Apple Network Server (ANS) 700/200 repair

[Byrd]

Hope you find what you need.  I'm guessing an ATX conversion using a 1U PSU isn't out of the question if you can find the right pinout?

It's been a while since I've tried out my ANS.  Certainly it doesn't boot AIX and I'll try that next as think the stock 9GB drive installed was flaky.  The little plastic tabs on the drive sleds are very fragile; tonight I lubricated them with silicone grease to avoid snapping when pushing them down.

 

[trag]

I want to try booting Mac OS on mine along with installing AIX.  I've a parts 9500 but think I'll need a 9500 ROM unless I can get around Open Firmware.

JB

A 9500 ROM will not be sufficient.   True, they both use the same chipset and architecture.     However, interrupts on both are collected at the Grand Central chip.   They are physically wired differently on the ANS from how they're wired on the 9500.   The ROM needs to reflect that these interrupts are associated with different devices on the ANS from the ones they service on the 9500.    There's a nice table comparing the interrupt configurations in the ANS developer notes that I referenced earlier.

It would also be nice to add native drivers for the ANS SCSI chips...

 

[m_emelchenkov]

Hope you find what you need.  I'm guessing an ATX conversion using a 1U PSU isn't out of the question if you can find the right pinout?

Thank you for these wishes! You are right, I can't install any other PSU because don't know its pinout.

 

[Byrd]

A 9500 ROM will not be sufficient.   True, they both use the same chipset and architecture.     However, interrupts on both are collected at the Grand Central chip.   They are physically wired differently on the ANS from how they're wired on the 9500.   The ROM needs to reflect that these interrupts are associated with different devices on the ANS from the ones they service on the 9500.    There's a nice table comparing the interrupt configurations in the ANS developer notes that I referenced earlier.

It would also be nice to add native drivers for the ANS SCSI chips...

I see - certainly there isn't much information online about the 9500 ROM on the ANS apart from that it "may" boot OS 7.x and you need a PCI SCSI card to get any further from here.

I'll fluff around with it a bit more however will likely install AIX and trial a mini home AppleShare network on it.

JB

 

[trag]

I see - certainly there isn't much information online about the 9500 ROM on the ANS apart from that it "may" boot OS 7.x and you need a PCI SCSI card to get any further from here.

I'll fluff around with it a bit more however will likely install AIX and trial a mini home AppleShare network on it.

JB

Back when there was a fairly convincing rumor that there was a ROM that would let the ANS boot into the Mac OS.   Whether that ROM actually existed and whether it ever escaped Apple are interesting questions.

 

[m_emelchenkov]

I up this topic.

If anybody has ANS 700 chassis and can test the LED on PSU, please write here.

We are, ANS 700 owners, the last preservers of these beautiful machines, so let's preserve the most knowledge about them, and as much working samples as we can. If you do not have ANS 700 but have a friend who has—please, tell him about this topic. I really want to bring this machine to life.