// JS help popups, Andrew Daviel TRIUMF September 2002
// Tested only on Netscape 4 so far...
var arg1 ;
function help(topic,width,height,screenx,screeny) {
if (width == null) width = 800 ; if (height == null) height = 300 ;
if (screenx== null) screenx = 20 ; if (screeny == null) screeny = 20 ;
var arg = "width="+width+",height="+height+",toolbar=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=yes,screenX="+screenx+",screenY="+screeny ;
// if a help window exists, is open, and has the same size as the
// desired window, use it (whereever the user might have dragged it to),
// otherwise, open a new window. If a window is open, but is the wrong
// size, close it first
if (arg1) {
if (arg != arg1) {
if (!helpwin.closed) helpwin.close() ;
helpwin=window.open("","help_win",arg) ;
} else {
if (helpwin.closed) { helpwin=window.open("","help_win",arg) ; }
}
} else {
helpwin=window.open("","help_win",arg) ;
}
arg1 = arg ;
with(helpwin.document) {
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln(' ');
writeln(' ');
writeln(' ');
writeln(' How_To for MUSR Help');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('TRIUMF MUSR Midas DAQ Help Information for Users
');
if (topic == 'Introduction') {
writeln('Introduction
');
writeln('A new linux-based system using');
writeln('Midas');
writeln('has been implemented for MUSR data acquistion, replacing the present');
writeln('VAX-based system.');
writeln('
Currently, systems for TD-MUSR have been installed in all counting');
writeln('rooms.');
writeln('NOTE: I-MUSR is not yet available under the new system; users of');
writeln('I-MUSR continue to use the VAX-based system.');
writeln('
All information refers to TD-MUSR only.');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Hardware') {
writeln('
Hardware
');
writeln('The following table summarizes the hardware changes made for the new DAQ');
writeln('system. The VME Clock (TDC) is shown for completeness. Changes are highlighted');
writeln('in red.');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('Old DAQ hardware');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('Remarks | ');
writeln('');
writeln('New DAQ hardware');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('Remarks | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('VAX');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('host computer (VME) running MODAS DAQ system | ');
writeln('');
writeln('Intel pc');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('host computer (linux)');
writeln('running Midas DAQ system | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('CAMAC scalers (e.g. KS3615)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('8 Scaler Channels per module | ');
writeln('');
writeln('VME SIS3801');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('16 Scaler channels | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('CAMAC IO register');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('empty | ');
writeln('');
writeln('TRIUMF VME IO board');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('16 Output channels');
writeln('
4 Input channels | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('MVME2305 power pc');
writeln('
(16Mbytes memory)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('cpu running VxWorks acts as the Histogram Memory ');
writeln('
Booted from the VAX | ');
writeln('');
writeln('MVME2306 power pc');
writeln('
(32Mbytes memory)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('cpu running VxWorks acts as a Midas frontend');
writeln('and the Histogram Memory.');
writeln('
Booted from the linux pc. | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('MVME162 ');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('cpu VxWorks handles the SlowControls via CAMP.');
writeln('
Booted from ram, loads configuration from the VAX | ');
writeln('');
writeln('MVME162');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('cpu running VxWorks handles the SlowControls via CAMP.');
writeln('Booted from ram, loads configuration from');
writeln('the linux pc');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('VME V680 clock (TDC)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('VME V680 clock (TDC)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('More Information:');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Software') {
writeln('Software
');
writeln('
Note: Since I-MUSR is not yet available under linux, the following');
writeln('refers only to TD-MUSR.');
writeln('
The former DAQ system (MODAS) is completely replaced by Midas ');
writeln('(now the TRIUMF standard DAQ system), plus custom software written');
writeln('
for the MUSR data acquisition system at TRIUMF.');
writeln('
The most important part (as far as the users are concerned) is');
writeln('the User Interface, known as the MUSR Run Control. This Tcl');
writeln('interface has been designed so that users familiar with the old VAX interface');
writeln('will find little difficulty in adapting to the new interface, since it');
writeln('has a similar "look and feel" (but otherwise is far superior). The');
writeln('MUSR Run Control handles all communications between the users and Midas.');
writeln('Since the users normally interact only with the MUSR Run Control, they');
writeln('do not require any familiarity with Midas in order to run their experiments.');
writeln('
Other new software components include the frontend program running');
writeln('in the ppc (the ppc now requires access to the linux pc to boot, instead');
writeln('of the VAX).');
writeln('
This program has the structure of a standard Midas frontend , which');
writeln('handles communication with the Midas DAQ running on the host (linux pc).');
writeln('This communication is over the Ethernet (mostly RPC). The frontend program');
writeln('also controls the clock (TDC) , scaler and IO board. It reads data');
writeln('from the clock, stores it as histograms, and periodically reads the scaler');
