Dear AMMRL colleagues,
Thank you very much to all who responded to my question on using PC with Linux and VNMRJ. I have attached a complete list of responses below. In summary, here is what I'll have to worry about:
1. Make sure the Linux installed is the correct version, and the Dell model/setup is the same as what is recommended by Varian.
2. Find out the data acquisition processor type in the RF cabinet: power PC or Motorola.
3. The ACC command for running the Chemagnetics solids spinner controller will NOT work on the PC. I will have to keep the Sun computer to run solids.
As you may expect, I am not very happy about #3. The main reason that I am doing the upgrade is to get rid of an old computer/operating system that is out dated and not supported anymore. If I have to keep the Sun, even for just running the solids, then it will defeat the purpose.
So, I am still thinking about whether I should go through with the upgrade or not. If I decide to do it, I'll post any additional issues not covered by others after the installation.
Thanks again for all your help. As I always say, AMMRL is an invaluable resource and a great group to be a part of.
Best wishes,
Mazi.
Maziar Sardashti
ConocoPhillips Co.
130 PL, BTC
Bartlesville, OK 74004
Phone: 918-661-4129
FAX: 918-662-2888
mazi.sardashti_at_conocophillips.com
I went through a similar upgrade a few years back. Now I'm working
exclusively with Bruker systems, however.
You mentioned that the Linux is coming pre-installed. Just a tip - if I
were you I'd reinstall Linux from scratch. It's a straight-forward
operation. Make sure to install ALL features of the operating system before
you install VNMRJ. With an INOVA 'hooking' up to the console should be as
simple as plugging in - assuming you have an Ethernet card for both the
world and the spectrometer.
___________________________________
You should be aware that the "Acc" software that runs the Chemagnetics
spin controller WILL NOT (according to the latest information that I have
from Varian) run under Linux. So, even if you upgrade the host computer to
Linux, you will have to keep a Sun around to run the spin controller.
_____________________________________
I can't help you with the robot. As for the rest, my suggestions are:
1. Make sure the 390N has the configuration Varian suggests. Mostly this
means get the pair of Broadcom network cards and the "correct" video card.
The hard drives, CPU speed, and RAM shouldn't matter.
2. Can you receive Word documents as attachments? I can send you a short
document I wrote up with my experiences getting an Inova to work this way.
It's not comprehensive, but might save you some time/headaches. There are a
few things with getting the network to behave, and if your Inova is old
enough to have a M68k CPU as oppose to PowerPC, there are a few extra things
you have to do (I'm pretty sure the last part can be found on Varian's user
pages as well).
3. I would suggest seeing if your Varian rep will give you a copy of
Varian's modified RHEL4 install DVD. There are a few extra packages that you
need that aren't there by default which may or may not be on the VJ Linux
install CD. If not, make sure you do a full Linux install (ALL packages) and
I have the additional rpms. If you can get the Varian disk, I have some
instructions to modify the kickstart file (for your own root password,
network info, etc.) that I can tar up and send you.
The configuration you're planning can work. Good luck!
_______________________________________
I upgraded an Inova console to VJ 2.1B. The only stumbling block was
the initial communication and download of the diskless kernel to the
CPU. The fix and work around was outlined in a bug report listed in the
Read me file for 2.1B.
I do not do solid experiments with this console, but we do have an
SMS-50 that works fine.
___________________________________________
I would double-check with Varian,but the latest info that I have
is that acc wouldn't run on Linux. Now, if they get enough
pressure from customers, maybe they will do a Linux port of acc.
I think that with the new "Direct Drive" consoles that the spin controller is built
into the console. and communicates with the Linux computer through the
console.
___________________________________________
Mazi - Do you have a powerPC or a Motorola controller in your inova's
RF cabinet? We bought the PC and vnmrj before anyone realized our
motorola controller didn't work with vnmrj. It took a lot of work by
a 3'rd party to make it go. Check with Varian about compatibility,
and whether any PowerPC controllers have become available if you need one.
Check whether the Dell is preinstalled with 64-bit Linux. Mine came
with 32-bit Linux and the difference wasn't clear until
troubleshooting why my VJ installation wasn't working. Installing
64-bit Linux was straightforward.
______________________________________________
Received on Tue Oct 30 2007 - 11:21:29 MST