• Browser built in viewer
• PDF Viewer
• Universal Document Viewer
• Google Docs View
• Google Drive View
• Download Document [pdf]
Not Your Device? Search For Manuals / Datasheets:



File Info : application/pdf, 200 Pages, 107.02MB

Document Document

NOVE MBER · 1987

VO L. 6, NO. 11 · $4.00

AppleTalk

PROFESSIONAL

SPANNING

DIGITAL ' S

W0 RLD

· Graphics Terminals on The Shop Floor

· Special Anniversary Section

· Choosing A Digital Multimeter

CIM: Integrating Man and Machine
This magazine is not sponsored or approved by or connected in any way with Digital Equipment Corporation . " DEC" is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation is the owner of the trademark " DEC" and is the source of all " DEC" products.

ENTER 117 ON READER CARD

FREE: The 1987-88 Edition of Clearpoint's Designer's Guide to Add-in Memory and
Product/Service Catalog

The New Designer's Guide to Add-in Memory
is the authoritative reference for buyers with a need to know. It is clearly written for a broad range of reader requirements, from the very technical to the purely management-Oriented. Find out why readers everywhere rave about the Designer's Guide-an objective source book that tells you how to find the best in performance, reliability and value.
The updated 1987-88 edition includes important new information on the buses appearing today: · the proliferation of new DEC machines · where to find the best price/performance for memory · an expanded survey of the performance and memory options available in the IBM line, from the PS/2 Micro Channel to the 9370 · What the H P 9000 offers users · MIPS and megabytes for the new Sun 4/2XX and Apollo ON 4000 · and much, much more.

e-
CLEARPOINT INC.
99 South~ · Hopkinton, MA 01748-2204
U.s.A. 1-800-Cl.EARPT Telex: 296281 CLEARPOINT UR ~- 617-435-5395/ 435-2301 ~ Cleorpoint Europe~ b.v.
Tel: 31-23-273744 Telex: 71080 CLPT NL eu..da: Cleorpoinr Canada Tel: 416-620-7242
Japuu Oearpoint Asia
Tel: 03-221-9726 Telcx: 32384
ENTER 107 ON READER CARD

The New Clearpoint Catalog of Memory Products & Technical Support Services
is a colorful and comprehensive technical brochure presenting the full spectrum of Clearpoint products, manufacturing procedures, customer support services, and specifications.

· The DEC-compatible products include: MicroVAX II, the complete VAX 8000 Series, VAX 780 and 750, Unibus, PMI-Bus, and QBus.
· Other high performance memory: VMEbus, IBM PC/RT, VERSAbus, Sun, and Apollo.

· Non-Memory products: Liberty Board, TurboDisk, and TurboDisk-Plus.

Write or Call for Your Free Copies

D£c. MlaoVAX II, VAX, PMl-8uo, Q.8uo, .,. oil ..paul tndomub o( llioPal Equipment Ccxpondan. IBM PC/RT ond PS/2 Miao Clw...i .,. ..paul cnodanuk ol 1n......donol eum-M.i.Jne~-·

Sun ... -

o(Sun Mlamymmo.

Apollo ... -

o( Apollo Compuo...

Libeny lo a ttademarl< ol Triman:IU, Inc.

Turi>olliol< ond Turl>cOiR-PI,..,. tndmwb olEEC s,_.,.,

HVEPRioSaAtbnudoe"m...-k oll!ewlcott(PMaodowcxdo.la.

Introducing Equinox's New Data PBXs.
More for Less.

Since 1984 our first generation Data PBXs have provided reliable data switching and connectivity solutions. After shipping over 1000 systems we learned what was good and what could be made even better. Then we set about designing our second generation . Here's what we came up with :
More Throughput
Our new Data PBXs each provide 25 Mbps throughput for 660 simultaneous full duplex connections at 19.2 kbps. With double the throughput of our first generation, and more than any other comparable Data PBX; that's enough for all the terminals, PCs, computer ports and peripherals you can throw at them.

Less$
Reduced manufacturing costs, due to VLSI technology allowed us to lower prices on our second genera-
tion Data PBXs. More features for less money means maximum value for your data switching dollar.
More of the Same
We kept the Equinox hallmarks of reliability, easy instal-
lation, comprehensive wiring solutions and user friendly operation.
We based our second generation on the same architec-
ture as our first generation DS-5 and DS-15 Data PBXs. They look the same, configure the same, even the names have stayed the same.

T 1 Networking

More Connectivity
T1 links join individual Data PBXs to form large multi-node Local or Wide Area Networks supporting many thousands of lines. You can use twisted-pair, telco, microwave or fiber optic links to solve virtually any connectivity problem.
More Network Security
Dialback Security available as an option shields your network from unauthorized access by dial-in users. This feature lets you restrict dial-up access to designated users at pre-defined locations during specified time periods.

So if you already own an Equinox Data PBX, all the features of our new generation can easily be added to your network.
If you need the most advanced Data PBX available, don't wait a minute more.
Call 1-800-DATA-PBX
In Florida : (305) 255-3500 Equinox Systems Inc. 14260 S.W. 119th Avenue Miami, FL 33186

-~-
~D~DD~D vAx 1Pao

-o·o -··- -

1111111111111111111111111111H11111111 11111111111111111111111111111IIIIIIIII
I

IIIIIIII111111111111111111111111111111 IIIIIIII111111111111111111111111111111

EQUINOX
Smart Connections For Dumb Terminals
ENTER 119 ON READER CARD
DEC PROFESSIONAL NOVEMBER 1987

DEC
PROFESSIONAL

ONTENTS

NOVEMBER 1987
CIM

VOL. 6, NO. 11

4 4 TYING ISLANDS OF AUTOMATION INTO CIM SYSTEMS by Donald E. Stern Jr.
Schick razor developed its CIM program with top-down commitment and bottom-up design and implementation.
54 GRAPHICS TERMINALS by Gary Conner A critical link in automating the shop floor.

The lab seal indicates that the product reviewed has been tested by one of our experts in our Laboratory and Testing Center.
ON THE COVER: This wirejrame model of the Piaggio Avanti was designed by Dick Rutan (of Voyager fame) for Piaggio of Italy. The model was created with GEOMOD (SDRC, Cincinatti) on an Evans & Sutherland PS 390 running on a VAX 111780. Cover courtesy of Evans & Sutherland, Salt Lake City.

ARTICLES
6 0 CONNECTIVITY: THE BLURRING OF DEC NETWORKS by David Langlais A bulwark to the continued effectiveness of DEC systems, or a threat?
70 TERMINALS: THE CIT-224 TERMINAL by Bruce Feldman An ANSI-compatible entry that's worth a look.
74 VAX: GETTING THE MOST FROM VAX/VMS MAIL by Cynthia Hartman To: You, From: Me, Subject: State-of-the-art delivery for MAIL.
82 COMMUNICATIONS: RESPOND/QUICK by Michael G. Gonzales A fast, easy-to-install DEC emulator for an IBM PC-compatible terminal.
90 MASS STORAGE: DISK I/O: PART 1 by Moses Sun Challenge of the disk storage system integrator.
Continued on page 6.

