Console Mode

Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 explain how a Digital Alpha VME 4 system enters and exits console mode.

3.2.1 Entering Console Mode

A Digital Alpha VME 4 module enters console mode automatically when the POST is finished. A Digital Alpha VME 4 module also enters console mode when:

• You press the Reset/Halt switch on the front panel.

Caution

Depending on the operating system and applications running at the time, this could damage application files that are open and have not been saved.

• The module receives a VMEbus Reset signal and configuration switch 3 on

the module is enabled.

Caution

Depending on the operating system and applications running at the time, this could damage application files.

• You use the operating system command to enter console mode.

• The operating system executes a HALT instruction.

• The operating system encounters a fatal error.

3.2.2 Exiting Console Mode

Note

Do not change the settings of the environment variables without understanding the implications of the changes.

Table 3–2 lists the environment variables with descriptions.

Table 3–2 Environment Variable Summary

Variable Description

AUTO_ACTION Defines the action of the console following an error, halt, or power-up.

BOOT_DEV Specifies the device list to be used by the last, or currently in progress, bootstrap attempt.

BOOT_FILE Specifies the file name to be used when a bootstrap requires a file name, when the bootstrap is not the result of a boot command, or when no file name is specified with the boot command.

BOOT_OSFLAGS Specifies arguments to be passed to system software when the bootstrap is not the result of a boot command or when no arguments are specified with the boot command.

BOOTDEF_DEV Specifies the device list from which bootstrapping is to be attempted when no path is specified with the boot command. BOOTED_DEV Specifies devices to be used by the last or currently in progress

bootstrap attempt.

BOOTED_FILE Specifies the file name to be used by the last or currently in progress bootstrap attempt.

BOOTED_OSFLAGS Specifies arguments to be passed to system software during the last or currently in progress bootstrap attempt.

CHAR_SET Specifies current console terminal character-set encoding. CONSOLE Specifies whether console input and output are to use the

console serial line or a graphics console, if present. D_BELL Specifies whether the bell is to sound on error.

D_CLEANUP Specifies whether cleanup code is to be executed at the end of diagnostics.

D_COMPLETE Specifies whether a diagnostic completion message is to be displayed.

Table 3–2 (Cont.) Environment Variable Summary

Variable Description

D_EOP Specifies whether end-of-pass messages are to be displayed. D_GROUP Specifies the diagnostic group to be executed.

D_HARDERR Defines the action that is to be taken following a hard error detection.

D_OPER Specifies whether an operator is present. D_PASSES Specifies the diagnostic pass count.

D_REPORT Specifies the level of information to be provided by diagnostic error reports.

D_SOFTERR Defines the action that is to be taken following soft error detection.

D_STARTUP Specifies whether a diagnostic startup message is to be displayed.

D_TRACE Specifies whether trace messages are to be displayed. DUMP_DEV Specifies that a device is to write operating system crash

dumps.

ENABLE_AUDIT Specifies whether audit trail messages are to be generated during bootstrap.

EWA0_ARP_TRIES Specifies the number of transmissions to be attempted before the Internet Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) fails.

EWA0_BOOTP_FILE Specifies a generic file name to be included in an Internet Boot Protocol (BOOTP) request.

EWA0_BOOTP_ SERVER

Specifies a server name to be included in a BOOTP request. EWA0_BOOTP_TRIES Specifies the number of transmissions that are to be

attempted before BOOTP fails.

EWA0_DEF_GINETADDR Specifies the initial value for EWA0_GINETADDR when the interface’s internal Internet database is initialized from

Table 3–2 (Cont.) Environment Variable Summary

Variable Description

EWA0_DEF_SINETADDR Specifies the initial value for EWA0_SINETADDR when the interface’s internal Internet database is initialized from BOOTP (EWA0_INET_INIT is set to BOOTP).

EWA0_INET_INIT Specifies whether the interface’s internal Internet database is to be initialized from non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) or from a network server (by way of BOOTP).

EWA0_LOOP_COUNT Specifies the number of times each message is looped. EWA0_LOOP_INC Specifies the amount the message size is to be increased from

message to message.

EWA0_LOOP_PATT Specifies the type of data pattern that is to be used for loopback.

EWA0_LOOP_SIZE Specifies the size of the loop data to be used.

EWA0_LP_MSG_NODE Specifies the number of messages to be sent to each node originally.

EWA0_MODE Specifies the operating mode of the embedded Ethernet controller. Valid settings include TWISTED-PAIR and FULL (full-duplex twisted pair).

EWA0_PROTOCOLS Specifies the network protocol to be enabled for booting and other functions.

EWA0_TFTP_TRIES Specifies the number of transmissions that are to be attempted before the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) fails.

LANGUAGE Specifies the current console terminal language (integer ID). LANGUAGE_NAME Specifies the current console terminal language.

LICENSE Specifies whether a software license is in effect.

MODE Specifies whether diagnostics are to be run when the firmware is initialized. Set to FASTBOOT or NOFASTBOOT.

PAL Specifies versions of VMS and OSF PALcode in the firmware. TGA_SYNC_GREEN Specifies a hexadecimal byte indicating whether video

synchronization should be driven on the green channel for up to eight TGA video cards. Video card 0 corresponds to bit 0, card 1 to bit 1, and so on. Used with the CONSOLE environment variable.

TTY_DEV Specifies the current console terminal unit. VERSION Specifies the version of the console code firmware.

Table 3–2 (Cont.) Environment Variable Summary

Variable Description

VME_A32_BASE Specifies the base address of VMEbus A32 space. VME_A32_SIZE Specifies the size of VMEbus A32 space.

VME_A24_BASE Specifies the base address of VMEbus A24 space. VME_A24_SIZE Specifies the size of VMEbus A24 space.

VME_A16_BASE Specifies the base address of VMEbus A16 space. VME_CONFIG Specifies the VME setup mode.

VX_BOOTLINE Specifies the name of the file to be used for the VxWorks bootstrap.