Chapter 7

Console Subsystem Overview

On an Alpha system, underlying control of the system platform hardware is provided by a con- sole subsystem. The console subsystem:

Initializes, tests, and prepares the system platform hardware for Alpha system software.

Bootstraps (loads into memory and starts the execution of) system software.

Controls and monitors the state and state transitions of each processor in a multiproces- sor system.

Provides services to system software that simplify system software control of and access to platform hardware.

Provides a means for a console operator to monitor and control the system.

The console subsystem interacts with system platform hardware to accomplish the first three tasks. The actual mechanisms of these interactions are specific to the platform hardware; how- ever, the net effects are common to all systems.

The console subsystem interacts with system software once control of the system platform hardware has been transferred to that software.

The console subsystem interacts with the console operator through a virtual display device or console terminal. The console operator may be a person or a management application.

Console Subsystem Overview 7–1

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Compaq ECQD2KCTE manual Console Subsystem Overview