The Activation of the IRDA Interface (in SIR-mode)
of Vobis Advanced III Notebooks (NSC PC87338 Chipset)
with SuSE Linux 6.4

by Bernd Klauer
April 2000

BIOS-Setup:

UART2 configuration: 03F8, IRQ4
activate SIR-Mode for UART2

The UART2 device is usually mapped on Port 02F8, IRQ3. IRQ3 is used by some PCMCIA cards. To avoid collisions remap UART2 on port 03F8 and IRQ 4.

The logical mapping of port 03F8 by the kernel

During the boot process port 03F8, IRQ4 is automatically mapped on port /dev/ttyS0.

Re-Compiling the Kernel

The IRDA modules are not included into the standard kernel installed by the CD. The SuSE kernel sources should be used to re-compile the kernel. The IRDA options have to be set correctly according to the protocols to be installed. The kernel should then be compiled as indicated in the manual.

Modification of the bootconfiguration

The following entries in /etc/rc.config must be changed: (as user root):

IRDA_PORT=/dev/ttyS0
IRDA_IRQ=4

To stard the modules during the boot procedure:
START_IRDA=yes

else:

START_IRDA=no

Installation of the virtual devices in /dev

The following devices need to be installed (as user root):

mknod /dev/ircomm0 c 161 0
mknod /dev/ircomm1 c 161 1

starting the modules interactively:

!Only if! START_IRDA=no :

start the modules by

rcirda start (as user root)

to activate IRDA. IRDA traffic with devices in sight can then be monitored using irdadump (by user root).

Avoid to start irmanger with SuSE Linux 6.4 (It is not anymore part of this release).

Application

Via ircomm0 the IRDA Interface can be used from applications like minicom or kermit or any other comunication Program.
April 2000, Bernd Klauer