VLBI Software Documentation

Field System

Computer Reference

Ari Mujunen, EVN/JIVE

Ed Himwich, NVI, Inc./GSFC

Nancy Vandenberg, NVI, Inc./GSFC

Reference Manual

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center	Version 9.4

Space Geodesy Program	May 1, 1999

Ari Mujunen acknowledges financial support for this work from the European Union under contract xxx.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	iv

1.0 Introduction	1

1.1 Purpose	1

1.2 Contents	1

1.3 Contacting GSFC and MRO	2

1.4 Linux References	3

2.0 Computer Configuration	5

2.1 Standard Configuration	5

2.2 Notes and Comments to Table 1	8

2.3 Field System Minimum Requirements	11

2.4 Compatibility with "TAG-NASA/CDP Development System"	13

2.5 System Software	14

2.6 Vendors	15

2.6.1 Complete System Vendor	15

2.6.2 Key Components of the Standard System	15

3.0 Disk Organization	18

3.1 Operational Files	18

3.2 Field System Files	19

3.3 Station Files	20

4.0 Software Installation	22

4.1 Operating System and Driver Installation	22

4.2 First Time Boot with a Hard Disk	23

4.3 Booting with Floppies	24

4.4 Operating System Configuration	25

4.4.1 Recompilations Menu	28

4.4.2 Changing TCP/IP Network Settings	28

4.4.3 oper, prog, and powerdown Accounts	31

4.4.4 Setting Device Permissions (set perms)	32

4.4.5 Recompiling the Linux Kernel (comp kernel)	32

4.4.6 Installing the Linux Loader (lilo)	32

4.4.7 rcserial for Boca BB2016 RS232 Cards	32

4.4.8 Selecting X Configuration (setup x)	33

4.4.9 Configuring CD-ROM (set cdrom)	33

4.4.10 Setting Up Printing	33

4.4.11 Finishing fsadapt	38

4.5 Field System Files Installation	39

4.6 Field System Customization	41

4.6.1 Control Files	41

4.6.2 Station Procedures	41

4.6.3 Special Schedules	41

4.6.4 Antenna Interface	42

4.6.5 Operator Programs Menu	42

5.0 System Procedures	43

5.1 Using X and Virtual Consoles	43

5.2 Stopping Linux	43

5.3 Formatting Floppies	44

5.3.1 Using tar-Based Archive/Backup Floppies	45

5.3.2 Creating a File System on a Floppy	45

5.3.3 Mounting and Unmounting Floppies	46

5.4 Making an Exact Copy of a Floppy	47

5.5 Preparing Boot and Root Floppy Copies	47

5.5.1 Copying from Original Boot/Root Floppies	47

5.5.2 Retrieving Boot/Root Floppy Images via NFS/FTP	48

5.6 Booting with FS9 Boot and Root Floppies	48

5.7 Understanding Hard Disk Drive IDs	50

5.8 Copying Identical Hard Disks	52

5.9 Copying Different Size Hard Disks with tar	54

5.9.1 Preparing the Backup Hard Disk	55

5.9.2 Backup from Operational System	55

5.9.3 Backup from Boot and Root Floppies	56

5.9.4 tar Letter Explanation	56

5.9.5 Verify the Backup	56

5.10 Copying Only the /usr2 Partition with tar	57

5.11 Using DAT Tape Drives for tar-Based Hard Disk Backups	58

5.12 Recovering from a Disk Failure	59

5.12.1 Recovering Rapidly from a Hard Disk Failure	60

5.12.2 Restoring Backup Hard Disks	60

5.12.3 Restoring Backup tar Archives	61

5.13 Backing Up Station Files	61

5.14 Retrieving Files from a Station Files Backup	63

5.15 Manual Disk Recovery	64

List of Tables

Table 1. Standard PC Configuration	7

Table 2. Additional Hardware Items for Standard Configuration	8

Table 3. Minimum PC Configuration	12