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                 NRT - TOPS-10 Network Virtual Terminal Program
                                                                     Page 2


COPYRIGHT (C) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 1984.

Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

This software is furnished under a license and may be used and copied only
in accordance with the terms of such license and with the inclusion of the
above copyright notice.  This software or any other copies thereof may not
be provided or otherwise made available to any other person.   No title to
and ownership of the software is hereby transferred.

The information in this software is subject to change  without  notice and
should not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.

Digital  assumes  no  responsibility  for  the  use  or reliability of its
software on equipment which is not supplied by Digital.











                                CHAPTER 1

                               INTRODUCTION



     1.1  

    program which allows a TOPS-10 system to access the
     remote  terminal  handler on another system connected via DECnet.  NRT
     is  expressly  supported  only  for  homogeneous  connections   (i.e.,
     connections  where  the  remote  operating system is either TOPS-10 or
     TOPS-20), however, it knows a limited amount  about  talking  to  VMS,
     RSX, or RSTS operating systems as well.

          NRT runs as user mode program and is normally  run  automatically
     by the monitor command:

                         SET HOST remote

     where "remote" is the node to which the virtual terminal connection is
     to   be   initiated.    Under   these  conditions,  NRT  will  be  run
     automatically by the monitor if the specified node name ("remote")  is
     undefined  in the ANF network (if any) on which the user job currently
     resides and is "known" to DECnet.

          Note that the beginning sections of this document  describes  NRT
     as  assembled  with  the  default feature tests enabled/disabled.  The
     behaviour of and messages output by NRT can appear different if  other
     feature  tests are implemented.  The function of each feature test and
     the change it makes upon messages output is described in Chapter 3.

          Throughout this document, the node on which NRT is originally run
     (i.e.   the  node where the user types "SET HOST") will be referred to
     as the "local host" and the ta(specified as "remote" in  the
     above "SET HOST" command) will be designated as the "remote host."

          In  the  examples  in  this  document,  user  input  is   usually
     underscored;  output from the monitor or NRT is not.

          NRT may also be run via the "R" or "RUN" monitor commands, or the
     RUN UUO from within a program.  NRT has no CCL entry.

          In the case in which NRT is run by the SET HOST monitor  command,
     then  it will certain command defaults (see user interface below).  If
     NRT is started via "R", "RUN", or a RUN UUO it will enter  a  dialogue
INTRODUCTION                                                       Page 1-2
Introduction


     which  will  ask  the  user  the  values which he wishes for the above
     mentioned defaults.











                                 CHAPTER 2

                              USER INTERFACE



     2.1  EXIT DIALOGUE

          Unlike ANF, DECnet supports network virtual terminals as  a  user
     program.   Because  of  this,  setting  host to a DECnet node does not
     detach the current job from the user's terminal, but does destroy  the
     user's core image.

          Also, in order to return to the original host node, one does  not
     issue  another "SET HOST" command on the remote node, but merely types
     a pre-defined "escape character." Typing this  "escape  character"  at
     any time in the dialogue with the remote system enters the user into a
     dialogue whereby his characters are interpreted by the NRT program  as
     commands  rather  than  being  sent  to the remote host.  This fact is
     flagged by the output of the message (1):

          [Connection broken, back to node xxxxxx::]
          NRT_EXIT>

     where "xxxxxx" is the name of the local host.  This message,  however,
     can  be  altered.   Please  see  the section on SWITCH.INI support for
     further details on this.

          Upon entering the dialogue via typing the "escape character", the
     user has the following options:

          command   Mnemonic            Meaning

          E         E[xit]              Abort the terminal session  on  the
                                        remote node.  The effect on the job
                                        (if any)  at  the  remote  node  is
                                        determined  by the remote operating
                                        system.

          M         M[onitor]           Return to monitor,  but  leave  the
                                        connection  to  the  remote  system
                                        open.  If the user does not destroy

(1) The type of dialogue  described  here  is  known  as  the  NOVICE  exit
dialogue.   Please see the section on SWITCH.INI for a description of other
exit dialogue formats.
USER INTERFACE                                                     Page 2-2
EXIT DIALOGUE


                                        his  core  image   before   typeing
                                        "CONTINue"  or  "REENTEr", then the
                                        connection  to  the  remote  system
                                        will  be  re-established.   If  his
                                        core image is destroyed,  the  link
                                        to   the   remote  system  will  be
                                        aborted as if the user had used the
                                        "E[xit]" command.  Using "CONTINue"
                                        is equivalent to the  "R[econnect]"
                                        command to NRT;  using "REENTEr" is
                                        equivalent to using the  "C[hange]"
                                        command to NRT.

          R         R[econnect]         Reconnect to the remote system  (as
                                        if  the  "escape character" had not
                                        been typed).

