Overview_of_BEST Overview Of BEST

User Manual: Overview_of_BEST

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release no. SA-079
SUbjectBEST 207-3 AND

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date

407-3

September 1983

This software announcement documents enhancements and updates to the
BESr- operating system and utility programs for release X07-3. Two
tapes are included with this announcement, as follows:
1.

BEST X07-3 Release Tape
BEST X07-3 Diskette Image Tape

2.
,./"

A note for new installations: Because it is an MDS Qantel licensed
product, the advanced operating system, BEST/ADS (407-3), requires a
password on the Systems 10, 20, 40, and 64, and Series 200 and 300.
, ,

For'n~w installations of" SystemS 10, 20,.40, or 64, or Series 200 or .
300 that will be using BEST 407~3, a password must be'obtained from
Cheri Garcez, .MDS QaJlt..el.; Hayward,' CA, (415~ 887-7777 x2235." ~
.!~ . ~" ...., . JS:., .---", '.'
. ~-~'". ~ ~ :', '~>;-:-"">,
. . . . .: ~
'., ·--:-c Please' hav~""re~dy t1fe'~ fo11.~Wing inro~ti~ri'~~~ystem n~ber,~ustomer"{"
":

_,'

%~" ~ .. " -

For' installations running BEST 40S-;'- or '1.ater:, The password remains :!' ~:~
the same; 'it is not to be re-entered after BEST' 407~3 has beeri';·_;(/~:r· ~,',;.~. ';"

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~:~:-,.

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BEST X07-3 Features -!~1;""'";_
~!:iS....:.:;;..~:~ ~ ~A;-' .:~~.
-.;

:~~ ~~~~ttl#.r-e~~Ji5~~9ti~~;,'?~i.' ~~~~~<~:t~:~~~~~~~~~~"j~~~~....~i4~·:~?-'-¥.;<:~::t,;1~~. .~:!:, '",',

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•

The System 611 1s- now supported. This is the most powerful system in
QANTELe family"of computers.:·'~".' ~ ,
·'f:'f'~ ~::\ ~~;~::::~:: :.',
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'

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Certain problem areas' of BESTX07-2 have -been cleared up, as
:.~'-.~o,I:I

. ,'."

'.; -;_/

'. c,' "....

.;, 1. _ Contiguous file ere,ate··

System hang on Exception 99

3. QICBASIC· symbol table
4. __ *MAINTC null entry .

~ :~~ R~rer; t~ SA~079 '~~r th~'

, :"-;,~:,' -' ~:--

.',
,

•

specific documentation of these problems.

~'.

(over) .
I..,

Q8~IEL
Bus;'lCSS Cornp~t{?r S,~lems

,
QAr~TE1':

RELEASE INFORMATION

OPERATING SYSTEM CHART
The following chart represents the supported versions of the BEST operating
system for existing QANTEL systems.

BEST 101-5

BEST 205-2

Q7.0

Systems 800, 900, 950, 1100, 1200

Q7.5

Systems 960, 965, 1300, 1400

Q29

Systems 23, 970, 1450, Series 200/300

Q30

System 40

Systems ,10, 20, 970, 1450,serles 200/300
System 40

,=
- •

'~,. -, :....

:t'" •.
..,.

-...

Ii _

,'?

,,-

.. ';

;
'~,",::,!,.

BEST 408-1.11

Q29 ,,'

S-ystems 10,

Q30

System 40

Q64

System 64

A - 003

c.v,

1450, Series 200/300

02/84

*DFORMAT
The Utility *DFORMAT provides the ability to 'hardware' format and verify single
and double sided diskettes. All new diskettes ~ be hardware formatted before
any data can be written to them. Any diskette that is ·formatted after data bas
been written to it will have all the data 'erased' during the format process.
Diskettes that are only 'verified' will not have data 'erased' from them.
DUring the execution of this Utility, the diskette controller must be 'locked' by
the Utility. Therefore, any users attempting to access the diskette controller
will be suspended until the format or verify process is completed by the Utility.
The diskette drive to be used during the format or" verify process must be
configured (CFIG) as a File Transfer Device.
From READY:: enter

B *DFORMAT
The following prompts will be displayed:
FLOPPI FORMATTER UTILITY (*DFORHATXX.xxxxxxxX)
ENTER DEVICE NAMES:
Enter the ~e o~~th~. File Transfer Device; i. e. FT1.
(A null entz:-y wf!h exit the Utility.)
.,
ENTER PRDlTER NAME:.

Enter the name of the listing device.
(A null entry will only display the .er~?rs on the scree~~?: ;,
OPTIONS ABE

1 - FIRMWARE FORMAT AND VERIFY DISKETTE
FIRMWARE VERIFY DISKETTE
3 - PROCESSOR VERIFY OBLY

'~'2 ~

ENTER OPTION:'

Insert the required diskette before selecting an option.
Enter 1 to Format and Verify the diskette •.
Enter 2 t~ Firmware Verify the diskette. .
Enter 3 for the Processor to Read Verify the formatted diskette.
(A null entry will return to the ENTER DEVICE NAMES prompt.)
If option 1 (FORMAT) was selected, proceed to Page

C-018~

If option 2 (VERIFY) was... selected, proceed to Page C-019-.

..- ..

If option 3 (PROCESSOR VERIFY) was selected, proceed to Page C-020.
~

SA076
October, 1982

*DFORMAT
C - 017

Option 1 - Firmware Format and Verify Diskette
The following prompts will be displayed:
WARNING: ALL DATA ON DISKETTE WILL BE ERASED
COHTINUE (I/NO)?

Enter Y to continue and format the inserted diskette.
Enter N to return to the Options Menu.
(A null entry will return to the Options Menu.)
FORMAT AND VERIFICATION ON DEVICE FT1 (nx) IN PROGRESS •••
The above message will be displayed during the format and verification
process. If any errors are encountered, they will be displayed and printed
(if a printer name was specified) during the process. If any errors are
encountered on a diskette, attempt to format the diskette again. If any
errors are still encountered, the diskette should be discarded and rendered
unusable. Damaged diskettes could affect the performance of the diskette
.drive.

During the format/verify process, the Flag 2 key may be used to either
terminate or pause the process. On pressing Flag 2, the following prompt
will be displaye4;..
~~.

COHTINUE FROM

Enter Y
will be
Enter B
(A null

SECTOR NUMBER ??1111 (YES/H)?

to continue with the process. The OPERATION CONTINUES message
displayed.
.
to terminate the process and return to the Options Menu.
entry will continue with the process.)
.'

On completion of the format/verify process, the total number of errors
encountered will be displayed and the Utility will return to the Options Menu.

SA076

*DFORMAT

C - 018

October, 1982

Option 2 - Firmware Verify Diskette
The following prompts will be displayed:
FIRMWARE VERlFICATION ON DEVICE FT1(nx) IN PROGRESS •••

The above message will be displayed during the verification process.
errors are encountered, the following prompt will be displayed:
STATUS

If any

error description. SECTOR: XXXIXI
CONTINOE FROM NEXT SECTOR NUMBER Y1YY11 (YES/N)?
S8SS:

Enter Y to continue with the verify process from the next sector number
displayed. The OPERATION C~TINUES message will be displayed.
Enter B to terminate the verification process.
(A null entry will continue with the process.)
I

During the verification process, the Flag 2 key may be used to either
terminate or pause the process. On pressing Flag 2, the following prompt
• will be displayed:
CONTINUE FROM NEXT SECTOR NUMBER 111111 (YES/H)?
Enter Y to con\!r1.lllle with the process. The OPERATION CONTINUES message .
will be displat.ed.
". "
Enter II to teAtdna!e the process and return to the Options Menu.
(A null entry will continue with the process.)
·On completion of the verification process, the total number of errors
encountered will be displayed and the Utility will return to the Options Menu.
~

•

..
:'-"

.\........,,;.". ' •

".,'-'

-"';.

:::;-"
"~.,.

.. 1

.- .
§DFORMAT

SA076

October, 1982

C - 019

Option 3 - Processor Verity Only
During this process, the Processor attempts to Read all the sectors on the
diskette.
The following prompts will be displayed:

PROCESSOR

VERIFICATIQ~

ON DEVICE FT1(nx) IN PROGRESS •••

The above message will be displayed during the verification process.
errors are encountered, the following prompt will be displayed:

If any

STATUS 58SS: error description. SECTOR: xxxx"
COHTIHUE FROM NEXT SECTOR NUMBER 11)))) (YES/H)?
Enter Y to continue with the verify process from the next sector number
displayed. The OPERATION CONTINUES message will be displayed.
Enter N to terminate the verification process.
(A null entry will continue with the process.)
During the verification process, the Flag 2 key may be used to either
terminate or pause the process. On pressing Flag 2, the following prompt
will be displayed:

CONTINUE FROM·~ SECTOR NUMBER
.~

Enter Y
will be
Enter B
'(A null

xx xx x*

(YES/H)?

....iI:_.

to continue with the process. The OPERATION CONTINUES message
displayed.
to terminate the process and return to the Options "Menu.
entry will continue with the process.)

On completion of the verification process, the total number of errors
encountered will be displayed and the Utility will return to the Options Menu.

SA076

*DFORMAT
C - 020

October, 1982

ERBOR MESSAGES:
UNKHOW INPUT: trx:xx-

The specified File Transfer Device name-is invalid.
DEVICE trF1'1· IS UNAVAILABLE

The File Transfer Device is not configured.

