Linux Netstation HOWTO
Kris Buytaert, kb@ipng.be
v1p17, march 15 , 2004
This document tries to describe how to hook up a IBM Netstation /
Netvista to your local network using a Linux box as server.
______________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 What's this document
1.2 Todo
1.3 Latest versions
1.4 Copyright
1.5 Disclaimer
2. The Netstation Family
3. Requirements
3.1 Hardware
3.1.1 Netstation Clients
3.1.2 Changes in the new versions.
3.1.3 Netvista Clients
3.2 Software
3.2.1 IBM Software.
3.2.1.1 Netstation Software
3.2.1.2 Netvista Software
3.2.2 NFS Server.
3.2.3 X Server.
3.2.4 DHCP Server
4. Setting up the Server side
4.1 IBM Netstations using the AIX binaries.
4.2 Not using the AIX binaries.
4.3 The Netvista Linuxversions
4.3.1 Upgrade for the IBM Network station Boot Monitor.
4.4 The Linux Part
4.4.1 Setting up the nfs server
4.4.2 Setting up the X server
4.5 Setting up Automatic Client configuration
5. Configuring the Thin Client
5.1 Auto Config
5.2 Netstation Clients
5.2.1 Setting up TCP/IP
5.2.2 Setting Up the Boot Parameters
5.2.3 Setting Up the Monitor
5.2.4 Further Configuration
5.3 Netvista Clients
6. Misc Stuff
6.1 Experiences (NC100)
6.2 Connecting through a network into the NC (NC100)
6.2.1 Port 5978
6.2.2 Port 5999 CONFIGD
6.3 Port 161/udp - SNMP Access
6.3.1 Some general statement
6.3.2 How to configure network management ?
6.3.3 How to start managing?
6.3.4 What do you manage?
6.4 IBM Software Releases
6.5 NetworkStation Manager
6.6 Configuration file statements
6.7 Printing
6.8 PCMCIA Memory Cards
6.9 Setup
6.10 Images
6.11 Time Sync
6.12 Test Network
6.13 BIOS
6.14 Features
7. Other Useful Documentation
7.1 The IBM Website
7.2 Mailing Lists
7.3 Linux on the PPC40X
8. FAQ
9. Credits
10. History
______________________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
1.1. What's this document
Some unused piece of delicious hardware floating around on my desk.
Screaming to be used. 40 MB of ram and a 403 PPC inside.
So I decided to give it a try and connect it to my local Linux
network.
In this Howto we'll be dealing with an This Howto started out with a
IBM Network Station model 8361-100, other models were added afterwards
We also have some additional info about the other 2 models. The
8361-200 (Model 300) and the 8362-A23 (Model 1000). More info can be
found at http://www.pc.ibm.com/networkstation/products/(choose your
region here)
I'm trying to describe how I setup the NC, there are probably lots of
other ways to set up this machine, however this one works fine. Any
other remarks you might have from your own experience are welcome.
(Hardware is also welcome ;-))
This Howto is not trying to be the Bible on NC's and Linux, it's
trying to get you started. Contributions to this NC are most welcome.
During the past year I have received numerous comments on the HOWTO
and lots of help from other people (suprisingly a lot from inside
IBM). I've been busy, therefore now is the first time that I'm
trying to do a real update of the HOWTO. Most people are asking me
about Linux binaries to extract the AIX distribution file. I have
heard about an internal IBM project that is going on there but I have
no accurate info on that matter yet.
1.2. Todo
Things we still have to implement in this Howto
· How to export your homedir
· How to run applications
· How to run Java Applets
Help is appreciated ;-)
Since version 1.91 this Howto wil also document the more recent units
like the Netvista 2200 and the Netvista 2800.
1.3. Latest versions
Latest versions of this document can be found on the main website
<http://howto.ipng.be/>.
1.4. Copyright
This HOWTO is copyrighted 1998-2001 Kris Buytaert
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover
Texts. A copy of the license is included in the appendix entitled "GNU
Free Documentation License".
1.5. Disclaimer
Use the information in this document at your own risk. I disavow any
potential liability for the contents of this document. Use of the
concepts, examples, and/or other content of this document is entirely
at your own risk.
All copyrights are owned by their owners, unless specifically noted
otherwise. Use of a term in this document should not be regarded as
affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen as
endorsements.
You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system before
major installation and backups at regular intervals.
2. The Netstation Family
As far as I know there are currently 3 differerent kinds of situations
when talking about Linux and the Netstation famlily. The first type
is the IBM NC 100, 110 and 300 series. (I`m still waiting on
confirmation on the fact that the 110 series indeed do boot Linux
;))). These babies don't run linux as far as I know. This HOWTO
however describes how to ingetrete it into your Linux environment.
