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DECNET.DOC -- Changes from DECnet-20 V1 to DECnet-20 V2
February 1980
COPYRIGHT (C) 1979,1980 BY
DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, MAYNARD, MASS.
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.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 2
DECNET.DOC -- Changes from DECnet-20 V1 to DECnet-20 V2
February 1980
1.0 SUMMARY
DECnet-20 Version 2 is a major functional release. It
provides significant functional improvement to the DECsystem-20
implementation of the corporate Digital Network Architecture
Phase II DECnet family. DECnet-20 consists of three separate
products, shipped on three distribution tapes: DECnet-20 V2,
DECnet-20 V2 for 2020, and RJE-20 V1. This version of the
DECnet-20 product set provides the following new features:
o Support for up to 8 synchronous lines on the DN20
front end.
o DECnet error logging for various line and hardware
errors detected by the DN20 front end.
o A DECnet compatible Remote Job Entry station for use
with DECsystem-20.
o Installation specific network configuration using the
tools provided with this release.
o A DECnet Network File Transfer capability.
o Additional NCP (Network Control Program) commands
implemented as part of the TOPS-20 standard operator
command interface.
o Network topology information available through a
TOPS-20 EXEC command.
o Compatibility with DECnet Phase II and III.
This version supersedes DECnet-20 Version 1. Many new
features of this release require a DN20 with 128K of MOS memory
and do not apply to the DECsystem-2020. A 32K DN20 will be
supported with only a single synchronous line, but most of the
new maintainability features will not be available.
DECnet-20 Version 2 is documented fully in the TOPS-20
DECnet-20 Programmer's Guide and Operations Manual, Order
Number AA-5091B-TM. RJE-20 is documented in the TOPS-20 DN200
Remote Station Guide, Order Number AA-H786A-TM. In addition,
the following manuals provide generic DECnet information that
may be useful:
o DIGITAL NETWORK ARCHITECTURE, General Description,
Order Number AA-H202A-TK. Provides a general overview
of DNA.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 3
o DDCMP, Order Number AA-D599A-TC. Provides a complete
specification of the data link level protocol used in
DNA.
o NSP, Order Number AA-D600A-TC. Provides a complete
specification of the Network Services Protocol.
o DAP, Order Number AA-D601B-TC. Provides a complete
specification of the Data Access Protocol. This
revision of the specification is not available as of
this writing.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 4
February 1980
2.0 EXTERNAL CHANGES
2.1 Support for up to 8 Synchronous Lines
DECnet-20 Version 2 supports up to 8 synchronous lines on
a DN20 front end attached to a DECsystem-2040/50/60.
Communication devices supported on the DN20 are DMC11 and
KMC11/DUP11 (KDP). Only a single DMC11 or DUP11 (not KDP) is
supported on a 32K DN20. The DECsystem-2020 supports 2
synchronous lines using KMC11/DUP11 devices. Remote Job Entry
(DN200) stations are configured with DMC11 communication
devices.
2.2 DECnet Error Logging
This version logs network related line errors detected by
the DN20, front end reloads, and network topology changes in
ERROR.SYS, the TOPS-20 system error file. Control over error
event logging functions is provided by a set of NCP commands.
SYSERR allows the network manager to selectively display the
contents of the network error entries, in order to maintain his
network and track its behavior.
2.3 DN200 Remote Job Entry Station
The DN200 Remote Job Entry Station provides remote line
printer, card reader, and operator command terminal capability
for the DECsystem-20. TOPS-20 batch jobs prepared on punched
cards can be submitted to a host TOPS-20 system for execution.
Spooled output from a host TOPS-20 system can be routed to the
remote line printer for printing. The operator at the remote
station has control over the remote devices. Downline loading
of the DN200 system image is accomplished over the physical
communications line to the host.
2.4 Installation-Tailored DN20 Network Software Generation
Building of the system image, which is loaded into the
DN20 front end, is performed onsite for Version 2. Using tools
provided with this release, the customer or Digital support
personnel can describe specific parameters and hardware
configuration using a network system generation program,
NETGEN, which creates a tailored set of assembler source files.
