AT&T IPC-1600 manual Helpful Hints

Helpful Hints

Typically, the lower interrupts on the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus are used by other circuit boards in the system. Therefore, to prevent configuration conflicts, try using some of the higher interrupts (IRQ 10,

IRQ 11, and IRQ 15) for the Intelligent Ports Card.

Make sure that the Intelligent Ports Card is installed in a 16-bit or a 32-bit ISA-compatible bus slot.

Make sure that the hardware for the Intelligent Ports Card correctly corresponds to the software selections for the I/O address, starting controller memory address, interrupt request level, and board type.

When possible, use the default settings during the installation of the Intelligent Ports Card.

Use shared IRQ level and controller memory starting address assignment whenever possible.

Use controller memory address space below 1MB when possible. The use of controller memory address space below 1MB is required for native MS-DOS and diagnostics operation.

IPC-1600 boards may not work correctly if configured to share a 128KB controller memory address space with other boards types. This is because the IPC-1600 uses highly efficient 16-bit data transfers, and many other boards use less efficient 8-bit technology. The ISA bus architecture precludes mixing the two board types in the same 128KB address space.

Boards can be assigned controller memory address space above 1MB for UNIX system operation and reassigned to use supported address space for the purpose of diagnostics (by changing switch settings). Remember to reset the switches for UNIX system operation.

Some applications may be coded assuming input buffer overflow at 256 characters. The IPC-1600 uses 257 character input buffers.

If you are using an 8-conductor cable, make sure that the cable is straight through. A 3B2 computer 8-conductor cable that provides cross-overs between the two modular ends will NOT work.

When using intelligent terminals (for example, AT&T 630 MTG) with MS-DOS application programs through Simul-Task 386, make sure that all function keys are correctly set.

7-10 IPC-1600 USER’S GUIDE