Configuring a Dawn RuSHTM System Monitor for use with EPICS

W. Eric Norum
November 11, 2010


Introduction

The VME crates used in the APEX control system are monitored and controlled by a DAWN VME Products RuSH system monitor board.  This document presents the procedure to follow to configure a RuSH board (firmware version F41 or later) so that it can communicate with an EPICS IOC.

Initial configuration can be be performed only through the RuSH serial port (9600-8N1, no flow control, data leads only).  You must be careful when entering commands since there's no way to backspace.  If you make a typing mistake you can use the ESC key to break out of the command and start all over again.  Once configured the RuSH can communicate with an EPICS IOC through the serial port or ethernet.

Once you have the serial port connected and a terminal emulator set up and running you can power up the RuSH.  If you've not already disabled the password  requirement you must enter the administrator account and password.  There's a time limit on this.  If you're too slow you'll have to hit the ESC key and restart.  The default user and administrator passwords are both “DAWN”.

On startup the RuSH displays a table of configuration information followed by the main menu:
Ver 64-1013426D14
Total System Hrs = 3.2
Code Ver 64-1013426D14
Code Base O
Hardware Part # 06-1013426

XPORT Ver 01.60
IP Add = 192.168.000.002
MAC Add = 00-20-4A-81-78-C2
National Semi Temp Sensors

S/N = 12345677
Unit Name = 
PW req for ENET
ENET input allowed
PW req for RS-232
TCP Mode.In and Out ports = 23
Voltage Monitoring = Y
Mon 3.3V = Y
Num Temp Sensors = 3
Num Fans = 0
Data Sent to Serial Port = N
Error Status Changes to Serial/Network Port = N

5V Min 4875
5V Max 5250
3.3V Min 3250
3.3V Max 3450
12V Min	11640
12V Max	12600
-12V Min 11640
-12V Max 12600
Temp Warn 40
Temp Max 50
Shut Down PS on Overtemp = N
Shut Down PS on Overvoltage (10% over MaxLimit) = N
Open Contacts to Shutdown Supply
Current Sensor Connected = N
Detect Power Switch = N

Enter
1 to Change Voltage, Temperature Limits
2 Reset to +5%/-2.5% limits
3 Reset to +5%/-5% limits
4 Change which parameters are sensed (and how)
5 Maintenance

Ethernet Configuration

To set the IP network configuration enter a '5' at the main menu to bring up the maintenance menu (which really does not contain an option 6):
Total Power On Hours = 10.2
System Maximum Temperature = 42

1 Characterize Fan

2 Return to Main Menu

3 Last Error Status
4 Firmware Parameters
5 Total NonResettable Hours
7 Change Signon Message
8 Change Unit Name
9 Advanced Functions
A WriteDirectlytoPLED
B Change Admin Password
C Change User Password
D  Set IP/Subnet Mask/Gateway/Timeouts of NET Port

Enter a 'D' then enter the desired IP address as four three-digit components.   Use leading 0 characters for components with fewer than three digits.   If you make a mistake press <ESC> and start over.  An IP address of all zeroes tells the unit to use DHCP to obtain its network information.  After you have entered all 4 address components you will be prompted for the size of the network mask.  Enter the number of digits in the local subnetwork address.  For example, a value of 10 corresponds to a netmask of 255.255.255.0.   Then enter the gateway address in the same way as you entered the IP address.  Finally, enter the ethernet timeout.  A value of 1 minutes is fine.  After this the message “Writing Address to Network Port” will be displayed and in about 15 seconds the unit will restart with the new address.

Configuration

The EPICS support code requires that the RuSH be reachable without a login/password sequence.  To configure the RuSH this way enter a '5' at the main menu to bring up the maintenance menu as described in the previous section.  Then enter a '9' to bring up the advanced functions menu:

‘B’ Change the BAUD rate of the serial port
‘C’ Check ALL fans
‘D’ Toggle DEMO mode
‘E’ Block input from Ethernet port
‘F’ Change the fan Minimum/Maximum speeds
‘H’ Clear POH
‘K’ Toggle SHUT OFF FANS (volatile)
‘N’ Network Protocol parameters
‘R’ RESET main processor
‘T’ Clear MaxTemp / MinTemp
‘U’ Toggle requirement for Ethernet login and PW
‘V’ Toggle PW checking on RS-232 OR Ethernet
'X' Select Temperature Sensor Type
‘Z’ RESET System Monitor
Enter 'U' to disable the login and password entry requirement.  Then enter an <ESC> to return to the main menu and confirm that the ethernet password is not required.