AlphaServer 2100A Hardware Release Notes

This document provides hardware release notes for the AlphaServer 2100A, detailing important configuration information, restrictions, and operational notes.

Key points include:

• PCI Option Restrictions:

  • The AlphaServer 2100A has a PCI-to-PCI bridge, dividing slots into primary (4-7) and secondary (0-3).
  • Certain PCI cards (e.g., KZPSA-BB, PB2GA-Jx graphics) have specific slot requirements, especially when running Windows NT or ARC firmware utilities. They may need to be in primary slots initially, but can often be moved to secondary slots for OpenVMS or Digital UNIX after initial configuration.
  • An error message "***unable to assign PCI base address" for KZPSA-BB can be ignored if running OpenVMS or Digital UNIX.
  • KZPSM and KZPDA adapters require SRM Version 4.4 or later if installed behind the bridge.
  • The KZPSC-xx PCI RAID controller can be installed behind the bridge on AlphaServer 2100A systems, despite what its documentation might state.
  • Users should consult the "AlphaServer 2100A Supported Options List" for the latest information.

• Unsupported Options: Several EISA-based options (e.g., certain EtherWORKS cards, NVRAM modules, SCSI adapters, ZLXp-En adapters) are not supported on the AlphaServer 2100A.

• EISA-Based DSSI Controllers: A maximum of two KFESA or KFESB EISA-based DSSI controllers can be installed.
• CPU Failover: This feature is implemented for Digital UNIX and OpenVMS, with V4.0 of Windows NT expected to support it.
• Windows NT Boot Issue: The system will not auto-start with a specific configuration of 3 CPUs plus 1 GB of memory. This issue does not occur with 1, 2, or 4 CPUs or less than 1 GB of memory.

• Environment Variables:

  • The pci_arb variable's default setting of "Partial-Rotating" should not be changed to avoid performance degradation.
  • The pci_read_mult variable is no longer manually implemented in the SRM console (as of Version 4.4) as the console handles it automatically.

• ECU (EISA Configuration Utility) Slots: Although the ECU may show 8 EISA slots (due to sharing the configuration file with the AlphaServer 2100), the AlphaServer 2100A only has 3 physical EISA slots (1, 2, and 3); slots 4-7 should be ignored.

• test Command Usage: To use the test command after shutting down an operating system, the system must first be initialized to a quiescent state using set auto_action halt followed by init.
• ECU-Related Power-Up Messages: Specific "ECU error" or "Missing Configuration Error" messages displayed during power-up can be ignored as they do not affect system performance.
• Redundant Power Supply (RM Models): To activate redundant power, a jumper (W1) must be installed on the PCI/EISA backplane. This allows the system to continue operating if one power supply fails.