7i98 and 5abobx3 firmware

thanks again.
i tried configuring the static ip as per this thread
forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/3559...ethernet-mesa-boards

however i did not have any connections available to edit, so i added a new one
it changed the output of (see attached) but my 7i98 is still not found.
thank you for all your help so far.

The ip command shows that you have not managed to setup a
static IP address on your host

PCW thank you, with your guidance ive been able to connect to my 7i98. i searched for the 'man hm2_eth' and found the passage you referenced. then added the text into the file specified. i was set back when i couldn't save my changes but after a bit of googling and some trial and error i figured out how to do it with vi as sudo.
then i edited the hal file, replacing the instances 7i92 for 7i98
a bit more work than i had hoped but its been educational.
now i suppose i should flash the firmware then start configuring my hal file to suit.

hmm wonder if changing the name would work to run pathpilot with the 7i98?

So after some testing and head scratching I have determined the step and dir pins on the breakout board. Problem is they dont match the firmware. From what I gather see the hal file doesn't designate pins? the mess firmware does?
When I use the readhmid command I can confirm that the pin assignments match neither what the breakout board requires nor the pin out i have determined by trial and error.
Loading the firmware appeared to be successful but I dont see the config name 5abobx3, only Hostmot2.
Should I not see 'configuration name 5abobx3'?

The pinout listed by mesaflash is correct though it will not match your
breakout unless you are using the common "5 Axis Mach" breakout
(That's what 5abob in the bitfile name refers to)

I have realised that my previous post was inaccurate. I've gone back over the mesa pin assignments using --readhmid and it should work with the bob I have. However when I try to test with a motor and drive Its still incorrect.
For example: x step should be Port1 pin 2 but no, It's actually P1 pin 4.
I have even ruled out the bob and wired P1 pin2 to the stepper drive. It stayed high so the motor just stepped as expected and held.
Then I tried pin 4 and it worked fine with the x axis jog buttons.
Truly stumped by this.