INPUT ERROR: PRINTER NAME NOT -Lp. OR ·SP·
The name specified for the printer must be a LP or SP configured device
type.
OPEN EICP 11 OF

xP7

The specified printer is not configured.
OPEN EXCP 30 OF

xP7

The specified printer is configured but not available.
UNABLE TO LOCZ: CONTROLLER OF DEVICE WFT1·
:~

The Utility must i9ck the controller prior to perforndng the requested
option. On atte~Pting ~o lock the diskette controller, other users were
accessing the controller., .
STATUS sass: error description. SECTOR: x * x x x *

During the format or verification process, the specified error was
encounte~d on the reported sector.
.~

.- .
SA076
October, 1982

*DFORMAT
C - 021

CURRENT CONFIGURATION
MODULE MESSAGE: BEST 207~2
128K TOTAL MEMORY
30 FILE AFL ENTRIES
4 DEVICES
/I DESCRIPTION
2 TERMINALS

2 PARTITIONS
2 DISCS

NAME
TOO
TOl
POO
POl
DK1
DK2

SYS 22

5 EXTRACT ENTRIES
2 PARTITIONS

DEVIJ
000
010
aD
lD

NO LINE PRINTERS
NO MAGNETIC TAPES
NO SPOOL PRINTERS
NO CLOCK
NO FILE TRANSFER
NO NETWORK
NO CARD READERS
NO SPECIAL DEVICES
BEST TABLK AREA: $7E98 TO $7FFF

..,

TYPE
VT3
VT3
01
01
FLPY
FLPY

DETAIL
POO
POl
(00DDE6,3000)
(010Dt6,3000)

LAST USED: $1EDF

CURRENT CONFIGURATION
MODULE MESSAGE: BEST 207-2
128K TOTAL MEMORY
30 FILE AFL ENTRIES
5 DEVICES
II
2

DESCRIPTION
TERMINALS

2 PARTITIONS

NAME
TOO
TOl
POD
P01

DEVil
000
010

1 DISCS
OD
DKl
1 LINE PRINTERS
LPl
OOF
NO MAGNETIC TAPES
NO SPOOL PRINTERS
NO CLOCK
1 FILE TRANSFER
DC
FTl
NO NETWORK
NO CARD READERS
NO SPECIAL DEVICES
BEST TABLE AREA: $1E98 TO $1FFF

SIS 23
5 EXTRACT ENTRIES
2 PARTITIONS

TYPE
VT3
VT3
01
01

DETAIL
POD
POl
(00DD64,3000)
(010D64,3000)

LAST USED: $1EC4

:.
#

*CBACKUP/*RBACKUP

The Standalone Utilitys *CBACKUP and *RBACKUP provide a simple method to perform
image backup of data stored on disc to 1/4" tape and 1/2" tape respectivly.
*CBACKUP or *RBACKUP may be used as the only backup procedure on a daily basis or
it may be combined with *TBACKUP to perform only the image backup portion of a TIC
backup procedure.
*CBACKUP or *RBACKUP can only be executed from a System disc or from a BACKUP tape
if the tape is to be restored to disc. If the Utility is loaded directly from a
tape, the program will default to the restore operation and the address of the
output disc will be requested from the operator. Refer to LOADED FROM TAPE
section.
These utilities are generalized programs that can accept instructions from a
previously defined Parameter file. This file is usually set up by the programmer
during System installation and includes the specific parameters for the hardware
devices, the order of copying, and any messages to be displayed on the terminal.
Use of the Parameter file alleviates the need for the· operator to enter parameters
for the utility from the terminal.
The utilities will accept IBACKPAR, *BACKPAR, or !BACKPAR as a valid parameter
file name. It searches the first directory on the IPLed disc for IBACKPAR, then
if not found, for *BAC~~AR, and if neither eXist, for !BACKPAR. If a BACKPAR file
is found, its paramet~s may be used or the operator may enter the parameters from
the terminal. If a BACKPAR file is not found, the parameters may also be entered
from the terminal. Refer MANUAL PARAMETER SPECIFICATIONS section for details.
The IBACKPAR file ·is supplied by QANTEL on the BEST Operating System Release Tape.
-

LOADED FROM DISC

From READY:: enter:
I ·BACKUP

The following menu will be displayed:

..-.

BACKUP MENU PROGRAM (.BACKUPXX .XXXXXXXX)
1 - BACKUP DISC TO CARTRIDGE TAP!

2
3
4
5
6

BACKUP DISC TO DISKETTE
BACKUP DISKETTE TO DISKETTE
BACKUP DISC TO REEL TAPE
BACKUP DISC TO DISC
TIC BACKUP TO TAPE (ALL TYPES)

C*CBACKOP)
(*DBACKUP)
C*DBACKUP)
C*RBACKUP)
C*RBACKUP)
(*TBACKUP)

SELECT OPTION (1,2,3,4,5,6):

SA017

Enter 1 if backup is to be performed to a cartridge drive
4 if backup is to be performed to a 1/2 inch tape.
S i~backup is to be performed to a hard disc.
The utility will attempt to open the BACKPAR file on disc and if successful, will
read the Parameter Section into memory. Any Message lines will be displayed on
the terminal and the program will wait for input of a 'user word'. Once entered,
the P= Command line in the Parameter section will be searched for the 'user word'
and the associated key will be used to load the Command block from the Command
section in the BACKPAR file.
The 'user word' may be substituted with manual entry of parameters by the
operator. Refer MANUAL PARAMETER SPECIFICATIONS section.
Prior to executing the instructions in the Command block, the utility performs the
following functions:
o

Determining the number of sectors to be copied by:
reading the Allocation Unit Bit Map on the input (to be copied) disc and
qalculating the Last Sector Used, or
reading the Tape Header if the copy is tape to disc.

If the copy is disc-to-tape, a 20 character tape label will be requested •

Performing a hardware check.

...~

\~"'

An appropriate message will be displayed:

CHECKING DISC DRIVE(S)...
CHECKING TAPE DRIVE...
RETENSIOHING ••• TAPE RETENTIONED

i f the copy is disc-to-disc
if the copy is disc-to-tape
i f the copy is to a.cartridge drive.

The copy operation will then begin and the following message will be displayed:

BACKUP IN PROGRESS •••
The utility will execute all the instructions in the Command block selected or the
Manual Parameters that were entered and will display the sector number being
transfered in the upper right corner of the screen during. the process.
When the END Command word is encountered, the following message will be displayed:
C~~HING

DISC FLAGS

(only if CLRTICS was specified)

BACKUP COMPLETED
PRESS TRANSMIT TO IPL
Any transmission will return to the Loader of the IPLea deviCe.

SA077

March 1983

CHI
Provides an extensive check of the copy process performed and causes the
PERFORMING CHECK OF BACKUP ••• message to be dIsplayed.
a disc-to-disc copy, when the copy is complete, the CHK function executes a
second pass reading the same sectors from both discs comparing them byte for
byte. During this comparing process, three major types of errors may be
encountered which will display either a disc read error or the compare error
message, PREVIOUS COPYING IS UNSUCCESSFUL. A disc read error could be from
either the input or the output disc and the normal procedures for correcting
disc· errors should be followed.
On

The CHK option for a disc to disc comparison almost doubles the BACKUP time.
However, it is recommended that the CHI option be included in any disc-to-disc
ortape-to-disc copy operation. The CHIC Command word must appear after the:

o parameters

on a disc-to-disc copy,

I parameters on a tape-to-disc restore,

o parameters

on a disc-to-tape copy.

During,the tape CHK function, the tape is re-read and checked for parity
errors, short blocks and blocks out of sequence. If an error is detected, the
PREVIOUS COPYING IS UNSUCCESSFUL message will be displayed along with a
description of·the error. If the tape check is successful, when the end of the
tape is reached, the f~llowing prompt will be displayed:
.

~-~...

_.,.

.;t'. . . .

TAPE REWINDING...
.
,CHECK MORE TAPES? (Y, NO) :

Enter Y to display the PRESS ST/SP TO PROCEED prompt.
Enter N to resume execution of the next instruction in the COMMAND block.
"

Examples of CHK function:
4700
4800
4900
5000
5100
5200
5300

I disc 1D will be checked
! against disc 00 after the

4700
4800'
4900
5000
5100

! copy process
I=1D
O=OD
CHI

I tape will be checked
! for parity errors after'·;"'
! the copy process

1=00.
0=08

5200 CHI
5300 END

END

4700 ! the tape will be checked for
4800 ! parity errors before the copy process
4900 M=' MOUNT BACKUP TAPE ON DRIVE '
5000 HLT

5100 1=08
5200 CHI{

5300 0=00
5400 END

SA077
............ ""T"TTTn

March 1983
I""" n"

f"lVTT~

0111

ICHK
ICHK may be substituted for CHK in the parameter file. If ICHK is specified
each tape in a multi-tape backup will be checked prior to proceeding to the
next tape in the set. This will expedite the discovery of tape errors early in
the backup process and will allow a bad tape to be rewritten without having
to restart the entire backup process. =BREAK=
If ICHK is used it must appear prior to the Output device specification in
the parameter file or entered prior to entry of the Output device specification
if being entered manually.

March 1983

SA077
*CBACKUP/4RBACKUP

MANUAL PARAMETER SPECIFICATIONS
The utility will process instructions either from the BACKPAR file or from direct
input on the terminal. If the BACKPAR file is fOund, its parameters may be used
or the operator may manually enter the parameters. If a BACKPAR file is not found
in the first directory .of the IPLed disc, the following message will be displayed:
PARAMETER FILE NOT FOUND
ENTER BACKUP PARAMETERS:

The parameters are entered in the same format as defined for the BACKPAR file.
After an END Command or null entry, the entered parameters will be executed in
the order they were specified.
Example:
M='BACKUP DISC, CHANGE LABEL, CHECK BACKUP'
I=OC,DSK
O=1C,DSK,NEW
CHIC

HLT

BEEP
END

............

SA017
*CBACKUP/*RBACKUP

March 1983

016

*TBACKUP
The Standalone Utility *TBACKUP, used in conjunction with *BACKUP, provides the
ability to back up only Ticked Hard Disc sectors on a Q29 or higher system to a
1/4-inch cartridge or 1/2-inch reel-to-reel tape drive.
The Utility has the following capabilities:
o

TIC BACKUP: This process will copy to tape only those sectors that have
been written to the disc since the last Full Backup. During normal
processing, any sector written to the disc will be flagged (ticked) and
during the Tic Backup process only the flagged (ticked) sectors will be
copied to tape. Ticked sectors are cumulative from the previous Full Backup
and a sector will remain ticked until a Full Backup or Restore of the disc
is performed.

RESTORE: This process will copy the Backup sectors from a Tic-Tape to disc.
The Restore process assumes that the most recent Full Backup has been
restored with -BACKUP. The program will restore should be used to restore
the most recent Tic-Tape since the latest Full-Backup.

From READY:: enter
,...'fW;.

I *TBACKUP

~~.

,-.

The following Options Menu will be displayed:
TIC-TO-TAPE BACKUP UTILITY (*TBACKUPXX.XXXXXXXX)
COPYRIGHT MDS QANTEL, INC. 1982 ---1 - TIC-TO- TAPE BACKUP

2 - RESTORE TIC TAPE TO DISC
ENTER DESIRED ACTION (1; 2) :

Enter 1 if a Tic Backup is to be performed.
Enter 2 if the Tic-Tape is to be restored.
(A null entry will exit the Utility.)
If option 1 (TIC BACKUP) was selected, proceed to Page C-131.
If option 2 (RESTORE) was selected, proceed to Page C-132.

SA017

Option 1 - Tic Backup
The follo¥ing prompts will be displayed:
DEVICE ADDRESS OF HARD DISC TO BE BACKED UP:

Enter the hexadecimal address of the disc to be backed up in the format NI,
where:
N is the device number (always 0) on the controller and X is the address of
the controller.
(A null entry will return to the Options Menu.)
DEVICE ADDRESS OF TAPE UNIT (HH):

Enter the hexadecimal address of the Tape Unit in the format NI, where
is the device number (always 0) on the controller and X is the address of
the controller.
(A null entry will return to the Options Menu.)

CHECKING TAPE DRIVEl
The· program will now perform a check of the tape drive specified.
cartridge, the tape will also be retensioned at this point.)

(For

TIC BACKUP IN PROGRESS •••

""'"
The above message .__I I ..'be displayed to indicate the Tic Backup is being
performed. During the copy process, the number of ticked sectors found will
be displayed a~ the top of the screen.
...
'--'
':":. ....