writeln('and sends out the histogram and scaler data to the host where it is reformatted');
writeln('and stored by the data archiver (mdarc) which saves');
writeln('the data in the same MUD format as before.');
writeln('
The RCDB (run control data base) used on the VAX to store experimental');
writeln('parameters including rig and mode data is replaced by the Midas ODB (online');
writeln('data base).');
writeln('
The slow control system (CAMP) is unchanged, except that');
writeln('it loads configuration files from the linux pc instead of the VAX.');
writeln('
The software components most relevent to the users are shown below:');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| Description | ');
writeln('program name | ');
writeln('host | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| user interface (MUSR run control) | ');
writeln('musrrc | ');
writeln('linux pc | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| frontend | ');
writeln('fev680 | ');
writeln('ppc | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| data archiver | ');
writeln('mdarc | ');
writeln('linux pc | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| configures & checks input parameters | ');
writeln('musr_config | ');
writeln('linux pc | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| slow controls | ');
writeln('camp | ');
writeln('mvme162 | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Improvements and Limitations') {
writeln('Improvements and Limitations
');
writeln('The user will notice a huge improvement in response time when using the');
writeln('new system. Much of this is due to replacing the old, slow VAX by a modern,');
writeln('powerful linux pc. The histogram memory available is currently 5Mbytes,');
writeln('currently limited by the Midas software. Users will notice a huge improvement');
writeln('in the time needed to save a large data file.');
writeln('I-MUSR is not currently available, therefore users requiring I-MUSR');
writeln('must continue to use the old VAX system.');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Determine your beamline') {
writeln('
Determine your beamline
');
writeln('The beamline can be one of m15, m9b, m20, dev');
writeln('
(Note:');
writeln('beamline "dev " -- is not a real beamline - used only by software');
writeln('developers )');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Log In') {
writeln('Log In
');
writeln(' Log onto the appropriate linux pc for your beamline:');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('Beamline or Username');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('Linux pc');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('PowerPC ');
writeln('
(VxWorks)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('MVME162');
writeln('
(VxWorks)');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('Location');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('m15');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('midm15');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m15vw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m15hmvw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('M15 counting room');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('m9b');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('midm9b');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m9bvw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m9bhmvw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('M9B counting room');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('m20');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('midm20');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m20vw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('m20hmvw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('M20 counting room');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('| ');
writeln('dev');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('dasdevpc');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('devvw ');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('devhmvw');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('');
writeln('DAQ office');
writeln(' | ');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('In the counting room:');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Find the consol of the linux pc
');
writeln('
(Caution: there may be more than one linux pc');
writeln('in each counting room !)');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('If nobody is logged on the consol:
');
writeln('
consol shows a large login banner, with');
writeln('spaces for Username and Password. Type your beamline and password.');
writeln('
e.g.');
writeln(' Username: m15');
writeln('
Password : xxxxxxxx ');
writeln('(enter the correct password)
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('If a user is already logged on the consol:
');
writeln('');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Open an x-term');
writeln('window, and type whoami to find out who is logged in.
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('If some other user is already logged in, close any');
writeln('graphics windows first (such asNetscape ) as these can prevent the logout');
writeln('from proceeding, and log the other user out.
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Then log in as above.
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
NOTES:');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Experiments can of course be controlled and accessed');
writeln('over the network. Although this is very convenient, caution must be exercised');
writeln('to avoid problems. For this reason, it is usual to set up the DAQ system');
writeln('in the counting rooms at the consol.
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Each beamline account only exists on the appropriate');
writeln('linux pc - e.g. it is not possible to log onto midm9b as m20.