          P         P[ass]              Reconnect to the remote system, but
                                        pass the "escape character" through
                                        to the remote system.

          C         C[hange]            Change the break character and then
                                        reconnect  to  the  remote  system.
                                        The same effect can be obtained  by
                                        using   the   "M[onitor]"   to  NRT
                                        command  followed  by  a  "REENTEr"
                                        monitor  command.   If  the  NRT is
                                        assembled  with   the   performance
                                        analysis feature enabled, then this
                                        is  also  the   method   to   enter
                                        performance analysis mode.

          H         H[elp]              Print a short text describing  each
                                        of  the  command  options.  This is
                                        the command which is executed if an
                                        unrecognizable command is typed.
          O         O[bscure]           Flush all  network  messages  until
                                        one second (real time) elapses with
                                        no messages, or until  a  character
                                        is  typed.   This command works for
                                        TOPS-10/TOPS-20 remote  hosts  only
                                        and  is used in conjunction with ^O
                                        or ^C which cancels the  source  of
                                        messages  at the remote hosts.  the
                                        O[bscure] command is used to  flush
                                        those  messages  in the pipe or any
                                        more which may come if ^O or ^C was
                                        not  typed.   ^O  or  ^C  should be
                                        typed BEFORE the O[bscure] command.


          The default mode in  which  NRT  runs  requires  that  the  above
     commands  be  typed  in followed by a carriage return in order for the
     command to take effect.  Commands may be  abbreviated  to  uniqueness;
USER INTERFACE                                                     Page 2-3
EXIT DIALOGUE


     this  is  currently  deliberately  set to one character.  This may not
     always be the case in future versions, however.   The  carriage-return
     requirement   may   also  be  changed  by  an  appropriate  option  in
     SWITCH.INI.




     2.2  INITIALIZATION DIALOGUE

          If run via a "RUN" or "R" command or a RUN UUO,  NRT  enters  the
     long  initialization dialogue.  If STARTed or REENTEred after any form
     of exit (other than following the  "M[onitor]"  command  to  the  exit
     dialogue)  or  CONTINued  from a non-continuable state (any exit other
     than the "M[onitor]" command to the exit  dialogue),  NRT  enters  the
     short initialization dialogue.

          The first question of the long dialogue is:

          DECnet Intersystem Remote Terminal Service
          Escape character (c):

     where "c" is the default  "escape  character."  This  is  normally  ^P
     (control-P)  but  may  be changed with an option in SWITCH.INI (it may
     also be changed when NRT is assembled).  At this point the user should
     enter   the  desired  character  he  wishes  to  use  as  the  "escape
     character", that is, the character which will initiate  the  NRT  exit
     dialogue.   The character should NOT be followed by a carriage return.
     If the default character is satisfactory, only a carriage return  need
     be entered.


                                   ***NOTE***

         It is not recommended that any printing character be used  for
         the escape character, nor the character <ESC>.  NRT will parse
         some types of ANSI or DEC terminal escape sequences should the
         need  arise  (this is primarily of interest to VMS users), but
         if the escape character appears in the  escape  sequence,  the
         function of the escape character causing the user to enter the
         exit dialogue will take precedence over  the  parsing  of  the
         ANSI or DEC terminal escape sequence, with resultant confusion
         to both NRT and the user.



          The second question of the long dialogue, and the  only  question
     in the short dialogue is:

          Node Name:

     At this point the user should enter the name  of  the  desired  remote
     host.
USER INTERFACE                                                     Page 2-4
INITIALIZATION DIALOGUE


          Note that if this is the short dialogue, the  "escape  character"
     may  not be the default character if it was changed through a previous
     long dialogue question.

          Upon successfully connecting  to  the  remote  system,  NRT  will
     inform  the  user  of  the  type  of  operating  system to which he is
     connected (TOPS-10, TOPS-20, VMS, RSTS, or RSX),  its  name,  and  the
     escape character.

          Example:

          .R NRT

          DECnet Intersystem Remote Terminal service
          Escape character (^P): ^\
          Node Name: MARKET

          [Connected to TOPS20 system MARKET::] 
          [Type Control-\ to return]

           Market - LCG's Timesharing System , TOPS-20 Monitor 5.3(1600)
          @^\

          [Connection broken, Back at node KL1026::]
          NRT EXIT> E


          .



     2.3  SWITCH.INI SUPPORT

          NRT supports a  limited  number  of  switches  which  modify  its
     behaviour.   Switches  may be abbreviated to uniqueness.  Switches are
     not read from the command line.