NOVEMBER 1987

s

CONTENTS
Continued from page 5

98 RSTS: CACHING IN ON RSTS/E by Laurence F. Koo/kin
Make the most of your system by allowing mass enabling of caching for selected sets of files.
DEPARTMENTS & COWMNS

Special Anniversary Feature
by DEC PRO Staff Professional Press Looks Back ....................32
Let's C Now
by Rex Jaeschke DEC's VAX C Compiler, Part 2 .. .. .... ......102
Field Service
by Ron Levine Looking For A Digital Multimeter? .. ........ 110
Managing Your MicroVAX
by David W. Bynon MVII Configuration-Back To The Basics ..116
DCL Dialogue
by Kevin G. Barkes The Joys Of Captivity .............................. 126
DEC Watch
by Charles Connell DECWORLD : Digital Scores The Big Win ............................................. 134
From the Lab
by Carl B. Marbach Keyword's KEYPAK..... .... ........................... 138
From the Lab
by David W. Bynon TRIMM Industries' DA 123 Cabinet..... ...148

From the Lab
by Dave Mallery The Emulex QD33 Controller Upgrade ... 154
MAC/VAX
by Al Cini A Tale of Two Protocols ........................... 160
Back End
by John C. Dvorak The Great American Trade Show Quiz..... 194
Letters........................................ .............12 A R I S T A L K.......... .... ........ .... .. ... ... ... .... .. 18 Product Watch ..................................22 Products ..............................................164 Used Equipment ...........................186 New Equipment ............................188 Product Showcase........... ..............189 C l a s s i f i e d.. ........... ...... ....... ...... ...... ...... .190 Advertisers Index...........................192

* The ARIS symbol on an article in-
dicates that the program segments are available electronically on our Automated Reader Information Service. Dial (215) 542-9458.

We will consider for publication all submitted manuscripts and photognphs, and welcome your articles, photographs and suggestions. We cannot

be responsible for loss or damage. This ma.sazinc is not sponsored or approved by or connected in any way with Digital Equipment Corporation.

"DEC" is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation is the ow ner of the trademark "DEC" and is the

source of all "DEC" produces. All materials presented are believed accurate, but we cannot assume responsibility for thei r accuracy or application.

DEC PROFESS IONAL Magazine ISSN 0744-9216 is published monthly, plus two issues in the spring and fall, by Professional Press, Inc., 92 1 Bethlehem

Pike, Sprina; House, PA 19477. Printing and binding by R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company. Subscriptions arc complimentary for qualifcd U.S. and

Canadi an sites. Si ngle copy price, including postage, $4. One year subscnption rate $30 m the U.S. and Canada; and $60 foreign . All orders must be

WBPA

prepaid. Second Class postage paid at North Wales, PA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:

19477-050~. ( t i ) ~"::TION Send a.II corres ondence and address changes to: DEC PROFESSIONAL, P.O . Box 503, Spring House,

PA

COPYRIGHT © 1987 by Professional Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this

C110nA&.

publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

6

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Introducing the HDS3200 Image Leader TerminaJs

Now you don't have to settle for a terminal with less capa-

separate windows at the same time and even pass files from

bility than you need. And you won't pay high prices to get

computer to computer through the terminal.

the features you want. Because now you can buy an HDS3200 Image Leader terminal from Human Designed Systems, the company that ships more integrated text and graphics terminals than any other independent manufacturer.

For hundreds of dollars less than DEC charges, the HDS3200 Image Leaders have numerous standard and optional features that DEC doesn't even offer. Including 1056 x 800 resolution, 38.4K baud communication, a built-in calculator, a 50 line screen mode, LaserJet support, true re-draw pan

With prices starting at just $699 list, the HDS3200 Image

and zoom graphics, and an HDS Mouse that controls these

Leaders offer full DEC compatibility, and much more. Fea-

functions easily.

ture for feature, you'd pay over a thousand dollars more to get less from DEC.

So what are you waiting for? Now that HDS offers a better choice of text and graphics terminals, at better prices than

Start with integrated text and graphics. Every HDS3200

DEC, why settle for less? Call toll free today for a free trial.

Image Leader includes DEC SIXEL and Tektronix 401 4 compatible graphics. So now you can run DEC and third-party

For a free trial of an HDS3200 Image Leader,

graphics applications on all your terminals. And graphics looks even better since our high-resolution 15 inch monitor

Call 1-800-HDS-1551 x 133

is easier to read, with higher resolution and much better foc u s.

HDS

We've also included HOS Windows-an easy-to-use system that le ts you create six independent windows on the

human designed systems

HDS3200's screen. You can talk to different computers in
ENTER 127 ON READER CARD

the leading independent graphics terminal vendor

C> 1'187 llurrn111 Designed S,.1ems. Inc. 3440 Marke· S1reet, Philadelphia, PA 19104. In PAcall 215-382-5000. In Canada call 1·800-263-8999. HOS, 11053200 are 1rademam of Human Designed S).iems, Inc. DEC is a 1n1demark of Oigilal Equipmen1

Corpontlon. LaserJet n is a 1rademark of Hewleu Packard Corp. Tektronix Is a 1rademark of Tektronix, Inc. According 10 Da1:1quest. only DECand HP shipped more monochrome graphics 1erminals lhan HOS in 1985 and 1986.

55 22 0001 3311 337
555 155 4 941117 7
33 4 4 999 6 4 777 11 1 22 6
,Find the seven Ss. Find room for ten 8s.
11111111112222 33333344444 55555556677 77779999000

With SQUEEZPAK, the time you invest in compressing and optimizing your disk will be less than the time it takes to read this ad.
1. Optimizes Disk Performance! Performance-enhancing features resulting from SQUEEZPAK include unfragmented files, contiguous free space and packed files.
2. Single Disk Operation! SQUEEZPAK performs compression and optimization on a single disk, avoiding slow, awkward tape transfers.
3. On-Line Transparent Operation! The disk is completely available for other uses during SQUEEZPAK's entire compression and optimization process.
4. VMS and RSX Operating Systems!

SQUEEZPAK is the Better Way. Call Now For Your 30 Day Evaluation.

-.---.- Now it'seasyto find theseven Ss.
Now find room for ten 8s.

1-800-267-3862
(i n Canada, call 613-748-0209) West Coast, call 714-553-8683

l.llllllU''-

SOFTWARE LTD.

1260 Old Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario, KlB 3V3

ENTER 115 ON READER CARD 8

Publisher: Carl B. Marbach
Editorial Di~tor: R . D . Mallery
Editorial
MANAGING EDllOR Linda DiBiasio ASSOCIATE EDllOR Bruce Feldman SENIOR TECHNll'.AL EDllOR AI Cini EAST COAST EDllOR Charles Connell WEST COAST EDllOR Philip Naecker TECHNll'.AL EDllOR Ron Levine
BACK END EDllOR John c. Dvorak
C EDllOR Rex Jaeschke DCL EDllOR Kevin G. Barkes MICROVAX EDITOR David w. Bynon NETWORKING EDITOR Bill H ancock
SPECIAL EDllOR Victor J. Chorney
UNIX EDllOR Lori A. Snyder STAFF EDllOR Suzanne Garr CHIEF COPY EDllOR Pamela F. Fullerton COPY EDllOR Karen Detwiler EDllORIAL ASSISTANT Anne Schrauger CONTRIBUTORS Gary Conner, Michael G.
Gonzales, Cynthia H artman, Laurence F. Koolkin, D avid Langlais, Donald E. Stern, Jr., M oses Sun
Design
DESIGN I PRODUCTION DIRECIOR Leslie A. Caruso DESIGN I PRODUCTION ASSOC. Ruth Ann Leiby ART/PRODUCTION ASSOC. Timothy M. Kraft ART ASSISTANT Sue Ann Rainey PRODUCTION ARTIST Richard G. Kortz TRAFFIC/PRODUCTION ASST. Joann Corvino TYPESffilNG (EDllORIAL) MaryEllen Springer TYPESffilNG (MARKETING) Diana Pohl
Circulation & Administration
VICE PRESIDENT Peg Leiby CIRCULATION DIRECTOR M ary Wardlaw CIRCULATION MANAGER M argie F. Pitrone CIRCULATION FULFILLMENT Patricia
Dunkerley, Ruth Henderson, Claire Hollister, Karol Hughes, Donna Sclun.idt
ACCOUNTING Andrea Beneke COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Kevin Kennelly, Ruth Mermelstein, Rory Mulvey
ARIS MANAGER Bonnie Auclair MAILING UST COORDINATOR Cathy Dodies MARKETING SERVICES (215) 542-7008
Mary Ann Browarek, Kim Slackway
ASSISTANT TD THE PUBLISHER Jan Krusen
PROFESSIONAL PRESS, INC. For information on how to contact your sales representative, see page 192. Editorial, Advertising Sales, and Executive Offices at 921 Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, PA 19477. (215) 542-7008. TWX 910 333 9522. FAX (215) 628-2845. Easylink 62805174. ARIS (Automated Reader Information Service) (215) 542-9458. Additional Editorial Offices: East Coast Office at 238 Bedford St., Suite 3, Lexington, MA 02173. (617) 861-1994 West Coast Office at 3011 N. Mount Curve Ave., Altadena, CA 91001. (818) 791-0945.
DEC PROFESSIONAL

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA. (818) 247-2216

CPU-Bound VAX Systems Rescued by Avalon

Attached processors are oriented towards number-crunching programs written in DEC Fortran.

