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The first configuration statement is the specification of the exact HP Alpha hardware model to emulate, for example:

You must leave this line untouched.

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The next configuration statement is the "Configuration name" option:

You can optionally uncomment this line to differentiate this CHARON-AXP instance from all others in a multi-instance environment. The configuration name can be any label that is meaningful.

It is possible to specify a configuration name containing spaces, in this case use quotation marks:

The configuration name is reported in the log file and is used to set the log file name for rotating log (see further: Rotating log (default) ).

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Here is an example of a field test CHARON-AXP log file:

20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000249:ethane.cxx(9611): Logging started.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003A5:ethane.cxx( 781): session is loading built-in configuration "AlphaServer_400"...
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003A6:ethane.cxx( 814): session has finished loading built-in configuration "AlphaServer_400".
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003AA:ethane.cxx(1305): session is loading configuration file "as400.cfg"...
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003AB:ethane.cxx(1347): session has finished loading configuration file "as400.cfg".
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003F2:sesmgr.cxx(1394): session: default log file size limit is 4194304 bytes
20151020:103504:INFO :0:0000032B:ethane.cxx(2520): Start request received.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003AC:ethane.cxx( 695): session's process affinity is 00000000000000FF, system affinity is 00000000000000FF.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003D1:ethane.cxx(1343): session's I/O domain affinity is 0000000000000003, CPU domain affinity is 00000000000000FC
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003BA:ll_sentine( 725): Looking for a license key ...
20151020:103504:INFO :0:000003DC:ll_sentine( 820): ... found license key 1422726238.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:0000024D:ethane.cxx(2651): STROMASYS SA, (C) 2009-2015
20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000350:ethane.cxx(2697): CHARON-AS (AlphaServer 400), V 4.7 B 17101, Sep 18 2015 / 000.msc.sanity.tests / 1422726238
20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000336:ethane.cxx(2724): The end user of this software has agreed to STROMASYS' Terms and Conditions for Software License and Limited Warranty, as described at: http://www.stromasys.com/pub/doc/30-17-033.pdf
20151020:103504:INFO :0:0000009D:ethane.cxx(2801): License info:
CHARON product code: "CHAS-460xx-WI".
Licensed to: "MSC".
License KEY driver is installed as hasplms and is running.
Executable "C:\Windows\system32\hasplms.exe", version 18.0.1.55505.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000097:ethane.cxx(2810): OS Environment: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit, Service Pack 1 (Build 7601).
20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000098:ethane.cxx(2815): Host CPU: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E31275 @ 3.40GHz x8.
20151020:103504:INFO :0:00000099:ethane.cxx(2820): Host Memory: 24320Mb
20151020:103505:INFO :0:0000032C:ethane.cxx(2556): "AlphaServer_400" started.
20151020:103928:INFO :0:0000032D:ethane.cxx(2602): "AlphaServer 400" stop request received.
20151020:103928:INFO :0:0000032E:ethane.cxx(2620): Stopped.
20151020:103928:INFO :0:0000024A:ethane.cxx( 365): Logging stopped.

The next group of parameters defines the name of the CHARON-AXP log file and how CHARON-AXP will use it:

Rotating log (default)

By default CHARON-AXP utilizes a so-called "rotating log". This means that a new default log file is always created each time CHARON starts and can switch to another log file if the size of the log file exceeds 64Kb.

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Names of the rotating log files are composed as follows:

If the "Configuration name" parameter described before is omitted (commented out), the log name has the following format instead:

Note that "xxxxxxxxx" is an increasing decimal number starting from "000000000" to separate log files with the same time of creation.

Single log

Alternatively it is possible to use just a single log file. Uncomment the "set session log" line and specify the desired CHARON-AXP log file name. Optionally, a path can be added to the log file name. If the path is not specified, the log file is created in the directory from where the guest (emulated machine) is started.

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Below is a specification of a CHARON-AXP log file located in the "C:\CHARON logs" directory which will be overwritten each time CHARON-AXP starts:

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“Affinity” overrides the default and allows explicit specification of which host CPUs will be used by the instance. Affinity does not reserve the CPU for exclusive use.

The example above directs CHARON-AXP to use CPU 0,1,2 and 3.

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The “n_of_io_cpus” overrides the default by specifying the number of I/O host CPUs explicitly

Example:

The example above directs CHARON-AXP to use 2 CPUs for CHARON I/O operations.