The second type is the IBM NC 1000, as of november 2002 these do run
Linux , although I haven't had the time to document this clearly you
can download the required software from
http://sourceforge.net/projects/networkstation/
All of the above types are PowerPC based devices.
The third type of Netstations are the 2200 and the 2800 series. These
are Intel based devices and have been designed to run Linux by
default. You will find some basic documentation on HOWTO install
these machines in the howto.
3. Requirements
3.1. Hardware
3.1.1. Netstation Clients
An NC, connected to your local Network, most likely by a UTP
connection , thus via a cross-cable or HUB connecting to an Server -
in this case a Linux Box Basically the NC is Made to work with either
AS/400 , Windows NT or AIX Servers. These are all expensive solutions,
however working with thin clients doesnt have to cost that much.
(Token Ring versions are also available)
The model I have at my disposal is an IBM Network Station model
8361-100, On the inside you can find an 403PPC chip, some S3 vga
components, an PCMCIA slot, and normal 72 pin (parity ??) simms. I
found 8+32 Mb in my edition.
Actually those 40Mb were major overkill. In full operation modes
with lot's of configuration panels a couple of telnet sessions and a X
-query open only took up about 4Mb of ram. ) So taking out the 32Mb
showed absolutely no significant loss of speed.
Well, after working more with the Netstation, specially with Navio I
found out Navio uses as much 27-30 Mb. So those 40 Mb`s really
aren`t that much hoverkill
We proved it was no problem setting it up on a Linux only network.
You'll need a server that can provide you both with about 25Mb of free
diskspace for the software, and the capacities to run an X -query.
In the setup overhere we used a 486DX50 with 8Mb as a fileserver and I
switch between another 486DX266 (PS/2 85) with 32Mb, and my Multia
with 48Mb as the X server Of course, the faster machines the better.
3.1.2. Changes in the new versions.
The new version comes with a new kernel and some changes in the
applications. The kernel can now be downloaded as a compressed file
which speeds up the process.
Starting with the Network Station 3.0, you need a new Boot Monitor or
boot PROM (aka Firmware) with the version 3.0.x or later. Your
NetworkStation won't work with a older boot PROM (aka Firmware) and
the new Network Station 3.x kernel. If you buy a new NetworkStation,
you always get one of the latest PROMs Older versions can be
automatically updated from a boot server, from which the new boot PROM
get's downloaded. (Could somebody please confirm me that these devices
are the 110 versions with a PPC 403GC(X) in it !!!!)
There also is a new layout of the Setup Utility where you define you
basic network settings of your Network Station.
3.1.3. Netvista Clients
The Netvista Clients (2200 and 2800) have been designed to run Linux
natively, those thin clients are not based on PowerPC Chips but on an
Intel Chipset therefore running linux on those devices is quite
straightforward
3.2. Software
3.2.1. IBM Software.
3.2.1.1. Netstation Software
NC kernel, fonts etc.
In order to boot the NC you will need its Kernel and fonts. About
25Mb of files are needed on the server. They can be found on an AIX
4.X with the Netstation modules installed. Or from the IBM Netstation
Download Page
3.2.1.2. Netvista Software
3.2.2. NFS Server.
A working NFS server, like in every default Linux distribution.
Approx 85Mb of diskspace has to be exported to the NC. (this includes
a lot of documentation which you don't acutally need)
3.2.3. X Server.
Any machine running XDM with enough memory, processor power will do.
You don't need to have X configured on the machine itselve, it can be
a head-less server. Basic X Windows install will provide you with the
necessary deamons.
There is the possibility to run a local X11 server which may avoid
some network traffic. The new version supports a standard X11 and a
Motif X11 server. Using a configurable menu or by allowing telnet
sessions you may access other computers/servers on the network.
You may also be able to export applications to your Netstation display
withouth actually using XDM . You might want to run an extra window
manager. This can be done by telnetting into the remote box and
typing export DISPLAY=nc_ipnr:0 and afterwards running the application
you want to use.
Optional
3.2.4. DHCP Server
If you have multiple NC's, you may wish to distribute the IP Adresses
by using a DHCP Server how to obtain and configure a DHCP server can
be read in the DHCP Mini Howto on sunsite
4. Setting up the Server side
You found all the software you needed. Now let's install them.