These source files are then assembled, on the TOPS-20 system,
using the assembler, DNMAC, to produce installation specific
object files. These object files and the distributed object
files are linked using a task builder, TKB20, to produce a set
of symbol files, map files, and task image files. VNP20 merges
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 5
February 1980
the resultant task image files to produce a final system image
file to be loaded into the DN20. Configurable items that can
be specified during the generation procedure includes: the
line device types to be used, the node name, the maximum number
of logical links, maximum buffer quotas, etc.
2.5 DECnet File Transfer Utilities
Two programs, NFT and FAL, provide the DECnet file
transfer capability for DECsystem-20. Access to files on
remote systems from the local TOPS-20 system is provided by NFT
(Network File Transfer). Commands provided are COPY, SET
DEFAULT, INFORMATION, SUBMIT, DIRECTORY, and DELETE. FAL (File
Access Listener) acts as the DECnet server process which
provides access to the local hosts TOPS-20 file system for
remote network nodes.
2.6 NCP Operator Commands
Three commands have been added to the NCP command set and
two options have been added to the SHOW command. The ENABLE
EVENT-LOGGING and DISABLE EVENT-LOGGING commands have been
added to allow control of the logging of error event
information on a device basis. The SHOW STATUS LOCAL command
provides parameter information pertaining to the node that
executes the command. The SHOW STATUS LINE or SHOW STATUS
KNOWN LINES command provides status information for a
particular line or lines.
2.7 EXEC Command Support for DECnet Topology Information
An INFORMATION (ABOUT) DECNET command has been added to
the TOPS-20 EXEC to provide the DECnet user with the list of
nodes that are currently accessible to his TOPS-20 system. The
information for this command is maintained by the TOPS-20
Monitor and updated by NETCON, the program that implements
NCP/NCU for DECsystem-20. A task that runs on the DN20
provides the information to NETCON.
2.8 Compatibility with DECnet Phase III
This version of DECnet-20 is compatible with DECnet Phase
III. Compatibility with DECnet-20 Version 1 has been
maintained, however, the internal implementation has been
changed considerably.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 6
February 1980
3.0 KNOWN BUGS AND DEFICIENCIES
Major problems with DECnet-20 Version 2, that might
prevent successful installation or operation, are documented in
the DECnet-20 Beware File. This file, DECNET.BWR, is in the
documentation save set on the distribution tape. The Beware
File is mandatory reading prior to installing this product.
Minor problems with this version that should not interfere
with normal operation of this product are documented here.
3.1 DN20 Bugs and Deficiencies
3.1.1 DN20 Crashes on NSP Message with Null Node Name
An NSP message received by the DN20 with a null node name
causes NSP to overwrite storage and the DN20 will ultimately
crash. Under normal circumstances this situation is not likely
to occur and therefore should not present a problem.
3.1.2 No Link Abort when TOPS-20 Host Crashes
No timeouts are done for transmits across the DTE20
interface between the DN20 and the host TOPS-20 system. If the
host TOPS-20 system crashes, any existing links through the
DN20 will just 'hang' and never be aborted by the DN20. Any
connections for the host TOPS-20 node will be trapped by the
DN20 with no connect confirm returned. The connections will
remain hung until the remote user aborts them or the TOPS-20
host reloads the DN20.
3.2 NFT/FAL Bugs and Deficiencies
3.2.1 Truncation of Byte Count in DIRECTORY Output
A DIRECTORY command truncates the byte count and byte size
field to 10 characters. Thus, if the byte count requires more
than 10 character positions, some digits may not be displayed.
3.2.2 No Facility to Expunge a Remote Directory
The DELETE command does NOT do an expunge after deletion.
If you get an over quota type error from NFT when transferring
files to a remote node, you cannot get under quota by using NFT
to delete files from the remote node, because the disk space
will still be in use. To get around this problem, delete some
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 7
February 1980
files, and then submit a 'null' batch job on the remote node.