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For example for HP AlphaServer ES40 family the "es40.cfg" sample configuration file contains the following options:

#============================================================================
#
# AlphaServer ES40 6/500
#
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#set ace cpu_architecture = EV6
#set rom dsrdb[0] = 1816 system_name = "AlphaServer ES40 6/500"
#set rom version[1] = 1.98-4 version[2] = 1.92-5

#============================================================================
#
# AlphaServer ES40 6/667
#
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------

set ace cpu_architecture = EV67
set rom dsrdb[0] = 1820 system_name = "AlphaServer ES40 6/667"

Just uncomment the provided lines to apply a certain model (It is "AlphaServer ES40 6/667" in the example above).

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If CHARON host contains not enough CPUs to emulate full range of the CPUs provided by a certain HP Alpha model it is possibe to direct CHARON-AXP to reduce number of the emulated Alpha CPUs in the configuration:

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The next configuration option that can be applied is setting a specific system serial number instead of the default one:

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TOY means "Time of Year"; its container records time, date and some console parameters while CHARON-AXP is not running. To enable, uncomment the following line:

The ROM container stores an intermediate state of the Flash ROM and some console parameters. It is highly recommended to define its location:

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The next parameter defines the amount of host memory the chosen CHARON-AXP model reserves for the emulation:

The amount of RAM is specified in MB. It cannot exceed or be lower than certain values specific for each HP Alpha model. It is very important to keep the listed predefined increment between possible memory values.

The following table shows all the parameters:

It is possible to leave the RAM line commented out. In this case the model's default RAM amount is used. 

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The next step is the specification of the HP Alpha console (OPA0) serial line:

#load physical_serial_line OPA0 line="COM1:"
#load virtual_serial_line OPA0 port=10003
#load virtual_serial_line OPA0 port=10003 application="opa0.ht"
load virtual_serial_line OPA0 port=10003 application="putty -load OPA0"
#load virtual_serial_line OPA0 port=10003 application="c:\kea\user\opa0.ktc"

The goal of this configuration step is to tell CHARON-AXP what host device to use as the virtual system console. The following options are available:

The default setting is "load virtual_serial_line/chserial OPA0 port=10003 application="putty.exe -load OPA0".

The second console line "TTA0" can be also optionally configured (for 1 CPU models such as HP AlphaServer 400, HP AlphaServer 800, HP AlphaServer 1000, HP AlphaServer 1000A, HP AlphaServer DS10, HP AlphaServer DS10L and HP AlphaServer DS15):

 Note there are a number of additional parameters for CHARON-AXP serial lines configuration. Follow this link for details.

Exit on pressing F6 button

Despite the fact that CHARON-AXP can exit with "power off" command given in its SRM console it is also recommended to set a hot key to stop the guest from the console in addition to the system tray icon:

This line provides CHARON-AXP the ability to exit by pressing the "F6" button.

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The next configuration option can be applied for improving granularity of emulated CHARON-AXP timer:

Do not uncomment this parameter unless there are some problems with system time or system clock intervals in guest OS.

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If the sample configuration file provides this parameter it is possible to map this particular CHARON-AXP emulator's "DQA0" CD-ROM to the host CD/DVD-ROM with the following setting:

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All of them are configured in a similar way:

In the examples above the first line loads DE500BA/DE602 virtual adapter with a name "EWA"/"EIA" (note that "/i8255x" syntax must be used only in case of DE602 and DE602AA adapters); the following line maps it to host network interface having a name "Charon" ("connection" is a key word). Note that the mapping is performed in 2 steps:

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It is possible to load several DE435, DE450, DE500AA, DE500BA or DE602 controllers, for example (for DE500BA):

Some network adapters available in CHARON-AXP are preloaded (for example, HP AlphaServer DS15 contains 2 preloaded adapters EWA and EWB), so their configuration is even more simple:

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Below is the typical configuration options for KZPBA PCI SCSI disk/tape controller:

The first line ("load KZPBA PKA") loads disk controller KZPBA with name "PKA", followed by 8 group of lines showing different ways of mapping to the host resources:

• File representing a physical disk of the HP Alpha system (disk image)

  • "<file-name>.vdisk"
    These files can be created from scratch with "MkDisk" utility. Data and OS disks backups are transferred from the original system via tapes or network and restored into these container files. 
    Mapping may also include the full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My disks\my_boot_disk.vdisk"

    Warning
    Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported

    .