4.1. IBM Netstations using the AIX binaries.
Before making the tarball on the aix machine, make sure you run
/usr/netstation/bin/agree in order to make the kernel in a usable
format. Probably you will have to do the same thing with the tarball
you get from the IBM website. So finding the kernel separatly might
be another solution. Find a drive with about 25Mb of free diskspace,
I use /usr/netstation/, and unpack the tarbal either from the IBM
website or from an AIX machine. There is no need in using the approx
60Mb from /usr/netstation/doc on the disk if you don't have enough
diskspace.
4.2. Not using the AIX binaries.
This section has been contributed by Ken Collins and still have to be
crosschecked by me.
· Download nsmsetup.exe from
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/network_station/nsmsetup.exe
· I don't have NT set up, so I moved it over into a Win98 partition
and tried executing nsmsetup.exe. It extracted properly, then
choked on the install and removed all the install files. Then I
tried opening it with WinZip, and that worked. I just extracted
everything into my Windows partition under the directory
C:/netstation.
· I then copied everything from C:/netstation/prodbase to my linux
box. I set everything up in /usr/netstation, which I think was a
mistake. I ran strings on parts of the package, and it looks like
/netstation/prodbase is compiled into various programs. I'm going
to try it again with installing in /netstation/prodbase
· Booting the kernel worked fine. I'm not sure how much of the rest
of it worked, since I've never seen a working netstation. I'm
getting a lot of error messages, but an X server comes up, and I'm
able to telnet and start Mwm. I was able to set up xdm and log
into my Linux server, until I botched something. Now I get an IBM
login screen that doesn't allow me to log in.
Some readers have helped out here. What you need to do is create a
file new file that will be included in your standard.nsm or modify
that file.
e.g.
You can create a file called local.nsm with the following contents
(10.1.89.33 is your Linux Box)
set exec-startup-commands = { {"login 10.1.89.33"} }
set xserver-access-control-enabled = false
set tcpip-name-server-protocol = dns
set tcpip-name-servers = {{ 10.1.89.33 } }
and you add
read local.nsm
to standard.nsm.
An alternative is to change a single line in
/netstation/prodbase/configs/required.nsm from { actlogin } to { login
} to get an xdm chooser or { login xx.xx.xx.xx } to do a direct xdm
query to your linux box. There's a third way but we haven't got
confirmation on this.
{ actlogin -authserv xx.xx.xx.xx }
Philip Tait wrote to tell us this : "From the directory tree extracted
from nsmsetup.exe using WinZIP classic, copy the entire tree under
"Prodbase" to /netstation. Export /netstation, and proceed as for the
following sections.
Bram Piket wrote in with even a better version.
After downloading the nsmsetup.exe file you should run this file.
There will be a probe to install the NetworkStation under this win-
system. That does not succeed (in my case?). Don't click the last
error-window away. Then there is left a tempory NetStation-directory:
"Ixp000.tmp". Copy the subdirectories to the linux-dir "/netstation".
Rename "x11" to "X11", "en_us" to "EN_US". Then edit the file
"/netstation/prodbase/configs/required.nsm" to reflect
set exec startup-commands=(
( mcuis )
( login vvv.xxx.yyy.zzz )
)
where vvv.xxx.yyy.zzz is the LINUX-server address.
4.3. The Netvista Linuxversions
Download the NetVistaLTC.tar.gz file from the IBM web pages., untar
the file and run rh_install.sh (we are going for the RedHat
distribution here)
(ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/network_station/netvistaltc.tar.gz)
Welcome to the IBM NetVista Thin Client RedHat Linux Installer
After the installation has finished, the install log files will be located
in ./tmp.
If there are problems, please look at the following files.
install.log - messages from the IBM install
rpm.log - messages generated during install of the rpm's
rpm.err - errors from the rpm install (most of these can
be ignored)
Please select Installation type:
1. Local CDROM
2. NFS
Enter Selection: 1
Mount Point for CDROM [/mnt/cdrom] ?
1) Caldera Open Linux 3) SuSe Linux 5) Other
2) RedHat Linux 4) TurboLinux
Which Linux distribution are you running on this server? 2
Client Installation Directory [/nstation/linux] ? /opt/NetVista
Client Installation Directory does not exist. Create /opt/NetVista? y
Client Machine Specific Directory [/nstation/machines] ? /opt/NetVista/machines
Client Machine Specific Directory does not exist. Create /opt/NetVista/machines? y
Machine specific directories based on MAC address or IP address [ MAC ] (IP/MAC) ?
