Administration
To edit the PortMaster host table use the following general procedure:
1. Select Open with the left mouse button. The Hosts table will be retrieved from the
PortMaster, sorted in ]P address order and will be displayed in the scrollable text
window.
2. Make additions, deletions, and changes. All entries should have the Internet
address (in the conventional '.' notation) followed by the official host name. A '#'
indicates the beginning of a comment; characters up to the end of the line are
ignored. This convention is identical to the /etc/hosts file on your Sun Workstation.
Therefore, the Sun /etc/hosts file can be pasted directly into the text window,
3. After making ail modifications, select "Save". This will store the entries in the
text window on the internal disk of the PortMaster
The OpenWindows graphical interface provides several windows through which you can
configure the PortMaster ports, monitor the performance, and install other
PortMasters on your network, This can be run from an X-windows compatible server or
from Sun's own XI f/News server.
Each window in the PortMaster Console has a set of buttons, To select a button,
position the mouse cursor inside the button you wish to select and press the left
mouse button. Windows can be repositioned as with other OpenWindows applications.
When PMconsole is started, the window in Figure 3-8 will he displayed.
Figure 3-8. PortMaster Console login display This is the primary window in
the PortMaster Console program. From this window all other windows and functions
of the software are accessible. The mouse buttons across the top of the window are
used to access the various functions, PortMaster Console window has the following
buttons:
Login - to access any PortMaster
Edit - to set tile port configurations, network configurations and
administration password
Hosts - to view and edit the list of network host names stored in the PortMaster
View - to view all port configurations and data traffic
Reboot - to remotely reboot the PortMaster
Install - to install a PortMaster onto tile network or to install new software
releases
Exit - to exit tile Portmaster Console program
Done - to close the PortMaster Console window into the iconic state
A detail description of each of these button functions is described below.
To communicate with any PortMaster which has already been installed onto tile
network you must use the Login function. This function establishes a link with tile
PortMaster and allows you to utilize all other functions. To Login, use the following
steps:
1, Place your mouse on the LOGIN button and click the left
mouse button.
2, The Password Window will be displayed. Enter the PortMaster name which was
assigned during the installation procedure. Then press <RETURN>. For example enter:
Portmaster Name: portmasterl
3. Enter the password, if any, and press <RETURN>. When the PortMaster is initially
installed there is no password.
There will be a message stating that the connection is being attempted, With a
successful connection, the main PortMaster window (Figure 3-9) will be displayed.
Figure 3-9. Portmaster Console icon window The PortMaster Console window
displays the port icons for the 10 serial ports (S0-S9), the parallel port (PO) and
for tile network (Ethernet),
After the PMinstall[l program has been run, or if the PortMaster is moved to a new
network, you will need to tell it about the network internet addresses. In addition,
the global configuration window is used to change the PortMaster Administration
password. Prom the PortMaster Console, do the following:
1. Position tile cursor on the Network icon (upper right corner, above the Device
P0), and click the left mouse button. The Network icon will change to reverse video.
2. Select the EDIT button, The window in Figure 3-10 will be displayed.
3. Enter the following information, terminated by pressing RETURN:
PortMaster Name - name of PortMaster as entered during the installation procedure,
Default Host - name or PortMaster host. This is the name of the primary Sun
Workstation which the PortMaster will be connected to during operation.
Alternate Hosts - up to three alternate host names. Ports which are configured for
User Login will automatically switch to an alternate host if the Default Host is
unavailable ie. system is down or network is unreachable). Login connections are
attempted in the order in which the alternate host names are entered. These are
optional and may he left blank.
Gateway Name - If the PortMaster is being connected to a network with gateway
systems, then the name of the default gateway on the same network should be entered,
Otherwise, just enter the Default Host from above. The PortMaster automatically
routes network packets through gateways which are running the Routing Information
Protocol (RIP), but will use the default gateway if no RfP gateways are found,
Netmask - defaults to 255.255,255.0. This should only he modified if your site uses
subnetting, Consult you network administrator for this information.
YP Server - For networks which use Sun's Network Information Service (NIS), also
known as YP, the PortMaster can be configured to use this service for host name
matching. If this service is being used, enter the hostname of the YP server which
the PortMaster should
use.
Domain - If a YP Server is being used, the correct YP domain name must be entered.
Password - PortMaster administration password.
As each of the first three items is entered, it will be validated against your
systems global ilost table (/etc/hosts or Yellow Pages). These were established by
PMinstall if this is a stand-alone installation, or by your network administrator.
The Netmask should not be changed unless you are using sub-nets and understand their
operation. Refer to the Sun documentation for more information on sub-nets. The
password entry requires being entered twice, to ensure that the password was entered
correctly. The password can be changed at any time by fo[lowing the procedures in
this section.
4. Select the SAVE button to store the data on the PortMaster disk. At the bottom of
the window will be a message:
Configuration successfully shred.
5. Select the DONE button. At this point, the PortMaster has all the information
necessary to begin normal serial communications with its host. Within 1 minute, the
Network icon will show a jagged communication line indicating that it has established
a link to its host.