TAPE VERIFICATION IN PROGRESS •••
,It

The tape is rewound and checked to verify that a valid tape has been
produced.
END TAPE - LOAD NEXT

PRESS TAB TO CONTINUE.
This Tic Backup will require more than one tape. Load the next ta~e and
press TAB to continue.
On completion of the Tic Backup process, the following prompt will be
displayed:
TIC BACKUP HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
xxxxxx SECTORS WERE TRANSFERRED.
XXX% OF THE UTILIZED DISC AREA IS TICKED.

Remove the tape and la~el it to indicate the date of the Tic-Backup and the
date of the previous Full Backup to be ·used if a restore should be required.
The utility will return to the Options Menu. Press TAB to exit to the loader
of the IPLed disc.

SA011

*TBACKUP

*RETENSE
The

U~ility -RETENSE

provides the ability to.

RETENSION

a 1/4-inch tape cartridge.

The 1/4-inch tape cartridges maintain tape tension by means of the internal
mechanics of the cartridge. This requires that the tape be evenly packed on the
feed reel when writing or reading a tape from the beginning.
The Utility should be used to RETENSION a new tape cartridge prior to initial use.
Also if the cartridge is subjected to vibration during transportation, or any time
read or write errors are encountered.

(If errors perSist after retensioning contact your Field Service Office.)
From READY:: enter
R *RETENSE

The following prompt will be displayed:
TAPE RETENSIONING UTILITY (*RETENSEXX .XXXXXXXX)
COPYRIGHT HOS QANTEL, !HC.

ENTER TAPE HAME:

1982-

~.~ ..

.~"t

Enter the name of the Tape Unit in the form MTx, as configured in CFIG.
only valid device names are MT1 thru HT9.
(1 null entry will return to READY::.)

The

RETENSIONING TAPE PLEASE WAIT.

The program will now retension the cartridge tape by winding from BOT to EOT
and back to BOT-at 90ips. This should take about 1.5 minutes for a 450-foot
cartridge.
Upon completion, the Utility will exit to *MONITOR.
ERROR MESSAGES:

NOT A MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGE DEVICE.

The device name specified is not an IOU47 cartridge tape drive.

*RETENSE
~

1~7

SA017
March 1983

CURRENT CONFIGURATION
MODULE MESSAGE: BEST 201~2
128K TOTAL MEMORY
30 FILE AFL ENTRIES
5 DEVICES
# DESCRIPTION
2 TERMINALS

NAME
TOO
T01
POO
P01
DK1
LP1
MT1

2 PARTITIONS

DEVil
000
010

SYS 24
5 EXTRACT ENTRIES
2 PARTITIONS

TYPE
VT3
VT3
01
01

1 DISCS
OD
S
1 LINE PRINTERS
OOF
1 MAGNETIC TAPES
08
03
NO SPOOL PRINTERS
NO CLOCK
NO EILE TRANSFER
NO NETWORK
NO CARD READERS
NO SPECIAL DEVICES
BEST TABLE AREA:~41E98 TO $7FFF
~'-~

:~
........

l,:

!"
't

DETAIL
POO
P01
(00DDF3,3000)
(010DF3,3000)

LAST USED: $1EC4

CURRENT CONFIGURATION
MODULE MESSAGE: BEST 408-1
NET,Q64
508K TOTAL MEMORY
234 SECTOR POOL BUFFERS
50 FILE AFL ENTRIES
15 EXTRACT ENTRIES
6 DEVICES
4 PARTITIONS
10 2K PARTITION EXTENSIONS 30 NTWK SURROGATES
IJ DESCRIPTION
2 TERMINALS

4 PARTITIONS

NAME
TOO
T01
POO
P01
P02
p03
DK1
LP1
MT1

DEVil
000
010

TYPE
VT3
VT3
01
01
05
09

DETAIL
POO
P01
(04D153,2800)
(04F953,0800)
(050153,0800)
(050953,0800)

1 DISCS
OD
1 LINE PRINTERS
OOF
S
1 MAGNETIC TAPES
08
02
NO SPOOL PRINTERS
NO CLOCK
~
NO FILE TRANSFER ~. -: ",
1 NETWORK
04
01
NT1
30 SURROGATES
NO CARD READERS
NO SPECIAL DEVICES
COBOL
S/W OPTION 1
INACTIVE
RUNTIME
S/W OPTION 2
IPC
INACTIVE
PSEUDO DEVICE
BEST TABLE AREA: $7BF9 TO $7FFF"
- LAST USED: $7C28
,,"'

_ ' __ ' ' ' _ _ A.

---

_.-.-.-

.......

'-'-

Expanded capabilities with BEST/NET Links

9
6a

B
E
S

Sales/Promot ional Dept

l.
N

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T

i
n
k

J;.r':'
'"'1'"

Accounting Dept

I
N

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n
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Cd)

tlanufacturing Dept

~~--"'"

BEST/NET

Overview of the
BEST Operating System

BEST/NET:

Local Area Networks or Network File Systems handle
distributed processing loads more economically and can
provide more processing power than one large central
computer system. BEST/NET is MDS Oantel's Local Area
Network that ties two to sixteen local OANTEL systems into an
intra-company distributed network.
With BEST/NET, a user on one system can access data and
printers on another system and execute programs that
physically reside on another system's disc. Distributed
processing through BEST/NET provides load sharing among
several systems as well as access to large data bases and
high-speed or special printers. Implementation of BEST/NET
can occur without modification to existing application
programs.

BEST/NET High-Speed Communications Controller
The BEST/NET Communications Controller is microprocessorbased and provides a 500 kilobit per second communication
link over a multi-drop passive shielded cable (to a maximum of
3000 feet) using base-band signalling.
The line control is a contention-based. fully distributed peer
protocol with slot reservation. The Carrier Sense Multiple
Access (CSMA) method is employed for allocating ~he 'bus' to
a system. When the bus is idle, each system in the network
has an equal chance of seizing it.
Error recovery is based on the High-level Data Link Control
(HDLC) techniques. CRC errors or discrepancies are handled
by retransmission.

Operation

BEST/NET

BEST/NET is divided into two main sections: the
Communications Driver and the Network File Server. The
Communications Driver handles the physicai system
communications function and executes primarily at interrupt
level. The Network File Server handles the logical
communications function and executes at the system level.

Overview of the
BEST Operating System

Operation
(cont.)

When a user on one system requests the access to a file or
program operation on another system, the request process is
detected by the Communications Driver. A message containing
the required parameters is gathered by the Network File Server
and forwarded by the Communications Driver to the 'receiving'
system. The resultant data or status is then returned to the
'originating' system.
The execution of the requested I/O operation is carried out by.
a Surrogate partition on the 'receiving' system. Surrogate
partitions are activated on the 'receiving' system at the time the
user is provided access to the system. While the Surrogate
partition is active, it is associated with the 'originating' partition.
Availability of data and program files to users in a network is
controlled by the access to directories on a disc in a system.
Directories are defined as 'Public' or 'Private'. A Public
Directory may be accessed by users within the network, while
a Private Directory can only be accessed by the users on the
t'system where the directory actually resides.

Requirements

The following is a guide to the requirements of systems
participating in a BEST/NET network:
•

- .'
A BEST/NET Communications Controller resides in each
system and is assigned a unique Machine Address.

•

Each directory on every disc on each system is defined ~is
either a Public or Private access type.

•

If the Security System is being utilized, each password
includes the Machine Number for the directories the
password can access.

•

Each REMOTE printer to be accessed by a LOCAL
machine is assigned a Logical Name so that it may be
accessed by all users in the network or by only those users
on the local system.

BEST/NET

Check List
MDS Qantel recommends that each BEST/NET user appoint a person
to serve as "Network Manager" with responsibility for installing,
configuring, and operating BEST/NET. The following check list is a
tool for all BEST/NET installations. It should be used for each
system in a BEST/NET network.
Record the hardware device address of the BEST/NET
Communications Controller.
Record the machine number setting on the BEST/NET
Communications Controller.
Release BEST X07-2 to the system.
Configure network device NT1
(use hardware device address from above).
Configure the required number of surrogate partitions
(maximum of 50).
Modify the Pxx:Txx prompt in *MONITOR to show machine
number (e.g., Mxx:Pxx:Txx). Last 2 characters (digits)
of machine number available through NSTAT function.
In a non-security environment, enter all ACCESS commands
at READY:: prompt in *MONITOR
:".~

In a

sec~ity

environment, use .SECURE to set up directory,
disC, an~~~machine accesses for user passwords. Note: do not
enter machine number for: local directories.
Use .DRHAINT to update public/private status of specific
directories. - .-----..-.-,-.
Use .DRMAINT to create unique directory names within the
total network (recommendation only).
~,

Use .ASSIGN to establish device names for all printers
and spool printers that will be shared across the network.
Copy needed object files from remote systems onto
directories of local system (use *OFCOPY or **COPY).
In applications using the terminal or partition name as
a key to a file, include also the machine number as part
of the key to guarantee uniqueness (recommendation only).

BEST/NET

SA-078
May 1983

D - 015

*ASSIGN 1

The utility -ASSIGN allows a user to assign an alternate LOGICAL NAME to an
existing printer or spool device. This is a facility for sharing printers and/or
spools among machines linked in a BEST/NET network. The user may also List or
Clear a logical assignment.
'This facility may also be utilized on a non-network system.
If a partition is ASSIGNing to a remote printer that partition must have ACCESS to
at least one directory on that remote system.
There are two types of logical assignments supported:
- The GLOBAL assign affects ALL users on a single system. These assignments
remain intact until they are cleared by -ASSIGN using the C-CLEAR option, or
until the system is IPL'd. A maximum of 10 Global assignments per system may
be in effec~ at one time.

- The LOCAL assign affects only the partition doing the assignment.

These
assignments remain intact until they are cleared by the C-CLEAR option, the
partition gets a fatal BEST error, or the system is IPL'd.
A maximum of 10 Local assignments per partition may be in effect at one time.
:....~
~-'.

From READY:: en ter ,!if.'

.:."".

R -ASSIGN

The following prompt Will be displayed:
ASSIGN UTILITY (. ASSIGNXX .XXMMDDIY)
COPYRIGHT HOS QANTEL, INC. 1982
COMMAND FILE:

(For COMMAND FILE processing, Page C-005.)
A null entry will display the following prompt:
ASSIGN, CLEAR OR LIST LOGICAL NAMES
fA,.T'.
,n.''',AoII.
Enter A to assign, C to clear or L to list the logical assignments.
(A null entry will return to the COMMAND FILE: prompt.)

*A~STGN

5A017

A - ASSIGN
If option A 1s chosen, the following prompt will be displayed:

GLOBAL OR LOCAL (GIL):
Enter G to maintain the Global Assign Table.
Enter L to maintain the Local Assign Table.
A null response will return to the (A,C,L): prompt.
If G was entered, the following prompt will be displayed:
PASSWORD (NOT REQUIRED FOR LOCAL ASSIGNS):

Enter the password to allow Global commands.

