DEC LANcontroller 400 Installation Guide

This document, the "DEC LANcontroller 400 Installation Guide" (which refers to the device as "DEMNA"), is a technical manual for installing and troubleshooting the DEC LANcontroller 400 adapter. This adapter functions as an Ethernet/IEEE 802 controller, designed to connect host systems with an XMI bus to local area networks.

Intended Audience: The guide is primarily for Digital customer service representatives and self-maintenance customers.

Key Contents:

• Module Overview: It describes the DEMNA module's basic functions, its logical subsystems (microprocessor, shared memory, XMI, and Ethernet interfaces), and physical components. It highlights the on-board CVAX processor, EEPROM-stored firmware, and status indicator LEDs.
• Installation Procedures: Detailed, step-by-step instructions are provided for hardware installation in VAX 6000 and VAX 9000 systems, including crucial safety warnings like powering off the system and using ESD protection. It covers the connection of internal Ethernet and physical console cables, as well as external transceiver cables.
• Verification: The guide outlines methods to confirm successful hardware installation and proper network operation of the DEMNA, often involving checking LED indicators and performing loopback tests.
• Power-Up Self-Test & Troubleshooting: It explains the automatic, ROM-resident self-test routines that run on power-up or reset. It details how to interpret the test results using module LEDs and diagnostic registers (XPUD) and offers guidance for troubleshooting common issues, from cable problems to system-wide faults.
• Reference Information: Appendices provide extensive technical data, including environmental requirements, descriptions of various registers for troubleshooting, procedures for converting Ethernet addresses to DECnet addresses, modifying EEPROM flags (e.g., remote boot, promiscuous mode), and listings of device type codes, Ethernet protocol types, and addresses.

Overall: The document serves as a comprehensive resource for the proper installation, initial verification, and basic troubleshooting of the DEC LANcontroller 400 (DEMNA) in compatible VAX XMI bus systems.