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October  2003
323734A-01

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Installing Your GPIB-SCSI-A 
and NI-488.2  for Solaris

This document describes how to configure and connect the GPIB-SCSI-A to 
your Sun SPARC system and how to install NI-488.2 for Solaris. The NI-488.2 
software included in this kit is intended for use with Sun SPARC systems running 
Solaris 2.6 or later. Other documentation, including the software reference 
manual, is available on your NI-488.2 software for Solaris CD in the 

\documentation

 folder.

Before you install your GPIB controller, consult the manual that came with your 
workstation for specific instructions and warnings. You must have superuser 
privileges to install the hardware and software.

Summary of Contents for NI-488.2

Page 1: ...software included in this kit is intended for use with Sun SPARC systems running Solaris 2 6 or later Other documentation including the software reference manual is available on your NI 488 2 software for Solaris CD in the documentation folder Before you install your GPIB controller consult the manual that came with your workstation for specific instructions and warnings You must have superuser pr...

Page 2: ... supplied in your area Caution Operating the GPIB SCSI A at any voltage other than the one specified on the bottom of the unit could damage the unit Replacement fuses must be the proper type and rating which are 100 to 120 VAC 200 mA UL CSA approved or 220 to 240 VAC 125 mA IEC approved The GPIB SCSI A is shipped from the factory configured to operate in SCSI S mode Optional parity checking on the...

Page 3: ... following command dmesg Among the startup messages are the devices found on the SCSI bus and their respective Target ID numbers If a Target ID of 5 is not available in your system select an unused Target ID a number between 0 and 7 and set the appropriate switch to that Target ID number refer to the Configuration Switch Settings for SW1 section Typically Targets 1 and 3 are used by the internal d...

Page 4: ...FF OFF ON OFF a primary address of 2 is indicated The largest primary address that can be set is 30 The default settings of Switches 1 through 3 are ON OFF ON respectively to select the SCSI ID of 5 Switches 4 through 8 are OFF indicating that the GPIB primary address of the GPIB SCSI A is 0 Configuration Switch Settings for SW2 The DIP switch at location SW2 on the rear panel in Figure 3 is used ...

Page 5: ...2 Table 1 Factory Default Configurations for SW2 Switch Position Indication 1 3 OFF Reserved and should remain OFF 4 ON Double buffering is enabled 5 OFF GPIB SCSI A completes all data requests to the count specified 6 ON GPIB SCSI A buffers data during data transfer commands 7 ON GPIB SCSI A neither notices nor reports SCSI parity errors 8 OFF Operating in S SCSI mode SW2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9120 O N...

Page 6: ...e other method is daisy chaining Daisy chaining is a means of connecting a number of SCSI devices to a host thereby a single port on the host can serve a variable number of devices Daisy chaining is the suggested method for connecting the GPIB SCSI A to the Sun SPARC system Whether you are using a direct connection or daisy chaining there are four basic steps to connecting the GPIB SCSI A 1 Shut d...

Page 7: ...to your SCSI system Be sure to use only shielded SCSI cables Total cable length in your SCSI system should be less than 6 m and terminating resistors should be installed on both ends as described in the Using SCSI Terminating Resistors section 2 Connect the GPIB cable to the GPIB SCSI A and tighten the thumbscrews on the connector Connect the other end to your GPIB system Be sure to use only shiel...

Page 8: ...it provides If your GPIB SCSI A is located at the end of an SCSI bus you can prevent echoes by leaving the terminating resistor pack installed on one of the ports on the rear panel of the GPIB SCSI A Also ensure that the device at the other end of the SCSI bus for example the SCSI host in Figure 4 has a terminating resistor installed Remove the terminating resistor packs on all devices except for ...

Page 9: ...ack from the rear panel of the GPIB SCSI A Also ensure that all other devices in the middle of the bus for example the SCSI disk drive in Figure 4 do not have terminating resistors installed The devices at each end of the SCSI bus should have terminating resistors installed 1 To GPIB Devices 2 Terminating Resistors 3 GPIB SCSI A 4 SCSI Tape Drive 5 SCSI Disk Drive 6 SCSI Host POWER READY TALK LIST...

Page 10: ...n recheck all connections and switch settings and retry the power on sequence If the READY light still fails to come on contact National Instruments Step 4 Power On Your System Complete the following steps to power on your system 1 Plug the power cords of the Sun SPARC system and any other SCSI equipment into a power outlet 2 Power on all devices 3 Power on your system Installing NI 488 2 Complete...

Page 11: ...the Software with ibconf Optional ibconf is an interactive utility you can use to examine or modify the configuration of the driver You might want to run ibconf to change the settings of the software parameters You must have superuser privilege to run ibconf ibconf is largely self explanatory and contains help screens that explain all commands and options For more information on using ibconf refer...

Page 12: ...on The software installation test ibtsta verifies that the driver is installed correctly It checks for correct access to the device driver Run ibtsta by entering the following command ibtsta If no error occurs in ibtsta NI 488 2 is installed correctly If ibtsta fails it displays an error message that explains why the test failed and how you can correct the problem If you are unable to run ibtsta s...

Page 13: ...e data from your GPIB device Learn new NI 488 2 functions and routines before integrating them into your application Troubleshoot problems with your application Enter the following command to run ibic ibconf For more information about ibic refer to Chapter 6 ibic of the NI 488 2M Software Reference Manual Programming Considerations Depending on the programming language you use to develop your appl...

Page 14: ...ing method developing your application or compiling and linking refer to the NI 488 2M Software Reference Manual Common Questions This section describes how to troubleshoot problems and answers some common questions Also refer to Appendix B Common Errors and Their Solutions of the NI 488 2M Software Reference Manual What could be causing a problem if the installation process fails The most probabl...

Page 15: ...on using the NI 488 2 language interfaces refer to the Programming Considerations section Technical Support and Professional Services Visit the following sections of the National Instruments Web site at ni com for technical support and professional services Support Online technical support resources include the following Self Help Resources For immediate answers and solutions visit our extensive l...

Page 16: ...resources or other project challenges NI Alliance Program members can help To learn more call your local NI office or visit ni com alliance Declaration of Conformity DoC A DoC is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European Communities using the manufacturer s declaration of conformity This system affords the user protection for electronic compatibility EMC and product safety You can o...

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