Linux VME Howto

John Huggins and Michael Wyrick, vmelinux@va.net

1. Introduction

• 1.1 Knowledge Required
• 1.2 Why use Linux on VMEbus systems?
• 1.3 Purpose
• 1.4 Feedback
• 1.5 VMELinux Revision History
• 1.6 Copyright/Distribution

2. Installation of the VMELinux Kernel Driver

• 2.1 Download the Source
• 2.2 Install the source to the software
• 2.3 Compile the VMELinux components
• 2.4 Load the VMELinux Kernel Module
• 2.5 Difficulties

3. How to talk to the VMEbus with the VMEUtils and the VMEShell Packages

• 3.1 What is the VMEUtils program
• 3.2 What are the VMEShell Scripts
• 3.3 The "vmemap" command.
• 3.4 Read Byte, Word or Long
• 3.5 Write Byte, Word or Long
• 3.6 Read the VMEbus to a file
• 3.7 Write a file to the VMEbus
• 3.8 Parameters
• 3.9 Options
• 3.10 A Note about DMA mode.

4. How to talk to the Tundra Universe PCI-VME bridge using the devices drivers.

• 4.1 The device drivers used with VMELinux
• 4.2 VMEMaster Device Drivers
• 4.3 VMESlave Device Drivers
• 4.4 Direct Control of the Universe Registers
• 4.5 read()
• 4.6 write()
• 4.7 lseek()
• 4.8 ioctl()
• 4.9 open() and close()

5. Advantages of the VMEbus, Linux and VMELinux

• 5.1 Pin and socket connectors
• 5.2 Eurocard assembly
• 5.3 Linux is Low Cost
• 5.4 Linux is Stable
• 5.5 Linux is Dynamic

6. Current and planned Board Support

• 6.1 Xycom XVME655 Pentium VMEbus Board
• 6.2 XyCom XVME656 Pentium VMEBus Board
• 6.3 Dynatem DPC1-0367
• 6.4 SBS/Or Computer VP7
• 6.5 DY4 179, A Power PC board
• 6.6 Planned Board Support

7. Other "Linux on VME" Projects

• 7.1 Project List
• 7.2 Major Device Numbers

8. Conclusion

9. FAQ

• 9.1 The Shell utilities return a bunch of stars (*) when I access a board I know is there. What gives?
• 9.2 The Shell utilities still return a bunch of stars (*) when I access a board I know is there. Now what?
• 9.3 The Shell utilities still return a bunch of stars (*) when I access a board I know is there. HELP?
• 9.4 How does VMELinux handle interrupts?
• 9.5 I have RedHat 5.1 and can't get VMELinux programs to compile.
• 9.6 I have RedHat 6.x so I assume the above issue is fixed. Right?
• 9.7 When will your ca91c042 Tundra Universe driver support the 2.4 kernels?
• 9.8 Hey! The Universe II has eight master and eight slave images. You support four each. Why?
• 9.9 How can we contribute to your VME-LINUX working group?