MOTLoad Utility Applications, MOTLoad Tests

Chapter 3 MOTLoad Firmware

MOTLoad Utility Applications

The definition of a MOTLoad utility application is very broad. Simply stated, it is considered a MOTLoad command, if it is not a MOTLoad test. Typically, MOTLoad utility applications are applications that aid the user in some way (that is, they do something useful). From the perspective of MOTLoad, examples of utility applications are: configuration, data/status displays, data manipulation, help routines, data/status monitors, etc.

Operationally, MOTLoad utility applications differ from MOTLoad test applications in several ways:

■Only one utility application operates at any given time (that is, multiple utility applications cannot be executing concurrently)

■Utility applications may interact with the user. Most test applications do not.

MOTLoad Tests

A MOTLoad test application determines whether or not the hardware meets a given standard. Test applications are validation tests. Validation is conformance to a specification. Most MOTLoad tests are designed to directly validate the functionality of a specific SBC subsystem or component. These tests validate the operation of such SBC modules as: dynamic memory, external cache, NVRAM, real time clock, etc.

All MOTLoad tests are designed to validate functionality with minimum user interaction. Once launched, most MOTLoad tests operate automatically without any user interaction. There are a few tests where the functionality being validated requires user interaction (that is, switch tests, interactive plug-in hardware modules, etc.). Most MOTLoad test results (error-data/status-data) are logged, not printed. All MOTLoad tests/commands have complete and separate descriptions (refer to the MOTLoad Firmware Package User’s Manual for this information).

All devices that are available to MOTLoad for validation/verification testing are represented by a unique device path string. Most MOTLoad tests require the operator to specify a test device at the MOTLoad command line when invoking the test.

A listing of all device path strings can be displayed through the devShow command. If an SBC device does not have a device path string, it is not supported by MOTLoad and can not be directly tested. There are a few exceptions to the device path string requirement, like testing RAM, which is not considered a true device and can be directly tested without a device path string. Refer to the devShow command description page in the MOTLoad Firmware Package User’s Manual.

Most MOTLoad tests can be organized to execute as a group of related tests (a testSuite) through the use of the testSuite command. The expert operator can customize their testing by defining and creating a custom testSuite(s). The list of built-in and user-defined MOTLoad testSuites, and their test contents, can be obtained by entering testSuite -dat the MOTLoad prompt. All testSuites that are included as part of a product specific MOTLoad firmware package are product specific. For more information, refer to the testSuite command description page in the MOTLoad Firmware Package User’s Manual.

16MVME3100 Single-Board Computer Installation and Use (V3100A/IH1)