Installation from PortMaster Console
To install a PortMaster from the PortMaster Console, instead of using tile program
PMinstall as described in Chapter 2, select tile INSTALL button. The window in Figure
3-[1 will appear. The option buttons in this window are the same options available
with PMinstall (See Chapter 2, Running PMinstall[I:
New PortMaster
New Host
Upgrade PortMaster
Upgrade Host
One reason for using this method instead of running PMinstall from the UNIX command
line is that the workstation window can be scrolled. In this way you can view the
entire setup process by using the scroll bars, The Upgrade PortMaster and Upgrade
Host are used for the installation of new software
releases.
Setting the Serial Port Configuration
To set the configuration of any of the 10 serial ports, use the following general
procedure:
1. From the PortMaster Console window, select a serial port icon by placing the mouse
cursor on the icon of the port and clicking the left button.
2. Select the EDIT button. The Edit Window for the selected serial port (Figure 3-12)
will appear. From this window you can modify the serial port configuration parameters.
Figure 3-12. Edit Window - Serial Ports This window has the following
buttons:
APPLY - send the configuration to PortMaster memory, Does not take effect until you
select REMOTE RESET, These values are temporary until you select SAVE, If power is
removed from the PortMaster, the new parameter values will no longer be stored in the
PortMaster.
SAVE - performs an APPLY and stores the port configuration on the PortMaster
configuration disk,
REMOTE RESET - reset the serial port using the values stored by the APPLY or
SAVE selection.
DEFAULT - set the on-screen values to the port default configuration.
CLONE - copy the port configuration from another port.
DONE - return to the PortMaster Console window.
This window shows the serial port parameters and the current values. Some selections
have a small box with a triangle. Point to the box, click and hold the right mouse
button. A menu of choices will be displayed, with a check mark next to the current
value. As you move the cursor through the menu, each item, in turn. will become
reverse video, When you are positioned at the value you wish to select, release tile
mouse button,
Some selections show all options in a horizontal line. The option which is selected
has a bold box surrounding it. To select an alternate option, simply click your left
mouse button on the desired option.
The serial port edit window supports two modes of operation; "Standard" and
"Extended". Most users will find that the "Standard" mode will meet all of their
needs. "Extended" mode is for users who wish to customize tile operation of the
serial port more extensively. The desired mode can be selected by selecting a Mode
option at the top of the edit window,
These are the parameters that can be selected from this window:
Port Type
User Login - (default) the specified port will display a login prompt to the user.
After successful baud rate matching and receiving a login name, the user will be
transferred directly to a login session on the host Sun Workstation.
Host Device - the port will operate as a host controlled device on the Sun
Workstation. The Host Device field described below must be entered.
Two-Way - (or bidirectional) the port will operate in User Login mode if carrier is
detected on pin 8 of the RS-232-C connector. Otherwise it can be accessed as a host
controlled device on the Sun Workstation. The Host Device field described below must
be entered.
Host Device
This is field will be displayed (and is required) in either the Host Device or
Two-Way modes. The Host Device name is the name of a pseudo try device in the
workstation directory /dev. Standard device entries are:
/dev/ttyp0 - /dev/ttypf /dev/ttyq0 - /dev/ttyqf /dev/ttyr0 - /dev/ttyrf /dev/ttysO -
/dev/ttysf
There is a utility included with the PortMaster software called lstt). This program
lists only the pseudo-try devices that are in /der, sorted in numerical order. It is
a quick way to check
on what pseudo-try devices you have in your /der directory. This program resides in
the /usr/portmaster directory. Simply use the command:
Istty
See Appendix A for discussion of device drivers.
Terminal Type
This optional field will be displayed in either the User Login or Two-Way modes. When
a new session is established on tile host Sun Workstation, this terminal type will
automatically be set in the user's environment. A valid entry from the Sun's
/etc/termcap file should be entered. If this held is left blank, the host Sun
Workstation will assume a "dumb" terminal
Baud Rates
Three different baud rates may be specified. These baud rates are used for speed
matching with the device being attached to the PortMaster. Speeds are sequentilly
matched from the first baud rate (left side) through the third baud rate (right
side). In Host Device mode, only the first baud rate is used.
First baud - the first baud rate that PortMaster uses to synchronize with the
attached device. (default = 9600 baud)
Second baud - the second baud rate that PortMaster uses to synchronize with the
attached device. (default -- 2400 baud)
Third baud - the third baud rate that PortMaster uses to synchronize with the
attached device. (default = 1200 baud)
Modem Control
On or off may be selected. The default is "off". If "on" is selected, the PortMaster
uses the modem carrier detect line. The device will be idle until the carrier detect
line becomes
true.
Parity
Even. odd. or none may be selected. The default is "none". This value should be set
to match the device being attached to the PortMaster. When even or odd is selected. 7
Databits and I stopbit are assumed. When none is selected. 8 Databits and I stopbit
are assumed. See the "Extended Mode Parameters" section if another combination is
required.
