Planning to Configure an Interface Card

Read the instructions to be sure you understand them before proceeding. Have available the documentation supplied with the interface card.
Observe anti-static precautions when handling interface cards. Interface cards and device adapters are susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharge, which can result in degraded performance or loss of operation.
- Keep the card in its anti-static packaging until you install it, or use a static-free workstation, HP part number 9300-0933.
- Use a grounding wrist strap when handling the interface card.
- Handle the card only by its non-connector edges, faceplate (bulkhead), or extractor levers.
- If necessary, store interface cards and device adapters in their original shipping containers or equivalent anti-static packaging. The storage area should be clean, dry, and free of corrosive elements.

Create a detailed record of your configuration.

Use a worksheet in the back of this document to record the data provided on the stickers attached to the card. If problems arise, the codes provide service engineers with manufacturing version. The following information typically appears on the stickers:
- Part number
- Version and date, encoded in a five-digit alphanumeric string
- Serial number, encoded in a ten-digit alphanumeric string
- Other production identification information.
Record the firmware revision of the interface card.
Record the link level address for the processor. It comes with the shipping. The /usr/sbin/lanadmin command reports back the station address.
Record any dip switches or address settings you make on any cards or external devices.
Keep a current copy of output from /usr/sbin/ioscan -f, for a total picture of your system's configuration, including use of hardware slots and configured device drivers.




	NOTE: The HP Precision Bus (HP-PB) backplane is a slot-priority based system. The higher the slot number in which a card is installed, the higher the card's priority for gaining access to and communicating over the backplane. Thus, a card installed at slot 10 has a higher priority than a card at slot 1.

Observe HP recommendations regarding hardware limitations and requirements.
- Do not exceed recommended cabling lengths or maximum number of peripheral devices connected to an interface card. Note, these limitations vary widely depending on bus traffic, kind of I/O, and system. For explicit information, consult “Maximum Configurations” or other HP-published configuration guidelines.
- Take care that total power consumption of all voltages does not exceed card-cage limitations.
- Terminate SCSI devices as required. (See “SCSI Signal Termination”, later in this chapter, for explanation of SCSI terminators.)
If desired, install application software before physically installing the card. Use the /usr/sbin/swinstall command and then reboot the system.
Warn users in advance that you plan to bring the system down for installation. On a multiuser system, you can use the wall(1M) command.
Do not connect or disconnect a device while the system is running. Do not turn power on or off to a mass storage device connected to a powered-up system. Doing so could result in data corruption or a system panic.

Maximum Configurations

Depending on interface, multiple peripheral devices can be connected to any interface card. However, because maximum device connections are device- and platform-dependent, the following information represents basic guidelines only. For detailed information, contact an HP Customer Engineer or field office, which should have access to recent information published in the HP 9000 configuration and price guides.

Table 2-1 Maximum Recommended Device Connections by Interface

Type of Interface	Maximum Devices Per Card	Maximum Cabling
SCSI (Single-Ended)	7	6m^[1]
SCSI (Differential)	7	25m^[1]
SCSI (Fast-Wide)	15	25m^[1]
^[1]Including internal cable length

Planning to Configure an Interface Card

Technical documentation

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Maximum Configurations