Specifications

EPC-8A Hardware Reference

The subplane is installed first, connecting to the backplane. After installing the subplane,

the EPC-8A processor module can be inserted into the VMEbus chassis.

Make sure that power to your VME system is off. the EPC-8A module is not

designed to be inserted or removed from live backplanes.

When inserting the EPC-8A module, avoid touching the circuit board and

connector pins, and make sure the environment is static-free.

• Make sure the ejector handles are in the normal (non-eject) position. (Push the top

handle down and the bottom handle up so that the handles are not tilted.)

• Slide the EPC-8A module into the left-most slot occupied by the subplane. Use firm

pressure on the handles to mate the module with the connectors.

• Tighten the retaining screws in the top and bottom of the front panel to ensure proper

connector mating and prevent loosening of the module due to vibration.

Connecting Peripherals to the EPC-8A

Do not plug in any cable or connector into the front panel connectors while the

system is powered up. In general, electronics equipment is not designed to

withstand potential damage that could arise from fluctuations in power.

Never

plug

in a serial or parallel device, keyboard, transceiver, monitor or other component

while the system is ON.

The next step of installation is connecting peripherals, typically a video display and

keyboard, but also perhaps a mouse, modem, printer, etc. Pin-outs for the EPC-8A

front-panel connectors are specified in Appendix C, Connectors.

Remaining Steps

The remaining configuration steps may include BIOS configuration, driver software

installation and application software installation. Your system may be pre-configured by

your supplier or you may be required to perform these tasks yourself.

Chapter 3 of this manual describes the BIOS set up program. Many of the hardware setups

are accomplished using the BIOS.

Other features of the EPC-8A, such as the Ethernet port, graphics controller, and optional

Flash memory require drivers and are configured using DOS programs or specific

operating system functions and utilities. Installation of other software drivers that are

optionally available with the EPC-8A is described in the appropriate sections of this

manual. These include the following:

• A resident Flash memory utility (See Appendix G, XFORMAT Software for

the EPC-8A)

• An Ethernet configuration utility (See Appendix H, AUTOSET Software)

• SVGA display drivers (See Appendix I, SVGA)

• Ethernet drivers

(See Appendix K, Configuring the Ethernet Drivers)