Login Message
The message to be displayed to the user prior to the login prompt. Up to 255
characters can he in the message.
In addition the the parameters described above in "Standard Mode Parameters", the
following parameters may he set when Extended Mode is selected.
Data bits
5, 6. 7, or 8 Databits may be selected, The default is 8. This value should be set to
match the device being attached to tile PortMaster.
Stop bits
I or 2 stop bits may be selected, The default is 1. This value should he set to match
the device being attached to the PortMaster
Flow Control
PortMaster supports two types of flow control:
Xon/Xoff - This is a software flow control which is supported by most devices, By
using ASCII control characters DCI and DC3 the PortMaster communicates with the
attached device to start and stop the flow of data.
RTS/CTS - This is for devices where hardware flow control is required, When the
PortMaster is able to receive data from the attached device, it raises Request to
Send (RTS) on pin 4 of the RS-232 connector. Output from the PortMaster will only
occur if the Clear to Send (CTS) modem line on pin 5 of the RS-232 connector is
raised by the attached device,
Host
The port can be configured to support three different ways of determining the Sun
Host to establish a session on:
Default - In this mode, the host entries entered in the global (network) edit screen
are used for this port.
Prompt - In this mode, the user is given a host prompt (before the standard login
prompt). The user then is required to enter a valid host name or internet address for
a Sun host on the network.
Specified - In this mode a primary host and up id three alternate hosts may be
entered for this specific port. In this way each port can be independently assigned
to a specific Sun Workstation. When this option is selected, the additional fields
will appear on the display for the entry of the host names,
Login Service
The port can be configured to use one of four different network services for
establishing login sessions.
PortMaster - This is the default service and can be used with any host workstation
which has had a "Host Installation" performed from either PMinstall or the install
window of PMconsole. This is the preferred service because it makes the port operate
like the serial ports physically installed in the workstation, In addition it is the
most efficient and highest performance service available.
Rlogin - This service is generally supported by a large number of mixed UNIX based
computers. Therefore, where it is impractical to utilize the PortMaster service,
Rlogin should be selected,
Telnet - This service is generally supported by a mom TCP/IP computers. Wherefore. in
a network where mixed hardware and operating systems will be used by this port,
Telnet should be selected. The default mcP port number for telnet is 23, however an
additional data entry field is provided to enter an alternate TCP port if required.
Netdata - This service can be used to create a virtual connection between this port
and another serial port on a different PortMaster. The default TCP port number for
netdata is 6000, however an additional data entry field is provided to enter an
alternate TCP port if required. The serial port on the remote PortMaster must be
configured as a Host Device Port using the same service and TCP port number.
Device Service
The port can be configured to use one of four different network device services.
PortMaster - This is the default service and can be used with any host workstation
which has had a "Host Installation" performed from either PMinstall or the install
window of PMconsole. This is the preferred service because it makes the port operate
like the serial ports physically installed in tile workstation, When selected, the
port is accessed through a /dev/tty dedce on the host workstation,
Rlogin - This service is generally supported by a large number of mixed UNIX based
computers. Therefore, this service can be utilized to allow UNIX based workstations
on the network to initiate an Rlogin session to the PortMaster. Once the session is
successfully established, the host application will be able to directly read and
write data to the serial port. If multiple ports on the PortMaster are configured to
use this service, it will automatically create a "pool" of ports which can be
accessed by other hosts. V~hen all ports are in use, new users will be given a
"Connection Refused" indication.
Telnet - This service is generally supported by a most TCP/IP computers. Therefore,
this service can be utilized to allow many different types of computers on the
network to initiate a telnet session to the Portmaster. Once the session is
successfully established, the host application will be able to directly read and
write data to the serial port. If multiple ports on tile PortMaster are configured to
use this service, it will automatically create a "pool" of ports which can be
accessed by other hosts. When all ports are in use, new users would be given a
"Connection Refused" indication. The default TCP port number for telnet is 23,
however an additional data entry field is provided to enter an alternate TCP port if
required,
Netdata - This service can be used for customized application programs that need a
TCP connection directly to a serial port on the PortMaster. Programs which use the
"socket" interface (or a similar TCP interface) are provided with a direct data
link to the PortMaster serial port. Port operating parameters are set with PMconsole.
The application can then open the socket connection and immediately begin reading and
writing data to the PortMaster. No special option negotiation or protocol is
required. The default TCP port number for netdata is 6000, however an additional data
entry field is provided to enter an alternate TCP port if required. If multiple ports
on the PortMaster are configured to use this service with the same TCP port number,
it will automatically create a "pool" of ports which can be accessed by other hosts.
Login Prompt
This field allows the administrator to customize the login prompt the user will see.
Any valid ASCII characters may be entered. Tile default is to display) the Sun Host
Name followed be the word "login:". If the string "$hostname" is included in the
login prompt, the active Sun hostname is substituted for the string.
Autolog Name
If this field is filled in, the user will not receive the standard login prompt.
Instead. the PortMaster will automatically initiate a session on the gun Workstation
as if the user had typed the Autolog Name in response to the login prompt.
Host Overrides