IBM RS/6000 - Manual (Page 128)

device is installed. If not, use SMIT to configure the device, and provide an input
device or directory where the installation software can be accessed.
6.3 ISA Adapter Configuration
When configuring ISA adapters, you will have to configure some adapter hardware
parameters. The values you assign to the parameters are used by AIX to
communicate with the adapter; thus, it is important they are selected carefully in
order to perform a conflict-free configuration.
AIX manages five resources for ISA adapters. These resources are:
Bus I/O ranges
Bus memory address ranges
System interrupts (IRQ)
Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels
Bus Memory DMA Address ranges
The first four resources are allocated by the AIX configuration subsystem when the
controller is configured. The last resource is allocated by the AIX ISA DMA
services when a DMA transfer is mapped. For integrated ISA adapters, the four
required resources are provided in residual data via RSPC PNP (Plug-and-Play)
descriptors.
In the case of attached ISA adapters, parameters such as interrupt level or DMA
arbitration level cannot always be set dynamically. Some adapters are configured
using jumpers or DIP switches that physically reside on the adapter. The system
administrator must first set these parameters to avoid conflicts with other adapters
before physically installing the adapter into the system.
For this reason, before configuring any ISA adapters, you should carefully plan and
document the configuration. This topic includes procedures that will help you to
document your current configuration.
The process of an ISA adapter configuration involves the following steps:
1. Record parameter settings of ISA adapters already configured.
2. Select parameter values for new ISA adapters.
3. Install the adapter device driver.
4. Use smit isa to define the adapter.
5. Set the proper DIP switches and physically install the adapter.
6. Configure the adapter using smit isa .
6.3.1 Recording Settings of ISA Adapters Already Configured
When configuring new ISA adapters, you will have to provide parameter values for
these adapters. These parameter values should not already be in use by other
adapters that may already exist in your system. For this reason, and to better
perform problem analysis, you should record the parameter settings for any ISA
adapter already installed in your system.
104 Introduction to PCI-Based RS/6000 Servers