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diff --git a/release/texts/alpha/HARDWARE.TXT b/release/texts/alpha/HARDWARE.TXT index aab7e2c..d13b831 100644 --- a/release/texts/alpha/HARDWARE.TXT +++ b/release/texts/alpha/HARDWARE.TXT @@ -1,655 +1,1055 @@ -Table of Contents ------------------ -0. Document Conventions -1. Default Configuration (GENERIC kernel) -2. LINT - other possible configurations -3. Supported Hardware - -See TROUBLE.TXT for Q&A on known hardware problems. - -========================================================================= - -0. Document Conventions --- -------------------- - -We have `underlined' text which represents user input with `-' symbols -throughout this document to differentiate it from the machine output. - -1. Default (GENERIC) Configuration --- ------------------------------- - -The following table contains a list of all of the devices that are -present in the GENERIC kernel. This is the essential part of the -operating system that is placed in your root partition during the -installation process. A compressed version of the GENERIC kernel is -also used on the installation floppy diskette and DOS boot image. - -The table describes the various parameters used by the driver to -communicate with the hardware in your system. There are four -parameters in the table, though not all are used by each and every -device: - - Port The starting I/O port used by the device, shown in hexadecimal. - - IOMem The lowest (or starting) memory address used by the device, - also shown in hexadecimal. - - IRQ The interrupt the device uses to alert the driver to an event, - given in decimal. - - DRQ The DMA (direct memory access) channel the device uses to move - data to and from main memory, also given in decimal. - -If an entry in the table has `n/a' for a value then it means that the -parameter in question does not apply to that device. A value of `dyn' -means that the correct value should be determined automatically by the -kernel when the system boots and that you don't need to worry about -it. - -If an entry is marked with an *, it means that support is currently -not available for it but should be back as soon as someone converts -the driver to work within the new 3.0 framework. - -FreeBSD GENERIC kernel: - - Port IRQ DRQ IOMem Description - ---- --- --- ----- --------------------------------- -fdc0 3f0 6 2 n/a Floppy disk controller -wdc0 1f0 14 n/a n/a IDE/MFM/RLL disk controller -wdc1 170 15 n/a n/a IDE/MFM/RLL disk controller - -adv0 n/a n/a n/a n/a AdvanSys Narrow SCSI controllers -adw0 n/a n/a n/a n/a AdvanSys Wide SCSI controllers -ncr0 n/a n/a n/a n/a NCR PCI SCSI controller -bt0 330 dyn dyn dyn Buslogic SCSI controller -uha0* 330 dyn 6 dyn Ultrastore 14f -aha0 330 dyn 5 dyn Adaptec 154x/1535 SCSI controller -ahb0 dyn dyn dyn dyn Adaptec 174x SCSI controller -ahc0 dyn dyn dyn dyn Adaptec 274x/284x/294x SCSI controller -aic0 340 11 dyn dyn Adaptec 152x/AIC-6360/AIC-6260 SCSI - controller -isp0 dyn dyn dyn dyn QLogic 10X0, 2100 SCSI/FC controllers -dpt n/a n/a n/a n/a DPT RAID SCSI controllers. - -wt0 300 5 1 dyn Wangtek and Archive QIC-02/QIC-36 - -psm0 60 12 n/a n/a PS/2 Mouse - -mcd0 300 10 n/a n/a Mitsumi CD-ROM -matcd0 230 n/a n/a n/a Matsushita/Panasonic CD-ROM -scd0 230 n/a n/a n/a Sony CD-ROM - -sio0 3f8 4 n/a n/a Serial Port 0 (COM1) -sio1 2f8 3 n/a n/a Serial Port 1 (COM2) - -lpt0 dyn 7 n/a n/a Printer Port 0 -lpt1 dyn dyn n/a n/a Printer Port 1 - -dc0 n/a n/a n/a n/a DEC/Intel 21143 and workalikes -de0 n/a n/a n/a n/a DEC DC21x40 PCI based cards - (including 21140 100bT cards) -ed0 280 10 dyn d8000 WD & SMC 80xx; Novell NE1000 & - NE2000; 3Com 3C503; HP PC Lan+ -eg0 310 5 dyn dyn 3Com 3C505 -ep0 300 10 dyn dyn 3Com 3C509 -ex0 dyn dyn dyn n/a Intel EtherExpress Pro/10 cards -fe0 300 dyn n/a n/a Allied-Telesyn AT1700, RE2000 and - Fujitsu FMV-180 series cards. -fxp0 dyn dyn n/a dyn Intel EtherExpress Pro/100B -ie0 300 10 dyn d0000 AT&T StarLAN 10 and EN100; - 3Com 3C507; NI5210; - Intel EtherExpress (8/16,16[TP]) cards -le0 300 5 dyn d0000 Digital Equipment EtherWorks - 2 and EtherWorks 3 -lnc0 280 10 n/a dyn Lance/PCnet cards - (Isolan, Novell NE2100, NE32-VL, - some PCnet-PCI cards) -rl0 dyn dyn n/a dyn RealTek 8129/8139 fast ethernet -sf0 dyn dyn n/a dyn Adaptec AIC-6915 fast ethernet -sis0 dyn dyn n/a dyn SiS 900/SiS 7016 fast ethernet -ste0 dyn dyn n/a dyn Sundance ST201 fast ethernet -tl0 dyn dyn n/a dyn TI TNET100 'ThunderLAN' cards. -wb0 dyn dyn n/a dyn Winbond W89C840F PCI based cards. -vr0 dyn dyn n/a dyn VIA VT3043/VT86C100A PCI based cards. -vx0 dyn dyn n/a dyn 3Com 3c59x ((Fast) Etherlink III) -xl0 dyn dyn n/a dyn 3Com 3c900, 3c905, 3c905B, 3c905C, - 3c980, 3cSOHO100 ((Fast) Etherlink XL) -cs0 0x300 dyn n/a n/a Crystal Semiconductor CS89x0-based - cards. ---- End of table --- - - -If the hardware in your computer is not set to the same settings as -those shown in the table and the item in conflict is not marked 'dyn', -you will have to either reconfigure your hardware or use UserConfig -to reconfigure the kernel to match the way your hardware is currently set -(see the next section). - -If the settings do not match, the kernel may be unable to locate -or reliably access the devices in your system. - - -2. LINT - other possible configurations --- ------------------------------------ - -The following drivers are not in the GENERIC kernel but remain -available to those who do not mind compiling a custom kernel (see -section 6 of FreeBSD.FAQ). The LINT configuration file -(/sys/i386/conf/LINT) also contains prototype entries for just about -every device supported by FreeBSD and is a good general reference. - -The device names and a short description of each are listed below. The port -numbers, etc, are not meaningful here since you will need to compile a -custom kernel to gain access to these devices anyway and can thus -adjust the addresses to match the hardware in your computer in the process. -The LINT file contains prototype entries for all of the below which you -can easily cut-and-paste into your own file (or simply copy LINT and edit -it to taste): - -ctx: Cortex-I frame grabber -cx: Cronyx/Sigma multiport sync/async -cy: Cyclades high-speed serial driver -el: 3Com 3C501 -fea: DEC DEFEA EISA FDDI adapter -fpa: DEC DEFPA PCI FDDI adapter -gp: National Instruments AT-GPIB and AT-GPIB/TNT board -gsc: Genius GS-4500 hand scanner -gus: Gravis Ultrasound - Ultrasound, Ultrasound 16, Ultrasound MAX -gusxvi: Gravis Ultrasound 16-bit PCM -hea: Efficient ENI-155p ATM PCI adapter -hfa: FORE PCA-200E ATM PCI adapter -isic: isdn4bsd Siemens ISDN Chipset driver -joy: Joystick -labpc: National Instrument's Lab-PC and Lab-PC+ -meteor: Matrox Meteor frame-grabber card -bktr: Brooktree Bt848 / Bt 878 based frame-grabber cards. -mpu: Roland MPU-401 stand-alone card -mse: Microsoft, Logitech, ATI bus mouse ports -mss: Microsoft Sound System -opl: Yamaha OPL-2 and OPL-3 FM - SB, SB Pro, SB 16, ProAudioSpectrum -pas: ProAudioSpectrum PCM and MIDI -pca: PCM audio ("/dev/audio") through your PC speaker -pcm: PCM audio on most modern PCI/ISA audio codecs -psm: PS/2 mouse port -rc: RISCom/8 multiport card -sb: SoundBlaster PCM - SoundBlaster, SB Pro, SB16, ProAudioSpectrum -sbmidi: SoundBlaster 16 MIDI interface -sbxvi: SoundBlaster 16 -si: Specialix SI/XIO/SX (old and enhanced ISA, PCI, EISA) serial -spigot: Creative Labs Video Spigot video-acquisition board -uart: Stand-alone 6850 UART for MIDI -wds: Western Digital WD7000 IDE - ---- end of list --- - - -3. Supported Hardware --- ------------------ - -FreeBSD currently runs on a wide variety of ISA and PCI bus based -Alphas's. Support for generic IDE or ESDI drive configurations is -somewhat marginal and a SCSI controller is therefore recommended. - -What follows is a list of all peripherals currently known to work with -FreeBSD. Other configurations may also work, we have simply not as yet -received confirmation of this. - - -4.1. Disk