomplishing the same task which the
subsequent sections will describe.
I have not included instructions here for V6.2 simply because
I myself have not configured my available AlphaStations under V6.2. If
you follow these instructions and get your modem functioning under OpenVMS
V6.2, please, forward you're observations via eMail to
VAXman@TMESIS.COM. Your feedback
will be included here, again, for the altruistic benefit of others.
OpenVMS V7.n maintains a file in SYS$SYSTEM: called SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT.
This file is used to add the definitions of ISA devices so that they will
be configured into the system when the machine is booted. Edit this file
and add the following:
device = "56K V.90 Modem"
name = TT
driver = SYS$YSDRIVER
adapter = ISA
id = TTA
end_device
That's it. Quite simple.
You now need to reboot the system and your modem should appear as device
TTA0:.
The terminal characteristics for TTA0: can be modified in the system
startup and should, at a minimum, contain:
$ SET TERMINAL/PERMANENT/MODEM/SPEED=57600/ALTYPEAHD/TYPE_AHEAD TTA0:
Once the modem has been configured, you will want to communicate with the
modem and establish certain modem configuration parameters. You can
communication with your modem using:
$ SET HOST/DTE TTA0:
The modem should be configured, at a minimum, using the following
"Hayes" commands:
AT&C1&D2&S1&W
If you've purchased and installed a 3com model #5687 V.90 56K modem,
you can view the status of the modem's configuration with the following
command:
ATI4
The 3com model #5687 V.90 56K modem also maintains an on-line AT
help feature which is accessible via the command:
AT$
and
AT&$
Conclusion
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since the initial publication of this page, some questions have been asked
and therefore, this section has been added. Hopefully, these will assist
you and answer any similar questions.
Are the choice of IRQ 5 and address 2E8 mandated by the AlphaStation
firmware? ...by the modem?
PC/ISA hardware mentality/limitation. The IRQ for a terminal can be
3,4,5 and 7. In the default configuration, COM1 consumes IRQ 4, COM2
consumes IRQ 3 and the LPT consumes IRQ 7. These are hard-wired on
the board so, you're not left with too much choice. IRQ 5 seems to be
it!
If you look too at the available address space, there's also little
choice. Traditionally, the COM designations are:
COM1: 03F8(16) -- This is already consumed by COM1
COM2: 02F8(16) -- This is already consumed by COM2
COM3: 03E8(16) -- not used in default configuration
COM4: 02E8(16) -- not used in default configuration
I suppose you could configure the modem as COM3: 03E8(16).
I don't really see a great deal of flexibility though in the other aspects
of the configuration. It's the damn PC I/O scheme that is limiting; not
the AlphaServer firmware.
With the modem installed, do the normal serial ports shift controller
letters or anything like that?
Yes! The SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT is called to configure devices
first so, the modem will become TTA0:. The others, depending
on whether or not you have the console set serial or
graphics, will become TTB0: and
TTC0:. (No TTC0: if you have a serial console
-- that becomes OPA0:.
In the magic incantation is -slot 4 related to the
physical slot it's installed in?
No. It is a conceptual or virtual slot; not physical "slot". Just keep
it at -slot 4 and you'll be ok.
As for the actual slots, you can place the card in any convenient slot.
In the magic incantation is -handle TTA a fixed
requirement, or could you use something like TTB or
TTC?
As near as I can figure, it's merely an identifier for use in the
SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT file. I suppose if you wanted, you
could call it DOG as long as the id = TTA
was changed to id = DOG. This is a cooperative venture
between the console and the VMS I/O sub-system. ISA devices don't
announce or identify themselves so, the console has this "kludge" to
assist the VMS I/O device configuration.
All Good Things Must Come to an End...
I must sadly report that 3com is no longer manufacturing the model #5687
or, at least, it is NOT the same card/hardware that I have installed.
Beware!!! Reports indicate that the modems now being shipped as #5687
are Plug and Pray models. There are no jumpers available
to configure these modems. They are built with fixed addressing such that
only bgInc. boxes will be pacified.
Another sad note. One of my #5687 modems went south. This one
was the first of the two #5687 modems I purchased and didn't make it
to its first year anniversary. I'm not impressed. The second modem
refuses to connect at a rate higher that 19.2K -- in the same box as
the previous modem and on the same phone line. I had never held U.S.
Robotics in high regard from past experiences and thus, I'm not at
all surprised with the latest turn of events. For those of you that
may read this page in the interim, I have purchased a MultiTech ISA
modem to replace the #5687. As soon as I have verified its usability
in the AlphaStation, I will be amending this page. Hopefully, with
better news that has been carried in these last two paragraphs.
Information and configuration of the
MultiTech V.90 Internal ISA modem, model MT5634ZPX.
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Last updated on
Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 09:23:33 AM
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