The files will be expunged when the batch job logs out.
3.2.3 No Facility to Set Default SUBMIT Switches
The NFT SUBMIT command has no switches, and there is no
way to override any default switches on the remote node. The
standard defaults for the SUBMIT command, provided by the
remote system, will be obtained.
3.2.4 Incorrect Wildcard Handling in COPY Command
Under certain conditions NFT copies to a directory other
than the one intended in the command. The following conditions
cause the file to be copied to the connected directory, not the
directory specified in the command:
o The direction of the copy is from remote node to local
node.
o The source file specification contains a wildcard.
o The target file specification's structure and
directory are different from the user's connected
directory.
For user <MIERSWA>, connected to NET:<MIERSWA.MEM>, the
following can happen:
NFT>COPY 4097::LOGIN.* PS:<OPERATOR>LOGIN.*.-1
4097::PS:<MIERSWA>LOGIN.CMD.1 => NET:<MIERSWA.MEM>LOGIN.CMD.1 [OK]
3.3 NCP/NCU (NETCON) Bugs and Deficiencies
3.3.1 Server Links Required by NETCON
A minimum of five server logical links are required by
NETCON to function properly: four NCU servers and one server
link for topology notification. NETCON issues an error message
when it is unable to establish the topology server, however, no
error message is issued when it fails to establish the NCU
server links. NETCON may be unable to open enough servers as a
result of a shortage of system resources and may appear to be
operating correctly when in fact it is not. A possible cause
for the depletion of the system resource pool may be that
establishment of the maximum number of server links had been
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 8
February 1980
reached. The solution, in this case, is to close some server
links and restart NETCON.
3.3.2 CHK11 Entries Truncated in SYSERR File
Some of the text output produced by the CHK11 bootstrap
program during load of the DN20 is truncated when written, by
NETCON, into the ERROR.SYS file on the TOPS-20 host. The
amount lost is variable but is always truncated from the end of
the text.
3.3.3 Incorrect Line Counter Output
The line counter display provided by NETCON incorrectly
shows counter values over 127 as a number in the range 65000 to
65535. To reduce the probability of this problem occuring set
the logging interval to a value that will ensure the line
counters are read and zeroed before they reach 128.
3.3.4 Restriction of SHOW STATE LOCAL Command
A SHOW STATE LOCAL command to a DN20 node always shows the
node number as zero even when the node number is generated as
nonzero. If the DN20 configuration image was saved at the time
the DN20 was generated, then the node number may be obtained by
running NETGEN, using the RESTORE command to read in the saved
configuration, and using the INFORMATION command to display the
node information.
3.4 TOPS-20 NSP Bugs and Deficiencies
3.4.1 MTOPR Disconnect Function always Aborts
The MTOPR .MOCLZ function with a zero disconnect reason
code does not do a synchronous disconnect when used after
sending data in stream mode. Any data which has not yet been
transmitted by NSP at the time the MTOPR is issued will be
lost. The CLOSF JSYS will work properly under these
circumstances.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 9
February 1980
3.5 RJE-20 Bugs and Deficiencies
3.5.1 Reversion of DN200 RJE Operator Service to Host
If the operator services logical link from the host to the
DN200 RJE station is aborted for any reason, all operator
service messages destined for the DN200 are rerouted to the
host TOPS-20 operator service program OPR. If a message
requiring a response is rerouted to the host, then it must be
answered by the host system operator. The DN200 RJE operator
will not be able to respond to it.
In addition, the logical link for DN200 operator services
may not be automatically reestablished. To restore operator
services at the DN200 RJE station the remote station operator
should periodically attempt to issue a command at the LA36 to
force the reconnection.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 10
February 1980
4.0 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
DECnet-20 Version 2 is distributed as a 1600 BPI 9 Track
magnetic tape in standard DUMPER format. There are three
products in the DECnet-20 product set: DECnet-20 V2, QTD01;
DECnet-20 V2 for 2020, QTD20; and RJE-20 V1, QT062. Each is
distributed on a separate distribution tape. General
installation instructions and network generation procedures are
described in the TOPS-20 DECnet-20 Programmer's Guide and
Operations Manual. This section describes the format of the
distribution tapes that are restored to disk.