          Whenever NRT is run  it  will  look  up  SWITCH.INI  on  the  UFD
     specified  by  the  user's  current PPN.  If it is not found, NRT will
     assume defaults for all switches (see  table  below).   SWITCH.INI  is
     searched  for  a line beginning with "NRT".  Switches on that line are
     used to set the switch values if present.  If the line is  not  found,
     default values are used for all switches;  if a switch is not found in
     a line then the default value is used for the switch.

          The form of the NRT line in SWITCH.INI is:

          NRT /SWITCH:argument/SWITCH/SWITCH ...


          Switch    Arguments Default   Meaning

          /ESCAPE   c         ^P        The  default  "escape   character".
                                        This  is  the  character  "c".  The
USER INTERFACE                                                     Page 2-5
SWITCH.INI SUPPORT


                                        character  is  expected  to  be  in
                                        SWITCH.INI  exactly  as it is to be
                                        used.  This can be overriden in the
                                        long dialogue.

          /MODE     EXPERT    NOVICE    The  type  of  exit  dialogue which
                    NOVICE              will be initiated (see below).
                    NOTIFY


          The /MODE switch modifies the exit dialogue format.  In the  case
     of  /MODE:NOVICE,  the  exit  dialogue  proceeds  as  described in the
     preceding section.  If the setting is /MODE:NOTIFY, then the  commands
     are  read  in  character  mode  (no  carriage-return is required;  one
     merely types the  escape  character  followed  by  the  command)  and,
     instead  of  the  large prompt, the bell is rung on the terminal.  The
     setting of /MODE:EXPERT is the same as /MODE:NOTIFY  except  that  the
     bell  is  not  rung.   In  both  of these cases, commands MUST use the
     single  character  bbreviations  for  the  command.   The  latter  two
     settings are for the benefit of those who use screen editors which may
     have the escape character as a command so that the screen will not  be
     destroyed immediately if the escape character is typed.

          An additional feature of "NOTIFY"  and  "EXPERT"  modes  is  that
     instead of typing "P" to pass the break character, the user may simply
     type the escape character twice sequentially for the same effect.

          Note that in the case of the "R[econnect]" command, after  typing
     the  new  escape  character  to  the "C[hange]" command (or REENTEring
     after the  "M[onitor]"  command),  CONTINuing  after  the  "M[onitor]"
     command, or after the "O[bscure]" command the message

          [Reconnected to xxxxx system yyyyyy::]

     is output, where  "xxxxx"  is  the  operating  system  type  (TOPS-10,
     TOPS-20,  VMS,  RSX,  or  RSTS)  and  "yyyyyy" is the node name of the
     remote host.  In the case of the "O[bscure]" command, the string

                    [^O]

     will  be  output  to  signify   the   cancelling   of   output.    The
     "Reconnected..."  message is not output if the /MODE switch is set for
     /MODE:EXPERT or /MODE:NOTIFY.

          The dialogue for the "C[hange]" command (or REENTEring after  the
     "M[onitor]" command) is (2):

          Enter new escape character:  c<CR>
     ("c" is typed by the user and is the desired new escape character)


(2) This can change slightly if  NRT  is  assembled  with  the  performance
analysis  feature  enabled.   See  the  section on the performance analysis
feature for details.
USER INTERFACE                                                     Page 2-6
SWITCH.INI SUPPORT


          Note that this dialogue is output regardless of  the  setting  of
     the  the  /MODE  switch,  so  it  is not possible to change the escape
     character without destroying the screen contents.

          If any undefined command is input, then NRT will  (if  in  NOVICE
     mode) display the message:

                         %Illegal command, type "H"<CR> for Help

     NRT will then return to accept a new  command.   The  terminal's  bell
     will be rung if NRT is in NOTIFY mode.











                                CHAPTER 3

                            ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS



     3.1  FEATURE TESTS

          There are a number of feature tests which may be  assembled  into
     NRT.   The  purpose  of  this  section is to describe the defaults and
     effects of each feature test.

     1.  FTPMR

              This feature enables the use of Poor Man's Routing.  If  this
         feature test switch is enabled, the user may explicity specify the
         nodes to be used in routing toward the target.  Also, this enables
         the  usage  of  searching  the file DCN:DNHOST.TXT for an explicit
         routing path to the target node.  See the documentation on the PMR
         subroutine  (located in the PMR.MAC source file) for an example of
         the entry format of the DNHOST file.  If this  feature  is  turned
         on,  the  subroutine  and  universal files PMR.REL and PMR.UNV are
         required.  The (single) source module for these files  is  PMR.MAC
         which  can  be  foundon the Tools Tape.  If this feature is turned
         off (the default) all nodes must be visible on the DECnet  network
         in  order  to be connected to;  the user may not specify a routing
         path.

