Re: A400 HP Server Issue
Hi Mike,
On 21.07.2016 18:11, Grant Grundler wrote:
> On Thu, Jul 21, 2016 at 6:05 AM, Mike Hosken <mikeph@csystems.co.nz> wrote:
>> Hi Helge,
>>
>> The DD of image worked but still no interaction however I've made some
>> progress but still can interact via serial. What I've done is installed a
>> fresh Debian Jessie on my A180c installed sshd and then the 64 bit kernel,
>> via apt-get then removed drive stuck in in the A400. This worked and it
>> boots to login prompt.
>> The sad news is that no networking works or interaction via console.
If you prepared the disc on the A180, does it worked there and got an IP address via DHCP ?
I propose you completely install the A180 with this disc, including setting up networking
and getting serial logins on the serial ports. If that all works, simply putting
the disc into the A400 should be sufficient to get it up with networking and serial
ports working there too.
> If you get to a login prompt, it usually means the IO subsystem is
> working (was able to read file system from disk).
True.
>
> I expect the console to "just work". I don't recall A400 needing
> different kernel command line to enable console. But might manually
> have to add an entry to /etc/inittab as described here:
> https://parisc.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/Debian_Ports_Installation
>
> 2. if you are running on serial console, either make sure that a
> getty gets started on the ttyS0 device in /etc/inittab, or run this
> command:
> echo "T0:23:respawn:/sbin/getty -L ttyS0 9600 vt100" >>
> /target/etc/inittab
You may want to add a second line (with ttyS1 instead of ttyS0) for the
second serial port (if the A400 has two serial ports).
> Once you do get console working, "lspci" will tell you which PCI
> devices (including network) are visible. "ifconfig -a" will list all
> the NICs that have been discovered.
> "ethtool -i eth0" will show the driver and bus info (to match up with
> lspci output).
> The follow two commands will configure eth0 to be your default route
> on a private subnet:
> ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.4
> route add default gw 192.168.1.1
>
>> I have a plan to solve this, auto login root and
>> run a script on login.
>>
>> What I need to know is a few things,
>> Will a reinstall of the kernel detect the hardware changes?
>
> No. All IO is detected at run time. Most likely the system isn't
> configured to automatically run dhcp for all the NICs in the system.
Yes, I assume the same. That's why I said above to completely install
debian on the A180 and *then* put the disc into the A400.
>> Do I need to run some network/detection program like what's on the install cd.
>
> I think that's more likely the case.
>
>> I'm determined to get this solved and have spent about 10 hours on it.
>
> Awesome! glad to see you are having fun with this! :)
>> Also if by adding a com port card to the server, would terminals appear on them after kernel boot??
If the serial card works in Linux (e.g. in a PC), then it will most likely work in
the parisc machines as well. Of course you need to add ttySX lines to inittab as well then.
I think with systemd you don't need inittab..?
Helge
> cheers,
> grant
>
>>
>> Any advise welcomed,
>>
>> Have a fantastic day, I'm off to bed
>> Mike Hosken
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 21/07/2016, at 08:13, Helge Deller <deller@gmx.de> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Mike,
>>
>> On 20.07.2016 09:50, Mike Hosken wrote:
>>
>> Hello, I have an issue with an A400 Parisc Server, I am hoping
>>
>> someone can give me some advice or a solution.
>>
>> Background,
>>
>> Its a A400 single Cpu with one 128mb ram module installed. It has no
>>
>> extra cards installed. (all pci slots are empty)
>>
>> It arrived with no button battery for ”cmos” or the hp version of
>>
>> it.
>>
>> I have put a new battery in.
>>
>> I have organised another CPU and 4x 256 mb ram modules
>>
>>
>> ISSUE
>>
>> I cannot interact with the computer over serial console.
>>
>> The machine goes through hardware checks and will boot, I intend on
>>
>> install via DD an image to hard drive and install manually as per the
>>
>> instructions on the website.
>>
>>
>> I don’t have the original serial cable and made one up from what
>>
>> little info I could find on the web. I am hoping the issue is with
>>
>> the cable, as there is not much info I could find online regarding no
>>
>> access to interact with the console.
>>
>>
>> I wired the cable to this configuration but I’m not confident its
>>
>> right. It’s not my software or settings for it as I have tested these
>>
>> and have no problem connecting to my A180c.
>>
>>
>> So, your A180c does work with your serial cable, but the A400 doesn't (with
>> the same cable) ?
>> That's strange. The cable should work with both machines.
>>
>> DB9 Console (male) ------------------ DB25 Computer (male) 1
>>
>> ------------------ 8 2 ------------------ 3 3 ------------------ 2 4
>>
>> ------------------ 20 5 ------------------ 7 6 ------------------ 6 7
>>
>> ------------------ 4 8 ------------------ 5 9 ------------------ 22
>>
>> GND ------------------ GND
>>
>>
>> Is this correct ??
>>
>>
>> I don't know....
>> I would need to check my cables.
>>
>> Is there away to install via ssh?? Ie install media installs the
>>
>> necessary packages to allow a ssh login to continue or maybe
>>
>> telnet??
>>
>>
>> No.
>>
>> Is there a live hppa cd etc?
>>
>>
>> No.
>>
>> Is the removal of the cmos battery an issue
>>
>>
>> I don't know.
>>
>> I will include the output of the console.
>>
>>
>> Can someone get back to me please as I can cancel the order for Ram
>>
>> and CPU but won’t be able to in 24 hours, I don’t want to annoy my
>>
>> supplier for these parts, as they have gone to some effort to get me
>>
>> these parts at a very good price.
>>
>>
>> Sorry, maybe my answer was late, but not very useful either ?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Firmware Version 40.50
>>
>> Console path: 0/0/4/0.0
>> Keyboard path: 0/0/4/0.0
>>
>> -> seems both to be correctly on serial console.
>>
>>
>>
>> Information: No console specified on kernel command line. This is normal.
>> PALO will choose the console currently used by firmware (serial).
>>
>> -> Good. You have serial enabled.
>>
>> -> Does the machine maybe has 2 serial ports and you are connected with your
>> cable to the wrong one (e.g. ttyS1 instead of ttyS0) ?
>>
>>
>>
>> [ 0.000000] Linux version 3.16.0-4-parisc
>> (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 4.8.4 (Debian 4.8.4-1) ) #1
>> Debian 3.16.7-ckt4-3 (2015-02-03)
>>
>>
>> -> Really old kernel.
>>
>>
>> This is the spare drive I had in my old A180c so I expect a kernel error, as
>> stated I can’t interact to change boot path.
>>
>> You could just dd the iso install image (netboot!) to this disc (e.g. on
>> your A180c or in a PC), then reinsert the hard disc
>> and boot from it. It should then be possible to install on this disc.
>>
>> Helge
>>
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