Hardware and Software systems run C, Fortran, and Puscal programs with full access to VAX files, terminals, and system services.

Avalon Computer Systems recently released its second generation of attached processor systems. Founded in 1982, the company has been quietly delivering attached processor systems for UNIBUS and Q-bus VAX systems for 4 years.
Avalon's customer base has been drawn largely from the aerospace, government, and university ranks. These users were attracted by Avalon's transparent system software which executes programs (under VMS or UNIX) directly off of the VAX disk, with full access to all files, terminals, and system services. The announcement last summer of an updated Fortran compiler with VMS extensions and two new, faster attached processors has widened the user spectrum substantially. Recently, chemical, genetics, and AI companies have joined Avalon's growing customer base.
Named the AP/20 (Q-Bus) and the AP/24 (Unibus), the new coprocessors are based on the Intel 80386 microprocessor operating in the 32-bit protected mode. Both systems contain a 64K byte cache memory and an optional high-speed floating point accelerator which can multiply two single precision numbers in 437 nanoseconds. The AP/20 has 4 million bytes of real memory while the AP/24 has 4, 8, or 12 million bytes of real memory.
Either AP with an FPA is 2 times faster than a completely unloaded VAX 11/780 on floating point programs and is 3 times faster on integer programs. More important than the increased speed, however, is that the AP provides additional, parallel computing power.
By adding one or more AP Systems to the VAX, CPU cycles can be incrementally expanded for "power users" with compute-bound programs. The end result is the transformation of VAX Systems into parallel computers which still run the VAX/VMS operating system.

The AP software optionally includes C, Fortran, and Pascal compilers, with support for VMS, Ultrix, Berkeley UNIX and AT&T System V UNIX. Under VMS, the Avalon software automatically executes system services and I/0 operations by passing messages between the coprocessor and an interface program that runs under VMS. An Avalon official explained: "The Avalon compilers put a VMS executable image in front of the Avalon prpgram. This starts the coprocessor interface under VMS, and the Avalon image on the AP. This way, operation under the coprocessor is transparent to the program and the user after it has been recompiled." The recompiled program can then access all VMS files, terminals, and most system services, just as it did in its original form. However, the program runs entirely on the AP when not performing I/O and neither affects, nor is affected by, the computational load on the VAX.
It is believed that Avalon is the only company supplying "Blue Fortran" compatibility in its Fortran compiler. The Avalon Fortran implements virtually all of the DEC Fortran extensions and provides complete access to VMS system facilities.
Avalon provides VAX compatible, high performance systems to end users who need more power, without requiring any modifications to the original source code.
Both the AP/20 and the AP/24 are single circuit boards that range in price between $10,000 and $18,000, depending on selected options.
For more information call or write:
Sales Avalon Computer Systems 425 E. Colorado Blvd. #710 Glendale, CA 91205 (818) 247-2216

DEC, MicroVax, Q-bus, VMS, VAX , Ultrix and UNIBUS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. ENTER 237 ON READER CARD

Smaflerm 240. DEC terminal emulation. True connectivity.
Mainframe-PC links are the current vogue. One terminal emulator is ahead of the connectivity trend.
SmarTerm® 240 affords users exact four-color emulation of a DEC® VT24 l terminal on an IBM® or compatible PC. Along with delivering full-screen ReGIS® and Tektronix® 4010/4014 graphics. SmarTerm 240 offers precise VT220.VT102. VTlOO.and VT52 text emulation.
Three error-free file transfer protocols. including Kermit and Xmodem.are provided. If judged as a communications stand-alone. SmarTerm 240 could well be the premier PC-to-the-rest-of-the-World connectivity package.
SmarTerm 240's user-interface is state-of-the-industry. Its user-support is without peer
This program's full collection of features add up to more power for connect-
ing people to mainframes. Which helped earn it Digital Reviews 1987 Turget Award
for the Best Connectivity Software Product. Contact your dealer or call us at 608-273-6000 for more reasons why your
choice for DEC terminal emulation should be SmarTerm. Period.
See us at Fall Comdex Booth H8706. Or use inquiry code 500.
0 1987 Perso~ Inc All rights reserved. Persoft and SmarTerm are registered trademarks of Persoft.Inc IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines DEC. VT and ReCIS are trademarks of Digital Equipment CQrporation. Tektronix is a registered tradema rk of Tektronix Inc
See us at DEXPO West Booth 1024.

persn;r·

PACK CLUSTER SIZES
I enjoyed Dave Mallery's editorial, "Billions of Little 'Fasters,' " in the September issue. However, I would like to amplify a point: Using a cluster size other than one for a VMS disk volume is, for most sites, not a good idea. The appropriate way to avoid file fragmentatinn is to use a reasonably large value for the volume extension size, and/or the system default RMS extend quantity. (Values in the range of 80-200 are typical.)
Raising, or defaulting, the cluster size from one block to three or more, still will result in unreasonably fragmented files if adjustments are not made in one of these other parameters. Conversely, if the volume or RMS parameters are set reasonably, a cluster size other than one only serves to waste disk space, as Mallery correctly noted. This same point has been made by others at DECUS over the years. (None of these strategies, incidentally, is a substitute for periodic volume compression or the use of a commercial disk defragmenter.)
File fragmentation, especially within image files, can impact VMS system performance seriously. As Mallery noted, this aphorism becomes truer as disk transfer rates increase disproportionately to seek and rotational latencies. Steve Duff Ergodic Systems Inc. Newport Beach, California
Dave Mallery: My goal in raising the pack cluster size was not to escape fragmen-

Address letters to the editor to DEC PROFESSIONAL magazine, P.O. Box 503, Spring House, PA 19477-0503. Letters should include the writer's full name, address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited for purposes of clarity or space.
tation, but rather to increase the IIO data rate. I noticed in my benchmarks that far fewer physical I/Os were needed and the data rate was much higher when the only change was to the pack cluster size. I think that you should posit the use of a good defragmentation program (if only image backup/restore) and ask what is the best cluster size for a regularly reorganized volume.
I grant your RMS parameter argument. Thanks very much.
CHEERS FOR THE LITTLE GUYS
Charles Connell's otherwise comprehensive article, "September Means School" (September 1987), overlooked one very important source for computer training: the independent consultant (IC).
ICs can provide high-quality custom training at a fraction of the cost oflarge specialized vendors. Most large metropolitan areas contain scores of qualified consultants who are able to service a wide range of educational needs. Because of their nature, ICs are

more flexible than large vendors and quite often have more extensive practical experience. An IC can do more than explain a concept; he can develop a practical application and demonstrate its use.
ICs can be located in a number of ways: through the Yellow Pages, by contacting trade groups such as the Independent Computer Consultants Association, and by making inquiries with other sites using similar systems.
As you do with formal educational services, secure and verify the IC's references and obtain a complete written agreement and course outline.
The firms described in Connell's article are all top-flight operations. But don't forget the capabilities of the little guys. Jim Christopher DB Enterprises Buckingham, Pennsylvania
AN APPLE FOR TEACHER
The article, "September Means School" by Charles Connell (September 1987), didn't include what we consider to be a critical ingredient in learning: the teacher. Today's more sophisticated student can spot an instructor who simply has book knowledge. We found it critical that all our instructors have realworld experience and have performed all the tasks they're teaching. The students get an instructor who can relate to very real, daily operational issues. All of our instructors have these credentials.
In looking for trainers, you should Continued on page 16.