              Enabling this feature also allows one to use NRT  to  connect
         to  an  ANF node which is running a NRTSRV process (distributed on
         previous Customer Supported Tapes)  if  the  local  host  is  also
         running a PSTHRU task (also distributed on the DECnet Tools Tape).
         The PSTHRU acts as a DECnet to/from  ANF  protocol  translator  in
         this  case.   This is accomplished by specifying the local host as
         the first node in the connect  string,  followed  by  the  desired
         remote ANF host.  Example:

              (local host:  KL1026;  remote host:  TWINKY)

              .SET HOST KL1026::TWINKY::


              If this feature is not enabled, NRT will output the following
         message (3) to the above command line:

(3) The example assumes verbosity bits are set for prefix and  first  line.
NRT observes these bits, except there is no long (continuation) message.
ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS                                                Page 3-2
FEATURE TESTS


              ?NRTNPM Version not compiled with Poor Man's Routing


              The default setting is OFF.

              Note that if NRT uses a Poor Man's  routing  entry  from  the
         DNHOST.TXT  file, the entry used will be displayed.  The format of
         messages output (which will occur after the user gives the desired
         node  name  and  before  the  connect  confirmation  message)  are
         documented in the documentation on the PMR subroutine  package  in
         the PSTHRU area of the DECnet Tools Tape.

     2.  FTPERF

              This feature test enables the assembling of  the  performance
         analysis  section  of  NRT.  This feature only works to TOPS-10 or
         TOPS-20 nodes.  It is intended to give statistics on network  line
         traffic  and utilization.  If enabled, the prompt line output upon
         entering the "C[hange]" command to the exit dialogue becomes:

              Enter new escape character or [P] to enter  performance  test
         mode:

              At this point,  entering  "P"  will  NOT  change  the  escape
         character to "P" but will enter the performance analysis dialogue.
         The following questions will be asked:

              Comment string for this record (<CR> when done):

         This string is an identifying string which is  inserted  into  the
         data file for identification purposes.  Any [typable] ASCII string
         of length less than 250 (decimal) characters is acceptable.

              After inputting the comment string, NRT will ask:

              Number of times to send string:


              NRT has a 30-character test string which is sent character by
         character  to the host.  This number specifies the number of times
         to send the entire string.  Each time a  character  is  sent,  the
         daytime  it was sent is recorded.  When a response comes back from
         the remote host, the time differential from the time the character
         was  sent to the time the response was received is recorded in the
         data file.

              Performance   analysis   always   appends   to    the    file
         DSK:NETRSP.DAT.

              After inputting the number of times to send the  string,  NRT
         will type:

              [Performance testing for yyyyyy node xxxxxx::]
ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS                                                Page 3-3
FEATURE TESTS


         at which point the user will see the string being  sent  character
         by  character.   In  the above, "xxxxxx" is the name of the remote
         host and "yyyyyy" is the operating system type.

              After sending the performance string the specified number  of
         times, NRT will type:

              End of NRT network performance test


              NRT will then close the file and return to the exit  dialogue
         at  which  point the user has all the normal exit dialogue options
         open to him.

              The data file may be analyzed with the NETDAT program (3).

              The default setting is OFF.

     3.  FTFUNCTION

              This feature test is for debugging purposes only.  It  forces
         the error message processor to output, as part of the message, the
         NSP.  function which encountered the error it is output a  message
         for.  The default and recommended setting is OFF.

     4.  FTDBUG

              This feature test is also for debugging purposes.  It changes
         all  PJRSTs  (or CALLRETs) to PUSHJ/POPJ functions.  This makes it
         easier  to  trace  problems  on  the  stack.   The   default   and
         recommended setting is OFF.

     5.  FTPARANOID

              This feature test is provided to enable  certain  consistency
         checks,  particularly in the core manager.  It should be turned on
         only for debugging purposes.  It is  automatically  turned  on  if
         FTDBUG is enabled.  The default and recommended setting is OFF.

     6.  FTCROCK

              This feature test is defaulted ON.  Its purpose is to  enable
         code  to  work  around  certain  deficiencies  in  other operating
         system's  remote  terminal  handlers  which  have  not  yet   been
         corrected.

     7.  FTPSECT




(4) Note:  The performance analysis feature  and  the  NETDAT  program  are
unsupported.
ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS                                                Page 3-4
FEATURE TESTS


              
         This  feature  should remain as defaulted;  OFF.  It causes NRT to
         assemble with PSECTs instead of being TWOSEGed.




     3.1.1  Assembly Parameters

          The following constitutes a  list  of  assembly  time  parameters
     which may be changed.

     1.  DEFESC

              This defines the  "default  default  escape  character".   In
         other  words,  this  is  the escape character which is used if the
         user does not change it himself either through the  long  dialogue
         or through his SWITCH.INI file.  The "normal" value is Control-P.

