[Simh] More VAX Simulators

Fri May 3 16:17:34 EDT 2019

That is a perfect solution for this specific problem as long as the VMS version you’re
working with has OS knowledge of the ISO9660 file system layout.  ISO9660 was a
rather late addition to VMS, so although it is part of the VAX/VMS 7.3 version, several
folks are running earlier VMS versions which didn’t have support for ISO9660 CDROM’s.

From: Simh [mailto:simh-bounces at trailing-edge.com] On Behalf Of Supratim Sanyal
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 1:02 PM
To: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se>; simh at trailing-edge.com
Subject: Re: [Simh] More VAX Simulators

Coincidentally, I went through this earlier this morning, following instructions at https://raymii.org/s/blog/OpenVMS_Mount_ISO_and_execute_scripts.html

Basically, I created a directory called "license", copied the .COM into there, use genisoimage to create a .iso, mounted it on VMS, copied the .COM from CDROM to a local directory on VMS, did SET FILE/ATTRIBUTE=(RFM=STM) LICENSE.COM, and @LICENSE worked.

On 05/03/2019 03:52 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote:
That came across wrong...

Flow control would most certainly help, however, when running in a simulator, with a terminal window, connected to the system, there is actually no flow control available, so you will loose data.

One possibility would be if you could limit the speed at which data is transmitted, but with cut-and-paste, pacing of the transmitted data is usually not possible.

You could try and cut-and-paste just smaller portions at a time.
Or else transfer the license file through some other means, or re-type it by hand, since your typing will definitely be slow enough to not cause problems.

Remember - manually typing the information in was how it was originally done...

  Johnny

On 2019-05-03 21:31, Johnny Billquist wrote:

Are you trying to just cut-and-paste the license?

The usual problem is that you just cannot just force-feed data on a terminal line. You will be loosing characters. There is no flow control that can help you...

   Johnny

On 2019-05-03 02:36, Ray Jewhurst wrote:

I tried doing a VMS 7.3 CD install on the 4000/60 and it went swimmingly until I tried to install the PAKs and I got this:

$!
$!                            HPE HOBBY LICENSE AGREEMENT
$!
%CREATE-E-READERR, error reading SYS$INPUT:.;
-RMS-F-RER, file read error
-SYSTEM-W-DATAOVERUN, data overrun

I am running 72 Megs and I do not get this error on 3900 or MicroVAX II.  I know there is another way to copy the PAKs over using an iso but the instructions in the Hobbyist letter seemed kind of fuzzy to me.  Am I doing anything wrong or is the the way a 4000/60 should behave?

Thanks

Ray

On Wed, May 1, 2019 at 6:16 PM Matt Burke <matt at 9track.net<mailto:matt at 9track.net> <mailto:matt at 9track.net><mailto:matt at 9track.net>> wrote:

    On 01/05/2019 13:36, mark at wickensonline.co.uk<mailto:mark at wickensonline.co.uk>
    <mailto:mark at wickensonline.co.uk><mailto:mark at wickensonline.co.uk> wrote:
     > Matt
     >
     > I've built the VAXstation 4000/60 and 4000/VLC images. Is it
    possible to post an example simh.ini file for either or both of
    these please, it would save me some considerable guesswork!
     >
     > I have just reconfigured a FreeAXP emulator running on Windows
    which contains SLAVE, formerly an AlphaServer 1000A. It serves up a
    cluster member disk for a 4000/VLC so that will be a great test of
    your new systems.
     >
     > I previously had lots of trouble with FreeAXP and SIMH residing
    on the same windows box, turns out that FreeAXP really doesn't like
    WinPCap - it crashes on startup and it is very difficult to kill the
    image.
     >
     > Regards, Mark.
     >
    Hi Mark,

    The first thing to note (if you haven't spotted it already) is that the
    simulators have been merged into the Simh master branch and a number of
    fixes have been applied. CD-ROM and tape drive support is now included
    along with fixes to the memory sizing for the M60 and VLC.

    The VAXstation 4000/60 and 4000/VLC are very similar so this simh.ini
    will work for both:

    ; Set system memory size
    ;   M60 can be one of 8m, 16m, 24m, 32m, 40m, 48m, 56m, 72m, 80m, 104m
    ;   VLC can be one of 8m, 16m, 24m
    ;
    set cpu 24m
    ;
    ; Attach the NVRAM device
    ;
    attach nvr vaxstation4000.nvr
    ;
    ; Set the MAC address in the network address ROM
    ; This will need to match whatever your boot server is expecting
    ;
    set nar mac=08:00:2b:40:00:60
    ;
    ; Setup local SCSI disks if required (here are a few examples)
    ; Also try 'help rz'
    ;
    ; set rz0 rz26
    ; attach rz0 disk0.img
    ; set rz1 disable
    ; set rz2 disable
    ; set rz3 disable
    ; set rz4 rrd40
    ; attach rz4 vms73.iso
    ; set rz5 tz30
    ; attach rz5 backup.tap
    ; rz6 is always disabled because this is the initiator SCSI ID
    ; set rz7 disable
    ;
    ; Enable LANCE Ethernet (device ESA0 under VMS)
    ;
    set xs enable
    ;
    ; Attach Ethernet device to a host interface
    ;
    attach xs eth0
    ;
    ; Start the simulator
    ;
    boot cpu

    The first time the ROM self-test runs after the memory size is changed
    or after attaching a new NVRAM file it will perform a thorough memory
    test. This can take quite a long time especially with 104MB. You will
    see multiple selftest failures but don't worry about it, they're
    expected for now. After the self-test completes I would recommend
    enabling the fast boot option:

     >>> SET FBOOT 1

    This will significantly speed up subsequent restarts of the simulator.
    Eventually I'll patch the ROM to skip the memory tests.

    Assuming your boot server is all setup you can now boot from the
    Ethernet:

     >>> BOOT ESA0

    I haven't tested Ethernet booting on these simulators for quite some
    time so I hope it works!

    Let me know how it goes.

    Matt

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