Software Overview

The mount software consists of two major components. The real time software (written in C) runs under VxWorks in the VME crate, and is not visible in any real way to the operator or user. All interaction with the mount software is done via scripts and programs that are run on one of our unix/linux computers, typically the operator console, hacksaw.

Starting the Software

Software on the crate is started by simply turning on the VME computer. It will then attempt to boot over the network from the boot host (which is currently ringo, but someday will be hacksaw). In other words, for the crate to boot, the network must be up (no downtown connection is required), and the boot host must be up and running. If this is not so, the crate will give up, and sit in a useless state until it is reset.

Once the crate is booted, the operator windows are started by logging into the operators console (typically hacksaw, but we keep hoseclamp ready to be an immediate backup). Then type "vmount all" and the necessary windows should appear, a few only after a considerable delay.

The best policy to get rid of windows is to use the file pull down in the upper left and select exit. More brutal ways of getting rid of the windows can be used, but in rare cases can result in all the windows getting hung and a need to reboot the crate. This is not much of an issue since the windows will usually only be started once each night.

It is possible to run more than one instance of any of these windows, and even to do this on different computers, but too much of this will definitely bog down the server running on the VxWorks computer. We are pretty much at our limit with one full set of windows running on the operator console.