1) Thin clients authenticate to server (DEFAULT)
2) No authentication to server
Select the mode you want for server booted clients? 2
Please insert the RedHat 6.2 CD
Press <ENTER> To Continue
Installation of Server Boot RedHat 6.2 Linux client for IBM NetVista thin
clientCurrent selections:
Server IP address: 192.168.10.61
Client boot directory: /opt/NetVista
Client SPECIFIC directory: /opt/NetVista/Machines
Client SPECIFIC directory type: MAC
Do you wish to continue, restart, or exit installation? (c/r/e) c
When it completes with 100% install it will show you a screen like this
Create /opt/NetVista/etc/fstab file
Modify /opt/NetVista/etc/inittab to call rc.sysinit.IBM_NS.sboot
Rename services not needed for IBM NetVista Thin Clients
Add new Common Files
Add RedHat 6.2 Specific Files
Link files to RAM disk
Backup var directory
Setup Xserver files - XF86_SVGA and XF86Config
Added /opt/NetVista to /etc/exports
Added /opt/NetVista/Machines to /etc/exports
Stripping binaries
Client Directory Setup complete
Installation is Complete
Starting NFS services: [ OK ]
Starting NFS quotas: [ OK ]
Starting NFS mountd: [ OK ]
Starting NFS daemon: [ OK ]
INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE !!!
4.3.1. Upgrade for the IBM Network station Boot Monitor.
You can download the most recent bflash images from
http://service.boulder.ibm.com/dl/nc/priv/netsta-rd_linux Just point
the device to boot from the bflash images you downloaded and your
firmware will upgrade itselve !.
4.4. The Linux Part
4.4.1. Setting up the nfs server
Edit your /etc/exports, add the line
/usr/netstation 10.0.0.50(rw)
Where 10.0.0.50 is the IP address you want to give to the NC. Restart
your nfs deamon.
[root@velvet sdog]# ps auxf |grep rpc
sdog 4145 0.0 5.8 828 384 p1 S 03:55 0:00 \_ grep rpc
root 3120 0.0 5.7 944 380 ? S Feb 27 0:00 rpc.mountd
root 3129 0.0 1.5 880 100 ? S Feb 27 0:10 rpc.nfsd
[root@velvet sdog]# kill -9 3120 3129 ; /usr/sbin/rpc.mountd ; /usr/sbin/rpc.nfsd
or on a RedHat-like system easier (5.X)
[root@velvet init.d]# pwd
/etc/rc.d/init.d
[root@velvet init.d]# ./nfs restart
Restarting NFS services: rpc.nfsd rpc.mountd done.
[root@velvet init.d]#
Your NC should now be able to mount the /usr/netsation by NFS.
Bascially if you don`t need X-Windows this is as far as it gets. You
can easily telnet from your NC with nothing more installed. However
the beauty of this thing is it`s X capability.
4.4.2. Setting up the X server
Next we have to set up the X server. Basically I didn't need to set
up anything, all of my machines that ran X-Windows were configured to
accept connections. I just started up the NC for the first time and
it showed me all the machines that ran an XDM (cfr running an X
-indirect). So any machine that can run xdm can be used as X Server.
Just make sure XDM is So any machine that can run xdm can be used as X
Server. Just make sure XDM is started.
4.5. Setting up Automatic Client configuration
This part has been contributed byJosef Hill
what I'm including is the line for using the NS1000 with no
configuration done on the box. (defaults.. everything is left blank)
inetd.conf:
tftp dgram udp wait nobody /usr/sbin/tcpd in.tftpd /QIBM
then create a directory /QIBM/ProdData/NetworkStation/
and copy the contents of the prodbase directory in the winzip sfx
nsmsetup.exe which you can download from
http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/dl/nc/priv/netsta-rd_nsm (you may
need to create an account to access this.. it's free and requires no
real information.) note that this download is 90some MB
At this point, if you've done the 3 requisite steps, your netstation
will boot.
· set up DHCP
· enable TFTP to the QIBM directory
· copy the contents of the prodbase directory to the proper path
Note: It will probably help an awful lot if you have xdm set up
(speciffically for xdmcp sessions).
If you use this approach you can obviously skip the next part ! ;-)
Everything on the server side should be setup now. Lets try the NC
side.
5. Configuring the Thin Client
5.1. Auto Config
If you have setup autoconfig as described above you shouldn`t be
reading this part unless it doesn`t work
5.2. Netstation Clients
Unplug the network cable from the NC. Then boot it up.
After checking its Memory, VGA etc, it will boot into the IBM Network
Station Setup Utility. Basically you can manage everything from this
menu system. The main parts will be described here.