Controllers ----- ---------------- - -WD1003 (any generic MFM/RLL) -WD1007 (any generic IDE/ESDI) -IDE -ATA - -Adaptec 1535 ISA SCSI controllers -Adaptec 154x series ISA SCSI controllers -Adaptec 174x series EISA SCSI controller in standard and enhanced mode. -Adaptec 274X/284X/2920C/294x/2950/3940/3950 (Narrow/Wide/Twin) series -EISA/VLB/PCI SCSI controllers. -Adaptec AIC7850, AIC7860, AIC7880, AIC789x, on-board SCSI controllers. -Adaptec 1510 series ISA SCSI controllers (not for bootable devices) -Adaptec 152x series ISA SCSI controllers -Adaptec AIC-6260 and AIC-6360 based boards, which includes the AHA-152x -and SoundBlaster SCSI cards. - -AdvanSys SCSI controllers (all models). - -BusLogic MultiMaster controllers: - -[ Please note that BusLogic/Mylex "Flashpoint" adapters are NOT yet supported ] - -BusLogic MultiMaster "W" Series Host Adapters: - BT-948, BT-958, BT-958D -BusLogic MultiMaster "C" Series Host Adapters: - BT-946C, BT-956C, BT-956CD, BT-445C, BT-747C, BT-757C, BT-757CD, BT-545C, - BT-540CF -BusLogic MultiMaster "S" Series Host Adapters: - BT-445S, BT-747S, BT-747D, BT-757S, BT-757D, BT-545S, BT-542D, BT-742A, - BT-542B -BusLogic MultiMaster "A" Series Host Adapters: - BT-742A, BT-542B - -AMI FastDisk controllers that are true BusLogic MultiMaster clones are also -supported. - -DPT SmartCACHE Plus, SmartCACHE III, SmartRAID III, SmartCACHE IV and -SmartRAID IV SCSI/RAID controllers are supported. The DPT SmartRAID/CACHE V -is not yet supported. - -SymBios (formerly NCR) 53C810, 53C810a, 53C815, 53C820, 53C825a, -53C860, 53C875, 53C875j, 53C885, 53C895 and 53C896 PCI SCSI controllers: - ASUS SC-200 - Data Technology DTC3130 (all variants) - Diamond FirePort (all) - NCR cards (all) - Symbios cards (all) - Tekram DC390W, 390U and 390F - Tyan S1365 - - -QLogic 1020, 1040, 1040B and 2100 SCSI and Fibre Channel Adapters - -DTC 3290 EISA SCSI controller in 1542 emulation mode. - -With all supported SCSI controllers, full support is provided for -SCSI-I & SCSI-II peripherals, including hard disks, optical disks, -tape drives (including DAT and 8mm Exabyte), medium changers, processor -target devices and CDROM drives. WORM devices that support CDROM commands -are supported for read-only access by the CDROM driver. WORM/CD-R/CD-RW -writing support is provided by cdrecord, which is in the ports tree. - -The following drivers were supported under the old SCSI subsystem, but are -NOT YET supported under the new CAM SCSI subsystem: - - Tekram DC390 and DC390T controllers (maybe other cards based on the - AMD 53c974 as well). - - NCR5380/NCR53400 ("ProAudio Spectrum") SCSI controller. - - UltraStor 14F, 24F and 34F SCSI controllers. - - Seagate ST01/02 SCSI controllers. - - Future Domain 8xx/950 series SCSI controllers. - - WD7000 SCSI controller. - - [ Note: There is work-in-progress to port the UltraStor driver to - the new CAM SCSI framework, but no estimates on when or if it will - be completed. ] - -4.2. Network cards ----- ------------- - -Adaptec Duralink PCI fast ethernet adapters based on the Adaptec -AIC-6915 fast ethernet controller chip, including the following: - ANA-62011 64-bit single port 10/100baseTX adapter - ANA-62022 64-bit dual port 10/100baseTX adapter - ANA-62044 64-bit quad port 10/100baseTX adapter - ANA-69011 32-bit single port 10/100baseTX adapter - ANA-62020 64-bit single port 100baseFX adapter - -Allied-Telesyn AT1700 and RE2000 cards - -Alteon Networks PCI gigabit ethernet NICs based on the Tigon 1 and Tigon 2 -chipsets, including the following: - Alteon AceNIC (Tigon 1 and 2) - 3Com 3c985-SX (Tigon 1 and 2) - Netgear GA620 (Tigon 2) - Silicon Graphics Gigabit Ethernet - DEC/Compaq EtherWORKS 1000 - NEC Gigabit Ethernet - -AMD PCnet/PCI (79c970 & 53c974 or 79c974) - -SMC Elite 16 WD8013 ethernet interface, and most other WD8003E, -WD8003EBT, WD8003W, WD8013W, WD8003S, WD8003SBT and WD8013EBT -based clones. SMC Elite Ultra is also supported. - -RealTek 8129/8139 fast ethernet NICs including the following: - Allied Telesyn AT2550 - Allied Telesyn AT2500TX - Genius GF100TXR (RTL8139) - NDC Communications NE100TX-E - OvisLink LEF-8129TX - OvisLink LEF-8139TX - Netronix Inc. EA-1210 NetEther 10/100 - KTX-9130TX 10/100 Fast Ethernet - Accton "Cheetah" EN1027D (MPX 5030/5038; RealTek 8139 clone?) - SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI 1211-TX - -Lite-On 82c168/82c169 PNIC fast ethernet NICs including the following: - LinkSys EtherFast LNE100TX - NetGear FA310-TX Rev. D1 - Matrox FastNIC 10/100 - Kingston KNE110TX - -Macronix 98713, 98713A, 98715, 98715A and 98725 fast ethernet NICs - NDC Communications SFA100A (98713A) - CNet Pro120A (98713 or 98713A) - CNet Pro120B (98715) - SVEC PN102TX (98713) - -Macronix/Lite-On PNIC II LC82C115 fast ethernet NICs including the following: - LinkSys EtherFast LNE100TX Version 2 - -Winbond W89C840F fast ethernet NICs including the following: - Trendware TE100-PCIE - -VIA Technologies VT3043 "Rhine I" and VT86C100A "Rhine II" fast ethernet -NICs including the following: - Hawking Technologies PN102TX - D-Link DFE-530TX - AOpen/Acer ALN-320 - -Silicon Integrated Systems SiS 900 and SiS 7016 PCI fast ethernet NICs - -Sundance Technologies ST201 PCI fast ethernet NICs including -the following: - D-Link DFE-550TX - -SysKonnect SK-984x PCI gigabit ethernet cards including the following: - SK-9841 1000baseLX single mode fiber, single port - SK-9842 1000baseSX multimode fiber, single port - SK-9843 1000baseLX single mode fiber, dual port - SK-9844 1000baseSX multimode fiber, dual port - -Texas Instruments ThunderLAN PCI NICs, including the following: - Compaq Netelligent 10, 10/100, 10/100 Proliant, 10/100 Dual-Port - Compaq Netelligent 10/100 TX Embedded UTP, 10 T PCI UTP/Coax, 10/100 TX UTP - Compaq NetFlex 3P, 3P Integrated, 3P w/ BNC - Olicom OC-2135/2138, OC-2325, OC-2326 10/100 TX UTP - Racore 8165 10/100baseTX - Racore 8148 10baseT/100baseTX/100baseFX multi-personality - -ADMtek AL981-based PCI fast ethernet NICs -ADMtek AN985-based PCI fast ethernet NICs -ADMtek Inc. AN986-based USB ethernet NICs including the following: - LinkSys USB100TX - Billionton USB100 - Melco Inc. LU-ATX - D-Link DSB-650TX - SMC 2202USB - -CATC USB-EL1210A-based USB ethernet NICs including the following: - CATC Netmate - CATC Netmate II - Belkin F5U111 - -Kawasaki LSI KU5KUSB101B-based USB ethernet NICs including -the following: - LinkSys USB10T - Entrega NET-USB-E45 - Peracom USB Ethernet Adapter - 3Com 3c19250 - ADS Technologies USB-10BT - ATen UC10T - Netgear EA101 - D-Link DSB-650 - SMC 2102USB - SMC 2104USB - Corega USB-T - -ASIX Electronics AX88140A PCI NICs, including the following: - Alfa Inc. GFC2204 - CNet Pro110B - -DEC EtherWORKS III NICs (DE203, DE204, and DE205) -DEC EtherWORKS II NICs (DE200, DE201, DE202, and DE422) -DEC DC21040, DC21041, or DC21140 based NICs (SMC Etherpower 8432T, DE245, etc) -DEC FDDI (DEFPA/DEFEA) NICs - -Davicom DM9100 and DM9102 PCI fast ethernet NICs, including the -following: - Jaton Corporation XPressNet - -Efficient ENI-155p ATM PCI - -FORE PCA-200E ATM PCI - -Fujitsu MB86960A/MB86965A - -HP PC Lan+ cards (model numbers: 27247B and 27252A). - -Intel EtherExpress (not recommended due to driver instability) -Intel EtherExpress Pro/10 -Intel EtherExpress Pro/100B PCI Fast Ethernet - -Isolan AT 4141-0 (16 bit) -Isolink 4110 (8 bit) - -Novell NE1000, NE2000, and NE2100 ethernet interface. -PCI network cards emulating the NE2000: RealTek 8029, NetVin 5000, -Winbond W89C940, Surecom NE-34, VIA VT86C926. - -3Com 3C501 cards - -3Com 3C503 Etherlink II - -3Com 3c505 Etherlink/+ - -3Com 3C507 Etherlink 16/TP - -3Com 3C509, 3C579, 3C589 (PCMCIA), 3C590/592/595/900/905/905B/905C PCI -and EISA (Fast) Etherlink III / (Fast) Etherlink XL - -3Com 3c980/3c980B Fast Etherlink XL server adapter - -3Com 3cSOHO100-TX OfficeConnect adapter - -Toshiba ethernet cards - -PCMCIA ethernet cards from IBM and National Semiconductor are also -supported. - -Note