Xstation Problem-Solving Hints


Contents

About this document
    Related documentation
How to read the LAN statistics screen
Ethernet considerations
Problem determination


About this document

This document contains tips for determining Xstation booting problems.

Related documentation

The following IBM publication is also available for reference:

AIX Xstation Manager/6000 Version 1.4.1 System Management Guide (SC23-2264-05).


How to read the LAN statistics screen

The LAN statistics screen appears on the Xstation terminal as it boots. Copyright and Xstation Manager information appear at the top of the screen followed by relevant LAN information. Also displayed will be the network adapter's hardware address and relevant information about the adapter's connection mode.

Two lines are displayed for each working LAN adapter. Lines labeled BOOTP: give information about the transmission/reception of bootp packets. Lines labeled TFTP: give information about the transmission/reception of tftp packets.

Reading from left to right in either the bootp or tftp line, interpret the fields as follows:

  1. bootp or tftp packets sent by the Xstation
  2. bootp or tftp packets received by the Xstation
  3. Total number of packets, regardless of the type, received by the Xstation
  4. Packets sent but received no response
  5. tftp error field:
    • 66XX numbers indicate token ring errors
    • 77XX numbers indicate SLIP errors
    • 88XX numbers indicate Ethernet errors

Ethernet considerations

Ethernet connector type selection is done by jumper settings on the PCB. The default setting is usually "thin". To select "thick" or "10BaseT", consult the appropriate Setup and Operator's Guide for the Xstation.

Compliance with IEEE802.3 standards are required for proper operation. Ensure that only 50-ohm IEEE802.3 cables, connectors, and terminators are used throughout the network. Just one section of 90-ohm cable can cause dead spots in the network.

For thin net, or coaxial, Ethernets, do not use more than 30 stations per segment. Also, ensure the length of each segment is less than 185 meters.

For thick net Ethernets, use only IBM approved transceivers or the IBM cable adapter which ships with Xstation 140s, 150s and 160s.


Problem determination




[ Doc Ref: 90605228314726     Publish Date: Jan. 16, 2001     4FAX Ref: 1306 ]