');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Kill All DAQ tasks') {
writeln('Kill All DAQ tasks
');
writeln('If restarting the DAQ, or starting from scratch, make sure no data acquisition');
writeln('tasks are running by executing the script kill-all');
writeln('.');
writeln('
');
writeln('Type (in an xterm window)');
writeln('
kill-all');
writeln('
Issuing this command kills all DAQ processes and');
writeln('deletes all windows that were running DAQ processes.');
writeln('
Note: the Seyon Terminal Emulator window is not');
writeln('included in kill-all.');
} else if (topic == 'Check Blue Switch Box') {
writeln('
Check Blue Switch Box
');
writeln('Make sure that the blue switch box (located on top of or adjacent to the');
writeln('linux cpu box) is switched to the ppc and NOT to the camp MVME module,');
writeln('
e.g. for beamline M15, the switch must');
writeln('be in position for m15hmvw NOT m15vw.');
writeln('The MUSR Run Control will use telnet to access the frontend (ppc) if');
writeln('the switch is incorrectly positioned.');
} else if (topic == 'Start All DAQ tasks') {
writeln('
Start All DAQ tasks
');
writeln('
Start the data acquisition tasks by typing');
writeln('(in an xterm window):');
writeln('
start-all');
writeln('
Issuing this command automatically starts all');
writeln('DAQ processes EXCEPT the frontend (ppc).');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Start the MUSR Run Control') {
writeln('
Start the MUSR Run Control
');
writeln('The MUSR Run Control is started automatically by');
writeln('start-all.');
writeln('If it is not started, type');
writeln('
td
');
writeln('in an xterm window.');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Start the Front End') {
writeln('Start the Front End
');
writeln('Check the blue');
writeln('switch box is set in the correct position for the ppc!');
writeln('The frontend (ppc) program is started (or restarted)');
writeln('via a reboot. This may be done as follows:');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('either from the Musr Run Controlin');
writeln('one of two ways:
');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
} else if (topic == 'Select the Run Parameters') {
writeln('Select the Run Parameters
');
writeln('');
writeln('- ');
writeln('To review the run parameters, on the MUSR Run Control main page,
');
writeln('
click on the "Show" button, then on "Mode"');
writeln('or "Rig (hardware)"');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('To change the run parameters,
');
writeln('
click on the "Change" button, then on "Mode"');
writeln('or "Rig (hardware)"
');
writeln('The type of run (test/real) may also be changed using the "Change"');
writeln('button.');
} else if (topic == 'To Start a Run') {
writeln('To Start a Run
');
writeln('
Click on the "Run" button, then on "Begin Run" on');
writeln('the MUSR Run Control main page.');
writeln('
Note: you should have previously reviewed the RIG and MODE parameters.');
} else if (topic == 'To Stop a Run') {
writeln('
To Stop a Run
');
writeln('Click on the "Run" button, then on "End Run" on the MUSR');
writeln('Run Control main page.');
writeln('
');
} else if (topic == 'Rebooting the linux computer') {
writeln('Rebooting the linux computer
');
writeln('The linux computers are very reliable, and it is very rare to need to reboot.');
writeln('It is not a VAX, nor is it running Windows!');
writeln(' Routine problems with the DAQ cannot be fixed by rebooting');
writeln('the linux pc.');
writeln('
If start-all followed by kill-all');
writeln('does');
writeln('not fix the problem, please consult a DAQ expert rather than rebooting. ');
} else if (topic == 'MVME console window is not responding') {
writeln('
MVME console window is not responding
');
writeln('Recheck the procedure');
writeln('to access the seyon mvme console window.');
writeln('Only ONE seyon session can be run successfully');
writeln('for each linux pc. Starting a second session unfortunately does not result');
writeln('in error messages, but in strange behaviour.');
writeln('
Each seyon session results in the following lines');
writeln('from ps:');
writeln('
ps -auwx | grep seyon');
writeln('
root 23096 0.3 ');
writeln('0.8 4412 2088 pts/4 S 13:03 ');
writeln('0:00 seyon-emu -name Seyon -T Seyon Terminal Emulator -n Terminal -e seyon');
writeln('
root 23098 0.0 ');
writeln('0.6 3460 1776 pts/13 S 13:03 ');
writeln('0:00 seyon -noemulator');
writeln('
root 23100 0.0 ');
writeln('0.6 3456 1768 pts/13 S 13:03 ');
writeln('0:00 seyon -noemulator');
writeln('
root 23101 0.0 ');
writeln('0.6 3456 1768 pts/13 S 13:03 ');
writeln('0:00 seyon -noemulator
');
writeln('
Since seyon is run as root, only the');
writeln('superuser can kill the session if started by another user. Therefore, during');
writeln('the beam period a seyon session should only be started as the beamline');
writeln('user at the consol.');
writeln('
Even if another user does have control of the');
writeln('seyon session, you can still access the frontend using telnet,');
writeln('e.g. for M15');
writeln('
telnet m15hmvw
');
writeln('Telnet takes control from the seyon MVME console');
writeln('window until either the telnet session is terminated (e.g. by logout) or');
writeln('the frontend is rebooted. However, the MUSR Run Control may fail');
writeln('trying to automatically reboot the ppc.');
} else if (topic == 'Frontend will not reboot') {
writeln('Frontend will not reboot
');
writeln('You will likely see a display from the MUSR Run Control as follows:');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('Recovery Procedure:
');
writeln('');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Check the blue box switch position.
