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+ Watchdog Timer Interfaces For The Linux Operating System
+
+ Alan Cox <alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk>
+
+ Custom Linux Driver And Program Development
+
+
+The following watchdog drivers are currently implemented:
+
+ ICS WDT501-P
+ ICS WDT501-P (no fan tachometer)
+ ICS WDT500-P
+ Software Only
+
+All four interfaces provide /dev/watchdog, which when open must be written
+to within a minute or the machine will reboot. Each write delays the reboot
+time another minute. In the case of the software watchdog the ability to
+reboot will depend on the state of the machines and interrupts. The hardware
+boards physically pull the machine down off their own onboard timers and
+will reboot from almost anything.
+
+A second temperature monitoring interface is available on the WDT501P cards
+and provides /dev/temperature. This is the machine internal temperature in
+degrees farenheit. Each read returns a single byte giving the temperature.
+
+The third interface logs kernel messages on additional alert events.
+
+Both software and hardware watchdog drivers are available in the standard
+kernel. If you are using the software watchdog, you probably also want
+to use "panic=60" as a boot argument as well.
+
+Features
+--------
+ WDT501P WDT500P Software
+Reboot Timer X X X
+External Reboot X X o
+Temperature X o o
+Fan Speed X o o
+Power Under X o o
+Power Over X o o
+Overheat X o o
+
+The external event interfaces on the WDT boards are not currently supported.
+Minor numbers are however allocated for it.
+
+
+Example Watchdog Driver
+-----------------------
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+
+int main(int argc, const char *argv[])
+{
+ int fd=open("/dev/watchdog",O_WRONLY);
+ if(fd==-1)
+ {
+ perror("watchdog");
+ exit(1);
+ }
+ while(1)
+ {
+ write(fd,"\0",1);
+ sleep(10);
+ }
+}
+
+
+Contact Information
+
+People keep asking about the WDT watchdog timer hardware: The phone contacts
+for Industrial Computer Source are:
+
+US: 619 677 0877 (sales) 0895 (fax)
+UK: 01243 533900
+France (1) 69.18.74.30
+
+Industrial Computer Source
+9950 Barnes Canyon Road
+San Diego, CA
+
+and please mention Linux when enquiring.