that NO token ring cards are supported at this time as we're -still waiting for someone to donate a driver for one of them. Any -takers? - - -4.3. USB ----- --- - -A range of USB peripherals are supported. Owing to the generic nature -of most USB devices, with some exceptions any device of a given class -will be supported even if not explicitly listed here. - -USB keyboards. - -USB mice. - -USB printers and USB to parallel printer conversion cables. - -USB hubs. - - -Motherboards chipsets: - -ALi Aladdin-V. - -Intel 82371SB (PIIX3). -Intel 82371AB and EB chipsets (PIIX4). - -NEC uPD 9210 Host Controller. - -VIA 83C572 USB Host Controller - -and any other UHCI or OHCI compliant motherboard chipset (no exceptions -known). - - -PCI plug-in USB host controllers: - -ADS Electronics PCI plug-in card (2 ports). - -Entrega PCI plug-in card (4 ports). - - -Specific devices reported to be working: - -Agiler Mouse 29UO. - -Andromeda hub. - -Apple iMac mouse. -Apple iMac keyboard. - -ATen parallel printer adapter. - -Belkin F5U002 parallel printer adapter. -Belkin Mouse. - -BTC BTC7935 keyboard with mouse port. - -Cherry G81-3504 keyboard. - -Chic mouse. - -Cypress mouse. - -Entrega USB-to-parallel printer adapter. - -Genius Niche mouse. - -Iomega USB Zip 100Mb. - -Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box. - -Logitech M2452 keyboard. -Logitech wheel mouse (3 buttons). -Logitech PS/2 / USB mouse (3 buttons). - -MacAlly mouse (3 buttons). -MacAlly self powered hub (4 ports). - -Microsoft IntelliMouse (3 buttons). -Microsoft keyboard. - -NEC hub. - -Trust Ami Mouse (3 buttons). - - -4.4. ISDN (European DSS1 [Q.921/Q.931] protocol) ----- ------------------------------------------- - -Asuscom I-IN100-ST-DV (experimental, may work) -Asuscom ISDNlink 128K PnP - -AVM A1 -AVM Fritz!Card classic -AVM Fritz!Card PnP -AVM Fritz!Card PCI -AVM Fritz!Card PCMCIA - -Creatix ISDN-S0/8 -Creatix ISDN-S0/16 -Creatix ISDN-S0 PnP - -Dr.Neuhaus Niccy 1008 -Dr.Neuhaus Niccy 1016 -Dr.Neuhaus Niccy GO@ (ISA PnP) - -Dynalink IS64PH (no longer maintained) - -ELSA 1000pro ISA -ELSA 1000pro PCI -ELSA PCC-16 - -ITK ix1 micro -ITK ix1 micro PnP - -Sagem Cybermod (ISA PnP, may work) - -Sedlbauer Win Speed - -Siemens I-Surf 2.0 - -Stollmann Tina-pp (under development) - -Teles S0/8 -Teles S0/16 -Teles S0/16.3 (the "c" Versions - like 16.3c - are unsupported !) -Teles S0 PnP (experimental, may work) - -3Com/USRobotics Sportster ISDN TA intern (non-PnP version) - - -4.5. Misc ----- ---- - -AST 4 port serial card using shared IRQ. - -ARNET 8 port serial card using shared IRQ. -ARNET (now Digiboard) Sync 570/i high-speed serial. - -Boca BB1004 4-Port serial card (Modems NOT supported) -Boca IOAT66 6-Port serial card (Modems supported) -Boca BB1008 8-Port serial card (Modems NOT supported) -Boca BB2016 16-Port serial card (Modems supported) - -Cyclades Cyclom-y Serial Board. - -STB 4 port card using shared IRQ. - -SDL Communications Riscom/8 Serial Board. -SDL Communications RISCom/N2 and N2pci high-speed sync serial boards. - -Specialix SI/XIO/SX multiport serial cards, with both the older -SIHOST2.x and the new "enhanced" (transputer based, aka JET) host cards. -ISA, EISA and PCI are supported. - -Stallion multiport serial boards: EasyIO, EasyConnection 8/32 & 8/64, -ONboard 4/16 and Brumby. - -HP4020, HP6020, Philips CDD2000/CDD2660 and Plasmon CD-R drives. - -Bus mice - -PS/2 mice - -Standard PC Joystick - -X-10 power controllers - -GPIB and Transputer drivers. - -Genius and Mustek hand scanners. - -Floppy tape drives (some rather old models only, driver rather stale) - -Lucent Technologies WaveLAN/IEEE 802.11 PCMCIA and ISA standard speed -(2Mbps) and turbo speed (6Mbps) wireless network adapters and workalikes -(NCR WaveLAN/IEEE 802.11, Cabletron RoamAbout 802.11 DS). Note: the -ISA versions of these adapters are actually PCMCIA cards combined with -an ISA to PCMCIA bridge card, so both kinds of devices work with -the same driver. - -Aironet 4500/4800 series 802.11 wireless adapters. The PCI and ISA -models are supported for the Alpha architecture. - - -4.6. Multimedia ----- ---------- - -Adlib, SoundBlaster, SoundBlaster Pro, ProAudioSpectrum, Gravis UltraSound -and Roland MPU-401 sound cards. -(by Voxware) - -SoundBlaster(including ViBRA16) -Advance Asound 100, 110 and Logic ALS120 -ESS ES1868, ES1869, ES1879 and ES1888 -MSS/WSS Compatible DSPs -Gravis UltraSound MAX/PnP -Trident 4DWave DX/NX -ENSONIQ AudioPCI ES1370/1371 -NeoMagic 256AV/ZX -Crystal Semiconductor CS461x/462x/428x -(by newpcm) - -Matrox Meteor Video frame grabber -Creative Labs Video Spigot frame grabber -Cortex1 frame grabber -Various Frame grabbers based on Brooktree Bt848 and Bt878 chip. + FreeBSD/alpha Hardware Information + ================================== + +This file is maintained by Wilko Bulte <wilko@freebsd.org> + +Additions, corrections and constructive criticism are invited. In +particular information on system quirks is more than welcome. + + +Overview +-------- + +This document tries to provide a starting point for those who want to start +running FreeBSD on an Alpha-based machine. It is aimed at providing +background information on the various hardware designs. It is not a +replacement for the system's manuals. + +The information is structured as follows: + +- general hardware requirements to run FreeBSD on Alpha. +- system specific information for each of the systems/boards supported + by FreeBSD/alpha. +- information on expansion boards for FreeBSD/alpha, including things + that differ from what is in the generic supported hardware list. + + +In general, what do you need to run FreeBSD/alpha? +-------------------------------------------------- + +Obviously you will need an Alpha machine that FreeBSD/alpha knows about. +Alpha machines are NOT PC-architectures. There are considerable differences +between the various chip sets and mainboard designs. This means that a kernel +needs to know the intimate details of a particular machine before it can run +on it. Throwing some odd GENERIC kernel at unknown hardware is almost +guaranteed to fail miserably. + +For a machine even to be considered for FreeBSD use please make sure it has +the SRM console firmware installed. Or at least make sure that SRM console +firmware is available for this particular model. If FreeBSD does not +currently support your machine type, there is a good chance that this will +change some time, assuming there is a SRM available. + +Machines with the ARC/AlphaBIOS console firmware are intended for +WindowsNT. Some of them have SRM firmware available in the system ROMs +which you only have to select (via an ARC/AlphaBIOS menu). In other cases +you will have to re-flash the ROMs with SRM code. Check on +http://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware to see what is available +for your particular system. In any case: no SRM -> no FreeBSD (or NetBSD, +OpenBSD, Tru64 Unix or OpenVMS for that matter). + +As part of the SRM you will get the so called OSF/1 PAL code (OSF/1 being the +initial name of DEC's Unix offering on Alpha). The PAL code can be thought +of as a software abstraction layer between the hardware and the operating +system. It uses normal CPU instruction plus a handful of privileged +instructions specific for PAL use. PAL is not microcode by the way. +The ARC firmware contains a different PAL code, geared towards WinNT and in +no way suitable for use by FreeBSD (or more generic: Unix or OpenVMS). +Before someone asks: AlphaLinux brings it's own PAL code, allowing it to +boot. There are various reasons why this is not a very good idea in the +eyes of the *BSD folks. I don't want to go into details here. + +There is another pitfall ahead: you will need a disk adapter that the SRM +console recognizes in order to be able to boot from your disk. What is +acceptable to SRM as a boot adapter is unfortunately system / SRM version +dependent. For older PCI based machines this means you