Once correctly entered,

a password will not be required for additional Global commands.

ASSIGN LOGICAL NAME (THREE CHARACTERS):

Enter the new name that will be used to reference a printer or spool

e.g.,

PTR.

TO·DEVICE:
Enter the name
used e.g. LP1.
ENTER MACHINE

'".~

of~he

..~

printer or spool (as CFIG'd) that will actually be

...... ~
r

(MOO-M15,

OR BLANK FOR THIS MACHINE):

Enter the machine number of the machine on which the printer is configured
range MOO to M15.
A NULL response will default to the local machine number.

in the

The following message will then be displayed:,
LOGICAL NAME : LLL IS ASSIGNED TO PPP OR SYSTEM MIX

The program will" return to the Options Prompt •
• i.:

SA077

*ASSIGN

C - CLEAR

If C was entered at the options prompt, the following prompt will be displayed:
GLOBAL OR LOCAL (GIL):

Enter G to clear Global Assignments.
Enter L to clear Local Assignments.
A null response will return to the (A,e,L): prompt.
If G was entered, the following prompt will be displayed:
PASSWORD (NOT REQUIRED FOR LOCAL ASSIGNS):
Enter the password to allow Global commands. Once correctly entered,
a password will not be required for additional Global commands.
ENTER LOGICAL NAME TO CLEAR OR "TAB" TO CLEAR TABLE:
Enter the 3-character LOGICAL name that is to be cleared, or TAB to clear
the entire table.
PERFORM CLEAR

NOW?~~Y/NO)
1:t:-'.

To continue the~Clear operation enter a Y.
Clear operation.

Enter N or TAB to abort the

Once the Clear operation is complete, the following message will be displayed:
LOGICAL NAME: XXX DELETED
or
LOGICAL NAME TABLE CLEARED.
The program will then return to the Options Prompt.

SA011

L - LIST

I f L for-List was chosen, the following prompts will be displayed:

GLOBAL OR LOCAL (GIL):

Enter G to list the Global Assign Table.
Enter L to list the Local Assign Table.
A null response will return to the Options prompt.
LISTING DEVICE (!XX):

Enter the device name of the desired listing device, e.g. LP5.
The default Listing Device is the user's terminal.
The following is a sample listing of a Local Assign Table generated by the List
command:
• -ASSIGN (LOGICAL NAME ASSIGNMENT UTILITY)

LOGICAL NAME TABLE FOR PARTITION: P02
LOGICAL NAME: ~ . IS ASSIGNED TO LP1
LOGICAL NAME: .,§PI. .~.IS ASSIGNED TO LP2
LOGICAL NAME: LP3 IS ASSIGNED TO SPL

OR SYSTEM M01
ON SYSTEM M02
OR SYS~ M03

LIST COMPLETE.

The program will.return to the Options Prompt;

SA077

*ASSIGN
,..

nn.l1

Memory dump procedures
The following procedure can be used to dump the first 96K of memory
to magnetic tape. Use this procedure only if requested by a QANTEL
representative, otherwise use the normal system dump procedure.
1.

Press the IPL button and make sure that a tape (with a write ring)
is· on-line on the the tape drive addressed $08.

Enter 4000F20000B80000A8
Press TRANSMIT •. A 16K record will be written to tape and the
CPU Stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.

3. Enter 4000F24000B80000A8
Press TRANSMIT. A 16K record will be written to tape and the
CPU Stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.
4.

Enter OOOOAD4000F24000B80000AB
Press TRANSMIT. A 16K record will be written to tape and the
CPU Stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.

Enter OOOOAE4000F240gQB80000A8
~-~.

Press TRANSMIT.·~A 16K record will be written to tape and the
CPU Stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.
--~6.

Enter 0011820014~24000F24000BBOOOOA8410000612000
Press TRANSMIT. A 16K record will be written-to tape-and the
CPU Stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.

7. Enter 0011820014824000F24000B80000A8414000616000
Press TRANSMIT. A 16K record will be written to tape and the
CPU stop light will be on. Press the IPL button.
Rewind and save the tape. Immediately continue with the normal
procedure (i.e., enter 8687A7) to dump configured memory to
the printer.

SA-078
May 1983

System Updates

B - 007

SAMPLE

CFIG

COMMAND

FILE

•

SYSTEM=256K,40,8,12
!

TERMINAL=OOO,4,POO

256K Memory, ~OAFLs, 8 EXTRACTs,
12 2K Partition Extentions.
TOO

TERMINAL=010,.4,POl

Tal

TERMINAL=020,4,P02

T02

PARTITION=2K,1,2

POO & P01 SIZE= 2K PRIORITY 1

PARTITION=30K,1

P02 SIZE=30K PRIOR+TY 1

PARTITION=2K,9

! P03 SIZE= 2K PRIORITY 9 Background

DISC=OD,B

SYSTEM DISC

DISC=OC,F

FLOPPY DISC

PRINTER=F,N,N

LP1 Non-Standard, Non-Spool

PRINTER=E,S,D,SPL

LP2 with Default Spooling

CLOCK =1

! SYSTEM CLOCK

TAPE=9,2

! MAGTAPE Read after Write

---,SPOOL=ABC,SPL

SPOOL DEVICE

. SPECIAL DEVICE=COM, 6, I

! COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER

NETWORK=Ol,SO

BEST/NET w/SO surrogate partitions

MESSAGE;System

IPL message.

The keyword must start in the first character position of the Command record and
must end with an equal sign. Only the first three characters of the keyword are
required.
Note: The "Message" command terminates the configuration and therefor must be the•
last command in the file.

CFIG

"
#

*MESSAGE
The Utility -MESSAGE provides the ability to display a message on the control line
on a Model 4031 terminal. The message can be sent from one terminal to another,
to selected terminals only (in Command Mode) or to all terminals on the System.
From READY:: enter

The following prompts will be displayed:
MESSAGE PASSING UTILITY C-MESSAGEXX.XXXXXXXX)
COPYRIGHT HOS QANTEL INC. 1982

COMMAND FILE:

Enter the name of the Command File.
(A null entry will proceed to the SEND TO prompt below.)
DIRECTORY NAME:
Enter the name of the directory where the Command File is to be located.
the directory or Command File specified is not found, the Utility will
return to the COMMAND FILE prompt.
(A null entry ~ll return to the COMMAND FILE prompt.)

--;.-~.~

'~:"'.

The Command File "W1ll'-be read and the message or messages will be sent to the
designated terminals. The Utility will execute the specified progr.am in the
RUN Command Line on completion of sending all messages.
SEND TO:

",'

Enter the name of the terminal that the message is to be sent to.
Enter ALL if the message is to be sent to all the terminals on the System.
(1 null entry will return to the COMMAND FILE prompt. A null entrY at the
COMMAND FILE prompt will exit the Utility.)
MESSAGE:

Enter the message (maximum 51 characters) to be sent.
Enter the DEL key if a bl~~~ message line is to be sent.
the 27th line on the 'send to' terminal.
(A null entry will return to the SEND TO prompt.)

This will clear

The name of the sending terminal and the message will be displayed on the
'send to' terminal. If the message cannot be displayed on certain termir~ls
(those not on-line or not Model 4031 terminals), the MESSAGE NOT SENT TO TXX
message will be displayed.
On completion of sending the message the Utility will return to the SEND TO
prompt.

SA077

.*CONSOLE-·l
.
. I
The U~ility .CONSOLE allows any termihal to ACTIVATE and TERMINATE partitions, LOG
the curre~t activity of all partitions, request detailed INFORMATION on a specific
partition, check the current STATUS of all controllers configured in the System,
display the list of DIRECTORIES accessible by the user running .CONSOLE, request
the status of any configured DEVICE, display the status of any accessible FILE,
and check the current NETWORK status of any configured partition.
From READY:: enter

R ·CONSOLE
The following prompt Will be displayed:
SY~ ACTIVITY MONITOR (*CONSOLEXX.XXXXXXXX)
COPYRIGHT MDS QANTEL, Inc. , 982

(A,T,L,I,S,D,DS,N,F)::
The program will then accept any of the nine command words (or any initial,
nonconflicting segment of a command word) displayed in parentheses. A null entry
will return to READY::. Any other entry will cause the following list of options
to be displayed:
A - ACTIVATE ~~ PARTtTION, PROGRAM, DISC , 'MESSAGE'
T - TERMINA~~' PARTITION
(ALL PARTITIONS)
L - LOG

.....

PARTITION
(ALL DEVICES)
S - STATUS
D . - DIRECTORIES (THIS PARTITION)
DEVICE
DS - DSTAT
PARTITION
H - NSTATUS
FILENAME, DISC
F - FSTATUS
I

- INFORMATION

Notice that this list shows the correct form for each command available in
.CONSOLE. This 1s a useful "help" function for program operators.

,'.

SA017

·CONSOLE
",IIA

M::IT"t"'h

lQ8~

BEST 205/405-1

BEST OPERATING SYSTEHS

*CONSOLE
-

Terminate Option:- Override ESCAPETO when terminating Background partition
e.g. T P20,O
Terminate Foreground option, password protected.
also be useg with Override option

}~y

e.g. T

POl.O.F~+t Z)

T POI"F or T POI,N,F

,_.J'

(Override ESCAPETO)

(no Override ESCAPETO)

STATUS

The STATUS command displays the status of· all device controllers currently
connected to the system, in the form:
DEVICE I x -- STATUS : yy
where x is the number of the device controller, and
yy is the current STATUS of the controller.

DIRECTORIES
-The DIRECTORIES command displays the names of the directories (listed in the
Directory Access Blocks (DAB's» accessible by the user. There is a maximum of
-10 directories per tiser that may be ACCESsed at one time. The display format
1s:
DIRECTORIES:
(00)
'DSK' ON

'YIY'

'REM' ON 'nY' .
(02) - 'XXX' ON 'nY'
(03) - 'ABC' ON 'QQQ' MACHINE 'MOl'

• (01) -

REM

where DSK,
and XXX are directories on disc YYY of the "local"
computer, and ABC· is a directory on disc QQQ of the "remote" computer
MOl •
...... r

*CONSOLE

SA077

DSTAT device
deYice is the name of a configured system device (e.g. terminal, printer,
disc) upon which a device status (DSTAT) function is to be performed and
reported.
For example:

DS LP1

The DSTAT command displays up to seven lines of status information for any
configured device as follows:
DEVICE STATUS FOR:
DEVICE NUMBER:
OWNING PARTITION:

3-character device name
device address (hex)
paritition using device (if any)

spool option code for printer (from CFIG)
OPTION:
(or)
DISC LABEL:
3-character disc label
(or)
(blank display line)
SPOOL

status 0 for device (hex)
status 2 for device (hex)
DEVICE IS message

STATUS 0:

STATUS 2:
SYSTEM STATUS:

where:

spool optlun code for printer (from CFIG) is:
N
D
A
E

for
for
for
.for

Non-spooling printers
Default spooling
Automatic spooling
Exception spooling

DEVICE IS message is:
AVAILABLE
if the deVice is currently

availabl~

for use

UNAVAILABLE
if the deVice is currently unavailable for "use
INOPERATIVE
if the device is currently inoperative
IN USE BY THIS PARTITION
if the devi~e is being used by the partition
running ·CONSOLE (e.g., the terminal).