     2.  MAXPMR

              This parameter is applicable only if FTPMR is turned on.   It
         specifies  the maximum number of nodes which may be specified in a
         PMR string as manually typed in by the user.  This has  no  effect
         on  the  size  of  a  PMR  string  which  may  be obtained via the
         DNHOST.TXT file;  the maximum for that is defined by the  assembly
         parameter PMRSIZ to the PMR subroutine (see the documentation file
         for the PMR subroutine on the PSTHRU  area  of  the  DECnet  Tools
         Tape).  The default value is 7.

     3.  OUTQUE

              This parameter defines the number of output buffers which are
         allowed  to  be  queued for output without being output before NRT
         blocks waiting for a buffer to become available.   Note  that  the
         buffers  need  not  be  full;   they  must merely be allocated for
         output to the TTY:.  Note that NRT waits with PSISER  turned  off,
         so  that  ^O  in  particular or the "O[bscure]" command may not be
         input to flush output.  Also, due to the mechanics of SCNSER there
         is  a delay before any interrupt can be granted to NRT siginifying
         that input is  complete.   Note  also  that  if  output  is  being
         suspended  due  to  (for  example) a read request on the VAX being
         "active" the suspension will be lifted if the output buffer  quota
         is exceeded.











                                CHAPTER 4

                               GENERAL HINTS



4.1  

     This chapter consists of a number of general hints toward  using  NRT.
It also contains information on what should be sent with any SPRs which are
submitted for NRT.

     NRT does I/O to device TT:, NOT device TTY:  during the main  part  of
the  program.   This is a feature to enable using DDT on NRT without having
interference between commands typed  to  DDT  and  commands  typed  to  the
program.   This  is  activated by assigning device TT:  to a terminal other
than the user's controlling TTY:.  Note,  however,  that  commands  to  the
initialization and exit dialogues are typed on the controlling TTY:  only.



4.1.1  Errors

     Upon encountering any kind of error, NRT will save its ACs in location
CRSACS.   It  will  then  output  an  error  message and usually exit.  The
exceptions to the "exit" rule  are  documented  in  Appendix  A  under  the
documentation  for  the  specific message which is output.  The user should
SAVE the core image if he wishes any action taken for  the  problem.   This
dump should be included with any SPR which is sent in for NRT.

     In lieu of sending an SPR, the user may  wish  to  look  at  the  dump
himself.   This  is  most easily accomplished with FILDDT on the crash dump
file.  NRT by default is assembled with the symbols in  the  high  segment.
The  user may load the ACs used at the time of the crash which are saved at
location CRSACS.

     In debugging many kinds of NRT problems it is many times  also  useful
to  have  a  trace  of the messages being passed between NRT and the remote
host.  This is easily accomplished by using the  DNSNUP  program  from  the
Tools  Tape,  assuming  the  problem is reproducible.  If this is the case,
then a trace covering a time period containing the error with specifics  as
to  which  node is being talked to and a terminal log of the session should
also be submitted along with any SPR sent on  NRT.   This  is  particularly
useful for UED and Link Aborted type problems (see Appendix A).











                                CHAPTER 5

                               NRT INTERNALS



     This chapter is meant to provide a brief internal look  at  the  basic
algorithms  involved  in NRT.  It should be read if the user desires to add
additional operating system support or debug NRT crashes.

     Upon being run, NRT initially sets  basic  defaults;   then  fills  in
values  from  the  user's  SWITCH.INI,  if applicable.  NRT then enters the
appropriate initialization dialogue.  When all questions have been answered
satisfactorily,  NRT  OPENs  the  TTY:   in ASCII line mode and initiates a
connection to the desired remote host's  network  remote  terminal  server.
Assuming  the  connection is successful, NRT and the remote host's terminal
server exchange configuration messages as to the features supported by each
and  the  type of operating system to which NRT is talking.  This operating
system type is displayed in the connect confirmation message.

     NRT then enters an operating specific  initialization  routine.   This
routine  decides on default break masks, sends any "bootstrapping" messages
required to the remote system, and sets  various  flags  for  the  type  of
operating system to which it is speaking.

     NRT then enters its main loop (after enabling the  software  interrupt
system).  NRT is essentially interrupt driven and HIBERs waiting for either
a NSP.  interrupt (enabled for input available or state  changes),  a  TTY:
asynchronous I/O complete (input) interrupt, or a timer interrupt (which is
granted only for certain operating systems and under certain conditions).

     The exception to the interrupt driven nature of  NRT  occurs  for  the
terminal  service.  Because changing a terminal break mask does not grant a
PSI interrupt if the new break mask is satisfied by type-ahead, NRT has the
facility to poll the TTY:  input service routine while not at PSI interrupt
level.  This is enabled by setting a flag and waking the job  and  is  done
anytime the mask changes if an input would not be done anyway on the TTY:.