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Find the MVME');
writeln('console window .
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('Press carriage-return ...
');
writeln('');
writeln('- ');
writeln('No response
');
writeln('
If no prompt appears, check VME crate is powered-up, and/or connections');
writeln('to/from the blue switch box.');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('The MVME console window displays a prompt "->"
');
writeln('
Type "reboot", i.e.');
writeln('
-> reboot');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('MVME console window displays a prompt: [VxWorks Boot]
');
writeln('
In the MVME console window, type "@" , i.e.');
writeln('
[VxWorks Boot]');
writeln('@');
writeln('
');
writeln('');
writeln('
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('If the MVME still does not go through its boot procedure:
');
writeln('Press the front-panet reset button on the MVME2306 module in the VME');
writeln('crate.');
writeln('
(Note - this does a hardware reset that also reboots the CAMP module).
');
writeln('- ');
writeln('If this does not work, cycle the power on the VME crate.
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
invisible');
writeln('target 1');
} else if (topic == 'To Access the ppc/MVME162 Console Window') {
writeln('
To Access the ppc/MVME162 Console Window
');
writeln('The serial (debug) ports on the MVME2306 (powerpc) MVME162 (for CAMP)');
writeln('may be displayed on the linux pc. Both ports are connected via a');
writeln('blue');
writeln('switch box to one of the linux computer"s input ports.');
writeln('
NOTE: Only one of the two VME cpu serial ports can be viewed at a time');
writeln('in the Console Window depending on the switch position - make sure the');
writeln('switch is in the correct position!');
writeln('A program called "seyon" is used to display the console window. The');
writeln('MUSR Run Control automatically starts the seyon window.');
writeln('
If "seyon" is already running, it appears as an icon at the bottom of');
writeln('the screen:');
writeln('
![[Image of seyon icon]](seyon.png)
');
writeln('
Right-click on this, and select "Seyon Terminal Emulator".');
writeln('
If "seyon" is not running, it can be started:');
writeln('
');
writeln('NOTE: The MUSR Run Control is able to');
writeln('grab the seyon session if it has been started elsewhere than on the console,');
writeln('provided the seyon session was started by someone logged on as the beamline');
writeln('(M15,M9B or M20). If the seyon session cannot be grabbed, or');
writeln('the blue box switch is switch to the CAMP MVME162, the MUSR Run Control');
writeln('will use telnet to send commands to the frontend.
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('
');
writeln('invisible');
writeln('target 2');
} else if (topic == 'Check Blue Switch Box') {
writeln('
Check Blue Switch Box
');
writeln('Make sure that the blue switch box (located on top of or adjacent to the');
writeln('linux cpu box) is switched to the ppc and NOT to the camp MVME module,');
writeln('
e.g. for beamline M15, the switch must');
writeln('be in position for m15hmvw NOT m15vw.');
writeln('The MUSR Run Control will use telnet to access the frontend (ppc) if');
writeln('the switch is incorrectly positioned.');
writeln('
');
writeln('invisible target 3');
} else if (topic == 'To Log out') {
writeln('
To Log out
');
writeln('If using the consol, to log out click the right hand');
writeln('mouse button while cursor is not in any window (i.e. click while cursor');
writeln('is on the (usuallyblue) background). A menu should appear. Select');
writeln('"logout" by moving the mouse.');
writeln('
');
writeln('invisible');
writeln('target 4');
} else if (topic == 'To open an x-term window') {
writeln('
To open an x-term window
');
writeln('Click (left mouse button) the shell symbol');
writeln('
at the bottom of the screen.
');
writeln('');
writeln('');
} else {
writeln('Error - unknown topic ',topic,'
');
}
writeln('
') ;
writeln(' ![[Image of Alert Box: FrontEnd processor appears to be gone! Reboot the devhmvw computers?]](restartFE.png)
![[Image of HM utility Menu]](HMutility.png)
');
writeln('![[Image of Reboot HMVW window]](rebootFE.png)