5.2.1. Setting up TCP/IP
Section 5 (F5) : Your network setup should look something like this :
IP Addressed From NVRAM
Network Station IP Adress 10.0.0.50
First Boot Host IP Adress 10.0.0.1
Second Boot Host IP Adress 10.0.0.11
Third Boot Host IP Adress 0.0.0.0
Gateway IP Adress 10.0.0.1
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Broadcast IP Adress 10.0.0.255
Ethernet Standard Version 2
Resembles my setup. The NC itself has 10.0.0.50 While 10.0.0.1 is the
NFS Server, 10.0.0.11 is a secondary NFS server, just in case.
5.2.2. Setting Up the Boot Parameters
Section 6 (F6): Looks like this in my setup.
Boot file kernel
TFTP Boot Directory /usr/netstation/
NFS Boot Directory /usr/netstation/
Configuration File /usr/netstation/configs/standard.nsm
Configuration Directory /usr/netstation/configs
TFTP Order 2
NFS Order 1
MOP Order Disabled
Local Order Disabled
Where /usr/netstation is the directory export on 10.0.0.1
5.2.3. Setting Up the Monitor
Section 7 (F7): You can choose the right resolution / refresh rate
from a nice menu. I have mine running on an old 14" VGA Screen
running in 1024x768 @60Hz
Basically that's all you need to install.
Just plug in your Network cable again. And Reboot the NC. After
testing the Video / DRAM, the NC will search the Host system and
request the startup information, download the Kernel from the NFS and
boot up.
In some cases, the NC might download an updated Firmware from the
host.
When starting the graphical Console you should get a menu bar and a
screen where you can select the X Hosts. You are now in the CLE
(Common Login Environment): it's a desktop from where you can start
all sessions, either telnet or X . It uses a local window manager
which is a small window manager based on MWM.
Your NC is now setup. Congratulations !
5.2.4. Further Configuration
Further configuration of the NC can be done e.g. be setting the
colors, window sizes, default keymaps etc. I'm not going to describe
these in detail. If you have troubles finding your way through the
menu system. The IBM Network Station Runtime Environment for RS/6000
User's Guide which can be found in either .pdf or .ps at
http://www.as400.ibm.com/networkstation/rs6000/ and will provide you
with detailed information.
5.3. Netvista Clients
Newer versions of the Setup screen might look like this
· F2 = View Hardware Configuration
· F3 = Set Network Parameters
· F4 = Set Boot Parameters
· F5 = Set Configuration Parameters
· F6 = Set Monitor Parameters
· F7 = Set Language Parameters
· F10 = Set Verbose Diagnostic Message Disabled
With F3 you get a panel to set the IP adresses of the Station, the
boot server and the gateways as well as the subnet mask. With F4 you
get a panel to set the boot kernel name and path and method (tftp or
NFS). F5 brings you to a panel to set your configuration files and
paths.
6. Misc Stuff
6.1. Experiences (NC100)
Using the NC as a plain terminal with multiple consoles. The Built-in
Motif extensions are a lot easier to use than the default setup ;-)
Pressing the Pause/Break key will pop up the NC Menu at any time.
6.2. Connecting through a network into the NC (NC100)
The network station allows configuration access via telnet sessions on
several ports. The ones I know are by default configured like this:
· port 87, service SerialSD, (raw - serial daemon)
· port 5964, service ParallelD, (raw - parallel daemon)
· port 5976, service FILED, (raw - file manager)
· port 5977, service PREFD, (raw - user preferences)
· port 5978, service DIAG, (raw - diagnostics)
· port 5979, service CONFIGD, (raw - configuration)
· port 5996, service FILED, (telnet - file manager)
· port 5997, service PREFD, (telnet - user preferences)
· port 5998, service DIAG, (telnet - diagnostics)
· port 5999, service CONFIGD, (telnet - configuration)
You can easliy access the TCP ports by using a telnet session telnet
NC-IPaddr port. Be careful whether there is a password check enabled.
The passphrase 'public' (without quotes) worked for me.
6.2.1. Port 5978
Remote Logging It's the same as the messages console in your CLE.
The format of each entry stretches over 2 lines.
+ DD:HH:MM:SS NSKxxxx: ...
The first line covers date using the string that counts days, hours,
minutes and seconds since boot time. The second line starts with an
message identifier and the english plain text message after a
separating colon, e.g.:
[...]
+ 25:17:31:43
NSK5641: unable to get current time from 10.10.90.149
+ 26:03:29:10
NSK4708: automatic powerdown to Suspend state after 40 minutes idle time
+ 26:03:49:10
NSK4708: automatic powerdown to Powerdown state after 60 minutes idle time
+ 26:07:22:38
NSK8001: accepting DIAGD connection from 10.10.90.150
[...]
