AST RESEARCH, INC.       TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1487             5-9-96



TITLE: Ascentia 910N, ProStation, Remote Boot

SUMMARY

   When the Ascentia 910N is docked in PowerStations I, II, III, or
   the ProStation, the system will not remote boot on Lanwork 
   BootWare Plus PROM.  

   This issue affects all the Ascentia 910N systems.


ISSUE

   When the Ascentia 910N is docked in PowerStations I, II, III, or
   the ProStation, the system is unable to boot using a 3Com 3C509
   Ethernet card and a Lanworks BWPLUS boot PROM.
   During POST, the boot PROM displays a message indicating that
   it has failed to initialize, and asks the user to press <F1> 
   to reboot.


BACKGROUND

   The BWPLUS boot PROM by Lanworks is no longer a currently marketed
   product.  Lanworks has encountered problems with this product in
   numerous systems because of the critical timing requirements in
   the BWPLUS PROM.   

   The BWPLUS PROM is no longer supported by the 3Com 3C509 board 
   that is currently being produced.

   The Ascentia 910N does not meet the strict timing requirements of
   the BWPLUS PROM, resulting in this issue. 

   This issue is not caused by any inherent fault in the Ascentia 910N
   system; it is due to the overly critical timing requirements within
   the PROM.


ACTION

   Customers should use a different product to satisfy their need
   for a boot PROM.


NOTES

   N/A


TAN 000500RC

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