[SunRescue] Questions on SparcServer1000(E) and SS10? (And thanks for previou s help!)

[Corda Albert J DLVA]

I've finally managed to install Solaris 2.8 on my 1000(E).
I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my previous post
about CPU Watchdog resets, etc.  After a few of you nudged my
memory, I recalled some basic debugging skills and managed
to isolate the problem to a single SM61 module.  The module
seems to work for a while, but locks up solid after about 2-3
minutes. Kinda strange... maybe an onboard cache problem?

Well, anyway, I've got the system fully up now (8 sm61 CPUs,
1.2 Gb memory, 4Gb and 2Gb hard disks) and I'm quite happy
with the performance. Solaris 2.8 surprised me, as I thought
it would be slower than it is with only SM61 CPUs to play with.

I still have a couple of minor questions that perhaps
someone with access to the hardware docs for a 1000
might know...

1) On the front of the machine (with the front cover removed),
next to the reset switch is a DB25 connector. Is this a serial
port of some sort? I examined the bus-controller card, but
didn't see anything remotely resembling a serial interface chip.
I'm assuming that the serial boot port is serial port 0 on the
top motherboard. If that's the case, then what is the DB25 port
on the front of the unit for?

2) The first two keyswitch positions are ON and OFF. What are
the other two positions for? My guess is the 4th (farthest 
clockwise position) locks the keyboard, but what is the 3rd for?


Slightly off topic, I'm also trying to restore an SS10.
Over the years I've found more than enough info on the
web to do this, but there is one thing I haven't found...
Just what are the 4 short SDIMM-like connectors next to the
"real" SDIMM memory connectors for? Some type of cache
expansion?  I've never run across an SS10 with -anything-
in these sockets, so it's piqued my curiosity. Anyone
have any idea?

BTW, anyone know where I could pick up a bunch of
blank Sbus plates? All those empty holes on the back of
the 1000 annoy me...

My next task will be to get the Storage array 100 that came
with this beast up an running... 

Again, Thanks for all the help!

-al-
-acorda at geocities.com