4.1 Format of DECnet-20 Distribution Tape
The DECnet-20 V2 Distribution Tape, QTD01, consists of the
following six save sets:
DUMPER Save Set Name Directory
Documentation Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<DECNET>
Binary Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<SUBSYS>
Source Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<DECNET>
DN20 Generation Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<DNGEN>,PS:<DNGEN.CMDS>
Acceptance Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<UETP.LIB>
Sample Files for DECnet-20 V2 PS:<UETP.DECNET>
4.2 Format of DECnet-20 for 2020 Distribution Tape
The DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 Distribution tape, QTD20,
consists of the following five save sets:
DUMPER Save Set Name Directory
Documentation Files for DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 PS:<DECNET>
Binary Files for DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 PS:<SUBSYS>
Source Files for DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 PS:<DECNET>
Acceptance Files for DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 PS:<UETP.LIB>
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 11
February 1980
Sample Files for DECnet-20 V2 for 2020 PS:<UETP.DECNET>
4.3 Format of RJE-20 Distribution Tape
The RJE-20 V1 Distribution Tape, QT062, consists of the
following two save sets:
DUMPER Save Set Name Directory
Documentation Files for RJE-20 V1 PS:<DECNET>
DN200 Generation Files for RJE-20 V1 PS:<DNGEN>,PS:<DNGEN.CMDS>
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 12
February 1980
5.0 INTERNAL CHANGES
5.1 Changes from DECnet-20 V1 to DECnet-20 V2
Numerous internal changes and additions have been made for
DECnet-20 Version 2, both within TOPS-20 and in the DN20
software. NSPSRV has been divided into three modules: NSPPAR,
a parameter file; FILNSP, the file system interface to NSP;
and NSPSRV the file containing the network specific portion of
NSP on TOPS-20. Some data base restructuring has occurred in
KDPSRV. NETCON has been divided into three modules: NETPAR,
NCU, and NCP. The NODE JSYS has been enhanced with several new
functions to provide topology support. A new BOOT JSYS
function was added.
A topology reporting task, TOPOL, has been added to the
DN20. Device drivers were added for the KMC/DUP combination.
Several tools and procedures were added to support the
configuration of the DN20 software in the field. New
functionality was developed to support the DN200 RJE station.
Many bugs and deficiencies present in Version 1 were fixed
during the development of Version 2.
DECNET.DOC -- DOC file for DECnet-20 V2 Page 13
February 1980
6.0 SUGGESTIONS
6.1 DECnet Phase III Node Name Compatibility
In DECnet Phase III all node names must include at least
one alphabetic character to syntactically distinguish them from
node addresses. The alphabetic character need not be the first
character, and remaining characters may be either alphabetic or
numeric. Customers are urged to adhere to this convention when
naming Phase II nodes, thus providing upward compatibility with
DECnet Phase III.
6.2 Documentation Required on Submission of DECnet-20 SPR's
When submitting documentation for SPR's on DN20 problems,
the user MUST submit the entire contents of the directory in
which the DN20 system image was generated. This should include
the complete set of MAC files, MAP files, STB files, IMAGE
files, and the DMP file along with any other description of the
problem and supporting documentation. The dump cannot be
analyzed without the symbol files that were created when the
system image was generated.
6.3 Proper Method to Perform Line Loopback
Use the following sequence of operations to perform line
loopback:
1. Put the line in OFF state
2. Place the modem in loopback
3. Put the line in MAINTENANCE state
4. Perform the LOOP LINE command until done
5. Put the line in OFF state
6. Take the modem out of loopback
7. Set the line state to ON
[End of DECNET.DOC]