Linux Netstation  HOWTO
 Kris Buytaert, [email protected]
 v1p01, 02 November, 2000

 This document tries to describe how to hook up a IBM Netstation to
 your local network using a Linux box as server.
 ______________________________________________________________________

 Table of Contents



 1. Introduction

    1.1 What's this document
    1.2 Latest versions
    1.3 Copyright
    1.4 Disclaimer

 2. Requirements

    2.1 Hardware
    2.2 Changes in the new versions.
    2.3 Software
       2.3.1 IBM Software.
       2.3.2 NFS Server.
       2.3.3 X Server.
       2.3.4 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

 3. Setting up the Server side

    3.1 AIX License
    3.2 Not using the AIX binaries.
    3.3 The Linux Part
       3.3.1 Setting up the nfs server
       3.3.2 Setting up the X server

 4. Configuring the Thin Client

    4.1 Older Versions
       4.1.1 Setting up TCP/IP
       4.1.2 Setting Up the Boot Parameters
       4.1.3 Setting Up the Monitor
       4.1.4 Further Configuration
    4.2 Newer Versions

 5. Misc Stuff

    5.1 Experiences
    5.2 Connecting through a network into the NC         The network station allows configuration access via telnet sessions on several ports. The ones I know are by default configured like this:
       5.2.1 Port 5978
       5.2.2 Port 5999 CONFIGD Use this port to do remote configuration for the NC by an telnet session (telnet NC-IPaddr 5999).
    5.3 Port 161/udp - SNMP Access
       5.3.1 Some general statement
       5.3.2 How to configure network management ?
       5.3.3 How to start managing?
       5.3.4 What do you manage?
    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.  I want to thank the company I work for because they gave me
 the chance to experiment with it.

 In this Howto we'll be dealing with an IBM Network Station model
 8361-100, other models may be featured in the future.

 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.
 (Free Hardware too ;-))

 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.



 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 ;-)



 This howto does not describe the more recent units like the 2200 and
 the 2800 , maliny because I haven't had any experience with them yet
 (hint), and because they run Linux out of the box.



 1.2.  Latest versions

 Latest versions of this document can be found on the main website
 <http://www.ipng.be/howto/nchowto/>.


 1.3.  Copyright


 This HOWTO is copyrighted 1998-2000  Kris Buytaert

 Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are copyrighted by
 their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may be reproduced and
 distributed in whole or in part, in any medium physical or electronic,
 as long as this copyright notice is retained on all copies. Commercial
 redistribution is allowed and encouraged; however, the author would
 like to be notified of any such distributions.

 All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works incorporating
 any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this copyright notice.
 That is, you may not produce a derivative work from a HOWTO and impose
 additional restrictions on its distribution. Exceptions to these rules
 may be granted under certain conditions; please contact the Linux
 HOWTO coordinator at the address given below.

 In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this information through
 as many channels as possible. However, we do wish to retain copyright
 on the HOWTO documents, and would like to be notified of any plans to
 redistribute the HOWTOs.

 If you have questions, please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator, at
 [email protected] via email.


 1.4.  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


 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.

 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 ??) sims.  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 fatster machines the better.


 2.2.  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.



 2.3.  Software



 2.3.1.  IBM 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



 2.3.2.  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)



 2.3.3.  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 monitor-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


 2.3.4.  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 DHCP Server



 3.  Setting up the Server side

 You found all the software you needed.  Now let's install them.

 3.1.  AIX License

 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.


 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.

 3.3.  The Linux Part



 3.3.1.  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<p>
 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



 [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.

 3.3.2.  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.

 Everything on the server side should be setup now.  Lets try the NC
 side.



 4.  Configuring the Thin Client

 4.1.  Older Versions

 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.

 4.1.1.  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.



 4.1.2.  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


 4.1.3.  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 !


 4.1.4.  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.



 4.2.  Newer Versions



 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

 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.  The network station allows configuration access via telnet ses�
 sions on several ports. The ones I know are by default configured like
 this: Connecting through a network into the NC


 �  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.

 5.2.1.  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 [...]



 5.2.2.  Use this port to do remote configuration for the NC by an tel�
 net session (telnet NC-IPaddr 5999).  Port 5999 CONFIGD



 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)



 5.3.1.  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).

 5.3.2.  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.


 5.3.3.  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:[email protected]$ 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.

 5.3.4.  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...



 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


 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

 [email protected] the author of this paraphrase.

 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.
 Note: I'm unaware of any recovery procedure for lost passwords.  If
 you can't access the User Services Console to change the password
 (unit is not booting up correctly), you're also screwed.

 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.lcse.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,
 [email protected] 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.

 and to Bart Geens ,[email protected] 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)

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