
RS/6000 43P Async Console Support During System Initialization
==============================================================

System firmware version 1.09 (and higher) for the RS/6000 Model 43P now
provides support for using a serial-attached ASCII console during system
initialization.  With this support, you will be able to run SMS (System
Management Services) utilities and diagnostics without a graphics
display or keyboard attached to the system.


IMPLEMENTATION NOTES
====================

This implementation only supports two terminal types -- an IBM 3151/3153
or a VT100 emulator -- and only supports the English language.  The
Async Console must be attached to the primary serial port (COM1).  This
new function only applies during system initialization or when running
the SMS.  The functioning of your operating system will not be affected.


INSTALLATION
============

Update the system firmware to version 1.09 or higher as described in the
system publications or in any documentation, such as a README file, that
came with the firmware update distribution.  Once the firmware is
updated, the Async Console function is available.  Use SMS version 1.07
or higher with this firmware level.


USING THE ASYNC CONSOLE
=======================

With the previous levels of firmware, you could press F1 to invoke SMS
in graphical form, or you could press F4 to invoke SMS in text mode.  F2
and F5 also have defined functions, as described in the system
publications when pressed in the window of opportunity.  The window of
opportunity is defined as the time between the graphics adapter
initialization (image on the display) and the last progress icon.

This firmware version adds a new speaker noise, described as a TWEEDLE,
at the start of the window of opportunity.  The end of the window is
indicated by a single beep from the speaker.  This is necessary for
systems with no graphics adapter installed, or no display attached to
the built in graphics adapter.  Pressing the function keys listed above
on the Aysnc Console during the window of opportunity will invoke the
appropriate function on the Async Console.

If no keys are pressed, the system will start up and attempt to boot an
operating system.  Nothing will be displayed on the Async Console during
the start-up process.

Unlike the system keyboard, the Async Console code is NOT interrupt
driven.  This means that you cannot type ahead, and you cannot type
fast.

The Async Console function is only available when an Async Console is
connected properly, and powered on before the system.  The detection is
done by sensing the state of CTS (Clear To Send) at TWEEDLE time.  When
nothing is connected to the primary serial port, CTS appears FALSE.


LIMITATIONS
===========

Using an Async Console imposes some limitations, as follows:

- It is possible to install a Power-on Password, but inadvisable.  The
password prompt will default to the integrated graphics adapter and not
be seen on the Async Console.  In order for the password prompt to
appear on the Async Console, it would be necessary to press one of the
defined function keys every time the system is powered on.

- Some of the diagnostics should not be run.  Attempting to run the
serial port diagnostics, for example, will cause the connection with the
Aysnc Console to be lost and the system will appear hung.  Likewise,
video diagnostics should not be run on graphics adapters that have no
display attached because questions will be shown on the graphics adapter
and the system will wait for an answer, again appearing hung.  Either do
not select these diagnostics when testing your system, or remove them
from the SMS diskette to a safe place (ser.6dg = serial diagnostic,
*vdgs*.6dg = a graphics adapter diagnostic).

- The Aysnc Console display may sometimes have extra or missing
characters on the screen.  The most noticeable artifact is that the
highlight bar, which indicates which menu item is selected, can be
partially or completely erased when windows are displayed over it.  When
this occurs, move the highlight bar using the arrow keys to have it
redrawn.

- The display is very sensitive to the Async Console setup parameters
(outlined below).  For example, using CR as the line turnaround
character (LTA) on the 3151/3153 can cause strange results -- menus may
appear or disappear without user input.  Use ETX as shown in the table
below.  Support for CR as the LTA is planned for a future release.

- From the main SMS menu, the F9 key -- Start the Operating System --
does not work.  This is a known bug that will be fixed in the next
release.


CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
=======================

Proper connection between the system and the Async Console is a must.
When using a PC with a 9 pin serial port, use a null modem cable.  When
using a 3151 terminal, use the appropriate cable for your system.  Note
that the Async Console will only function on the serial port that is
assigned to address 03F8 (COM1), even if that is not one of the
integrated serial ports.  For example, if there is a plug-in adapter
with a serial port assigned to 03F8, it will become the primary serial
port and the Async Console must be attached to the plug-in adapter.


SUPPORTED ASYNC CONSOLES
========================

Async Console support requires a terminal that supports a minimum of
nine function keys, and supports an addressable cursor.  In this
implementation, two terminal styles are supported.  The first is a
PC-based VT100 style emulator.  A real VT100 is not supported as it only
has four function keys.  The second is an IBM 3151 or 3153.


VT100 REQUIREMENTS
==================

VT100 terminal emulators are required to provide certain control codes
when a function key is pressed.  These control codes are outlined in
the following table:

        F1      ESC O P
        F2      ESC O Q
        F3      ESC O R
        F4      ESC O S
        F5      ESC O T
        F6      ESC O U
        F7      ESC O V
        F8      ESC O W
        F9      ESC O X
        UpArrow ESC [ A
        DnArrow ESC [ B
        RtArrow ESC [ C
        LtArrow ESC [ D
        PgUp    ESC [ L
        PgDn    ESC [ I

Note: The [ character is a left square bracket.

Output to the terminal consists of ASCII characters plus the following
control codes:

        Reverse Video   ESC [ 7 m
        Normal Video    ESC [ m
        Home            ESC [ H
        Erase EOP       ESC [ J
        Set Buffer Addr ESC [ y ; x H


VT100 terminals must be set up with the proper settings before they
will work correctly.  The following terminal modes must be set:

        Row and Column  24 x 80
        Screen Scroll   OFF
        Auto LF         OFF
        Line Wrap       ON
        Operating Mode  ECHO
        Line Speed      9600
        Word Length     8
        Parity          NO
        Interface       RS-232C
        Flow Control    Hardware


3151/3153 REQUIREMENTS
======================

3151/3153 terminals or terminal emulators are required to provide
certain control codes when a function key is pressed.  These are:

        F1      ESC a
        F2      ESC b
        F3      ESC c
        F4      ESC d
        F5      ESC e
        F6      ESC f
        F7      ESC g
        F8      ESC h
        F9      ESC i
        UpArrow ESC A
        DnArrow ESC B
        RtArrow ESC C
        LtArrow ESC D
        PgUp    ESC L LTA
        PgDn    ESC I

LTA is the Line Turnaround Character.


Output to the terminal consists of ASCII characters plus the following
control codes:

        Reverse Video   ESC 4 \101
        Normal Video    ESC 4 \100
        Home            ESC H
        Erase EOP       ESC J
        Set Buffer Addr ESC Y y x


IBM 3151/3153 terminals must be set up with the proper settings before
they will work correctly.  The following terminal modes must be set:

        Machine Mode    IBM 3151 PC  [or IBM 3153]
        Screen          Normal
        Row and Column  25 x 80
        Scroll          Jump
        Auto LF         OFF
        Line Wrap       ON
        Operating Mode  ECHO
        Line Speed      9600
        Word Length     8
        Parity          NO
        Turnaround Char ETX
        Interface       RS-232C
        Pacing          DTR
        Generated Chars ASCII



END OF DOCUMENT
===============