     The interrupt level of NRT includes five routines:  the  NSP  service,
the  TTY:   service, timer service, the ATTACH/DETACH service, and the WAKE
service.  Note that, as mentioned above, the WAKE service is really a  form
of   TTY:   service.   Each  interrupt  consists  of  an  operating  system
independent routine and a routine whose content depends upon  the  type  of
operating  system  to  which NRT is speaking.  The vectors to the operating
system dependent portions of the interrupt service routines are  filled  in
when  NRT  determines  the  type of operating system from the configuration
NRT INTERNALS                                                      Page 5-2



message.

     Upon any condition which causes the interrupt,  PSISER  will  dispatch
NRT  to  the  appropriate  operating  system independent interrupt routine.
This routine will perform various universal functions and, if  there  is  a
reason, will call the associated operating system dependent routine.

     The operating system dependent interrupt routine  should  perform  the
appropriate  functions  and  return  to  the  operating  system independent
routine, which will dismiss the interrupt.

     NRT then returns to main loop level and sleeps.

     This continues ad infinitum until the user types the escape  character
or  the  link  is aborted by the remote host.  In the former case, the user
will be placed in the exit dialogue and he has the option of continuing the
program  (with  various  options)  or  exitting.   If he exits, the link is
closed and the user is returned to monitor level.   If  he  continues,  the
program continues until he types the escape character again, or the link is
aborted by the remote host.

     If a non-recoverable error occurs or the remote host aborts the  link,
then  the  user  is  returned to monitor level.  If continued, NRT restarts
from the beginning.

     The priority level of interrupts is:

     1.  ATTACH/DETACH service (highest)

     2.  TTY:  I/O complete service

     3.  NSP.  I/O complete, WAKE service, and TIMER  service.   Note  that
         WAKE  service  being  on  this  level means that TTY:  I/O service
         actually can occur on either of two levels.


     Although TTY:  I/O service can occur at  a  higher  level  than  NSP.,
WAKE,  and TIMER service, TTY:  service will delay actual processing of the
interrupt if one of the other interrupt service routines are  active.   The
interlock  is  done via AOSE variable INTLVL.  The requested interrupt bits
are IORed into variable TTYSTS and a routine (FRCTTY) is called to queue  a
WAKE  interrupt (which is TTY:  I/O service).  The original high level TTY:
service interrupt is then dismissed.

     ATTACH/DETACH service occurs at the highest level and never defers but
does  not  interfere  with  any  of the other data structures.  Its primary
purpose is to change all the terminal UDXs when the job running NRT changes
terminals.











                                CHAPTER 6

             ADDING ADDITIONAL OPERATING SYSTEM SUPPORT TO NRT



     In order to add additional operating  system  support  to  NRT,  three
things must be THOROUGHLY understood:

     1.  You should understand  NRT's  internal  structure.   This  can  be
         obtained  by  studying  this  document,  the  PLM for NRT, and the
         source.

     2.  You should understand the internals of the operating system  whose
         support  you  are  trying  to  add.   The  relevant information is
         usually contained in the I/O user's guide  or  equivalent  to  the
         remote operating system.

     3.  You should understand the  type  of  protocol  which  is  used  to
         communicate  with  the appropriate system.  The types of protocols
         which NRT knows can be used as examples for how  to  handle  other
         protocols.


     Once these things are understood, it is usally  easiest  to  implement
the  "basic" read-from-terminal/write-to-terminal functions first, and then
the more esoteric functions, if those exist.  This depends on the type  and
complexity  of the protocol.  See the PLM for descriptions of general types
of protocols which exist.

     Again, the DNSNUP/DNTATL programs from the Tools Tape  are  invaluable
in tracking problems.











                                APPENDIX A

                                 MESSAGES



     NRT has a number of error messages which may be output.  Most of these
are  the  standard DECnet architecture error messages for which the user is
referred to the TOPS-10 DECnet Users' Guide.  Messages which  are  specific
to NRT are documented below.

     NRT observes the user's verbosity bits.  However, there is no long  or
continuation  message.  Note that this is also true for the DECnet standard
error messages.

     The following list is arranged alphabetically by  prefix.   Note  that
all messages start with "?NRT".

     The normal action  for  NRT  to  take  on  any  of  the  below  listed
conditions  is  to  exit,  however,  there are exceptions.  These are noted
under the specific condition in the list below.

                          NRT Specific Error Messages

     1.  ?NRTCAT Can't add TIMER traps to PSISER

              This message is output during initialization if NRT is unable
         to  add PITMR.  traps to the software interrupt system.  The error
         code for the PISYS.  UUO is in AC CX in the dump.