12

DEC PROFESSIONAL

The Silent 700'" Data Terminal Series from Texas Instruments.
Next time you take off,
take the DEC TMconnection.

Talk about convenience for the DEC user. Tl's Trave!Mate r M 1200 is display, printer and communications all rolled into one lightweight, go-anywhere package that emulates a VT-100TM video terminal. With it, you can access DEC computers from just about any remote location as long as there's a phone handy.· Perfect for on-the-go DEC communications.
The Trave!Mate 1200 VT-100 emulation cartridge also includes auto access features such as stored phone numbers and log-on sequences. This actually makes your TravelMate-to-DEC communications easier than using a phone. And the VT-100 emulation cartridge can be programmed to fit individual applications within your DEC operating environment.

The Trave!Mate 1200 with VT-100 emulation capability also carries an impeccable pedigree - a 15-year heritage of reliable, rugged design and dependable operation. After all, it's a
member of the Silent 700 Series of Portable Data Terminals family from Texas Instruments. It's definitely a terminal you can trust.
So next time you have to take off, take the DEC connection.

For more informat ion on the Silent 700 Series, Trave!Mate and VT-100 emulation, call toll-free 1-800-527-3500.
TEXAS ..,,
INSTRUMENTS
ENTER 159 ON READER CARD
"In locations where a phone jack is noc accessible, the qx:Kmal acousric coupler may be required. Silent 700 and TravelMate are trademarks cl Texas Instruments Incorporated. DEC and Vf-100 are trademaoo cl Digital Equipment O,rporation. Products described above are in compliance with applicable FCC ru les for C lass B computing devices and peripheral· @ 1987 Tl 31685

SAS/GRAPH" from SAS" Institute

DCF" from IBM"

CA-DISSPLA TMfrom Computer Associates·

PicsureTM from Precision Visuals"

QMS Lasergrafix more image problems

Unable to merge highly sophisticated, presentation-quality graphics with text? Can't print complicated statistical analyses? Frustrated that all your PC's, minis and mainframes, running dozens of different software packages, can't share one printer? To face these and other tough image problems, rely on the QMS Lasergrafix~ family of laser printers, including our new Lasergrafix 1510.
The Lasergrafix 1510 speaks volumes.
The new Lasergrafix 1510 is ideal for producing high volumes of complex graphics. Its six-megabyte memory and high-speed controller let you process two fully bit-mapped legal- or A4-size pages at the same time. Plus its 16 resident fonts, 15-page-per-minute output and 15,000-print-per-month duty cycle give you flexibility and reliability.

High-profile compatibility
The new Lasergrafix 1510, like all of our Lasergrafix printers, runs in a wide range of host environments with the most popular software. You can use Computer Associi}tes, SAS and Precision Visuals software to produce some of the finest graphics possible. Using Tektronix;M CalcompTMand VersatecTMsoftware you create sophisticated vector graphics in minutes, not hours. Typesetting packages such as MASS-ll;MTEX;Mtroff, and ditrofFM allow output with math equations, chemical formulas, arcs, circles, as well as other graphics and character sets unique to the scientific and engineering worlds. And for composing straight text documents there's DCF from IBM.

QUICstudy
Further text and graphics support comes from QUIC;Mthe proprietary print system language developed by QMS. QUIC is simple for nonprogrammers to use and provides you with a versatile array of print options. With a few simple commands you can draw lines, boxes, shaded bar charts, pie charts, and other kinds of presentation graphics that you can combine with text on your final printout. What's more, QUIC is supported by all the popular high-level graphics software.
Flexible partners
Lasergrafix laser printers support multiple emulations and interface options to match IBM, DEC"/VAX7Apollo7Sun7 UNIXTM and many other systems. It's this kind of printer technology exper-

SPSS GraphicsTMfrom SPSS Inc."

MASS-IITMfrom Microsystems Engineering Corp."

QTEKPLOT 0 from QMS

troffTMfrom AT&TBell Labs

printers have solved than Madison Avenue

tise that sets QMS apart as a leader in all these environments.
Proven performance
The Lasergrafix family of 8-, 15- and 24page-per-minute laser printers incorporates the proven graphics processing

technology and dependability common to all QMS products, along with different levels of functionality to match many different needs. For single users or even for high-volume, multiuser sup-

QMS Lasergraflx 800 II
8-page-per-minute output up to legal or A4 size

QMS Lasergrafix 1510-new
15-page-per-minute output up to legal or A4 size

QMS Lasergraflx 2400
24-page-per-minute output up to II " x 17" or A3 size

ENTER 204 ON READER CARD

port, there's·no other laser printer family in this class that has more versatility. Which is what users have come to expect from the laser printer company that continues to set the standard for all the rest.
Find out what a QMS Lasergrafix laser printer can do for your image
by calling 1-800-631-2692 for product literature or to arrange a demonstration.
The following are trademarks of their respe<tive companies: DEC and VAX of Digital Equipmen t Corporation: TEX of th e American Mathematica l Societv: UNIX, troff and ditroff of AT&T Bell Labs: Tektronix of Tektronix, Inc.: Calcomp of California Computer Products, fnc.: Versatec of Versate<, Inc.: SAS/ GRAPH and SAS of SAS Institute, Inc.: IBM and DCF of International Business Machi nes Corp.: MASS-I I of ~tic rosyst e ms Engineering Corp.: Precision Visuals and Picsu re of Precision Visuals: Apollo of Apollo Computer Inc.: Sun of Sun Microsystems Inc.: and SPSS Graphics of SPSS, Inc.
GMS®

30 SuflCe Owu 1 Contour Ouanlllative results dJsplayed through contours can be combined with qualllative presentations of the same data using a surfacing routine . Contours can be used !or displaying scientllic distributions or representing geophysical data .
30 Solld l Ind COAIOlrl Presentation llexibility ol 30 dala is greatly enhanced by ollering variable perspectives on 30 surfaces and sollds. Conlours and halftones may be added to clarity results .

A COMPLETE TECHNICAL GRAPHICS PACKAGE
TO EXPAND: PERFORMANCE
GRAFkit'· provides serious techn ical graphics capability for VAX computers In a VMS or ULTRIX environment. It allows the user to organ ize , store and output complex graphs on a wide range of devices by using simple calls to the GRAFklr- library of routines .
VERSATILITY
GRAFkit"' is based on and includes a Graphical Kernel System (GKS) foundation which organizes graphic data in an ANSI/ISO approved format. It offers better integration with other software programs by using the national and international standards for graphic data. GRAFkit "' also includes an ANS lllSO approved Com· puter Graphics Metafile (CGM) which allows data to be stored device independently. Over 100 popular devices are currently supported including: DEC, HP. Tektronix, Calcomp, Apple , Graphon , NOS, Versatec, IBM . BBC. etc .
TO SAVE: TIME
GRAFkit"' allows the user to concentrate on the application programs and pa ss the results through GRAFkit"' routines to automatically organize, inter· polate, smooth, label, color/shade, translate, and produce a fin ished visual presentation .
EFFORT
In most cases, only a single call is used to access the GRAfkil"' library ol routines, and all remaining lune· lions are automatic. GRAfkit'"' routines can be accessed from application programs written in C, Pascal . BASIC. COBOL . FORTRAN. PUI, and ADA .
EXPENSE
Although GRAFklt"' is a complete techn ical graphics package, the initial cost is usually the same or less than the price of a GKS package alone from another vendor. At $3,995, GRAFkit'" Is an Ideal graphics solution for a work station. It can also be purchased for a variety of departmental VAX computers for under $10,000.
Our commitment to continuous support of the package at a nominal fee makes GRAfkit .. a fine investment for years of high quality service.
Call Today: 1-800-222-4239
ext. 714

0
sao~

Hl1lo9ram1 and Grapt.s 20 and 30 histograms are available with color fill or shading capabilities. Choose lrom a complete set ol characters and mullfple fonts to enhance your graphs. A wide range of 20 and 30 graphs are also available.

