146 RS/6000 43P 7043 Models 150 and 260 Handbook
where this can be very useful. In situations where some data or application
must be permanently visible, this setup can be used. This option provides
more screen area and will allow you to have more windows visible without
obscuring the desktop.
5.3 Adapter and Device Configuration on PCI-Based RS/6000 Systems
This section includes step-by-step procedures explaining how to configure
devices on the PCI-based RS/6000 systems. It also provides cable types and
cabling information that are necessary on most adapters.
5.3.1 Device Types
PCI-based RS/6000 43P systems support the attachment of devices using
the following buses:
•SCSI
•PCI
• ISA (limited to built-in support)
Devices on PCI-based RS/6000 systems can be of two types: native devices,
such as the integrated SCSI controller and the serial controller, or attached
(non-native) devices, such as the supported PCI adapters.
The device information required to configure the integrated devices is
contained in the firmware and is passed to the operating system through the
residual data written to NVRAM. Thus, integrated devices are configured
automatically to AIX after system reboot.
Attached PCI devices and adapters can be configured automatically because
the PCI Local Bus Specification defines a configuration method for PCI
components. Provided that the device support software is installed, PCI and
SCSI devices are configured automatically whenever the configuration
manager program, cfgmgr, is run at system boot or run time, and when no
conflict (for example, the same SCSI ID for two different SCSI devices) is
found.
The ISA/EISA bus has no standard method of identifying adapters or their
configuration requirements.
5.3.1.1 Device Configuration Database
Device information is contained in a predefined database or in a customized
database that makes up the Device Configuration Database managed by the
Object Data Manager (ODM).