• Physical disk
  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive<N>"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON-AXP by mistake.

    These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.

    .
• Physical disk by its WWID
  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID =XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX)"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON-AXP by mistake.

    These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.

    DevID addresses the target physical disk by its WWID (hexadecimal 128-bit identifier assigned to the disk drive by its manufacturer/originator).

    Example:

    set PKA container[100]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID= 6008-05F3-0005-2950-BF8E-0B86-A0C7-0001)"

    .

• iSCSI disks

  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget = <iSCSI target>, LUN = <LUN number>)"
    
    

    Parameter	Description
    iScsiTarget	Addresses the disk by its iSCSI target name.
    LUN	Specifies LUN on connected iSCSI disk.

    Example:

    Div class small set PKA container[200]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget= iqn.2008-04:iscsi.charon-target-test1, LUN= 1)"

    .

• SCSI device unknown to Windows for direct mapping, for example, a SCSI disk or tape reader

  • "\\.\Scsi<N>:<X>:<Y>:<Z>"
    The values of N, X, Y and Z can be collected using special utility "Host Device Check" included in the CHARON distributive - or manually by investigation of the devices connected to CHARON host in the "Device Manager" applet.
    

    Parameter	Description
    N	A logical number assigned by host operating system (Microsoft Windows) to logical or host’s physical storage resource such as physical SCSI HBA
    X	An internal SCSI bus number (usually 0) on host’s physical SCSI HBA
    Y	A SCSI ID of physical SCSI target device attached to host’s physical SCSI HBA
    Z	A logical unit number inside physical SCSI target device attached to host’s physical SCSI HBA

    .

• CD-ROM device
  • "\\.\CdRom<N>"
    .
• ISO file for reading distribution CD-ROM image
  • "<file-name>.iso"
    Mapping may also include the full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My disks\vms_distributive.iso"
    .
• Host tape device
  • "\\.\Tape<N>"
    .
• File representing the tape (tape image)

  • "<file-name>.vtape"
    These files are created automatically.
    Mapping may also include a full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My tapes\backup.vtape"

    Warning
    Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported

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• Floppy drive
  • "\\.\A:"
    .
• Other type of drive, for example magneto-optical drive
  • "\\.\<N>:"
    .

Additionally it is possible to specify a parameter "media_type" to assign the type of the attached media explicitly.

Example:

Numbers in the square brackets represent SCSI addresses and LUNs associated with each container of the KZBPA controller. They have the following structure:

[XXYY], where

It is possible to load several KZPBA controllers: DKB, DKC, etc. by configuring specific placement for them on the PCI bus. It is discussed in details in the "Configuration details" chapter of this Guide.

Some HP Alpha systems emulated by CHARON-AXP have already had one or two KZPBA controllers pre-loaded. If the system has only one preloaded controller, the template configuration file usually provides some sample line on how to add another one, for example:

Follow this link for details of KZPBA controllers configuration.

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KGPSA-CA PCI FC disk controller

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Below is an example of KGPSA-CA controller loading:

Optionally another KGPSA-CA adapter can be loaded similar way:

Follow this link for details of KGPSA-CA controllers configuration.

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KGPSA-CA mapping to the host resources

Below is the typical configuration options for KGPSA-CA PCI FC disk controller, mapped to the host resources:

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The first line ("load KGPSA FGA") loads disk controller KGPSA with name "FGA", followed by 2 group of lines showing different ways of mapping to the host resources:

• File representing a physical disk of the HP Alpha system (disk image)

  • "<file-name>.vdisk"
    These files can be created from scratch with "MkDisk" utility. Data and OS disks backups are transferred from the original system via tapes or network and restored into these container files. 
    Mapping may also include the full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My disks\my_boot_disk.vdisk"

    Warning
    Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported

    .

• Physical disk
  • "\\.\PhysicalDriveN"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON-AXP by mistake.

    These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.
    .

• Physical disk by its WWID
  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID =XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX)"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON-AXP by mistake.

    These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.

    DevID addresses the target physical disk by its WWID (hexadecimal 128-bit identifier assigned to the disk drive by its manufacturer/originator).

    Example:

    set PKA container[100]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID= 6008-05F3-0005-2950-BF8E-0B86-A0C7-0001)"

    .