6.2.2. Port 5999 CONFIGD
Use this port to do remote configuration for the NC by an telnet
session (telnet NC-IPaddr 5999).
Here are some first commands and hints that seemed to me to be useful.
You can apparently configure the NC remotely - online. The
configuration files use the same format, but do allow only an offline
configuration. As an alternative you may use the the setup function
from the NC menu window.
First of all you will need to login if you defined a password.
Logging into the NC should show you a sequence like:
*** NCD X Terminal Configuration ***
Password:
Invalid Password
Password: public
Being logged in, you can start configurating. The configuration
syntax is identical to /usr/netstation/configs/ the setup files. Be
aware that the behaviour within this command line interface is the
same as using the gui, i.e. when you set (you may omit this keyword)
some parameter you need to apply it. Otherwise you will not see any
effect. There is a /usr/netstation/configs/configd.doc documentation
file (- more precisely I would call it a reference script -) delivered
with the netstation software. (The links are configured for the
RS/6000 installation.)
You probably want to start straight into the matter. So for learning
it the hard way, I recommend some commands to start with:.
· help - shows you all possible commands with some really short
explanation. Some commands concerning locking should be used with
care.
· get groups - tells you which groups of configuration options are
available. These are the subjects in the setup browser of the NC
menu. You may think of them as section headers. These group names
are also the first token in the name of the configurable items
within it.
· get boot ... slow in answering and shows you how the boot
parameters of the NC are currently set.
· get tftp - again some basic boot parameters. On my NC all are read
only statistics
· get tcpip - most useful for reading some TCP statistics, less
useful for changing the IP setup, i.e. name servers, local DNS
cache, ARP configuration.
· get file - again slow response. A long list of parameters. Most
of them are again self explaining. Be careful when changing the
port parameters, since you might have problems to find them later
on. Also some important boot parameters can be found here.
· get nfs - shows NFS configuration. You most likely will only need
it, if you use a memory PCMCIA card. Otherwise you will have
little to import or export.
· info - shows you NAME, ACCESS, and PROTECTION of a given or all
variables. Helpful, if you work with protect
6.3. Port 161/udp - SNMP Access
You need some network management software to work with it. Among the
most famous commercial ones are (Tivoli) NetView and HP OpenView.
They provide an easy-to-use user interfaces. For linux you usually
use cmu-snmp for command line and TCL/TK-based scotty for visual
frontend. (I like command line and that's what I am going to explain)
6.3.1. Some general statement
The network station is completely configurable as already noted. In
allows examinations and alterations while being used. The changes
take effect either immediately, at session startup, or at boot time
(see configd.doc). All reads from the network station do not unveal
the users display contents, and therefore the users' privacy is
respected (if the application itself respects it as well). Only the
configuration may be retrieved, but not the window contents (at least
not this way).
6.3.2. How to configure network management ?
There is a file in ASN.1 called snmpmib.txt in the installation
directory of the recent releases that allows your network management
console resolve the mib symbols. Otherwise you see dot-separated
sequences of numbers only. So best is to append this file (comments
start with double minus "--") to the mib.txt file of your SNMP
software. You can use snmpwalk, snmpget, snmpset to browse and modify
the symbols you have retrieved.
6.3.3. How to start managing?
Simplest way to start managing is to execute the commands
snmpwalk NC-IPaddr public system
snmpget NC-IPaddr public system.sysDescr.0
snmpset NC-IPaddr public system.sysContact.0 s"MailTo:Kris.Buytaert@advalvas.b$
snmpwalk NC-IPaddr public system
Sit back and think a little bit about it. It is easy to work with.
If you never had experience with SNMP commands you should read some
SNMP documentation, take reference to configd.doc. For more details
refer to SNMP-HowTos.
6.3.4. What do you manage?
It works nearly the same way as the telnet session to the
configuration port, except that each command is transferred separately
to the NC using UDP. The advantage is that you do not have to work
interactively, you work with UDP instead of TCP, which avoids retries
to network stations that are down. you must have the privileges for
being successful - 'public' is a good community for reading...
6.4. IBM Software Releases
IBM Has a special program for upgrades and documentation about the IBM
Netststation releases. It includes CDs and printed documentation
It can be ordered freely from IBM from the following url
service.boulder.ibm.com/nc/pcserver/cd_order.shtml.
(Thnx to Herman Bos (hermanb@xs4allnl) for this info)
6.5. NetworkStation Manager
The NetworkStation Manager is a piece of software running on the boot
server. It has a web interface and allows you to administrate all your
NetworkStations from a single point. You can define users and groups
and provide a customised desktop for each of them.
This is required if you don't use a windowmanager provided by Linux.