SA077

*CONSOLE

NSTAT partition
partition is the name of a configured partition upon which a network status

-(NSTAT) function is to be performed and reported.
For example:

N P02

The NSTAT command displays the following information:

NETWORK STATUS FOR PARTITION:

partition name

LOCAL MACHINE NUMBER:
IOU44 BACKPLANE ADDRESS:
LAST MACHINE ACCESSED:
LAST REMOTE MACHINE ACCESSED:
LAST REMOTE MACHINE ACCESSED WITH
LAST REMOTE BEST ERROR:

xx
xx (decimal)

xx
xx

ERROR:

LAST NEnlORK ERROR:

where:

xx
xx
xx

LOCAL MACHINE NUMBER, LAST MACHINE ACCESSED, LAST REMOTE
MACHINE ACCESSED, and LAST REMOTE MACHINE ACCESSED WITH

ERROR all report the numeric segment of network computers
(e.g., network computer 'MOl' would be displayed as '01').
10044 BACKPLANE ADDRESS is the decimal device address
of the BEST/NET network controller.
LAST REMOTE
BEST ERROR is the most recent system error
_1.-...-.
.
encountered by this partition on a remote computer (from
*ERRF1LE; where 'Exx' is the key to the file containing
system error messages).
~

-P

LAST NETWORK ERROR is the most recent network error
encountered by this partition on a remote computer (from
*ERRFILE; where 'Nxx' is the key to the file containing
system error messages).

*CONSOLE
nc:c:

SA077
March 1983

FSTAT filename,disc
filename is the name of a program or data file upon which a file status
(iSTAT) function 1s to be performed and reported.
disc (optional) is the directory name where the file/program is located.
For example:

F -MONITOR,DSK

The FSTAT command displays up to eight lines of file status information in the
following format:

STATUS FOR:
CREATE DATE:
UPDATE DATE: OPEN COUNT:
FILE TYPE:
RECORD SIZE:
AU COUNT:

·filename, directory

KEY SIZE:
• (or)
FILL CHARACTER:
(or)

(for keyed files)

(for contiguous files)

MMDDYI
MMDDIY

xxx
file-type-code
xxx
xxx

xxxx
'rr~
(or)
~-:.
(blank display lille) .:.If' _,

(for standalone files)

FILE LENGTH:

(for object or sequential files)

---~

where:

file-type-code is:

o
S
K
D
C

SA017

for
for
for
for
for

object files
standalone files
keyed files
sequential files
contiguous files

,..

*CONSOLE

*DR~v1AINT

The Utility *DRMAINT provides the implementation and maintainence of the Multiple
Directory feature in BEST 20X and 40X Operating Systems. The program can CREATE
new directories, ERASE existing directories (and all files contained therein),
print or display a LIST of all directories on a specified disc, RENAME a specific
directory (or disc), and UPDATE the public/private status of a local directory.
A DIRECTORY is a logical subsection of a disc. It is used to segregate data files
and programs contained on a single physical disc (for organization and/or security
purposes). There is a maximum of 50 directories per disc (and only 1 per
diskette). There is no limit to the size of a single directory other than the
physical limits of the disc. In other words, a directory can use any amount of
disc space from a minimum of 10 sectors to the entire disc (minus the space
allocated to the operating system). Disc space is allocated to directories on a
first come, first served basis.
A directory name is a 3-character label gi ven to each directory. The name can be
composed oflet~ers, numbers, or special symbols. It should NOT be the same as a
configured device name. Duplicate directory names may eXist on different discs
(andpn different computers in a BEST/NET network).
NOTE: It is not recommended to duplicate directory names in any system.
The first directory of a disc is automatically given the same name as the disc
label. All other d~tories are named when they are CREATEd using Option 1, or
RENAMEd using OPtiO~~ o. .f _,the Utility *DRMAINT.
,

A local directory is. one that is located on a disc of a local computer system
(which is part of a BEST/NET network), while a remote directory is one that is
located on a disc of a remote system.
A public directory is one that is accessible (via access procedures described
below) from any computer in a BEST/NET network. A private directory is one that
may only be accessed from the local computer (e.g., NOT from any remote system in
a BEST/NET network).
Each user may access up to 10 different directories at one time. The directories
may be local or remote and public. Access to a remote and private directory is not
allowed. Each accessed directory is assigned a Directory Access Block (DAB)
reference number in the range 0 to 9. This number sets a search priority for the
operating system (e.g., if a directory name is not specified by a program or user, •
the operating system will search all of the accessed directories in DAB order,
from 0 through 9, looking for a specific file).

SA017

5-UPDATE

Allows the public/private status of a local, accessed directory to be changed.
UPDATE may NOT be performed on remote or un-accessed directories.
DISC LABELz
Enter the disc label where the directory is located. A null entry will
return to the options menu.
DIRECTORY NAME:
Enter the name of the directory for which the public/private status is to be
changed. A null entry will return to the DISC LABEL: prompt.
If the.directory is public, the following prompt will be displayed:
DIRECTORY IS PUBLIC.
CHANGE TO PRIVATE? (Y/NO):
If tHe directory is private, the following prompt will be displayed:
DIRECTORY IS PRIVATE.
CHANGE TO PUBLIC? ..,......(Y/NO):
'f:.

In either case, a

entry will default to NO, the public/private status of
the directory will remain unchanged, and the program will return to the DISC
LABEL: prompt. An affirmative response will change the directory status, and
display the other prompt, ad infinitum (or until a negative response is
entered).
..
n~~l

*TYRM ATNT

-------_ .._. __ ..

_ - - - - - - - - - - _.._----------

IRECTORY
DIRE CTORY.

MAINTE~ANCE

UTILITY

CREATE DATE

(*DR~AINTOC.07042383)

UPDATE DATE

LISTED ON 09/13/83

AlJ. COUNT

-··-------oS~--------i)8123jB_3---___O_9/131_e:;-·---0OO5----f(-Ae-tE-S-S4-)----------

OK1

06/23/83
C8/23/83
08/23/E3
08/23/83
-- --_.• - J"Of-{j 9/1 31 ' 8 j - - - --e-9/1-3 t~ 3* TST
09113/83
09/13/83
FUN
09/13183
09/13/83
-- - - - --'1r-"S I A - --09113 i 8-3 ----09/1318-3
LIST CC~PLETE.
DC~

O{}Oi""+--~(_A_t_i_E_S_S....;.}-----------

0002
(ACCESS)
0002
-e-oo 2 - - - - - - - - -

,
-0

-. -

0002
0002

---"-,.,..----------------------------,-----....

<1"--

----- - - " - - - - - - - - ' - - ' - - - - - - ' - - - - - - - - -

'\1 /
--¥I/'
"

~PC\J\'\-P
Jl.
-V'

ENTER USER' S NAME

Enter the name or identification of the user of this password.
is only used for documenting purposes.

This field

The screen will be cleared and the following format will be displayed:
ENTER DIRECTORY NAKE AND DISC LABEL OF UP TO 10

DlRECTORIF.S

DIR DSK

TO BE ACCESSED BY THIS USER:

DIR DSK

DSK DSK
6
laY REM

XXX

DSK

9
REM

END DSK

YYY DSK

7
$$$ REM

REM REM

DIR DSl
5
ZZZ REM

DIR DSK

##1

REM

DSK and REM are disc labels.
and END are directory names.

FIX

DSK, XXX, YYY, REM, ZZZ, WXY, $$$, #1#, FIX

Enter the directory name and' the disc label where the directory is located
for each directory that is accessable by this password.
Press TAB to mov~~"from field to field.
~
.•~..

_.'J<,

*SECURE

System Extension Utilities
I - 031

IX¢7!X;J8}
ENTER USER'S NAME:
. Enter the name or identification of the password user.
only for ddcumentation purposes.

This field is used

The following format will be displayed:

ENTER DIRECTORY NAME, DISC LABEL AND MACHINE m OF UP TO 10
DIRECTORIES TO BE ACCESSED BY THIS USER:
I IDIRIIDSKIIMIDI IDIRIIDSKIIMIDI IDIRI IDSKI I MID I IDIRI IDSKI I MID I
101
II
II
111
II
II
121
II
II
I
I
131
II
II
141
II
11
151
II
II
I
I
161
II
II
171
II
II
181
II
II
191
11
II
I
Enter the-directory name, the disc label, and the machine number where the
directory is located for each directory that is accessible by this password.
• Leaving MID (machine number) blank defaults to the local system.
Press TAB to move from field to field.

I IDIRIIDSKIIMmP---'lDIRIIDSKIIMIDI IDIRIJDSKIIMIDI IDIRIIDSKIIMIDI
I 0 I DSK I I DSK I I
111 XXX 1I DSK I 1 I 21 YYY I I DSK I I
I
I 31 REM II REM I I HO 1 I 41 ZZZ I I REM liMe 1 I 51 WXY I 1DSK I I
I
I
I 61 FIX II FIX I I Me21711"11 FIX II He21 81 END I I DSK II
I 91 END I I DSK II MOO I
DSK, XXX, YYY, REM, ZZZ, WXY, 1##, FIX, and END are directory names.
DSK, REM, and FIX are disc labels.
MOO, M01, and M02 are machine numbers.

NOTE:-- MID MUST BE BLANK if BEST/NET is not configured.
....

SA077

*SECURE
1-I...... ,..h

1QA':l

roblem areas
1.

An aborted contiguous file create can cause file damage.
The
contiguous file will appear as a sequential file and the bit map
will not be updated, so the next disc allocation could ~ross
files.

