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Newer page: version 3 Last edited on Friday, October 29, 2004 10:09:01 am by StuartYeates
Older page: version 2 Last edited on Friday, June 7, 2002 1:07:09 am by perry Revert
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-  
-  
-  
-Linux Netstation HOWTO  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!!Linux Netstation HOWTO  
-  
-!!Kris Buytaert,  
-Kris.Buytaert@advalvas.bev1.14, 2002-02-19  
-  
-  
-----  
-''This document tries to describe how to hook up a IBM Netstation /  
-Netvista to your local network using a Linux box as server.''  
-----  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!1. Introduction  
-  
-  
-*1.1 What's this document  
-  
-*1.2 Todo  
-  
-*1.3 Latest versions  
-  
-*1.4 Copyright  
-  
-*1.5 Disclaimer  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!2. Requirements  
-  
-  
-*2.1 Hardware  
-  
-*2.2 Software  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!3. Setting up the Server side  
-  
-  
-*3.1 IBM Netstations using the AIX binaries.  
-  
-*3.2 Not using the AIX binaries.  
-  
-*3.3 The Netvista Linuxversions  
-  
-*3.4 The Linux Part  
-  
-*3.5 Setting up Automatic Client configuration  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!4. Configuring the Thin Client  
-  
-  
-*4.1 Auto Config  
-  
-*4.2 Netstation Clients  
-  
-*4.3 Netvista Clients  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5. Misc Stuff  
-  
-  
-*5.1 Experiences (NC100)  
-  
-*5.2 Connecting through a network into the NC (NC100)  
-  
-*5.3 Port 161/udp - SNMP Access  
-  
-*5.4 IBM Software Releases  
-  
-*5.5 !NetworkStation Manager  
-  
-*5.6 Configuration file statements  
-  
-*5.7 Printing  
-  
-*5.8 PCMCIA Memory Cards  
-  
-*5.9 Setup  
-  
-*5.10 Images  
-  
-*5.11 Time Sync  
-  
-*5.12 Test Network  
-  
-*5.13 BIOS  
-  
-*5.14 Features  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!6. Other Useful Documentation  
-  
-  
-*6.1 The IBM Website  
-  
-*6.2 Mailing Lists  
-  
-*6.3 Linux on the PPC40X  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!7. FAQ  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!8. Credits  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!9. 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!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. Requirements  
-  
-!!2.1 Hardware  
-  
-  
-!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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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., you need a new Boot Monitor or boot  
-PROM  
-(aka Firmware) with the version 3..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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!2.2 Software  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!IBM Software.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!Netvista Software  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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)  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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:  
-and afterwards running the application you want to use.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-Optional  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!3. Setting up the Server side  
-  
-  
-You found all the software you needed. Now let's install them.  
-  
-!!3.1 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.  
-  
-!!3.2 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  
-http://techsupport.services.ibm.com/nc/pcserver/index2.shtml  
-*  
-  
-* 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!3.3 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)  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-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 !!!  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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 !.  
-  
-!!3.4 The Linux Part  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!Setting up the nfs server  
-  
-  
-Edit your /etc/exports,  
-add the line  
-  
-/usr/netstation 10...50(rw)  
-  
-Where 10...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 5.8 828 384 p1 S 03:55 :00 \_ grep rpc  
-root 3120 .0 5.7 944 380 ? S Feb 27 :00 rpc.mountd  
-root 3129 .0 1.5 880 100 ? S Feb 27 :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.  
-  
-!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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!3.5 Setting up Automatic Client configuration  
-  
-  
-  
-This part has been contributed by  
-Josef 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!4. Configuring the Thin Client  
-  
-!!4.1 Auto Config  
-  
-  
-  
-If you have setup autoconfig as described above you shouldn`t be reading  
-this part unless it doesn`t work  
-  
-!!4.2 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.  
-  
-!Setting up TCP/IP  
-  
-  
-Section 5 (F5) :  
-Your network setup should look something like this :  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-IP Addressed From NVRAM  
-Network Station IP Adress 10...50  
-First Boot Host IP Adress 10...1  
-Second Boot Host IP Adress 10...11  
-Third Boot Host IP Adress ...  
-Gateway IP Adress 10...1  
-Subnet Mask 255.255.255.  
-Broadcast IP Adress 10...255  
-Ethernet Standard Version 2  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-Resembles my setup. The NC itself has 10...50  
-While 10...1 is the NFS Server, 10...11 is a secondary NFS server,  
-just in case.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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...1  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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 !  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!4.3 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!5. Misc Stuff  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.1 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.2 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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  
-[[...]  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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  
-*  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.3 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)  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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).  
-  
-!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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!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.  
-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.  
-  
-!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...  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.4 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)  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.5 !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).  
-  
-!!5.6 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.7 Printing  
-  
-  
-  
-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/  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.8 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  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.9 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).  
-  
-!!5.10 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.  
-  
-!!5.11 Time Sync  
-  
-  
-  
-The units don't use NTP, instead inetd's built-in unix time  
-(37/udp) support, I'd personally recommend using xinetd.  
-  
-!!5.12 Test Network  
-  
-  
-  
-This is User Sevices Console version of ping.  
-  
-!!5.13 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  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!5.14 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.  
-----  
-  
-!!6. Other Useful Documentation  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!6.1 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  
-*  
-  
-  
-!!6.2 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.  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-!!6.3 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:  
-----  
-  
-!!7. 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. I'm waiting for  
-feedback on the 110, 300 and 1000 types. And 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.  
-  
-*  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!8. 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  
-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 ;-)  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-----  
-  
-!!9. 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  
-*  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
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+Describe [HowToNCHOWTO ] here.