AlphaStation 200 4/###
Internal Modem Configuration
Part Two
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.
Unfortunately, the 3com (US Robotics) model #5687 did not
enjoy a long period of service. As a replacement, a MultiTech
V.90 Internal ISA modem, model MT5634ZPX was purchased to replace
the short-lived 3com modem. This MultiTech modem has many advantages
over the 3com modem but it too is also not without it share of problems.
Again, 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.
The MultiTech model MT5634ZPX 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 so that it
does not conflict with other adapters and devices configure in the machine.
To this effect, the MultiTech modem is far superior to the 3com. It provides
a larger set of IRQ values than the 3com thus, allowing greater flexibilty
in configuring it. The author of this page chose to use IRQ = 15
and the address set to 03E8(16).
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The IRQ is set on this card by placing a jumper on one of the 9
IRQ jumper posts numbered {3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12 and 15}.
The address is set by toggling a DIP switch. The manual provided
with the MT5634ZPX describes the switch positions for selection
{COM1,COM2,COM3,COM4} which correspond to addresses {3F8,2F8,3E8,2E8},
respectfully.
COM3:3E8 was selected for the installation discussed
here.
This corresponds to a switch setting as follows:
- CLOSED
(Plug'n'Pray/non-P'n'P)
- OPEN
(COM port selector)
- CLOSED
(COM port selector)
- CLOSED
(function reserved and unused)
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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
MultiTech, you will be asked for the serial number of your modem card.
The serial number is on a small label affixed to the top of a chip in 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 15 -iobase0 3E8 -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 3e8 15
>>>
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 MultiTech model MT5634ZPX modem,
you can view the status of the modem's configuration with the following
command:
AT&V
Conclusion
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see the 'Part One' page for the FAQs.
Nothing is Perfect...
The MultiTech modem seem to have problem connecting to V.90 services
which use 3com equipment. I have reported this to MultiTech and I have
returned the modem for firmware upgrades and repair to no avail. I have
no problem connecting to older modems which do not have V.90 capability
but the MT5634ZPX has never been able to connect to any known V.90
modems other than the V.90 modem which the MultiTech support group has
ask me to call.
In dealing with the above problem, I have learned that the MultiTech
support group is about as useful as seeking advice from the Psychic
Friends Network. Thus, if you should decide to purchase a modem
manufactured by MultiTech be forewarned that you will be 'on your own'
should you experience problems with the device. I have requested that
my entire device either be replaced or my money refunded. Neither
request has yet been granted.
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TMESIS SOFTWARE |
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Last updated on
Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 09:23:33 AM
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