     2.  ?NRTCDP Can't add DECnet NSP.  traps to PSISER

              This message is output if NRT is unable to add NSP.  traps to
         the  software interrupt system.  The error code for PISYS.  UUO is
         in AC CX in the dump.

     3.  ?NRTCSC Couldn't find specified character

              This error occurs if  NRT  is  scanning  its  internal  input
         stream  for  the last break character in the input stream before a
         specified point.  The routine SCNLBK is called  with  the  "final"
         byte  pointer  to the input stream.  SCNLBK scans characters until
         the "final" byte pointer  is  encountered,  remembering  the  last
         break  chraracter.   This error occurs if the "final" byte pointer
         is not encountered before the end of the input stream.
MESSAGES                                                            Page A-2



     4.  ?NRTCTP Can't add TTY:  to PSI system

              NRT does asynchronous input to the terminal and thus requires
         getting  software interrupts on input complete.  This error occurs
         when NRT is unable to add the  TTY:   to  the  software  interrupt
         system  at  initialization  time.  There error code for the PISYS.
         UUO is in AC T1 in the dump.

     5.  ?NRTCUF CORE UUO failed

              This error occurs if NRT is unable to increase  its  size  to
         buffer messages.

     6.  ?NRTCWT Can't add WAKE Traps

              NRT could not enable PSI traps for WAKE UUOs.  The error code
         from the PISYS.  UUO is in AC T1 in the dump.

     7.  ?NRTDNI DEBRK.  not implemented

              The DEBRK.  UUO to dismiss a software interrupt  failed  with
         the non-skip return.

     8.  ?NRTDSF DEVSIZ for device TTY:  failed

              The DEVSIZ UUO to find the buffer size for the TTY:   failed.
         The error code for the failure is in AC T1 in the dump.  Submit an
         SPR and a dump.

     9.  ?NRTEDC Expecting Double colon in PMR string

              Also applicable only if FTPMR is on, this message  is  output
         if the user specifies a PMR string with a single colon in it.

    10.  ?NRTFUF FILOP.  UUO failed to open performance file

              NRT could not do the FILOP.  UUO to append to the performance
         file.  Use the monitor command "SET WATCH FILES" to find the error
         code, or examine AC T1 in the dump.  This error can only occur  if
         FTPERF is turned on.

    11.  ?NRTIBP Illegal byte pointer

              Routine BPLENG is called to compute the number  of  bytes  to
         output  to  the  network in a message from the beginning and final
         destination pointers.  This routine is coded to work only  if  the
         beginning  byte  pointer  specifies  eight-bit  bytes  and is word
         aligned.  This error occurs if the initial byte pointer  does  not
         one  of  those conditions.  The specified byte pointer is in AC P1
         in the dump.

    12.  ?NRTIBS Illegal byte size
MESSAGES                                                            Page A-3



              This error is also part of the BPLENG  routine  described  in
         the  NRTIBP  error  immediately above.  It occurs if the byte size
         specified in the final byte pointer  does  not  specify  eight-bit
         bytes.

    13.  ?NRTICA Illegal core allocation

              This error occurs only if FTPARANOID is turned on.  It occurs
         if  the memory manager is requested to allocate a negative or zero
         sized block of core.  AC T1 in the  dump  contains  the  requested
         size;  examine the stack to find the offending calling routine.

    14.  ?NRTICD Illegal core deallocation

              This occurs only if FTPARANOID is turned on.   It  occurs  if
         the  memory  manager  is requested to return a core block which is
         zero length or whose starting address is out  of  bounds  for  the
         free core pool.  AC T1 in the dump is the starting address;  AC T2
         is the  size  to  deallocate.   Examine  the  stack  to  find  the
         offending routine.  Note that it is only the absolute value of the
         size which is important (i.e., T2 can be negative).

    15.  ?NRTILD Illegal digit in number - re-input number

              This error occurs when parsing the number of  times  to  send
         the  performance analysis string.  The program will not be aborted
         and the correct number should be input  (this  message  means  the
         user typed a non-numeric character in the number).

    16.  ?NRTINA Interlock not available

              The interrupt level data base interlock was not available  to
         the  lowest  level  interrupt  routine.   This  implies  that some
         routine dismissed without returning the interlock.  Submit an  SPR
         with a dump.