740C South Pierce Avenue Louisville , CO 80027-9989
303/666-5400 Telex :292682
FAX:666 7054
SCO, Inc. Is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Computer
Exchange, Inc.

ENTER 231 ON READER CARD

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:

A-to-Z ALL-IN-1 COD
DATATRIEVE DDCMP DEC DECalc DECconnect DECgraph DECmall
DECmate

DECnet DECsystem-10 DECSYSTEM-20
DEC/Test DEC US DELNI DIBOL DNA Eve FMS
GIGI

IAS IVIS LAN Bridge LASO LA100 LQP02 LSl-11 MASS BUS MicroPDP-11 MicroPower/Pascal
MicroVAX

UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

PDP
PDT P/OS
Q-bus Rainbow RALLY RdbNMS RSTS/E RSX RT-11 TEAMDATA TOPS ULTRIX UNIBUS

16

VAX VAXBI VAXcluster VAX DIBOL VAXELN VAXFMS
VAXlab VAX LISP
VAXstation VMS VT Work Processor WPS

Continued from page 12. poll your vendors on the instructor's background. If you can secure an instructor who has real-world experience, the knowledge transfer will be much more meaningful. Louis H. Bernstein Bernstein & Associates Inc. Atlanta, Georgia
PRICING-PER-USER PROBLEMS
I read with interest Al Sutherland's letter, "Licensing Per User" (August 1987), proposing pricing on a limited-user basis for software systems. While his idea sounds like a good one at first glance, there are some inherent problems with this approach. The most obvious has to do with user satisfaction.
When a user is able to access a particular software package, he typically uses it, even when he isn't the designated user. When the designated user is unable to operate the software because someone else already is using it, internal conflicts arise. Of course, the greater the number of users on a machine, the higher the probability for internal user/DP manager conflict.
You might suggest that the solution is easy: just upgrade the license. But this presents problems for system managers who need to budget their software purchases in advance.
Specifying designated users within the software is another option, but this turns out to be an unmanageable alternative for the software company and the VAX administrator as well.
While our company provides a limited use license for sophisticated 4GUDBMS software (System 1032), which includes very attractive pricing for small numbers of users, the actual number of customers (to date) who have opted for this approach have hardly justified the internal software enhancement effort required to facilitate this capability. I would love, however, to be proved wrong. Ken D. Chism CompuServe Data Technologies Fullerton, California
DEC PROFESSIONAL

How To Use ARIS
If you're a subscriber to DEC PROFESSIONAL, you can call up our VAX and log into ARIS, our Automated Reader Information Service. In ARIS, you can download programs from our publications, communicate with our editors, request a change of address, find additional information about advertisers, order books and back issues, check the guidelines for submitting articles, access our cumulative index, take a peek at our editorial calendar for the year, and communicate with other DEC users.
To log in, you'll need your subscriber number (it's on your mailing label). Then, just set your terminal to seven data bits, one stop bit and space parity, or eight data bits, one stop bit and no parity, and dial (215) 542-9458. B aud rates: 300, 1200 or 2400.
APPLE II AS VT100?
QUERY: Steve Pererson (SIG 25/MESS 101) HELP: A customer insists on using his Apple Ile as a terminal, with ALL-IN-1 on his MICROVAX. He's running the communications package, ACCESS. At the WPS menu, E to edit and C to create cause the

Apple to display the previous screen (next higher menu?) .
Questions: Can ACCESS be configured to work properly? What other emulators for Apple will work? SOFfERM II was suggested. CROSSTALK was said not to emulate VT100 completely. Has anyone seen or produced a table of VT100 versus ANSI x3.64 terminal characteristics? I'd appreciate any help.
REPLY:
Edward Finneran (SIG 25/MESS 129): I noticed you said ACCESS, not ACCESS II. ACCESS II appears to work properly, because one of our teachers uses it all the time to work in WPS +/VMS.
The other day we used it to upload for the first time, and there was no problem. Perhaps ACCESS II is close enough to ACCESS for your customer to go for it. We' re doing a demo now of SOFTERM II on an Apple Ilgs. While it's a more powerful terminal emulator (including emulations of lots of different · terminals) , the manual is horrible. You can use it to customize a lot of what you normally do to make it easier.
I'm still waiting for an Apple emulator that will use the keypad correctly with various keypad software, like WPS, EDT, etc.
HEWLETT-PACKARD PLOTTER ON MICROVAX II
Q UERY: B ryan Coleman (SIG 25/MESS 113): I'm trying to connect an HP 7550A plotter to our MICROVAX II, and have had strange problems. I'd ultimately like to set up a print queue to spool plots to, but for now I'vejust been trying to copy a plot file (generated with SAS/GRAPH) to a terminal port.
It never seems to work the first time, and several of the SET TERMINAL parameters seem to have no effect. I'm able to get plots off successfully by

copying them a second time. I have the plotter connected to a DHV-11 port on our MICROVAX that's set: Baud= 9600, Parity= Even, Interactive, Ttsync, Passthru, and NO for just about everything else. I've tried various device types, but none seem any better than " UNKNOWN."
I welcome any suggestions; I've yet to set up a queue. So far I've only tried to copy the file of plotter commands to a terminal port. When I tried setting up a queue, I'd get a "STALLED" job, and would have to DELETE the entry. I'll look into the truncation question, although there still seems to be a problem with the port (either handshaking, or proper settings in VMS). I'll try to use the following to set up the QUE:
$ SET DEVICE/SPOOLED= (SYS$PLITT,SYS$SYSDEVICE)
$PLOTTER
$ INIT/QUE/NOSEPARATE/DEFAULT= (NOBURST,NOFEED,NOFLAG, NOTRAILER)/ON =$PLOTTER SYS$PLOT
This hopefully would allow multiple files to be queued using a print command.
REPLY:
K itty George (SIG 25/MESS 124): After buying the Precision Visuals PICSURE software, I had the pleasure of trying to get an HP 7550A plotter to work as well. From your description of the problem, it sounds like the truncation bugaboo gotcha. Here are the commands to set it up: 1. Define a form HP7550 . I used form number 6 here.
$ DEFINE/FORM HP7550 6 /NOSETUP/STOCK= DEFAULT

18

DEC PROFESSIONAL

For Digital users in search of high-performance systems software, Software AG comes through.

It's becoming clear: for more and more users of Digital's VAX computers, Software AG delivers the advantage in systems software that only fu lly integrated technologies can provide.
The Software AG VMS product family provides comprehensive solutions for the information management needs of today 's high-volume VAX production environments, with proven, high-performance technologies:
* ADABAS-flexible, high-performance data base management; * NATURAL-advanced 4th Generation applications development; * PREDICT-integrated, active dictionary for data and applications ; * SUPER NATURAL-interactive applications generation for end users; * NET-WORK-powerful communications for distributed processing.
Like all Software AG technologies, these tools feature open architectures for easy integration with other environments and systems.
So take a closer look at the technologies that Digital users have come to demand. Software AG. The Digital Advantage.

