Density / MSA 8XX Front Control Panel Operation
Backplanes are divided into "groups". Each group consists of a configuration of PCB slots (similar to ISA or PCI bus connectors on a motherboard). One slot in each group is dedicated for a plug-in computer. Additional slots are available for third party boards such as internal modem, fax boards, or additional LAN adapters.
Each group on the backplane is an individual computer system. It is electronically independent of all other groups, and can be powered on or off, or reset independently with controls on the front panel of the Density / MSA Systems.
VKM and CD LED's - Displays Group and CD-ROM selection information.
VKMLED's display the group that is currently selected for output to the Video, Keyboard, Mouse, and floppy disk drive. The led's will also indicate the power status of the selected group. Green indicates power on, red indicates power off.
The CD LED's display which group is currently selected for connection to the internal CD-ROM drive. The LED will display green on the group that the CD-ROM drive is assigned.
The above picture shows group 1 is selected, with power on, and the internal CD-ROM is connected to the processor board in group 6.
Group Select
The operator may use the Group Select Next or Previous pushbuttons on the front panel to choose which group will control the output to the VKM. The group selected will be displayed under the VKM LED columns. The LED will be green if the power to the group is on, red if the power is off.
"Group" refers to a group of slots on
the backplane that are connected together and contain a SP or DP Series
plug-in motherboard, thus comprising one computer in the system.
When a group is selected, its channel on the multiplexor is enabled, thus
connecting the selected group to the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and floppy
drive. Several of the other front panel operations apply only to the
selected group.
The Group Select Next and Previous pushbuttons is
disabled if the console is locked.
Reset Selected Group
The SP or DP Series plug-in motherboard
in the selected group may be reset via the Reset Selected
Group pushbutton on the front panel. This pushbutton is
recessed to prevent accidental resets. Use the Video, Keyboard
Mouse Up or Down button to select
the Group you wish to reset. The VKM LED's will indicate which group is
selected. Use a pointed object (such as a pen) to push the button and
reset the motherboard in that group.
The Reset Selected Group pushbutton is
operational only if the chassis is selected (selected led is on) and the
console is unlocked.
Power On/Off Selected Group - Group Power, On or Off
The power to individual groups may be turned on or off via the Power On/Off Selected Group pushbutton. The pushbutton is recessed to prevent a group from being unintentionally powered on or off.
Use the Video, Keyboard, Mouse Up or Down button to select the group to power on or off. The VKM LED's will indicated which group is selected. Use a pointed device (such as a pen) to press the Power On/Off Selected Group pushbutton. The pushbutton functions as a toggle, turning power on if it is already off or turning power off if it is already on. The VKM LED for the selected group will indicated the power status, green if power is on, red if power is off.
Pressing the Power On/Off Selected Group pushbutton applies power to or removes power from the selected group only. Other groups in the system are not affected.
CD-ROM Select/Deselect - Assigns the CD-ROM drive to a group.
The CD-ROM Select/Deselect pushbutton allows you to assign the CD-ROM drive to an individual group.
Use the Video, Keyboard, Mouse Up or Down button to select the group (the VKM led's will indicate which group is selected). When the proper group is selected, push the recessed CD-ROM Select/Deselect pushbutton to assign the drive to that group.
The CD Led will now be on (green) indicating that the CD-ROM drive is now assigned to that group.
Note: The operating system for the selected group must have the proper CD-ROM drivers installed, and MUST be rebooted before it will see the attached CD-ROM drive.
Status - Diagnostic information.
Power - Green indicates that the power
supplies are functioning properly; red
indicates a failure of one of the power supplies, or power supply fans.
To find the faulty power supply, additional LED's are located on each
power supply.
Fans - Green indicates that the system
fans are rotating properly; red
indicates a system fan failure.
Temperature - Green indicates system temperature
is within acceptable operating parameters. Red indicates ssytem temperature
has exceeded acceptable operating parameters.
Select Chassis
With the exception of the floppy drive, the muxed devices (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) may be shared by all systems installed in a single Cubix cabinet.
The Select Chassis pushbutton determines which system is enabled or disabled to control these devices. Only one system may be selected at a time.
When a system is enabled, the muxed devices are
under its control. In addition, the group reset and power on/off
functions are operational, allowing a group to be reset or powered on or
off via buttons on the console. The LED labeled "Selected"
is illuminated when a system is selected.
When a system is disabled, the muxed
devices are not available to the system and the group reset and power
functions are not operational. Note that a disabled system can access
none of the muxed devices, including the floppy drive (to override this
feature refer to the Keylock Option Configuration).
Note that a system is also automatically disabled when another system with which this system is sharing the muxed devices is enabled.
Console Keylock
A keylock resides on the front panel. When locked, it disables video, keyboard and mouse control based on the key lock option switch settings set on the MUX/IES board.