will need either +a NCR/Symbios 53C810 based adapter, or a Qlogic 1020/1040 based adapter. +Some machines come with a SCSI chip embedded on the +mainboard. Newer machine designs and SRM versions will be able to work with +later SCSI chips/adapters. Check out the machine specific info below. + +The problem might bite those who have machines that started their lives as +WinNT boxes. The ARC/AlphaBIOS knows about *other* adapter types that it +can boot from than the SRM. For example you can boot from an Adaptec 2940UW +with ARC but not with SRM. + +Some adapters that cannot be booted from work fine for data-only disks +(e.g. Adaptec 2940x boards). The differences between SRM and ARC could also +get you pre-packaged IDE CDROMs and hard drives in some (former NT) systems. +SRM versions versions exist (depends on the mainboard) that can also boot +from IDE disks. + +FreeBSD/alpha 4.0 and later can be booted from the distribution CDROM. +Earlier versions needed booting from a 2 floppy set. + +If you don't have/want a local disk drive you can boot via the Ethernet. +This assumes a Ethernet adapter/chip that is recognized by the SRM. +Generally speaking this boils down to either a 21040 or 21142 or 21143 +based Ethernet interface. Older machines / SRM versions may not recognize +the 21142 / 21143 Fast Ethernet chips, you are limited to using 10Mbit +Ethernet for net booting those machines. Non-DEC cards based on said chips will +generally (but are not guaranteed to) work. Note that Intel took over the +21x4x chips when it bought Digital Semiconductor. So you might see an Intel +logo on them these days. + +Alpha machines can be run with SRM on a graphics console or on +a serial console. ARC does can be run on a serial consoles if need be. VT100 +with 8 bit controls should at least allow you to switch from ARC to SRM +mode. + +If you want to run your Alpha without a monitor/graphics card +just don't connect a keyboard/mouse to the machine. Instead hook +up a serial terminal[emulator] to serial port #1. The SRM will +talk 9600N81 to you. This can be really practical for debugging purposes. + +Most PCI based Alphas can use ordinary PC-type VGA cards. The SRM contains +enough smarts to make that work. It does not, however, mean that each and +every PCI VGA card out on the street will work in an Alpha machine. Things +like S3 Trio64 generally work. But ask around first before buying. + +Most PCI devices from the PC-world will also work in FreeBSD/alpha PCI-based +machines. Check the /sys/alpha/conf/GENERIC file for the latest word on +this. + +Currently all parallel ports do not work on FreeBSD/alpha. The driver needs +work to make this happen. + +For Alpha CPUs you will find multiple versions. The original Alpha +design is the 21064. It was produced in a chip baking process called MOS4, +chips made in this process are nicknamed EV4. Newer CPUs are 21164, 21264 +etc. You will see designations like EV4S, EV45, EV5, EV56, EV6, EV67. +The EVs with double digit numbers are slightly improved versions. For example +EV45 has an improved FPU and 16 kByte onchip seperate I & D caches compared +to the EV4 on which it is based. Rule of thumb: the higher the digit +immediately following 'EV' the more desirable (read: faster / more modern). + +For memory you want at least 32 Mbytes. I have had FreeBSD/alpha run on a +16 Mbyte system but you will not like that. Kernel build times halved when +going to 32 Mbytes. Note that the SRM steals 2Mbyte from the total system +memory (and keeps it). For more serious use >= 64Mbyte is recommended. + +While on the subject of memory: pay close attention to the type of memory +your machine uses. There are very different memory configurations and +requirements for the various machines. + +Final word: I expect the above to sound a bit daunting to the first-time +Alpha user. Don't be daunted too much. And do feel free to ask questions. + + +System specific information +--------------------------- + +Below is an overview of the hardware that FreeBSD/alpha runs on. +This list is bound to grow, a look in /sys/alpha/conf/GENERIC +can be enlightening. Alpha machines are often best known by their project +code name, when known these are listed below in (). + +* +* AXPpci33 ("NoName") +* +The NoName is a baby-AT mainboard based on the 21066 LCA (Low Cost Alpha) +processor. It was originally designed for OEM-use. The LCA chip includes +almost all of the logic to drive a PCI bus and the memory subsystem. +All of this makes for a low-priced design. + +Due to the limited memory interface the system is not particularly +fast in case of cache misses. As long as you stay inside the on-chip cache +the CPU is comparable to a 21064 (first generation Alpha). These boards +should be very cheap to obtain these days (even here in the Netherlands +they were sold new for US$ 25). + +Features: +- 21066 Alpha CPU at 166 MHz or 21066A CPU at 233MHz + (21068 CPUs are also possible, but are even slower. Never seen/used one) +- memory bus: 64 bits +- on-board Bcache / L2 cache: 0, 256k or 1Mbyte (uses DIL chips) +- PS/2 mouse & keyboard port OR 5pin DIN keyboard (2 mainboard models) +- memory: PS/2 style 72 pin 36 bit Fast Page Mode SIMMs, + 70ns or better, + installed in pairs of 2, + 4 SIMM sockets + uses ECC +- 512kB Flash ROM for the console code. +- 2x 16550A serial ports, 1x parallel port, floppy interface +- 1x embedded IDE interface +- expansion: 3 32 bit PCI slots (1 shared with ISA) + 5 ISA slots (1 shared with PCI) +- embedded Fast SCSI using a NCR/Symbios 53C810 chip + +SRM: +NoName's can either have SRM *or* ARC console firmware in their Flash ROM. +The Flash ROM is not big enough to hold both ARC and SRM at the same time +and allow software selection of alternate console code. But you need +SRM only anyway. + +Cache: +Cache for the NoNames are 15 or 20ns DIL chips. For a 256kByte cache you +want to check your junked 486 mainboard. Chips for a 1Mbyte cache are a rarer +breed unfortunately. Getting at least a 256kByte cache is recommended +performance wise. Cache-less they are really slow. + +Power: +The NoName mainboard has a PC/AT-standard power connector. It also has +a power connector for 3.3 Volts. No need to rush out to get +a new power supply. The 3.3 Volts is only needed in case you run 3.3 Volts +PCI expansion boards. + +IDE: +SRM presumably cannot boot from IDE disks (have never tried this myself) + +Memory: +Make sure you use true 36 bit SIMMs, and only FPM (Fast Page Mode). EDO RAM +or SIMMs with fake parity *will not work* (the board uses the 4 extra bits +for ECC!). 33 bit FPM SIMMs will for the same reason not work either. + +Keyboard/mouse: +Given the choice, get the PS/2-variant mainboard. Apart from giving you a +mouse port as bonus it is directly supported by Tru64 Unix in case you ever +want/need to run it. The "DIN-plug"-variant should work OK for FreeBSD. + +The OEM manual is recommended reading. If you did not get one with your +system/board send me email, I have a Postscript copy. + +The kernel configuration file for a NoName kernel must contain: + options DEC_AXPPCI_33 + cpu EV4 + + +* +* Universal Desktop Box (UDB or "Multia") +* + +Note: Multia can be either Intel or Alpha CPU based. We assume Alpha based + ones here for obvious reasons. + +Multia is a very compact 21066 based box, roughly 40cm square and 8 cm thick. +It comes with 2 PCMCIA slots, which don't work with FreeBSD (?). + +It has a small 2.5" SCSI disk of 340Mbyte or so. Fortunately there is +an external high density 50pin SCSI connector to hookup something bigger. +Some Multia models came without disk. + +It has an embedded 10Mbit Ethernet interface. There is only one PCI slot +for expansion, and only for a small PCI card too. The CPU is +either 166 or 233 MHz. The CPU might or might not be socketed, check before +considering CPU upgrade hacks. It comes with a TGA based graphics on-board. +The 3.5" floppy drive is a very compact laptop variant. + +Note: most the discussion of the NoName applies to Multia too. + +Hot: +Multias are somewhat notorious for dying of heat strokes. The very compact +box does not really allow cooling air access very well. Please use the +Multia on it's vertical stand, don't put it horizontally ('pizza style'). +Replacing the fan with something which pushes around more air is +wholeheartedly recommended. + +SCSI: +In case you want to change the internal hard drive: the internal flat cable +running from the PCI riser board to the 2.5" (!!) hard drive has a finer pitch +than the standard SCSI flat cables. Otherwise it would not fit on the 2.5" +drives. I recommend against trying to cram another hard disk inside. Use the +external SCSI connector and put your disk in an external enclosure. The run +hot enough as-is. + +The kernel configuration file for a Multia kernel must contain: + options DEC_AXPPCI_33 + cpu EV4 + + +* +* Personal Workstation ("Miata") +* + +The Miata is a small tower machine intended to be put under a desk. There +are multiple Miata variants. The original Miata is the MX5 model. Because +it suffers from a number of hardware design flaws a redesign was performed, +yielding the MiataGL. Unfortunately the boxes are quite indistinguishable. +An easy check is to see if the back of the machine sports two +USB connectors. If yes, it is a MiataGL. + +System designations look like "Personal Workstation 433a". This means +it has a 433 MHz CPU, and started life as a WinNT workstation +(the trailing 'a'). Systems designated from day 1 to run Tru64 +Unix or OpenVMS will sport '433au'. WinNT-Miata's are likely +to come pre-configured with an IDE CDROM drive. There was also a Miata model +with a special cooling system by Kryotech. This one has a different +enclosure. + +Features: + +- 21164A EV56 Alpha CPU, at 433, 500 or 600MHz +- 21174 Core Logic ("Pyxis") chip set +- on-board Bcache / L3 cache: 0, 2, 4Mbyte (uses a cache module) +- memory bus: 128 bits wide, ECC protected +- memory: Miata uses unbuffered SDRAMs, + installed in pairs of 2, + 6 DIMM sockets +- on-board Fast Ethernet based on: + - MX5 uses a 21142 or 21143 Ethernet chip dependent on the version of the + PCI riser card, + - MiataGL has a 21143 chip) + the bulkhead can be 10/100 UTP, or 10 UTP/BNC. +- 2x on-board [E]IDE based on: + - MX5: CMD 646 + - MiataGL: Cypress 82C693 +- 1x Ultra-Wide SCSI Qlogic 1040 [MiataGL only] +- expansion: 2 64-bit PCI slots + 3 32-bit PCI slots (behind a DEC PCI-PCI bridge chip) + 3 ISA slots (physically shared with the 32 bit PCI slots, via + a Intel 82378IB PCI to ISA bridge chip) +- 2x 16550A serial port +- 1x parallel port +- PS/2 keyboard & mouse port +- USB interface [MiataGL only] +- embedded sound based on a ESS1888 chip + +CPU mainboard and PCI 'riser' board: +the Miata is divided into two printed circuit boards. +The lower board in the bottom of the machine has the PCI +and ISA slots and things like the sound chip etc. The top board +has the CPU, the Pyxis chip, memory etc. Note that MX5 and the MiataGL use +a different PCI riser board. This means that you cannot just upgrade to +a MiataGL CPU board (with the newer Pyxis chip) but that you will also need +a different riser board. Apparently an MX5 riser with a MiataGL CPU board +will work but it is definitely not a supported or tested configuration. +Everything else (cabinet, wiring etc etc) is identical for MX5 and MiataGL. + +DMA bug: +MX5 has problems with DMA via the 2 64-bit PCI slots when this DMA +crosses a page boundary. The 32bit slots don't have this problem because the +PCI-PCI bridge chip does not allow the offending transfers. The SRM code +knows about the problem and refuses to start the system if there is a PCI +card in one of the 64bit slots that it does not know about. Cards that are +'known good' to the SRM are allowed to be used in the 64bit slots. + +If you want to fool the SRM you can type "set pci_device_override" at +the SRM prompt. Just don't complain if your data mysteriously gets mangled. +The complete command is: + + set pci_device_override <vendor_id><device_id> + e.g. set pci_device_override 88c15333 + +The kernel reports it when it sees a buggy Pyxis chip: +Sep 16 18:39:43 miata /kernel: cia0: Pyxis, pass 1 +Sep 16 18:39:43 miata /kernel: cia0: extended capabilities: 1<BWEN> +Sep 16 18:39:43 miata /kernel: cia0: WARNING: Pyxis pass 1 DMA bug; no +bets... + +A MiataGL probes as: +Jan 3 12:22:32 miata /kernel: cia0: Pyxis, pass 1 +Jan 3 12:22:32 miata /kernel: cia0: extended capabilities: 1<BWEN> +Jan 3 12:22:32 miata /kernel: pcib0: <2117x PCI host bus adapter> on cia0 + +MiataGL does not have the DMA problems of the MX5. PCI cards that make +the MX5 SRM choke when installed in the 64bit slots are accepted without +problems by the MiataGL SRM. + +The latest mainboard revisions of MX5 contain a hardware workaround for the +bug. The SRM does not know about the ECO and will complain about unknown cards +just like before. The same applies to the FreeBSD kernel by the way. + +EIDE: +The Miata SRM can boot from IDE CDROM drives. It is also known to work for +MiataGL with hard disks, so you can root FreeBSD from an IDE disk. DMA is +not currently working so speed is not optimal. Boot-ability of EIDE on MX5 is +currently unknown. + +PCI-PCI bridge: +The MiataGL has a faster PCI-PCI bridge chip on the PCI riser card than +some of the MX5 riser card versions. Some of the MX5 risers have the *same* +chip as the MiataGL. All in all there is a lot of variation. + +Sound: +both MX5 and MiataGL have an onboard sound chip, an ESS1888. +I have yet to see/hear it work on my MiataGL. But it is being worked on. + +Cache: +in case your Miata has the optional cache board installed make sure +it is firmly seated. A slightly loose cache has been observed to cause +weird crashes (not surprising obviously, but maybe not so obvious when +troubleshooting). The cache module is identical between MX5 and MiataGL. + +Installing a cache module achieves, apart from a 10-15% speed increase (based +on buildworld elapsed time), a *decrease* for PCI DMA read bandwidth from +64bit PCI cards. A benchmark on a 64-bit Myrinet card resulted in a decrease +from 149 Mb/sec to 115 Mb/sec. Something to keep in mind when doing really +high speed things with 64 bit PCI adapters. + +USB: +Does not currently seem to work on FreeBSD/alpha judging from the kernel +probe messages. + +Power: +disconnect the powercord before dismantling the machine, the soft-power +switch keeps part of the logic powered even when the machine is switched +off. + +The kernel configuration file for a Miata kernel must contain: + options DEC_ST550 + cpu EV5 + +* +* DEC3000 family (the "Bird" machines) +* + +The DEC3000 series were among the first Alpha machines ever produced. They +are based on an I/O bus called the Turbo Channel (TC) bus. These +machines are built like tanks (watch your back). + +DEC3000 can be subdivided in DEC3000/500-class and DEC3000/300-class. +The DEC3000/500-class is the early high-end workstation/server Alpha family. +Servers use serial consoles, workstations have graphics tubes. +DEC3000/300-class is the lower-cost workstation class. + +DEC3000/500-class are quite fast (considering their age) thanks to the +good memory design. DEC3000/300 is crippled compared to DEC3000/500 because +of it's much narrower memory bus. + +They are called 'Birds' because their internal DEC codenames were bird +names: + + DEC3000/400 'Sandpiper' 133MHz CPU, desktop + DEC3000/500 'Flamingo' 150MHz CPU, floor standing + DEC3000/500X 'Hot Pink' 200MHz CPU, floor standing + DEC3000/600 175MHz CPU, desktop + DEC3000/700, 225MHz CPU, floor standing + DEC3000/800, 200MHz CPU, floor standing + DEC3000/900, 275MHz CPU, floor standing + + DEC3000/300 'Pelican' 150MHz CPU, desktop, 2 TC slots + DEC3000/300X 175MHz CPU, desktop, 2 TC slots + DEC3000/300LX 125MHz CPU, desktop, 2 TC slots + DEC3000/300L 100MHz CPU, desktop, no TC slots + + +Features: +- 21064 CPU (100 to 200 MHz) + 21064A CPU (225 to 275 MHz) +- memory bus: 256 bit, with ECC [DEC3000/500-class] + 64 bit, with ECC [DEC3000/300-class] +- memory: - proprietary 100pin SIMMs + installed in sets of 8 [DEC3000/500-class] + - PS/2 style 72pin 36 bit FPM SIMMs, 70ns or better + used in pairs of 2 [DEC3000/300-class] +- Bcache / L2 cache: varying sizes, 512 kB to 2 Mbyte +- built-in 10Mbit Ethernet based on a Lance 7990 chip, AUI and UTP +- one or two SCSI buses based on a NCR53C94 or a NCR53CF94-2 chip +- 2 serial ports based on Zilog 8530 (one usable as a serial console) +- embedded ISDN interface +- on-board 8 bit sound +- 8 bit graphics on-board [some models] or via a TC card [some other models] + +SCSI: +Currently DEC3000 machines can only be used diskless on FreeBSD/alpha. The +reason for this is that the SCSI drivers needed for the TC SCSI adapters +were not brought into CAM that the current FreeBSD versions use. TC option +cards for single (PMAZ-A) or dual fast SCSI (PMAZC-AA) are also available. +And currently have no drivers n FreeBSD either. + +DEC3000/300 has 5Mbytes/sec SCSI on-board. This bus is used for both internal +and external devices. DEC3000/500 has 2 SCSI buses. One is for internal +devices only, the other one is for external devices only. + +ISDN interface: +does not work on FreeBSD (to be honest I don't think there is any +operating system, including Tru64 Unix, that can use it). + +Memory: +DEC3000/300-class uses standard 36 bit, 72 pin Fast Page Mode SIMMs. +EDO SIMMs, 32 or 33 bit SIMMs all will not work in Pelicans. +For 32Mbyte SIMMs to work on the DEC3000/300-class the presence detect +bits/pins of the SIMM must correspond to what the machine expects. If they +don't, the SIMM is 'seen' as a 8 Mbyte SIMM. 8 Mbyte and 32 Mbyte SIMMs can +be mixed, as long as the pairs themselves are identical. + +DEC3000/500-class can use 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32Mbyte 100pin SIMMs. +Note that the maximum memory size varies from system to system, +desktop machines have sacrificed box size for less memory SIMM sockets. +Given enough sockets and enough SIMMs you can get to 512Mbytes maximum. +This is one of the main differences between floor standing and desktop +machines, the latter have much less SIMM sockets. + +Sound: +is not supported on any of the Birds. + +Graphics: +The is no X-Windows version available for the TC machines. +DEC3000/300 needs a serial console. DEC3000/500-class might +work with a graphical console. I ran mine with a serial console so I cannot +verify this. + +Birds can be obtained from surplus sales etc. As they are not PCI +based they are no longer actively maintained. TC expansion boards can +be difficult to obtain these days and support for them is not too good +unless you write/debug the code yourself. Programming information for TC +boards is hard to find. Birds are recommended only if a. you can get them +cheap and b. if you prepared to work on the code to support them better. + +For the DEC3000/[4-9]00 series machines the kernel config file must +contain: + options DEC_3000_500 + cpu EV4 + +For the DEC3000/300 ("Pelican") machines the kernel config file must +contain: + options DEC_3000_300 + cpu EV4 + +* +*Evaluation Board 64plus ("EB64+"), Aspen Alpine +* + +In it's attempts to popularize the Alpha CPU DEC produced a number of so +called Evaluation Boards. The EB64+ family boards have the following feature +set: + +- 21064 or 21064A CPU, 150 to 275MHz +- memory bus: 128 bit +- memory: PS/2 style 72 pin 33 bit Fast Page Mode SIMMs, + 70ns or better, + installed in sets of 4, + 8 SIMM sockets + uses parity +- Bcache / L2 cache: 512 kByte, 1 Mbyte or 2 Mbyte +- 21072 ("APECS") chip set +- Intel 82378ZB PCI to ISA bridge chip ('Saturn') +- dual 16550A serial ports +- NCR/Symbios 53C810 Fast-SCSI +- embedded 10Mbit Ethernet +- 2 PCI slots +- 3 ISA slots + +Aspen Alpine: +Aspen Alpine is slightly different, but is close enough to the EB64+ to +run an EB64+ SRM EPROM (mine does..). The Aspen Alpine does not have +an embedded Ethernet, has 3 instead of 2 PCI slots. It comes with 2 Mbytes +of cache already soldered onto the mainboard. It has jumpers to select +the use of 60, 70 or 80ns SIMM speeds. + +Memory: +36 bits SIMMs work fine, 3 bits simply remain unused. + +SRM: +The SRM console code is housed in an UV-erasable EPROM. No easy flash SRM +upgrades for the EB64+ The latest SRM version available for EB64+ is quite +ancient anyway. + +SCSI: +The EB64+ SRM can boot both 53C810 and Qlogic1040 SCSI adapters. Pitfall for +the Qlogic is that the firmware that is downloaded by the SRM onto the +Qlogic chip is very old. There are no updates for the EB64+ SRM available. +So you are stuck with old Qlogic bits too. I have had quite some problems +when I wanted to use Ultra-SCSI drives on the Alpine/Qlogic. The +FreeBSD/alpha kernel can be compiled to include a much newer Qlogic firmware +revision. This is not the default because it adds hundreds of kBytes worth +of bloat to the kernel. All of this might mean that you need to use a +non-Qlogic adapter to boot from. + +For the EB64+ class machines the kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_EB64PLUS + cpu EV4 + +* +* Evaluation Board 164 ("EB164, PC164, PC164LX, PC164SX") family +* + +EB164 is a newer design evaluation board, based on the 21164A CPU. This +design has been used to 'spin off' multiple variations, some of which are +used by OEM manufacturers/assembly shops. Samsung did it's own PC164LX +which has only 32 bit PCI, whereas the DEC variant has 64 bit PCI. + +Features: +- 21164A, multiple speed variants [EB164, PC164, PC164LX] + 21164PC [only on PC164SX] +- 21174 (Alcor) chip set +- Bcache / L3 cache: EB164 uses special cache-SIMMs +- memory bus: 128 bit / 256 bit +- memory: PS/2 style SIMMs in sets of 4 or 8, + 36 bit, Fast Page Mode, uses ECC, [EB164 and PC164] + SDRAM DIMMs in sets of 2, uses ECC [PC164SX and PC164LX] +- dual 16550A serial ports +- PS/2 style keyboard & mouse +- floppy controller +- parallel port +- 32 bits PCI +- 64 bits PCI [some models] +- ISA slots via an Intel 82378ZB PCI to ISA bridge chip + +Memory: +Using 8 SIMMs for a 256bit wide memory can yield interesting speedups over +a 4 SIMM/128bit wide memory. Obviously all 8 SIMMs must be of the same type +to make this work. The system must be explicitly setup to use the +8 SIMM memory arrangement. You must have 8 SIMMs, 4 SIMMs distributed +over 2 banks does not work. + +SCSI: +The SRM can boot from Qlogic 10xx boards or the NCR/Symbios 53C810. +53C825[a] will also work as boot adapter. Diamond FirePort, although +based on Symbios chips, are not bootable by the PC164SX SRM. +PC164SX is reported to boot fine with an NCR875 based card. + +SRM quirks: +PC164 the SRM sometimes seems to loose it's variable settings. +"For PC164's, current superstition says that, to avoid losing settings, +you want to first downgrade to SRM 4.x and then upgrade to a 5.x" + +On PC164SX the AlphaBIOS allows you a selection to select 'SRM' to +be used as console on the next power up. This selection does not appear to +have any effect. In other words, you will get to the AlphaBIOS regardless +of what you select. The fix is to reflash the console ROM with the SRM +code for PC164SX. This will overwrite the AlphaBIOS and will get you the +SRM console you desire. The SRM code can be found on the Compaq Web site. + +IDE: +PC164 can boot from IDE disks assuming your SRM version is recent enough. + +Samsung PC164UX: +Whether FreeBSD/alpha runs on this board is unknown. Please let me know if +it does. + +Power: +EB164 needs a power supply that supplies 3.3 Volts. + +For the EB164 class machines the kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_EB164 + cpu EV5 + + +* +* AlphaStation 200 ("Mustang") and 400 ("Avanti") series +* + +The Digital AlphaStation 200 and 400 series systems are early PCI based +workstations for the lower end. The 200 series is a desktop box, the 400 +series is a deskside mini-tower. + +Features: +- 21064 or 21064A CPU +- DECchip 21071-AA (core logic chipset) consisting of: + Cache/memory controller (one 21071-CA chip) + PCI interface (one 21071-DA chip) + Data path (two 21071-BA chips) +- Bcache / L2 cache: 512 Kbytes +- memory bus: 64 bit +- memory: 8 to 384 MBytes of RAM, + 70 ns or better Fast Page DRAM, + in three pairs + uses parity +- PS/2 keyboard and mouse port +- two 16550 serial ports +- parallel port +- floppy disk interface +- 32 bit PCI expansion slots (3 for 400 series, 2 for 200 series) +- ISA expansion slots (4 for 400 series, 2 for 200 series) + (some ISA/PCI slots are physically shared) +- embedded 21040-based Ethernet (200 series only) +- embedded NCR/Symbios 53c810 Fast SCSI-2 chip +- Intel 82378IB ("Saturn") PCI-ISA bridge chip +- graphics is embedded TGA or PCI VGA (model dependent) +- 16 bit sound (on 200 series) + +Memory: +the system uses parity memory SIMMs, but it does not need 36 bit wide SIMMs. +33 bit wide SIMMs are sufficient, 36 bit SIMMs are acceptable too. EDO or 32 +bit SIMMs will not work. 