For a free color brochure on the
Software AG VMS
product family, call toll-free: 1-800-843-9534
(In Virginia and Canada call: 703-860-5050)
ENTER 154 ON READER CARD
t: SC~WAAE AG
_, PROGRAMMING BUSINESS SUCCESS

ENTER 222 ON READER CARD
CORRECTION
In "The Invisible VAX" by Al Cini (October 1987, page 31 A), we inadvertently indicated that AlisaTalk was from Apple Computer Inc. AlisaTalk is a product of:
Alisa Systems Inc. 221 E. Walnut Ave., Ste. 230 Pasadena, CA 91101 (818) 792-9474
ENTER 371 ON READER CARD
20

/WID = 65535/LEN = 255/MARGIN = (BOTTOM= O)/NOTRUNCATE /DESCRIPTION= "HP7550 PRINTER"
2. Set up the terminal characteristics. 3. Assume that you're setting up a queue on LTA2:, which is a port on a DECSERVER 100. The commands are:
$ SET TERM LTA2:/PERM /DEV= LA120/WID = 511/PAGE = 255 /NOBROAD/SPEED = 9600/NOWRAP
! HP7550 plotter.
$SET PROT=(S:RLWP,O,G,W) /DEVICE LTA2:
! Only symbiont accesses LTA2.
$ SET DEVICE LTA2:/SPOOLED = (PLOTQl ,SYS$SYSDEVICE)
! Set device spooled for Q named PLOTQl.
4. Now start up the queue PLOTQl on LTA2: using form HP7550:
$!NIT/QUEUE/START/PROCESSOR= LATSYM/RETAIN =ERROR/DEFAULT= (FORM= HP7550,NOFEED,NOBURST,NO FLAG,NOTRAILER) /RECORD_ BLOCKING/ON= LTA2: /SCHED = NOSIZE PLOTQl
! If you are using a hard-wired port,
leave off the /PROCESSOR=LATSYM.
5. Test print a file with:
$PRINT/QUEUE= PLOTQl foo.file ! foo.file is my PLAYGIRL pin-up plot.
As for the HP7550, I didn't use any non-standard setup settings other than those to ensure that the baud rate is correct and the XOFF/XON protocol is enabled. The only other gotcha I can think of is an error in setting up the DECSERVER port. Again, it should be the same as for any other printer hooked up to a DECSERVER. Hope this helps.
·
DEC PROFESSIONAL

WINDOWS FOR DATA®
Uncommon Screens

VIHCM fOf Ida - Hicl'OIOft VlnilM fer lata - Tar.. C Vlu1111 fDP hta - XlllX
Vlnilllfl fer hta - 312 Unix Vlnilllfl for hta - Su Unix

IT f you program in C, take a few
moments to learn how Windows for Data can help you build a state-of-theart user interlace.
~ Create and manage menus, data-entry forms, contextsensitive help, and text displays - all within windows.
~ Provide a common user interface for programs that must run on different machines and operating systems .
~ Build a better front end for any DBMS that has a Clanguage interface (most popular ones do).
FROM END TO BEGINNING Windows for Data begins
where other screen packages end, with special features like nested pop-up forms and menus, field entry from lists of choices, scrollable regions for the entry of variable numbers of line items, and an exclusive built-in debugging system.
NO WALLS If you've been frustrated by the limitations of other
screen utilities, don't be discouraged. You won't run into walls with Windows for Data. Our customers repeatedly tell us how they've used our system in ways we never imagined - but which we anticipated by designing Windows for Data for unprecedented adapatability. You will be amazed at what you can do with Windows for Data.

YOU ARE ALWAYS IN CHARGE Control functions that you write and attach to fields
and/or keys can read, compare, validate, and change the data values in all fields of the form. Upon entry or exit from any field, control functions can call up subsidiary forms and menus, change the active field, exit or abort the form, perform almost any task you can imagine.

OUR WINDOWS WILL OPEN DOORS
Our windows will open doors to new markets for your software.
High-performance, source-codecompatible versions of Windows
for Data are available for PCDOS (OS/2 soon), XENIX, UNIX, and VMS. PCDOS versions are fully compatible with Microsoft Windows, TopView, and DESQview. No royalties. You owe it to yourself and your programs to try Windows for Data. If not satisfied, return for a full refund. Call for DEM0.

·

Vermont Creative Software

21 Elm Ave. Richford, VT
05476

Phone: (802) 848-7731 ext. 71

Telex: 510-601-4160 VCSOFT

FAX 802-848-3502

ENTER 164 ON READER CARD

AP/20 Is Compatible With Q-bus VAX Systems
386-Based Attached Processor Increases VAX Speed Threefold

Avalon Computer Systems has developed the Intel 80386 that significantly improves overall CPU performance when added to a VAX system. Although the new AP/20 attached processor is compatible with all Q-bus VAX systems, it's expected to be used primarily by VARs who are developing systems using the MICROVAX.
By using the new 386 chip, the AP/20 attached processor increases the processing speed of the system by running CPU-bound programs on the attached processor instead of the host CPU. This results in a threefold increase in the VAX system's processing speed. According to Ross Harvey, a founder of Avalon, and its marketing manager, "In essence, the AP/20 is an asymmetrical multiprocessor that turns a VAX into a parallel computer system."
Off-loading computationally intense programs from the VAX to the AP/20 board is the product's major

advantage. Harvey explained, "Large FORTRAN programs and applications, such as computer graphics, CAD/CAM and simulations, are system killers. They significantly degrade system performance. With the AP/20, the VAX CPU is relieved of these number-crunching operations and its performance is improved substantially. In tests we conducted , VAX performance was improved by a factor of three."
The AP/20 runs at 3.5 to 4 mips and isn't affected by the load on the VAX. The floating point multiply time is 437 nanoseconds. It's compatible with any Q-bus VAX. Several AP/20 boards can be added to a single VAX. When multiple boards are used, performance is increased by a factor of to to 20, with as many programs being able to run concurrently.
No specialized programming is required to use the AP/20. It's available with C, FORTRAN and PASCAL compilers. Source code

22

changes aren't required and it's only necessary to recompile the source code using one of the Avalon compilers. The result is an image file that's accessed like any other VAX program, yet runs on the attached processor. Many VMS FORTRAN extensions are supported with programs running on the AP/20 without modification. AP/20 programs are written and executed in the same manner as host VAX programs.
The AP/20 has its own memory and operating system kernel. All user mode instructions, and many ofthe operating system functions, execute completely on the AP/20 with no transfers over the bus or loads on the VAX. The VAX interface is used only for program loading, 1/0, and for system call pro-

cessing. Because all 1/0 is executed through the VAX operating software, changes in files, shared peripherals, and all other system features are extended transparently to the AP/20.
A one gigabyte protected virtual address space is provided. Four million bytes of real memory are standard. High-speed floating point is available as an option.
The AP/20 is designed simply to plug into an existing slot of the VAX using the same procedure that's used for peripheral devices. The price for the AP/20 is
$10,000.
For more information, contact Avalon Computer Systems, 425 East Colorado Blvd., #710, Glendale, CA 91205; (818) 247-2216. Enter 432 on reader card
With the AP/20, f rom Avalon Computer Systems, the VAX CPU is relieved of numbercrunching operations, and performance is improved substantially.

(WITH REVIEWS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS CLMR HEADLINES?)

Find out why magazines like DEC Profession~I 1 - - -. - -. - - - - - . - . - - - - - . - I

and PC Week and over 60,000 PC users apprec1- I I would hke to fmd out why magazmes hke D_EC Professional, I

ate the convenient yet powerful features of

PC Week and others rate VTERM/220 so highly.

VTERM/220, VTERM III and VTERM/4010. 1 D 1 Please send me the DEC Professional and PC Week reviews.

Send in this coupon and see for yourself.

1I D 1I Please send me information on your free 30-day evaluation

of VTERM/220, VTERM III and VTERM/4010.

VTERM/220: Precise VT220, VTlOO and I NAME

TITLE

I

VT52 emulation with full KERMIT and XMODEM I COMPANY

I

file transfer and automatic reformating of host files for insertion into spreadsheets and data bases.
VTERM III: VTlOO and VT52 emulation with many of the convenient features

I I I

ADDRESS CITY

STATE _ _ ZIP

I I I

ofVTERM/220. VTERM/4010: VTlOO and
VTERM* Tektronix 4010 emulation for
agprapplihciactsions.

·-

Write: Coefficient Systems Corporation

1

_

_6_11B_roa_dw_ay,_Ne_w Y_ork_, N_.Y_ .100_12

1
_J

or call (212) 777-6707 ext 611
FAX: (212) 228-3137 TELEX: 6503156498

ENTER 108 ON READER CARD

·vTERM refers 10 VTERM/220 , VTERM Ill and VTERM/4010 from Coeffic ient Systems Corporation.

