Booting From Flash Ram; Booting From The Network - Digital Networks DECserver 90M+ Installation Manual

Loading the DECserver Network Access Software
Before you load the software, optionally attach a terminal to the console port. The
DECserver 90M+ displays status messages on the console terminal while the boot
sequence is running. Status messages indicate the Ethernet address of the DECserver
90M+, the name of the load image it is looking for, and the current stage of the boot
process.

Booting From Flash RAM

Once the self-tests are complete, the DECserver 90M+ checks for Flash RAM. If Flash
RAM is present, the DECserver 90M+ begins the boot sequence to load the software
from Flash RAM. Port Activity LED 4 goes on to indicate a Flash RAM boot sequence
is in progress. A typical Flash RAM load takes about 10 seconds.
If you want to abort a boot from Flash RAM, it is only during these 10 seconds when
the software is loading that you can abort the Flash RAM load by pressing the
Reset-to-Factory button until Port Activity LED 4 blinks.

Booting From the Network

If you do not have Flash RAM or the correct image is not found in Flash RAM, the
DECserver 90M+ proceeds to perform a network load. When you start the boot
process, the Network OK LED blinks continuously and the system OK LED remains
on indicating that the DECserver 90M+ is attempting to load the software from the
network.
During the network boot sequence, the DECserver 90M+ searches for a load host. The
DECserver 90M+ tries both MOP and BOOTP/TFTP protocols in a factory-defined
order. The boot sequence includes a wait period after passing through all the boot
protocols. Once the DECserver 90M+ finds a load host, it records the protocol and load
host in its permanent database. The software is then downline loaded from the load
host.
Port Activity LEDs 6, 7, or 8 go on to indicate which protocol the DECserver 90M+ is
using to downline load the software. Port Activity LED 5 goes on to indicate that all
attempts to find a load host have failed and that the DECserver 90M+ will remain in a
wait state for a designated period of time before trying again. Port Activity LED 4 goes
on to indicate the software is being booted from Flash RAM (refer to Table 2–3).
Loading the DECserver Network Access Software
Installation 2-9