It basically works by parsing and writing the configuration files.
However, Linux is not a supported plattform of this software. So as a
workaround you have to change the configuration files by hand or have
an OS/390, an AIX or a Windows NT do the job for you. Please be aware,
that for the personalisation in users and groups of your
NetworkStation Desktop, you need the login daemon running on your boot
server. This daemon is not available on Linux. So personalisation has
to be done by naming the configuration files according to the user
sitting at the Station.
There is an actual Redbook about the Network Station,
Network Station Manager V2R1
, IBM PubNumber SG24-5844-00. For the use with Linux it may be
helpful for you to read IBM Network Station - RS/6000 Notebook, IBM
PubNumber SG24-2016-01. It explains the use with the RS/600 AIX
System (an interesting flavour of Unix).
6.6. Configuration file statements
Here are some configuration file statements that I found useful:
set boot-prom-force-update = true With this setting, the Network
Station will check for a new boot PROM (aka Firmware) and download it
if available.
set xserver-access-control-enabled = false Will allow all XClients to
connect to the XServer running on that Network Station.
6.7. Printing
(contributed by Bram Piket)
To get printing work you have do two configuration steps. One on the
Netstation and one on the printsystem of the server.
On the Netstation :
Pop up the IBM Network Station User Services window (standard with
Alt-Shift-Home) or reboot the Netstation terminal.
As stated on page 184 of the named IBM Redbook:
In Setup -> Changes Setup Parameters, choose Print:
Add in Lpr-Servers: Server: localhost Queue Name: PARALLEL1 Datastream
type: ps (postscript)
Save with Apply and as a file. Add this file to:
/netstation/prodbase/configs/defaults.dft
On the printer side
Assumed is a cups printsystem. You have to be root to administrate
cups. Within a webbrowser open the cups-setup (localhost:631). In
Administration -> Add Printer Name your printer and give the device
URI:
lpd://ppp.qqq.rrr.sss/PARALLEL1,
where ppp.qqq.rrr.sss = IP-adress of the Netstation.
There is a Redbook about printing, 'IBM Network Station Printing
Guide', IBM PubNumber SG24-5212-00. Redbooks can be found at
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/
6.8. PCMCIA Memory Cards
ANeuper@antaris.de the author of this paraphrase.
I have tested memory cards manufactured by Centennial (IBM gives you a
more complete list of memory cards that work with the NC). I
recommend a minimum capacity of 20 MB. If you have less you will have
less functionality on the card. Even 20MB is hardly sufficient. Once
a NC is installed with a memory card it can serve as peer booting host
for other NCs in its network vicinity.
You need to connect to the file manager port 5996. Keep a eye on your
access protections in your configuration files. If you use the memory
card with the network station for the first time, you need to format
it. You should mount it and export it. once you have exported it
(showmount -e NC-IPaddr) you can mount it to your boot server (mount
NC-IPaddr:/local /mnt) and transfer the setup directory( cp -r
/usr/netstation/* /mnt). Be careful not to forget some necessary
files, particularily some X11 files are needed. The full directory
will not fit on the card. Avoid erasing on the chip card, claiming
the freed space isn't easy and wastes space.
For more detailed information you have place an PRPQ at IBM (whatever
this means), contact some IBM representative or contact
6.9. Setup
It seems the "user preferences" are stored in NVRAM, while "quick
setup" and "setup parameters" are read from the boot server (in NFS,
/netstation/prodbase/configs/standard.nsm).
6.10. Images
The screensaver and background reads XBM images, Linux/BSD/*nix users
can use XV to export to this format. The screensaver image shown will
be inverted.
6.11. Time Sync
The units don't use NTP, instead inetd's built-in unix time (37/udp)
support, I'd personally recommend using xinetd.
6.12. Test Network
This is User Sevices Console version of ping.
6.13. BIOS
Setting a global password will password-protect the "BIOS" setup.
According to Matthew Poertner
You can reset the NVRAM on the netstations (tested on 110 and 300
types) using the following commands:
>From Setup Utility:
-CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F1
-NV
-R
-L
-S
Are you Sure? Yes
-Q
Reboot and Reconfig
However if this doesn't work yet, you can always try to ...
1. Power Off
2. open it, everything attached
3. above the pcmcia slot, right hand there are two blank metal spots,
about 1 mm square, connect them (e.g. with a screwdriver) and power on the
netstation
4. watch the boot sequence, some when it should say sth. like "NVRAM
cleared or so"
5. Power Off, close it, and everything should be wonderful!
If that still doesn't work I don't have a clue ;(
6.14. Features
Most units (8361-110 for sure) features not only support for X (as an
Xterminal) and NC (Windows NT Terminal Server) usage, it's built-in
console also has support for serial (locally attached and dial-up
using PPP/SLIP, also telnet connections.