Users Gain High Capacity In Limited Space
UNIBUS Disk Storage System Joins The MasterDisk Line With Speed, Performance, Flexibility And A Two-Year Warranty

American Digital Systems has made the next move by adding a UNIBUS disk storage system to its MasterDisk line of high-performance disk storage systems.
According to Alan Kivnik, president of American Digital Systems, " For the last year, MasterDisk storage systems have offered the highest speed available in a disk system for Q-bus computers. Now we can offer UNIBUS users the same high-performance we've been providing to the Q-bus user."
Kivnik adds, " Our current customers are seeing dramatic performance improvements over their DEC drives. Many who have added MasterDisk have found they could add additional users to their system with no reduction in performance; all are finding disk

speed increases of 200 to 450 percent over their old drives."
MasterDisk is available in configurations ranging from 152 to 607 MB. It boasts an effective average access time of 7.26 milliseconds and a data transfer rate of 24 MB/second. This high performance is achieved by the use of Winchester disk drives (16 millisecond average seek) coupled to the controller that incorporates 1 MB of cache.
For those users who need high capacity in a limited space, MasterDisk's ADD-ON system comes with its own housing in a DEC BA23 floor stand, table top cabinet, or rack-mount package. The rack-mount package can be included in an existing UNIBUS VAX or PDP-11 system cabinet. For MICROVAX and MICRO/PDP users who need high capacity built into their micro cabinet, MasterDisk's ADD-

IN system comes with each disk drive mounted to a DEC skid plate for easy installation into a BA23 or BA123.
All MasterDisk products now come with a twoyear warranty. With this new warranty, American Digital Systems leaps forward to be the first company to offer this in the DEC disk storage subsystem industry.
According to Kivnik, "I know our present and future customers will be pleased to hear this news. I always tell people that quality was the top priority when we designed MasterDisk, and that will continue to be true for the products we will be announcing in the next few months. We intend to offer the same warranty for all

future MasterDisk products."
All MasterDisk products are supported by Control Data Corporation's nationwide network of field service offices. American Digital Systems supplies all of the necessary diagnostics, formatting and verification utilities, and even a test cable. In addition, the company provides you with a complete installation tool kit. The price range for the UNIBUS disk storage system is $8,950 to $20,950. A Q-bus version is available ranging from $6,450 to $19,950. For more information, contact American Digital Systems Inc., 75 Union Ave., Sudbury, MA 01776; (617) 443-7711. Enter 481 on reader card

Datamedia Brings Good Things To Color
Colorscan/2 Allows Users To Switch Between Terminal And PC Sessions

The buzz word these days is workstations, and Datamedia Corporation is on the cutting edge with its Colorscan/2. This two-inone workstation combines the capabilities of an IBM

Personal System/2-, PC/XTor PC//IT-compatible computer with the communications and graphics capabilities of DEC's VT240 terminal.
Colorscan/2 features parallel operation in the DEC

24

weal, int.ractiv< JD manipulation ofmapping data captured on a Tektronix 4129.

The JD modeling capabilities ofDl-JOOO XPM are shown in /his int.ractive drilling application.

The Dl-JOOO XPM graphics databaseexcels atprocess modeling applications.

Using Dl-JOOO XPM, a turbine impeller is realistically rendered with local light source modeling.

Precision Visuals' DI-3000 XPMTM

Graphics Modeling and Simulation Tools for Your VAX

The Product
DI-3000 XPM'" is Precision Visuals' flagship graphics tools product for creating 2D and 3D graphics application programs ranging from simple data display up to hierarchical graphics data management, and hidden line removal. DI-3000 XPM, which includes the powerful DI-3000®package proven by use at over 2000 sites, provides complete FORTRAN-callable subroutine tools for modeling and viewing. Industry-acclaimed documentation, product training, a HelpLine, and a team of Sales and Technical Support Engineers help speed your application development.
The User
DI-3000 and DI-3000 XPM are widely used subroutine libraries for developing engineering and scientific applications. DI-3000 XPM programmers have 2D or 3D applications that require: definition and repetitive use of graphics objects ; updating of these objects and changing their relationships ; changing spatial positioning, and manipulating selected subcomponents.
The Environment
DI-3000 XPM is machine and device independent, with initial support for the VAX/VMS environments. In the DEC environment,

Precision Visuals' products install automatically as run-time shareable libraries, allowing run-time selection of device drivers and efficient use of machine resources. Over 100 graphics devices are supported, including graphics terminals and hardcopy devices from Tektronix, DEC, and HP, as well as PostScript-supported laser printers. Prices for DI-3000 XPM start at $5,500 on the DEC MicroVAX GPX; license fees scale up and down depending on CPU power.
The Features
DI-3000 XPM includes the entire DI-3000 2D /3D graphics subroutine library. For sophisticated development tasks, the XPM extension includes graphics data management based on the PHIGS output model, hidden line processing, and many extended primitives such as rectangles, ellipses, arcs, spheres, extruded polylines, extruded fill area sets, and solids of revolution. Graphics structures can be built, edited, and archived with or without images appearing on a graphics device. Output can also be displayed and rendered locally on Tektronix 4lxx/42xx terminals by combining DI-3000 XPM with Precision Visuals' AddSys-3000'" software. DI-3000 XPM also supports a powerful name set filtering option for controlling the display and detectability of graphics picture components.

ENTER 147 ON READER CARD

DEC VAX , MicroVAX GPX, Tektronix, HP, PostScript, DI-3000 XPM, and Dl-3000 are registered trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation, Tektronix Incorporated, Hewlett·Packard Corporation . Adobe Systems Incorporated, and Prec:isK>n Visuals Incorporated, respectively.

The Applications
DI-3000 XPM is a tool for programmers building design, simulation, process monitoring, and other applications including: D Transportation or Communication Networks D Simulation of Flow Phenomena D Manufacturing Simulation D Molecular Modeling D 2D Layout D Architectural Modeling D Any Simulation Where 2D or 3D Objects Change Based on Events. Less complex applications can be fully addressed with the basic DI-3000 package.
The story
To get the full story on DI-3000 XPM, including technical information and a complete list of supported systems and users,
Call Chris Logan at:
303/ 530-9000.
~ ~yam;·

6260 Lookout Road Boulder, Colorado 80301 303/530·9000 Telex (RCA) 296428

USA

Precision Visuals International West Germany Telephone: 49·69/6666 597 Telex: 17-6997150 United Kingdom Telephone: 04427-76171 Telex: 826715

VAX and MS-DOS environments, which allows the user to switch between them with a single keystroke. Colorscan/2 has incorporated IBM and DEC compatibility and functionality into a powerful and compact diskless workstation. It's designed as a platform for online information access and desktop business computing where timely access to several sources of information is essential. The Colorscan/2 also features color graphics capabilities.
According to Guy Daniello, president and chief executive officer of Datamedia, "The Colorscan/2 is more than a terminal or personal computer. It actually is two products in one, combining the features and applications of graphics terminals with the independence and large software library of personal computers, making it the multipurpose workstation of the future."
Custom development of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) enables the company to combine several functions in one desktop unit. A proprietary hardware-supported mapping technique allows the Colorscan/2's microprocessor to be switched between tasks stored in different memory partitions. This enables the user to switch rapidly between applications without restarting the Colorscan/2.
It offers several features that allow the user to access and process information such as: 1. Connectivity-The Colorscan/2 features two RS-

232 ports for simultaneous communications with two hosts, and a parallel printer port. Two additional IBM PC/XT compatible expansion slots enable connection to local area networks (LANs) and external peripherals. 2. Graphics-The workstation supports IBM Enhanced Graphics Adaptor, (EGA) and has enhancements that enable the screen to be updated twice as fast as IBM's EGA and provide sharper characters. The workstation supports numerous operating modes and screen resolutions. 3. Storage-Colorscan/2 is available with several storage and memory options, including a RAMfile with up to 2 MB of internal batterybacked auxiliary storage; a credit card-sized non-volatile storage device, called a CARDfile; and an external 3.5-inch floppy/hard disk peripheral, called a DISKfile. All storage devices are MSDOS disks and can be used to store and share a variety of data, such as spreadsheets, applications software and complex engineering diagrams. MS-DOS can be booted from any of these devices. The Colorscan/2's connectivity allows users to access and store data in corporate hosts, minicomputers and LAN file servers.
The Colorscan/2 lists for $2,000. For more information, contact Datamedia Corporation, 11 Trafalgar Sq., Nashua, NH 03063; (603) 886-1570. Enter 435 on reader card