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 Mbyte SIMMs are supported. + +Sound: +the sound interface is not supported by FreeBSD. + +SCSI: +AlphaStation 200 series has an automatic SCSI terminator. This means that as +soon as you plug a cable onto the external SCSI connector the internal +terminator of the system is disabled. It also means that you should not +leave unterminated cables plugged into the machine. + +AlphaStation 400 series have an SRM variable that controls termination. In +case you have external SCSI devices connected you must set this SRM +variable using: "set control_scsi_term external". If only internal SCSI devices +are present use: "set control_scsi_term internal" + +For the AlphaStation-[24]00 machines the kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_2100_A50 + cpu EV4 + + +* +* AlphaStation 500 and 600 +* +AS500 and 600 were the high-end EV5 / PCI based workstations. EV6 based +machines have in the meantime taken their place as front runners. AS500 is +a desktop in a dark blue case (TopGun blue), AS600 is a sturdy deskside box. +AS600 has a nice LCD panel to observe the early stages of SRM startup. + +Features: +- 21164 EV5 CPU at 333, 400 or 500 MHz (AS500) + at 266 or 300 MHz (AS600) +- 21171 or 21172 (Alcor) core logic chipset +- cache: 2 or 4 Mb L3 / Bcache (AS600 at 266 MHz) + 4 Mb L3 / Bcache (AS600 at 300 MHz) + 2 or 8 Mb L3 / Bcache (8 Mb on 500 MHz version only) + 2 to 16 Mb L3 / Bcache (AS600; 3 cache-SIMM slots) +- memory bus: 256 bits, uses ECC +- memory: AS500: industry standard 8 byte wide DIMMs + 8 DIMM slots + installed in sets of 4, + maximum memory is 1 Gb (512Mb max on 333 MHz CPUs) + uses ECC + AS600: industry standard 36 bit Fast Page Mode SIMMs + 32 SIMM slots, + installed in sets of 8, + maximum memory is 1 Gb + uses ECC +- Qlogic 1020 based wide SCSI bus (1 bus/chip for AS500, 2 for AS600) +- 21040 based 10 Mbit Ethernet adapter with both Thinwire and UTP connectors +- expansion: AS500: 3 32-bit PCI slots + 1 64-bit PCI slot + AS600: 2 32-bit PCI slot + 3 64-bit PCI slots + 1 PCI/EISA physically shared slot + 3 EISA slots + 1 PCI and 1 EISA slot are occupied by default +- 21050 PCI-to-PCI bridge chip +- Intel 82375EB PCI-EISA bridge (AS600 only) +- 2 16550A serial ports +- 1 parallel port +- 16 bit audio Windows Sound System, + in dedicated slot (AS500) + in EISA slot (AS600, this is an ISA card) +- PS/2 keyboard and mouse port + +SCSI: +Early machines had Fast SCSI interfaces, later ones are Ultra SCSI capable. +AS500 shares it's single SCSI bus with internal and external devices. For a +Fast SCSI bus you are limited to 1.8 meters bus length external to the box. ++++ This is what some DEC docs suggest. Did they ever go Ultra? + +AS600 has one Qlogic chip dedicated to the internal devices whereas the +other one is dedicated to external SCSI devices. + +Memory: +In AS500 DIMMs are installed in sets of 4, in 'physically interleaved' +layout. So, a bank of 4 DIMMs is *not* 4 adjacent DIMMs! + +In AS600 the memory SIMMs are placed onto two memory daughter cards. SIMMs +are installed in sets of 8. Both memory daughter cards must be populated +identical. + +PCI: +AS600 has a peculiarity for it's PCI slots. AS600 (or rather the PCI +expansion card containing the SCSI adapters) does not allow I/O port +mapping, therefore all devices behind it must use memory mapping. +If you have problems getting the SCSI adapters to work, add the following +option to /boot/loader.rc: + + set isp_mem_map=0xff + +This may need to be typed at the boot loader prompt before booting the +installation kernel. + +For the AlphaStation-[56]00 machines the kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_KN20AA + cpu EV5 + +* +* AlphaServer 1000 ("Mikasa"), 1000A ("Noritake") and 800 +* +The AlphaServer range of machines are aimed as departmental servers. They +come in quite some variations in packaging and mainboard/cpu. Generally +speaking there are 21064 (EV4) CPU based machines and 21164 (EV5) based +ones. The CPU is on a daughter card, and the type of CPU (EV4 or EV5) must +match the mainboard in use. AlphaServer 800 is a much smaller mini tower +case, it lacks the StorageWorks SCSI hot-plug chassis. The main difference +between AS1000 and AS1000A is that AS1000A has 7 PCI slots whereas AS1000 +only has 3 PCI slots and has EISA slots instead. + +Features: +- 21064 EV4 CPU at 200, 233 or 266 MHz + 21164 EV5 CPU at 300, 333 or 400 MHz (or 500 MHz for AS800 only) +- cache: +- memory bus: 128 bit with ECC +- memory: + AS1000[A]-systems: + Use 72pin 36 bit Fast Page Mode SIMMs, 70ns or better + 16 or 20 SIMM slots + max memory is 1 Gb + uses ECC + AS800: + Uses SDRAM DIMMs. +- embedded VGA (on some mainboard models) +- expansion: + 3 PCI, 2 EISA, 1 64-bit PCI/EISA combo (AS800) + 7 PCI, 2 EISA (AS1000A) + 2 PCI, 1 EISA/PCI, 7 EISA (AS1000) +- embedded SCSI based on NCR/Symbios 810 [AS1000] or Qlogic 1020 [AS1000A] + +Box: +AS1000 based machines come in multiple boxes. Floor standing, rackmount, +with or without StorageWorks SCSI chassis etc. The electronics are the +same. + +Memory: + AS1000-systems: + All EV4 based machines use standard PS/2 style 36 bit 72pin SIMMs in sets of + 5. The fifth SIMM is used for ECC. + All EV5 based machines use standard PS/2 style 36 bit 72pin SIMMs in sets of + 4. The ECC is done based on the 4 extra bits per SIMM (4 bits out of 36). + The EV5 mainboards have 16 SIMM slots, the EV4 mainboards have 20 slots. + + AS800: + Uses DIMMs in sets of 4. DIMM installation must start in slots marked + bank 0. A bank is four physically adjacent slots. The biggest size DIMMs + must be installed in bank 0 in case 2 banks of different DIMM sizes are + used. Max memory size is 2Gb. + +SCSI: +For AS800 you want to check if your Ultra-Wide SCSI is indeed in Ultra mode. +This can be done using the EEROMCFG.EXE utility that is on the Firmware +Upgrade CDROM. + +For the AlphaServer1000/1000A/800 machines the kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_1000A + cpu EV4 # depends on model CPU installed + cpu EV5 # depends on model CPU installed + +* +* DS10/VS10/XP900 ("Webbrick") / XP1000 ("Monet") +* +Webbrick and Monet are high performance workstations/servers based on the +EV6 CPU and the Tsunami chipset. Tsunami is also used in much higher-end +systems and as such has plenty of performance to offer. DS10, VS10 and XP900 +are different names for essentially the same system. The difference are the +software and options that are supported. + +Monet has, by 1999 standards, *stunning* (the words of a satisfied +user) memory and I/O system bandwidth. + +** Webbrick + +Features: +- 21264 EV6 CPU at 466 MHz +- L2 / Bcache: 4MB +- memory bus: 128 bit via crossbar +- memory: industry standard 200 pin 83 MHz buffered ECC SDRAM DIMMs + 4 DIMM slots + installed in