To avoid this condition, the user should not attempt to ESCAPE
(F3) out of the programs that support creation of contiguous
files (re: **COPY, ·CREATE, *FILTRAN, *RELEASE, and *TAPE).
Should a situation arise where an ESCAPE has been attempted
during execution of one of these programs, or a power failure,
accidental IPL, or system hang has occurred, *FILCHEK should
be executed to validate the status of the file structures.
If any errors are reported, they should be corrected before
resuming normal operations.
Recent software quality assurance testing discovered that this
problem eXists in all BEST XOX systems. It is imperative that
custome~/users be informed of this situation and the potential
file integrity problems that could result.
To ask questions or to get aid in corecting this situation,
call QANTEL Systems/Comm~ications Support (HOTLINE 415/783-3934).
~~~

Under certain circumstafi~es,·the spooler may spool into itself.
for example, if a prjnter is configured as an "exception spool
printer" and is off-line to a user printing to it, a spool job
file will be created. If the printer is turned on-line, then
opened, printed to, and closed by a second user, and if the,
spooler is running in "forever mode" in background, the spool
job file created by the first user may be written into a second
spool job file instead of being printed on the printer.

The system may hang or report an exception 99 on a disc full
condition. If this occurs, the user should perform a system
memory dump, execute *FILCHEK, and report the problem to QANTEL
Systems/Communications Support.

System Updates

B - 008

SA-078
May 1983

&~D SALES REPRESENTATIVES
FROM MARKETING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
REF SOFTVlARE ALERT - W016 103183

TO ALL DISTRIBUTORS

1) lJhiDER SOME CONFIGURATIONS THE X07-3 *QIC CO~lPILER WILL
REPORT nINSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE". THE COMPILER
REQUIRES EITHER A 30K CONFIGURED PARTITION OR A MINIMUM
OF 16K I~NOLVING AT LEAST ONE 2K PARTITION EXTENSION.
TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION IN 207-3 INSTALLATIONS, YOU
MAY EITHER CONFIGURE A PARTITION WITH 30K OF USER MEMORY
AND ALWAYS USE THIS PARTITION FOR COMPILATION OR
CONFIGURE TH& FIVE 2K PARTITION EXTENSIONS ~LLOWED BY
207-3 AND CONFIGURE THE PARTITION TO AT LEAST 6K.
CONFIGURED PARTITIONS OF 16K THRU 28K WILL CAUSE THE
"INSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE n CONDITION IF THE ~IVE 2K
PARTITION EXTENSIONS ARE NOT CONFIGURED.
TO PREVENT THIS IN 407-3 INSTALLATIONS, CONFIGURE AT
LEAST ENOUGH PARTITION EXTENSIONS TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE
A MINIMUM OF 16K OF USER MEMORY INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE 2K
EXTENSION OR CONFIGURE THE· PARTITION TO HAVE 30K.
CONFIGURED PARTITIONS OF 16K THRU 28K WILL CAUSE THE
nINSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE n CONDITION IF NO PARTITION
EXTENSIONS ARE CONFIGURED.
REL~SED IN X07-3 WILL NOT REBUILD EITHER
FILES OR DIRECTORIES. IT WILL LEAVE THE OUTPUT WORK
FILE CREATED BUT EMPTY. YOU MUST USE *KEYBILD FROM THE
408-1.00 RELEASE IF YOU WISH TO REBUILD EITHER A FILE OR
DIRECTORY. USE *TAPE TO LOAD *KEYBILD AND *KEYBILO FROM
THE 408-1.00 RELEASE TAPE, THEN USE *TAPE TO MAKE A COpy
OF THEM TO TAKE TO ALL OTHER INSTALLATIONS •

2) *KEYBILD AS
•

~'Y'

. 3) PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE A SYSTEM 10 OR SYSTEM 20 MINI
WITH LESS THAN· 128K YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE 407-3.
207-~

IS INTENDED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

4) PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE READ STATUS 2 SWITCHES AT THE
UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE IOU 38B CONTROLLER MUST BE SET
TO "BB n FOR THE RELEASE PROCESS FROM A DISKETTE TO A
EARD DISC, AND FOR *DBACKUP OF HARD DISC TO DISKETTE.
5) FOR THE SYSTEM 22, THE CORE-IMAGE DISKETTE, nSYS·,.
REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING PATCH TO ENABLE 207-3:
I PATCH
P CF
SH 1006,32
(XMIT)

(XMIT)
I CFIG

NOW RECONFIGURE YOUR SYSTEM TO MATCH YOUR HARDWARE
CONFIGURATION. NOTE: THE RECONFIGURATION STEP IS
HA~TDATORY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CURRENT CONFIGURATION.
ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE. DIRECTED TO MARKETING TECHNICAL
SUPPORT.
.
_~ .

In the Utility, *MAINTC, a blank entry for the index value under

options "R" or "I" will "lock up" the program. To continue, the
user must ESCAPE (F3/TRANSMIT) and return to *MONITOR.

of a
directory name will allow maintenance on the first directory
encountered with the same matching first character. Doing this
twice in a row without exiting the program will change the
directory name to the single character. If the directory matched
happens to be the primary directory, only the directory name
(and not the disc label) will be changed, resulting in a serious
problem.

The QICBASIC compiler, *QIC, now requires a minimum of 18K to
execute. Programs with large symbol tables that would compile
successfully under BEST X05 may not compile successfully under
BEST X07. For these situations, the programs may have to be
divided into smaller overlays, or the number of symbols (labels,
variable names, etc.) may have to be reduced.

In the Utility, *FIXFIL, entering only the first

ch~racter

-- ,

SA-078
May 1983

Syste:n Updates

B-

oog

TO ALL DISTRIBUTORS &~D SALES REPRESENTATIVES
FROM MARKETING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
REF SOFTWARE ALERT - W016 103183

1) ONDER SOME CONFIGURATIONS THE X07-3 *QIC COHPILER WILL
REPORT nINSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE". THE COMPILER
REQUIRES EITHER A 30K CONFIGURED PARTITION OR A ~lINIMUM
OF 16K I}NOLVING AT LEAST ONE 2K PARTITION EXTENSION.
TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION IN 207-3 INSTALLATIONS, YOU
MAY EITHER CONFIGURE A PARTITION WITH 30K OF USER MEMORY
AND ALWAYS USE THIS PARTITION FOR COMPILATION OR
CONFIGURE TH~ FIVE 2K PARTITION EXTENSIONS ~LLOWED BY
207-3 AND CONFIGURE THE PARTITION TO AT LEAST 6K.
CONFIGURED PARTITIONS OF 16K THRU 28K WILL CAUSE THE
"INSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE n CONDITION IF THE ~IVE 2K
PARTITION EXTENSIONS ARE NOT CONFIGURED.
TO PREVENT THIS IN 407-3 INSTALLATIONS, CONFIGURE AT
LEAST ENOUGH PARTITION EXTENSIONS TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE
A MINIMUM OF 16K OF USER MEMORY INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE 2K
EXTENSION OR CONFIGURE THE· PARTITION TO HAVE 30K.
CONFIGURED PARTITIONS OF 16K THRU 28K WILL CAUSE THE
"INSUFFICIENT MEMORY AVAILABLE" CONDITION IF NO PARTITION
EXTENSIONS ARE CONFIGURED.
2) *KEYBILD AS RELEASED IN X07-3 WILL NOT REBUILD EITHER
FILES OR DIRECTORIES. IT WILL LEAVE THE OUTPUT WORK
.
FILE CREATED BUT EMPTY. YOU MUST USE *KEYBILD FROM THE
408-1.00 RELEASE IF YOU WISH TO REBUILD EITHER A FILE OR
DIRECTORY. USE *TAPE TO LOAD *KEYBILD AND *KEYBILO FROM
THE 408-1.00 RELEASE TAPE, THEN USE *TAPE TO MAKE A COpy
OF THEM TO TAKE TO ALL OTHER INSTALLATIONS.
~-

'. t

3) PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE A SYSTEM 10 OR SYSTEM 20 MINI
WITH LESS THAN· 128K YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE 407-3.
207-3 IS INTENDED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
4) PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE READ STATUS 2 SWITCHES AT THE
OPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE IOU 38B CONTROLLER MUST BE SET
TO nBBa FOR THE RELEASE PROCESS FROM A DISKETTE TO A
H~~D DISC, AND FOR *DBACKUP OF HARD DISC TO DISKETTE.
5)' FOR THE SYSTEM 22, THE CORE-IMAGE DISKETTE, nSYS·,.
REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING PATCH TO ENABLE 207-3:
I PATCH
P CF
SH 1006,32
(XMIT)

(XMIT)
I CFIG
NOW RECONFIGURE YOUR SYSTEM TO MATCH YOUR HARD~\7ARE
CONFIGURATION. NOTE: THE RECONFIGURATION STEP IS
f.1A1-.TDATORY REGARDLESS OF YOUR CURRENT CONFIGURATION.
ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE. DIRECTED TO MARKETING TECHNICAL
SUPPORT.
- _, _

TO ALL DISTRIBUTORS AND SALES REPRESENTATIVES
FROM MARKETING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
REF SOFTWARE ALERT - W017 1206B3
1) Under X07-3, a system hang could occur if a BEST ERROR
86 (AFL OVERFLOW) is encountered. Please install the
following patch at all X07-3 accounts to prevent this
problem:
I
PATCH
P

--B

SH
SH

4E2D,7CB7A7
7CB7,0246F04E8262
SH
7CBD,0242F0039F61
SH
7CC3,4E33A7
SH
75Bl,7CC6A7
SH
7CC6,6C3AA9
sa 7CC9,02BEF0039F62
sa 1CCF,75B4A7
(XMIT)
(XMIT)
This condition can ~so occur under 40B-1. 00. To
prevent the proble.:"·inthese accounts, upgrade them to

40B-1.03.

2) Do not attempt to use the command file capability
of -TAPE in either 40B-l.00 or 408-1.03. It will be
supported in the next release of BEST.
3) Please do not configure spool printers with names like

SP1, SP2, etc. These names are reserved for spools
associated with particular printers, i.e., LP1/SP1,
LP2/SP2, etc. Such incorrect configurations may cause
system hangs.

KNO~N

PROBLEM AREAS

-FILCHEK should be run on the entire disc, not on a range of files.
the range of files path is taken, an empty directory can generate
erroneous output from the program.

Under certain circumstances, the spooler may spool into itself.

For example, if a printer configured as an exception s'pool printer is
off-line to a user printing to it, a spool job file will be created. If
the printer is turned on, then opened, printed to, a~d closed by a second
user, and if the spooler is running in forever mode ~n background, the
spool job file created by the first user may be wr~tten into a second
spool job file, instead of being printed on the pr~nter.

In the utility -FIXFIL, entering only the first character of a directory
will allow maintenance on the first directory encountered with the same
matching first character. Doing this procedure twice in a row without
exiting the program, however, will change the directory name to the
single character~~.Ir the directory matched happens to be the primary
directory, only ~e ..d.~~ectory name (and not the disc label) will be
changed, resultIng in a serious problem.

*DISC -- The CHECK ALTERNATE SECTORS prompt reports erroneously (IOU 52)~
The CHECK ALL SECTORS option should be used with these discs. Either
option will work with an IOU 42 disc controller. This program should not
be used with an IOU 32 disc controller (see below) •.
*DISC32 -- Replaces -DISC on 25 or 70MB discs that use the IOU 32 disc._
controller.

For object and stand-alone files, .CATALOG displays a record size of

6~'

Taking the streaming tape drive off-line during -BACKUP may "hang the
program.

date:
number:

re:

February 19B4

SA-OB4
BEST 408-1.1' Update

* *:

BACKUP FULLY fMPLEMEN I ED

This software announcement documents System Update l!·OB-1.11 of the BEST a
operating system. A single tape is included with this announcement, the
BEST 408-1.11 update tape.
This update tape must be loaded only tCJ an existing 408- 1.xx system. Users
installing BEST 40B for the first time must release the BEST 408-1.00
tape (refer to Software Announcement 080) before loading the BEST 40B-l.l1
update tape. See Secti~!1" A of this document for update information.
~..