7. Other Useful Documentation
7.1. The IBM Website
The IBM Website lots of documentation on the NC, most of it can be
found in PDF format.
The latest updates can be found at
http://www.as4000.ibm.com/networkstation/rs6000/ including
· IBM Network Station Runtime Environment for RS/6000 Users's Guide
· IBM Network Station Runtime Environment for RS/6000 System
Administrator's Guide
· IBM Network Station Runtime Environment for RS/6000 System Navio NC
Navigator Browser Guide
Or from http://www.ibm.com/nc/pubs/
· IBM Network Station Setup and Use
7.2. Mailing Lists
There is a mailing list available called The NetVista thin Client
Linux Forum it can be found on
http://techconnect.ease.lsoft.com/archives/netvista_thin_client_forum/network.htm
, the archives can also be found there.
7.3. Linux on the PPC40X
There are a lot of new resources online about Linux on the PPC40X.
Here is a small list of them. http://www.borg.umn.edu/~grant/Linux/
it seems like some of the Netstations contain a 403GC[X] on this page
you can find a Linux kernel for that PPC. If anybody succeeds please
contacte me ! http://www.mvista.com/products/405gp_status/main.html
Montavista Software is doing a nice job in porting the Linux kernel to
the IBM PowerPC 405GP based Walnut System:
More recently we established a Wiki to discuss the development of
Linux on the Netstation, you can find it on
http://howto.ipng.be/NetstationWiki/ The effort actually worked out
and there is a totally new project on SourceForge where you can
download the required software to boot Linux on an IBM NC 1000.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/networkstation/
8. FAQ
· Q: Can you run a Linux kernel on the Netstation A: Depending on
the type you have you can get linux running. Both 2200 and 2800
models are running Linux out of the box. As of november 2002 we
have a succesful boot of a linux kernel on an IBM Netstation 1000.
I'm waiting for feedback on the 110, 300 types. The 100 is not
running linux at the moment, it has no MMU so therefore the Linux
port is a bit more difficult.
· Q: Are there any mailing lists about the Netstation A: Take a look
to the Other Usefull Documentation part in this howto ..
· Q: I have a 2200 or a 2800 and the instructions in your HOWTO don't
work QM The 2200 and 2800 are not based on the PPC architecture
anymore , they have a more frequently used chipset which is
supported by Linux and these things run Linux natively.
· Q: I have no AIX available how can I unpack the kernel A: There is
a new section in the howto that describes how to use another way to
do this.
· Q: I get an Invalid Kernel Type while trying to boot the NC. A:
You didn't run the agree script on your aix machine.
· Q: I log in at the remote host and my keyboard settings are
incorrect. A: I use no /.Xmodap when working on the NC. This
keeps my keyboardsettings perfect.
9. Credits
Lots of thanks must go out to Wouter Cloetens,
wcloeten@raleigh.ibm.com for getting me started , additional info from
Boas Betzler, Andreas Neuper and Herman Bos. Thanks for updates in
v1.00 must go to Matt Peterson and Ken Collins and Philip Tait for the
setup using a Win98 machine instead of an AIX box. Josef Hill for the
automatic configuration description. Niels H Sondergaard , John
Kaiser and Joern Allmers also belong to the crowd of smart people
that mailed me with extra info for the HOWTO
and to Bart Geens ,Bart.Geens@advalvas.be for rereading this howto and
findin uot lost of splelling errosr
Also thanks to all the different people that wrote me with hints and
help although I might have forgotten to include some of their
comments, if you think your part is missing, please mail me ;-)
10. History
· v0.98p14 19980222 First Release
· v0.99p15 19990501 Some fixes
· v0.99p16 19991004 Major updates including feedback from Boas
Betzler, Andreas Neuper and Herman Bos
· v0.99p18 19991226 Updates after feedback from readers.
· v1.00 20000624 Updates but now also a sollution without AIX,
this might be a good time for 1.0 ;-) It Also seems like the howto
is not listed under mini anymore
· v1.01 20001103 Updates for the not using AIX sollution
(Philip Tait)
· v1.02 20010813 Lost bios passwords by Matthew Poertner
· v1.12 20011023 Lots of modifications , Client Auto
configuration by Josef Hill
· v1.13 20011207 License Change
· v1.15 20030107 NC 1000 booting Linux
· v.1.16 20030210 Printing explained
· v.1.17 20040315 Changed some links , thnx to David Gilles