pairs of 2 + max memory is 2Gb +- 21271 Core Logic chipset ("Tsunami") +- 2 on-board 21143 Fast Ethernet controllers +- AcerLabs M5237 (Aladdin-V) USB controller +- AcerLabs M1533 PCI-ISA bridge +- AcerLabs Aladdin ATA-33 controller +- embedded dual EIDE +- expansion: 3 64-bit PCI slots + 1 32-bit PCI slots +- 2x 16550A serial ports +- 1x parallel port +- 2x USB +- PS/2 keyboard & mouse port + +Power: +The system has a smart power controller. This means that parts of the system +remain powered when it is switched off (like an ATX-style PC power supply). +Before servicing the machine remove the power cord. + +Case: +Webbrick is shipped in a desktop-style case similar to the older 21164 +"Maverick" workstations but which offers much better access to +components. If you intend to build a farm you can rackmount them in a 19" +rack. + +Memory: +DS10 has 4 DIMM slots. DIMMs are installed as pairs. Please note that +DIMM pairs are not installed in adjacent DIMM sockets but rather physically +interleaved. + +EIDE: +The base model comes with a FUJITSU 9.5GB ATA disk as its boot device. +FreeBSD/alpha works just fine using EIDE disks on Webbrick. + +USB: +whether this works on FreeBSD on DS10 is as yet unknown. + +The kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_ST6600 +Contrary to expectation there is no 'cpu EV6' defined for inclusion in the +kernel config file. A 'cpu EV5' is mandatory to keep config(8) happy. + +** Monet + +Features: +- 21264 EV6 at 500 MHz + 21264 EV67 at 500 or 667 MHz +- L2 / Bcache: 4MB +- memory bus: 256 bit +- memory: 128 or 256Mb 100 MHz (PC100) registered ECC SDRAM DIMMs +- 21271 Core Logic chip-set ("Tsunami") +- 1 on-board 21143 Ethernet controller +- Cypress 82C693 USB controller +- Cypress 82C693 PCI-ISA bridge +- Cypress 82C693 controller +- expansion: 2 independent PCI buses (called hoses) + hose 0: (the upper 3 slots) + 2 64-bit PCI slots + 1 32-bit PCI slot + hose 1: (the bottom 2 slots) + 2 32-bit PCI slots (behind a PCI-PCI bridge) + 2 of the 64-bit PCI slots are for full-length cards + all of the 32-bit PCI slots are for short cards + 1 of the 32-bit PCI slots is physically shared with an ISA slot +- 1x Ultra-Wide SCSI port based on a Qlogic 1040 chip +- 2x 16550A serial port +- 1x parallel port +- PS/2 keyboard & mouse port +- embedded 16-bit ESS ES1888 sound chip +- 2x USB +- graphics options: ELSA Gloria Synergy or DEC/Compaq PowerStorm 3D + accelerator cards + +Case: +Monet is housed in a mini-tower like enclosure quite similar to the Miata +box. + +Memory: +For 500 MHz CPUs 83 MHz DIMMs will do. DIMMs are installed in sets of 4, +starting with the DIMM slots marked '0'. Memory capacity is max 4Gb. +DIMMs are installed 'physically interleaved', note the markings of the +slots. + +EIDE: +Is usable / bootable for system disk so FreeBSD can be rooted on an EIDE +disk. + +Expansion: +Don't try to use NCR/Symbios-chip based SCSI adapters in the PCI slots +connected to hose 1. There is a not-yet-found FreeBSD bug that prevents this +from working correctly. + +Sound: +The sound chip is not currently supported with FreeBSD. There is work in +progress in this area. + +The kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_ST6600 +Contrary to expectation there is no 'cpu EV6' defined for inclusion in the +kernel config file. A 'cpu EV5' is mandatory to keep config(8) happy. + +** DS20/DS20E ("Goldrush" ?): + +Features: +- 21264 EV6 CPU at 500 or 600 MHz +- dual CPU capable machine +- L2 / Bcache: 4 Mbytes per CPU +- memory bus: 256 bit +- memory: SDRAM DIMMs + installed in sets of 4 + uses ECC + 16 DIMM slots + max. 4Gb +- 21271 Core Logic chip-set ("Tsunami") +- embedded Adaptec ? Wide Ultra SCSI +- expansion: 2 independent PCI buses (called hoses) + 6 64-bit PCI slots (3 per hose) + 1 ISA slot + +Case: +DS20 is housed in a fat minitower-like enclosure. The enclosure also +contains a StorageWorks SCSI hotswap shelf for a maximum of 7 3.5" SCSI +devices. DS20E is a sleeker case, without the StorageWorks shelf. + +Embedded SCSI: +The embedded Adaptec SCSI chip on DS20 is disabled and therefore +not usable under FreeBSD. + +CPU: +DS20 can have 2 CPUs installed. FreeBSD/alpha is not currently SMP-capable +and will only use the primary CPU. + +Memory: +If you are using banks of DIMMs of different sizes the biggest DIMMs should +be installed in the DIMM slots marked '0' on the mainboard. The DIMM slots +should be filled 'in order' so after bank 0 install in bank 1 and so on. + +Expansion: +Don't try to use NCR/Symbios-chip based SCSI adapters in the PCI slots +connected to hose 1. There is a not-yet-found FreeBSD bug that prevents this +from working correctly. DS20 ships by default with an NCR on hose 1 so you +have to move this card before you can install/boot FreeBSD on it. + +The kernel config file must contain: + options DEC_ST6600 +Contrary to expectation there is no 'cpu EV6' defined for inclusion in the +kernel config file. A 'cpu EV5' is mandatory to keep config(8) happy. + +** DP264 + +< need info on this one > + +- onboard Adaptec is not bootable but works with FreeBSD 4.0 and later + as a datadisk-only SCSI bus. + + +Supported hardware overview +--------------------------- + +Word of caution: the installed base for FreeBSD/alpha is not nearly as large +as for FreeBSD/intel. This means that the enormous variation of PCI/ISA +expansion cards out there has much less chance of having been tested on +alpha than on intel. This is not to imply they are doomed to fail, just that +the chance of running into something never tested before is much greater. +GENERIC contains things that are known to work on Alpha only. + +- Expansion buses: PCI and ISA are fully supported. Turbo Channel is not +in GENERIC and has limited support (see the relevant machine model info). +The MCA bus is not supported. + +- Floppy drives: 1.44Mbyte and 1.2Mbyte floppy drives are supported. +2.88Mbyte drives sometimes found in Alpha machines are supported up to +1.44Mbyte. + +- ATA / ATAPI (IDE): are supported via the ata driver framework. As most +people run their Alphas with SCSI disks it is not as well tested as SCSI. Be +aware of bootability restrictions for IDE disks. See the machine specific +information. + +- SCSI: full support via the CAM layer for Adaptec 2940x (AIC7xxx +chip-based), Qlogic family and NCR/Symbios. Be aware of the machine-specific +bootability issues for the various adapter types. + +- graphics console/keyboard/mouse: in general the SRM console emulates +a VGA-compatibility mode on PCI VGA cards. This is, however, not guaranteed +to work by Compaq/DEC for each and every card type out there. When the SRM +thinks the VGA is acceptable FreeBSD will be able to use it. The console driver +works just like on a FreeBSD/intel machine. The TGA video graphics which +is builtin on for example Multia is reported to be not usable with FreeBSD. + +- serial ports: the 'PC standard' serial ports found on most Alphas are +supported. For TurboChannel machines the serial ports are also supported. + +- parallel ports: are not currently supported on FreeBSD/alpha + +- ISDN (i4b): is not supported on FreeBSD/alpha + +- multimedia: is not really supported on FreeBSD/alpha but work is underway + + +Acknowledgments +---------------- + +In compiling this file I used multiple information sources, but +http://www.netbsd.org proved to be an invaluable source of information. +If it wasn't for NetBSD/alpha there probably would not be a FreeBSD/alpha +in the first place. + +People who kindly helped me with creating this document: + +- Nick Maniscalco <nmanisca@vt.edu> +- Andrew Gallatin <gallatin@cs.duke.edu> +- Christian Weisgerber <naddy@mips.rhein-neckar.de> +- David O'Brien <obrien@NUXI.com> +- Wim Lemmers <wim.lemmers@compaq.com> +- Matthew Jacob <mjacob@feral.com> +- Eric Schnoebelen <eric@cirr.com> +- Chuck Robey <chuckr@picnic.mat.net> +- Mike Smith <msmith@FreeBSD.ORG> +- Peter Jeremy <peter.jeremy@alcatel.com.au> |