• iSCSI disks

  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget = <iSCSI target>, LUN = <LUN number>)"
    iScsiTarget addresses the disk by its iSCSI target name. LUN specifies LUN on connected iSCSI disk.

    Example:

    Div class small set PKA container[200]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget= iqn.2008-04:iscsi.charon-target-test1, LUN= 1)"

    .

Numbers in the square brackets represent KGPSA-CA units. They can be in the range 0..32766, but no more than 255 units can be configured on a single controller.

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KGPSA-CA mapping to a storage controller using its "presentation" mode

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Below is an example of KGPSA-CA PCI FC disk controller, mapped to some storage controller (for example SAN) using its "presentation" mode:

This line loads an instance of KGPSA-CA controller and maps it to some external controller having ID "5008-05F3-0005-2950-5008-05F3-0005-2951".

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KGPSA-CA pass through mode

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The sample configuration file provides a template for this type of mapping:

The "host_bus_location" parameter addresses the host EMULEX LightPulse PCI/PCI-X/PCIe FC adapter in the following way:

To establish "pass through" mode do the following:

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Now it is possible to collect the parameters for CHARON-AXP mapping to the EMULEX LightPulse PCI/PCI-X/PCIe FC adapter.

Open “Computer Management” application and select “Device Manager”:

On the right panel select desired physical EMULEX LP FibreChannel adapter under "CHARON PCI Pass Through":

Open its properties sheet by double-clicking on selected adapter:

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The “Location:” on the above picture gives X, Y, and Z for the "host_bus_location" parameter, for example:

 Non-US-EN installations of Windows may present “Location:” string in local language, but "host_bus_location" parameter requires English notation, so the words “PCI”, “bus”, “device”, and “function” must be specified in English.

The following is the list of EMULEX LightPulse PCI/PCI-X/PCIe FC adapters supported by CHARON-AXP PCI Pass Through driver and suitable for emulation ofKGPSA-CA PCI FC adapter in CHARON PCI Pass Through mode:

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FDDI support via DEFPA PCI FDDI controller in "pass through" mode

Optionally it is possible to configure DEFPA PCI FDDI controller in "pass through" mode, mapped to a physical DEFPA FDDI adapter installed on the host:

Pay attention to proper placement of the emulated DEFPA adapter on the virtual HP Alpha PCI bus (it is controlled by "bus", "device", "function", "irq" and "irq_bus" parameters). Refer to this chapter of this Guide for more information.

The "host_bus_location" parameter addresses the host DEFPA FDDI adapter in the following way:

To establish the "pass through" mode do the following:

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Now it is possible to collect the parameters for CHARON-AXP mapping to the DEFPA FDDI host adapter.

Open “Computer Management” application and select “Device Manager”:

On the right panel select the installed DEFPA adapter:

Open its properties sheet by double-clicking on the selected adapter:

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The “Location:” on the above picture gives X, Y, and Z for the "host_bus_location" parameter, for example:

 Non-US-EN installations of Windows may present “Location:” string in local language, but "host_bus_location" parameter requires English notation, so the words “PCI”, “bus”, “device”, and “function” must be specified in English.

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Serial lines support via emulated PBXDA-xx family PCI controllers in "pass through" mode

Optionally it is possible to configure the folIowing models of PBXDA-xx family controllers mapped to specific models of the physical DIGI serial lines adapters installed on CHARON-AXP host:

Below is an example of mapping to a physical DIGI adapter installed on the host:

Pay attention to proper placement of the emulated PBXDA-xx adapter on the virtual HP Alpha PCI bus (it is controlled by "bus", "device", "function", "irq" and "irq_bus" parameters). Refer to this chapter of this Guide for more information.

The "host_bus_location" parameter addresses the host DIGI adapter in the following way:

To establish the "pass through" mode do the following:

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Now it is possible to collect the parameters for CHARON-AXP mapping to the DIGI host adapter.

Open “Computer Management” application and select “Device Manager”:

On the right panel select proper physical DIGI adapter:

Open its properties sheet by double-clicking on the selected adapter:

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The “Location:” on the above picture gives X, Y, and Z for the "host_bus_location" parameter, for example:

 Non-US-EN installations of Windows may present “Location:” string in local language, but "host_bus_location" parameter requires English notation, so the words “PCI”, “bus”, “device”, and “function” must be specified in English.

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Example: dka0 is defined as the default boot device

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