    17.  ?NRTIOR Illegal operating system type  returned  in  configuration
         message

              The byte in the configuration message returned by the  remote
         system  upon  initiating the connection was of a value larger than
         the maximum value known by NRT.  The problem is at  the  fault  of
         remote system unless NRT is supposed to understand a new operating
         system type in which case  symbol  MAXOS  must  be  re-defined  to
         include  this  type  and  all  values between the default value of
         MAXOS and the new value must have dispatches in  the  OS  dispatch
         tables.   This  problem  can  also  occur if the message which NRT
         expected to be the configuration message was not.  Currently, this
         can  happen  if  a  VMS system which is being used as a Poor Man's
         Routing node has PSTHRU "logging" "enabled",  in  which  case  the
         PSTHRU  task  on  the VMS system returns a non-standard PSTHRU ACK
         message which is followed by extra text messages  which  NRT  does
         not  know  how to interpret.  If this is the case, turn off PSTHRU
         "logging" on the VMS system.
MESSAGES                                                            Page A-4



    18.  ?NRTIRS Illegal RSTS function

              This error occurs if a RSTS remote hosts requests a  function
         which  NRT  does  not  know  how to handle.  This class of problem
         should be traced with DNSNUP.

    19.  ?NRTITF IN UUO for TTY:  failed

              The IN UUO for the TTY:  channel failed with a GETSTS bit  on
         other than IO.EOF.  The GETSTS bits are in AC T1 in the dump.

    20.  ?NRTIVQ Illegal VMS QIO function

              This error occurs  if  a  VMS  remote  host  requests  a  QIO
         function  which we do not know how to perform.  Trace this problem
         with DNSNUP.

    21.  ?NRTIXF Illegal RSX function

              This  error  occurs  if  a  remote  RSX  host   requests   an
         unimplemented  or  illegal  function.   This should be traced with
         DNSNUP.

    22.  ?NRTN10 Not connected to TOPS-10 or TOPS-20, command ignored

              This occurs when the usuer attempts to  use  the  "O[bscure]"
         command  for  the  exit  dialogue while connected to a remote host
         which does not speak TOPS-10/20 protocol.   This  error  does  not
         cause NRT to abort;  the command is simply ignored.

    23.  ?NRTNPI NSP.  UUO to set PSI mask failed

              NRT was unable to set the PSI mask for  the  channel  to  the
         remote  host in order for it to get a PSI interrupt when status on
         the channel changed.  The error code for the NSP.  UUO is in AC T1
         in the dump.

    24.  ?NRTNPM Version not compiled with Poor Man's Routing

              This message is output when the user attempts  to  specify  a
         multi-node  path  to  a destination node (e.g.  KL1026::TWINKY::),
         but the version of NRT was  not  compiled  to  accept  Poor  Man's
         Routing.

    25.  ?NRTODT OPEN of device TTY failed

              NRT was unable to open device TT:  for asynchronous I/O.

    26.  ?NRTOTF OUT to TTY:  failed

              NRT uses non-blocking buffered I/O  to  the  terminal.   This
         error  occurs if the OUT UUO fails with some error bit (other than
         IO.EOF) turned on.  Submit an SPR, a dump, and a test case if this
         is repeatable.  The GETSTS bits for the TTY:  channel are in AC T1
MESSAGES                                                            Page A-5



         in the dump.

    27.  ?NRTPIF PIINI.  UUO failed

              This message  is  output  if  NRT  fails  to  initialize  the
         software  interrupt  system.   Submit a dump and an SPR if this is
         repeatable.

    28.  ?NRTPMR Can't send PMR string

              The NSP.  UUO to send the Poor Man's Routing  string  to  the
         remote PSTHRU task failed.  The error code is in T1.

    29.  ?NRTPOF Performance file output failure

              An OUT UUO to the performance file failed.  AC T1 in the dump
         will contain the GETSTS bits for the channel.

    30.  ?NRTTMN Too many nodes in PMR string

              This message is output if the user attempts  to  specify  too
         many  nodes  in PMR string (applicable only if FTPMR is on).  This
         can be changed by recompiling NRT with a different value  for  the
         assembly constant MAXPMR.

    31.  ?NRTUED Unexpected end to network data

              This message is caused by  NRT  expecting  more  data  in  an
         incoming  network  message than it received.  It should occur only
         for system such as RSX or VMS whose protocol involves well-defined
         message  headers which specify expected lengths to various fields.
         If sent as SPRs, UED problems should be sent with a dump AND  with
         a  trace  file  generated  by  the DNSNUP program (supplied on the
         DECnet Tools Tape) run over the interval in which  the  UED  error
         occurs.   The  program  and  the  files necessary to run it on the
         remote system are also very useful.

    32.  ?NRTUSP Unsupported Protocol found

              This error occurs if the user attempts to connect to a remote
         host whose protocol NRT does not understand.

    33.  ?NRTUTF PISYS.  UUO Unable to turn off interrupts

              NRT was unable to temporarily  turn  the  software  interrupt
         system off.  The error code for the PISYS.  UUO is in AC T1 in the
         dump.

    34.  ?NRTUTN PISYS.  UUO Unable to turn on interrupts

              NRT was unable to re-enable  the  software  interrupt  system
         after turning it off.  The error code for the PISYS.  UUO is in Ac
         T1 in the dump.