A note for new installations:' The advanced operating system, BEST/AOS
(408), requires a password. For new installations that will be using BEST
408, a pass~lord must be obtained from Order Entry, MDS Qantel, Hayward, CA.
Telerhone: (415) 887-7777 x2235 or x2236.
Please have ready the following information: system number, customer
number, CPU type, and CPU serial numbep~ On the System 64, use the serial
number of the CPU board without any connectors. (This is the ALU board.)
Note: the QANTEL/COBOL software option is licensed and passworded
separately from the operating system and requires a signed Software Program
License Agreement I.

For installations running BEST 405-1 or later: The password will remain
the same; re-entry is not required after releasing BEST 408-1.00 •

......
'i.. ;:.,

:~~,.

BEST 408-1.11 is for use only on certain configurations. It has been
tested on and support will be provided for the following:
, '"

•

Processors

Q29, Q30, Q64

•
•
•

Terminals

CRTII, VT3, VT4

Printers

Current product line only

Discs

6+6 MB (IOU-24)
30 MB (IOU-24)
20/40 MB (IOU-42/52)
25/70 MB (IOU-42/52)
75/150 MB (IOU-42/52)
400 MB (IOU-54; System 64 only)

•

Magnetic tapes

1/2-in. reel-to-reel
1/4-in. cartridge
1/2-in. streamer (System 64 only)

•
•

Network

BEST/NET

Software options

QANTEL/COBOL

(IOU-44)

Testing of other configurations and other features such as IPC is
currently under way, and BEST 408-1.xx will be released for such
configurations when;!~sting is successfully completed.
.!!f.--,

.~ "

The QANTEL/COBOL Language Reference Manual will be provided shortly
_~~~~__separate cover.
This Software Announcement is distributed by MDS Qantel to all QANTEL
Distributors. It is imperative that important updates and known .
problems be communicated to customers/users. Extra copies of this
announcement are available from MDS Qantel, Order Entry, Hayward, CA •
. In accordance with MDS Qantel's policy of continually enhancing its
products, the information in this Software Announcement is subject to

change without notice.
MDS Qantel makes NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THIS MATERIAL,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

MDS Qa..'1tel assumes no

responsibility for any errors that may appear in this Software
Announcement. MDS Qantel makes no commitment to update nor to keep
current the information contained in this Software Announcement.
QANTEL8 , BESTe, and QICBASIC~ are Reg. UoS. Pat. & !m. Off.
BEST/N~T TIl

BEST/ ADS TIl, and QICWDRD

TII

are trademarks of MDS Qantel, Inc.

1983, 1984 by MDS Qantel, Inc.

(

084

SOFr~ARE fu\~OUNCEMENT

QAJ'JTEL:

NEW OPERATING SYSTEM NUMBERING AND RELEASES
The BEST 408-1.00 release introduces the expanded numbering system for releases.
This larger (or longer) numbering scheme provides for system updates, in
addition to the standard full releases. Operating system releases are
identified as follows:
Operating system
numbering format

The current release
used as an example

4XX-Y.nn

where:

4 = BEST/AOS

XX = feature level of the system
y

= the current full release number
~~

= the curr--ent, update number

08
1

Thus, the current release, 408-1.11, represents BEST/AOS at feature level 08,
the "first release, and update level 11. (More colloquially, 408-1.00 is the
first full field release of BEST/AOS that incorporates features beyond level
407.)
When enhancements or corrections are made to BEST 408, they will be distributed
via update tapes, which are identified by a larger-than-zero "pOint" number.
The full release tape plus the highest numbered update tape represents the
latest system level, (i.e., BEST 408-1.11).
Update tapes include only items that have been changed since the associated full
release. This new procedure allows enhancements or corrections to be
distributed in a more timely manner. An update tape will also take less time to
install than a full release.
An added advantage is that installation is made simpler and quicker, because the
update procedure is automated and requires minimal operator intervention.

A detailed description of the update procedure begins on the next page.

A - 004
02/84

R2:"E ;SE :NFORl.fATION

SYSTEM UPDATE PROCEDURES
WARNING: The following procedures describe how to install a system update, in
this case BEST 408-1.11. These procedures assume that a full release at this
level (i.e., BEST 408-1.00) has already taken place. DO NOT CONTINUE UNTIL THE
FULL RELEASE HAS BEEN VERIFIED. Also, refer to Software Announcement 080 for
complete information on BEST 408-1.00. If you are running an updated version of
408 (i.e., 408-1.03), the .11 update may be put down directly on top of it.
The following procedures' should be used to transfer programs from the update
tape to disc. The update process sets single-user mode. Therefore, at least
30K of user memory (e.g., configured partitions plus partition extensions) must
be configured.
1•

Ensure a current backup is on hand.

Ensure that .FILCHEK has been executed, checking all discs. (If any
problems are reported, make the corrections and then backup the corrected
disc. )

Ensure that no users are active on the system.

Mount the update tape. "',

,~-

...~
-~

Press the IPL button.

Determine the address of the tape controller.
address of the tape controller.

7•

Press TRANS'iIT.

Enter 00030x, where x is the

The following prompt will appear:

DATE (MMDDYY):

Using the MMDDYI format, enter the current date (e.g., 030184). Press
TRANSMIT. -(Note: if exactly six numbers are not entered, the prompt will be
repeated.)

The following loader message will be displayed:
REL 408-1.1' mmddyy
The numeric field
·UPDATE a."'ld

""n indicates the current level of the update tape.
TR1L~SMIT"

The following prompt will appear:

ENTER OUTPUT DISC I:

A - 005
02/84

11.

Determine the device number of the disc and the address of the disc
controller. Enter the hexadecimal disc address in the form NX, where N is
the device number of the disc on the controller and X'is the address of the
disc controller. For example, if the disc is device 0 on the controller
with the address D, enter ODe
CA null entry will exit the utility, the tape will rewind to the load pOint,
and the DATE (MMDDYI): prompt will be displayed.)

12&

The update will proceed to copy files from the tape to the specified disc.
The system configuration will NOT be altered during the update process (as
it is during a full release). Note: Other users should not log on to the
system during the update process.
When the last file has been copied to the disc (i.e~, IPATCHES), the PATCH
program will be executed. The command file "4PATCHESft will be used to apply
all patches to various core-image programs. After all patches have been
applied, the program will instruct the user to press TRANSMIT to load the
configuration utility CFIG. CFIG should always be executed following a
system update. The us~r should choose option C (to configure), answer YES
to the RETAIN ALL DEVICES prompt, then exit CFIG to the system loader
message and BEST.

=
A - 006

02/84

QANTE~

RELEASE

INFOru~ATION

••• WARNING •••
TO ALL BEST 40B USERS
Operating systems are the most complex software that computers
use. If for any reason it is deemed necessary to re-install an
earlier version of the BEST operating system, contact MDS Qantel,
Corporate Technical Support, Hayward, CA for guidance. Because
data could be destroyed if incorrect procedures are used, do NOT
under any circumstances attempt to release independently a
pre-40B level of BEST to an existing BEST 408 system.

A - 007

02/84

Xo5

q,.,J

X07 DISC LAYOUT

SYSTEM DISC

-DISC LOADER

/ - ;3

-COREIMAGE LOADER

-CORE IMAGE DIRECTORY

..-.!1

-DDR & DDRIS "' lA~

10 - i '7
-

~ 0 - -:s

DIt-ecfcr;-es

-AU BIT MAP

'7 -UNUSED

(RESERVED) (UNSPECIFIED)

.?/O -7'77 -COREIMAGE

FILES

/ 0 0 0 _",-FIRST DIRECTORY SECTORS

DATA DISK

-DISC LOADER
-COREIMAGE LOADER
-CORElMAGE DIRECTORY

-AU BIT MAP
-SELECTED COREIMAGE FILES
~G

-FIRST DIRECTORY SECTORS

X08 DISC LAYOUT (400MB EAGLE)

SYSTEM DISC

-DISC LOADER

/- 3

-COREIMAGE LOADER

~ -COREIMAGE DIRECTORY
J
-DDR & DDR'S Tc

S-)Y

IS . .J-9 -AU
~O~S7

BIT MAP

lOCI cf. (reeter I {? 5
i1?
~ (.{P to t~8 I!1B

-UNUSED (RESERVED) (UNSPECIFIED)

-799
/ 00 0 - f
'10

-COREIMAGE FILES
-FIRST DIRECTORY SECTORS

DATA DISC

-DISC LOADER
-CORE IMAGE LOADER

cqy If'>
~'€ ~Q~ct

-COREIMAGE DIRECTORY
-DDR & DDR'S

/:) -.27

-AU BIT MAP
-UNUSED (RESERVED) (UNSPECIFIED)
-FIRST DIRECTORY SECTORS

/1? 9J

Overview of the
BEST Operating System

User Partitions

Each user on the system is defined as a 'partition'. A partition
may be one of three types: Foreground, assigned to a terminal;
Background, a free-standing amount of memory that can be
activated by other users on the system; or a Surrogate
partition. utilized only by systems with the BEST/NET feature
implemented. When a program is executed in a partition, the
entire program is loaded into the partition's assigned memory
which eliminates the overhead of 'paging'.
For Foreground and Background partitions, a specific amount
of memory is assigned for each partition during system
configuration. The size of a user partition can vary from OK to
30K and is depefldent on the application programs of each
individual system. The partition must accommodate the largest
sized program that will be executed in.it. BEST/ADS provides
an additional feature of Dynamic Memory Allocation which
eliminates the need for assigning 'maximum' partition sizes.
Standard BEST supports a limited amount of Dynamic MemorY --Allocation.

Task Headers

Elements Determining
Memory Requirements

The Task Header provides the means for the operating system
to manage partitions. A Task Header exists for every partition.
The Task Header contains all the information necessary for the
execution of the job in that partition including details such as
the next instruction address, the last exception detecled, and
the execution start address. The information in the Task Header
is used to re-initiate a partition after it has been suspended.

Under the BEST Operating System. all attributes in a particular
hardware system are defined prior to loading the operating
system. These attributes are stored in the System Configuration
Table (stored in the reserved sectors on a disc) and, upon
loading the operating system, this table is used to map
memory, establish system control tables, and load the required
Drivers. Once the System Configuration Table is established, it
need only be maintained when additional devices or features
are implemented in the system.

Memory Organization

Overview of the
BEST Operating System

COBOL

The COBOL language developed for the QANTEL business
system supports the ANSI X3.23-1974 level 1 (plus some level
2) requirements including additional functions to execute with
greater efficiency on the QANTEL system.
The COBOL Runtime Subsystem is a configurable feature of
the BEST Operating System and is handled similar to a Driver
at system start-up. When a COBOL object program is
executed, the COBOL Runtime Subsystem is invoked and is
treated as a user by the operating system. All file management
and inpuUoutput functions are handled by the appropriate
Subsystems of the BEST Operating System. The COBOL
