IBM 5.01 Configuring x86 BootBIOS, Introduction, Start the BIOS Utility, Prerequisites, Page

Configuring x86 BootBIOS

Introduction

The BIOS utility allows you to change HBA parameters (such as topology, PLOGI retry timer and auto scan setting) and configure boot devices.

•Default settings are acceptable for most installations.

•In the BIOS utility, press <d> to reset the selected adapter to default values.

•The default topology is auto topology with loop first. For FC-AL, each HBA has a default AL_PA of 01 (Hex). Change this topology setting, if necessary, before configuring boot devices.

•All HBAs or boot drives can be configured to other AL_PAs than their default values.

•If more than one HBA is in the system with the same PCI bus number, and each has a boot drive attached, the first PCI-scan HBA will be the boot HBA. The first HBA is usually in the lowest PCI slot in the system. This information can be viewed from the BIOS utility.

Start the BIOS Utility

Prerequisites

•x86 BootBIOS must be loaded and the bootup message enabled on at least one of the host bus adapters in your system to run the BIOS Utility.

To start the BIOS utility to configure your adapters:

1.Turn on the computer.

2.Press <Alt E> immediately (within five seconds) when the x86 BootBIOS message displays to start the BIOS Utility. An HBA listing is displayed.

3.Select the adapter to configure by entering the appropriate number.

Figure 9: BIOS Utility, HBA Listing

Note: If the x86 BootBIOS message does not appear, enable this message. See Enable x86 BootBIOS on HBAs Using the BIOS Utility on page 6 for more information.

Combined Boot User Manual Page 8