Runtime emulates a virtual COBOL machine for the user
program.
In addition to standard COBOL, several functions have been
incorporated for execution on QANTEL systems. These
functions are referred to as 'QANTEL Extensions' and perform
operations provided in QICBASIC. The functions of the
QANTEL Extensions are invoked by the COBOL CALL
Statement and perform operations including:

- screen handling
- 'default' sector promotion modification
- status inquiry on devices, partitions, and files
- file erasing and locking
- record locking
- prog ram execution
- specialized device controls

._-_ _--_.,--_.__ _.
...

Languages Available

._..

LISTING DEVICE:
CURRENT CONFIGURATION
MODULE MESSAGE: BEST 40B-1
12BK TOTAL MEMORY
20 FILE AFL ENTRIES
5 DEVICES
10 2K PARTITION EXTENSIONS

COBOL,IPC
23 SECTOR POOL BUFFERS
5 EXTRACT ENTRIES
1 PARTITIONS
o NTWK SURROGATES

NAME
DEVil TYPE
DESCRIPTION
TOO
1 TERMINALS
000
C27
1 PARTITIONS
01
- POO
1D
DK1
1 DISCS
OOF
S
LP1
'1 LINE ·PRINTERS
OB
02
1 MAGNETIC TAPES MTl
NO SPOOL PRINTERS
NO CLOCK
NO FILE TRANSFER
NO NETWORK
NO CARD READERS
RO SPECIAL DEVICES
"_$/W OPTION 1
COBOL
ACTIVE
S/W OPTION 2
IPC
ACTIVE
BEST TABLE AREA: $7BF9 TO $7FFF
II

DETAIL
POO
(01AC47,OBOO)

E - END, C - CONFIGURE, P - PRINT CONFIGURATION
ENTER CHOICE:

GENERAL PURPOSE BACKUP UTILITY (**BACKUP06.03081883)
COPYRIGHT MDS QANTEL; INC. 1983.
SINGLE-USER MODE SET.
COMMAND FILE "'BACKUP n NOT FOUND.
ENTER COMMAND FILE NAME (OR IIHELplI): HELP
1-BACKUP, 2-TIC BACKUP, 3-RESTORE
SELECT BACKUP TYPE (1,2,3): 1

***

B A C K U P ***
1-DISC TO TAPE
2-DISC TO DISKETTE
3-DISKETTE TO DISKETTE
4-DISC TO DISC
SELECT DEVICE TYPE (1,2,3,4): 1

SPECIFY DEVICE BY NAME OR HEX ADDRESS •••
INPUT DISC: 1D
TAPE: 08
SECTOR COUNT: 004600
TAPE IS INOPERABLE.
CHECK THAT TAPE IS READY.
TRANSMIT TO CONTINUE.

QAf"TEL

KNOWN PROBLEM ARSAS

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS:

SYSTEM AND UTILITIES

SYST~

With a Model 4211 printer powered off, the system will not always perform
a soft IPL function.

Error messages from 0K background partitions ending in error termination
may be unpredictable -- as seen through .CONSOLE. To avoid this problem,
do not use 0K background partitions.

DOing repeated F3/TRANSMIT's with access across the network may bang the
local machine •.

I f the spooler is in forever mode and files have been written to it

before the printer is powered on, the first spool job may be lost.

The use of an unformatted INPUT statement with multiple variables may
hang all the terminals on that controlier. (An example of an unformatted
INPUT statement: INPUT(0)A$jB$;C$)

UTILITIES
1.

~......
..BACKUP
Th~:verification of backup tapes on the streaming tape drive
may fail regularly. This problem i~ being corrected for the next
release. When verification does fail, the number of expected blocks may
be out of range; this problem will also be corrected short~y.
~"'W

BFILFIL -- The utility will process sector numbers and sector counts of
only 5 characters or fewer. An attempt to use more will result in the
truncating of characters.

eFIG
a.

If BESTNET is configured incorrectly, spurious characters may
sometimes appear on the screen while exiting CFIG and during the
loading of BEST.

At this time, the VT4 (4041) terminal should be configured as a VT3,
type 4, for the proper operation of *QICWORD.

*COBOL -- If an attempt is made to compile a QICBASIC program using the
COBOL compiler (*COBOL), the system may hang.

·CONDENS

An attempt to use *CONDENS on a completely full disc could result in
the loss of data and possible system problems. *CONDENS requires a
minimum of 5 sectors available on the disc to function correctly.

B - 003

2/84

SOFT'; ARE AlmOUNCEMENT 084

If there is a directory on the disc that does not contain any files,
the final verification may indicate erroneously that there are
"invalid sector numbers" and that "some files are inaccessible."
Running *FILCHEK on the disc after the *CONDENS will verify whether
there really is a problem.

DKIN -- I f option 4 in DKIN is used to convert the disc size, the AU bit
map is improperly relocated. The AU bit map must be reformatted (moved)
USing option 6 prior to using option 4 to convert the disc size. The
following steps must be done in order to assure a proper disc size
conversion:
1.

Reformat the AU bit map to the new 408 format (option 6)

Convert the disc (option 4)

3. Optional:
if desired.
7.
8.

QANTEL:

The AU bit map may be reformatted to the earlier format,

*DFCOPY -- On CRTII's, the screen is not cleared before the program is
run. The READY: prompt remains displayed on the screen.

·MAINT -- On CRTII's, the screen is not cleared before the
run.

The

READ~L~.prompt
~~.

10.

p~ogram

remains displayed on the screen.
.

*MAINTS - The~'utility does not set the terminal into normal mode in its
initialization, and as a result, the screen may be displaced. Run
*MAINTS from READY: only.
.SPooL
a.

CRTII's, the screen is not cleared before the program is
READY: prompt remains displayed on the screen.

The

If the spooler is in forever mode and files have been written to it
before the printer is powered on, the first spool job may be lost.

run~

11.

*QIC -- I f an attempt is made to compile a COBOL program using the
QICBASIC compiler (*QIC), the results may be" aberrant.

12.

*QICWORD
a.

*QICWORD requires a VT4 (model 4041) terminal to function. An
attempt to run ·QICWORD on any other terminal may produce aberrant
results.

If a data file is referenced, where the data file is defined in
IFILES and the field type of a variable is blank (option R of
.FILES), then QICWORD will assume the variable is an expression,
rather than a field. As a result, mail generation will not work
properly.
B - 004

2/84

QANTE~

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

14. -TAPE
a.

On CRTII's, the screen is not cleared before the program is run.

The

READY: prompt remains displayed on the screen.
b.

In an attempt to append to the
the original files on the tape
loss of data, when a tape inop
attempting to correct the inop

end of a tape without a write ring,
may be overwritten. To avoid this
occurs, exit the utility before
state.

B - 005

2/84

THE O?ERATING SYSTEM

SYSTEM UPDATES
1.

Disc organization/file management
a.

The larger bit map will support discs up to 768MB. (Currently, the
largest QANTEL disc size is 400MB.) The old bit map resided in
sectors 10 through 19 (for a length of 10 sectors). It supported ~
to 150MB. The new bit map resides in sectors 25 through 49 (for a
length of 25 sectors).

There are now 100 directories available per disc. The bit map must
be moved to accommodate 100 directories. If the bit map is not
moved, the maximum number of directories is 50. Refer to DKIN Option
6 - REFORMAT BIT MAP in Section C of this document for procedures
describing how to move the bit map.

The keys for keyed files may now be up to 64 bytes long. A number of
utilities have screen format changes as a result. A list of these
utilities is presented in Section C. The Report Generator Version
11.6 is required to support keys larger than 32 bytes.

Runtime -- BEST/NET now supports local RUN, ACTIVATE, and EXECUTE of
remote programs aQ{oss the network.
~.-

,'.

An object file resident on a remote (public) directory can be run in a
local foreground or background partition. A local object file, however,
cannot use a remote partition across the network in which to run.

3. Scheduler
a.

Task headers are now accessed via a base register.
The moving of task. headers has been eliminated. Instead, they are
accessed via a base register (register 0). Using a base register to
point to data is much faster than doing large moves, and the
operating system will now switch from one user to another more
quickly.

-b~

The scheduler is now queue-driven.
Previously the operating system had to poll each user in turn to
determine whether the user qualified for service. Now a user is
routed to one of· three types of queue, which are ordered by time and
priority of the requesting user.

C - 003
10/83

These three distinct queues are as follows:

ready

The ready queue is made up of users who are
ready to be dispatched and are only
waiting to be scheduled. The queue is
ordered by user priority.

disc

One user at a time uses (or "owns") the
disc -- for a seek or a write. The disc
queue is therefore made up of the
remainder of the users who are waiting
for disc access. The queue is ordered
by time of request and partition priority.

pause

The pause queue is made up of users whose
programs p~ve executed a pause. The
queue is ordered by the time of
expiration of the various pauses.

Because queue-driven scheduling provides that only those users who
are ready for dispatch are looked at, users not in need of service
are ignored. The result is that processor operation 1s streamlined,
and the next ~ser·to run 1s selected more rapidly than in round-robin
scheduling. ~>_.'
~If"l:'

•.

Memory management
a.

The minimum partition size that may be configured is now 0K.
(Previously it was 2K.) Partition overhead 1s not eliminated by .
configuring a partition as 0K. That is, for a partition configured
as 0(, the partition overhead will remain, simply because the
partition is configured. Because partition overhead 1s a parameter._
used 1n calculating system memory size, partitions configured as ·0[cannot be ignored in these calculations.

Note: POQ will be no less than 2K even if configured as 0K. This
allocation is performed automatically by CFIG and is required in the
release update process for message passing. All other partitions may
be configured as 0K so that these partitions require memory only when
active.

c - 004
10/83

7HE OPERATING SYSTEM

the System 64 -- and only on the System 64 -- a non-configurable
4K of memory is reserved. The system must be configured by 4K less
than its actual hardware capacity.

The following table lists actual memory sizes and size of memory to
be CFIG'd:
SYSTEM 64
CFIG Memory Table

508
1020
1532
2042
2556
3068
3580
4092

512
1024
1536
2046
2560
3072
3584

4096
c.

The size of BEST on a given system can be determined by using the
BEST 408 System~'Size Worksheet (see Appendix).

New hardware

Now supported is the new VT4 (or Model 4041) QANTEL "smart" terminal.
The terminal functions in two modes. In data processing mode, the
terminal emulates the VT3. In word processing mode, the terminal
supports *QICWORD, the new QANTEL word processing program.
For details on the operation of the VT4 and QICWORD, refer to the , ...
QICWORD Word Processing System Documentation. This document takes
the new user from an introduction to the products through
familiarization with the features and their use. There are four
sections:
1.
2.

3.
4.

QICWORD/4041 Terminal Product Features
Model 4041 Terminal Operating Instructions
Teach Yourself QICWORD (a self-paced tutorialj
QICWORD Reference Guide

The document wil be supplied under separate cover.

The 400MB disc (with the IOU54 controller) is now supported. A total
of 570,420 sectors are available. This disc must be software
initialized (DKIN'd) as a system disc, reserving the first 1,000
sectors for system use.

C - 005
10/83

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