Pan, Zoom, Draw And Erase With GP-220
Graphics Terminal Can Store Four Different Terminal Configurations

GP-220, a high-resolution graphics terminal from Northwest Digital Systems, features enhanced emulation of the Tektronix 4014 and DEC VT220. It offers two separate 200 KB display banks, each of which allows high-resolution gray-scale graphics or 75 pages of offscreen text memory. The terminal also features a completely programmable DEC VT220-style keyboard.
In graphics mode, the GP-220 boasts fast and accurate emulation of the Tektronix 4010 and 4014 and is compatible with graphing software packages written for Tektronix terminals. It offers 1024 x 780 resolution and includes functions such as pan, zoom, gray scale, animation, arc draw, seed fill, windowing, fill patterns, area erase, area move and more.
In text mode, the GP-220 offers emulation of the DEC VT220, VT100 and VT52 terminals. Additionally, the terminal allows convenient dis-

play formats of 80 or 132 columns by 24, 50 or 66 lines. The Off-screen Text Memory feature automatically stores 75 pages of text that may be scrolled back onto the screen at the user's command.
The GP-220 is designed for applications flexibility. Full-screen set-up menus allow extensive terminal configuration via quick and easy commands. A feature unique to the GP-220 is the ability to store four different terminal configurations in' non-volatile memory making them available for instant recall. Other features include an 8 x 15 character cell, builtin print buffer, built-in mouse and digitizer support, local Find and editing functions.
The GP-220 terminal lists for $2,195 . Contact Northwest Digital Systems, P.O. Box 15288, Seattle, WA; (206) 524-0014. Enter 482 on reader card -Suzanne Garr

26

DEC PROFESSIONAL

{((' //~ THE

- ~-------

~ PROBLEM

JUST GOT

SOLVED

-

") PowerHouse®brings solutions to typical relational

DBMS problems

/

Integrate new applicati011S wl,th existing data
New applications built in a third party relational DBMS won't necessarily integrate with your existing data. Because the PowerHouse development language supports both Digital's relational database and dominant file system, you're free to build new applications using Rdb / VMS and integrate them with existing ones built on VAX RMS. That means you're not 1ocked-in' to a proprietary relational DBMS and 1ocked-out' of your existing data.
PowerHouse provides compatibility and perfonnance
Implementing relational technology can present compatibility and performance problems. Not with PowerHouse - it's tightly integrated with Digital's databases and operating system to guarantee you exceptional 4GL/DBMS performance. You can enjoy the combination of a fast-execution language and Digital-optimized databases, now and in the future. Your applications are completely compatible with all standard Digital software. And wherever Digital takes its-hardware and software - your applications and data will go, too.

Development power for 'production' applicati011S
PowerHouse gives you total development capability in one language, and not a collection of weak DBMS utilities and interfaces. Regardless of which Digital database you're using, PowerHouse gives you advanced, dictionary-driven development power. The power you need to prototype and build 'production' commercial applications, such as order entry, inventory tracking, and manufacturing - the backbone of your company.
And Cognos has a full service organization to back you up. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-4-COGNOS. In Canada, call 1-613-738-1440. In Europe, call +44 344 486668. Or call on any of our 38 Cognos offices around the world and find out why over 7,800 customer sites use PowerHouse.
Cognos Co rpo rati on, 2 Corporate Place. 1-95 , Peabody, Massachusett s 01960. Cognos a nd PowerHouse are registered trademarks of Cognos Incorporated . Rdb, RMS, VAX a nd VMS are registered trademarks of Digita l F.quipment Corpora tion.

ENTER 109 ON READER CARD

Company Banks On Popularity Of VMS
Computer Shock And Change Are Eased With BBC's New Philosophy

Boston Business Computing (BBC) believes that VMS has become a comfortable, familiar computing interface for many people. BBC has implemented this philosophy by:.selling a line of software prbducts for MSDOS and UNIX computers that emulates some of VMS's functions.
VCL is BBC's emulation of the VMS command interface. It executes many of the verbs and features ofDCL on non-DEC computers. At the simplest level, VCL translates a DCL command into the equivalent MS-DOS or UNIX command. An example is the DIRECTORY command. When VCL is running on a UNIX system, and the user types DIRECTORY, VCL executes an "ls" in UNIX.
A stronger feature of VCL, however, is that it goes beyond simple command translation. It also implements many of the userhelpful features of DCL that make it a powerful operating system interface. VCL includes symbols and logical names, command line recall and editing, user-definable keys, command files, lexical expressions, the DIFFERENCES and SEARCH utilities, and VMS-like help screens. VCL also allows you to type native commands (MS-DOS or UNIX), and pass them through to the operating system, for direct execution without translation.
VCL sells for $195 in its

MS-DOS version, $300 for UNIX workstations, $1,000 for small multiuser UNIX systems and $2,000 for larger UNIX systems. At this writing, VCL has been ported to many UNIX machines.
It's well known that people can become attached to an editing program and thus will resist change. There are even people who still use TECO, even though it's approximately four generations old. BBC hopes that its text editor, PC/EDT, can capitalize on this fact. PC/EDT is an EDT-like editor, allowing users to move from a VAX to an MS-DOS or UNIX machine while retaining their editor.
I used PC/EDT under MS-DOS and found it to be as advertised. While I didn't try every function of EDT, everything I did try worked as it should. PC/EDT also includes session journaling and recovery, user-definable keys, line and screen modes, and EDT-like help screens. It sells for $250 on MS-DOS computers, $995 for small multiuser UNIX systems and

$1 ,995 for larger UNIX systems.
Desk Executive is BBC's ride on the ALL-IN-1 success wave. Like the original, Desk Executive is an office automation program that presents the user with an integrated interface to electronic filing, electronic mail, time management software,

the transition to a new system, or possibly shield a user from some parts of the transition.
BBC's offerings, however, are not a full answer to new computer shock. VCL doesn't implement system management functions. Anyone who is in charge of an MS-DOS or UNIX system

BBC eases transition from the familiar to the new.

word processing, and other functions.
As with ALL-IN-1 , one of the nicest features ofDesk Executive is its ability to be customized by the user. If you have an application program that you use frequently, it can be merged into Desk Executive. You can modify the menu so that it presents the application as one of the menu options. It then will call the application when that choice is selected. Desk Executive sells for $495 and only runs on MS-DOS computers.
These products should appeal to users who are uncomfortable with a complete change in their computing environment. They can ease

must learn the native commands. It's also likely that users at every level will find themselves having some interaction with the native -operating system. A set of emulators can go only so far at hiding what is underneath.
BBC's products do offer an opportunity for people who would like to retain some old friends when they move to an unknown system. For more information, contact Boston Business Computing, Riverwalk Center, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, MA 01843; (617) 683-7920. Enter 434 on reader card - Charles Connell

28

DEC PROFESSIONAL

earn using a window-driven interface. Even old hands find this technique useful for super-quick prototypes.
Then, as knowledge of FOCUS grows, so does the

Applied FOCUS

Thousands of FOCUS applications run in all of these categories:
Financial Accounting Tracking Systems (e.g ., Inventory,
Assets, Equipment) Marketing Analysis Sales Reports Personnel Payroll Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Studies and Surveys Order Entry Production Control

depth and richness ofthe language. You'll never outgrow FOCUS.

Big on Support
With some databases FOCUS presents a com-

writinga complex

mon language in the DEC VAX, IBM 370, Wang VS, UNIX and PC/PS environ-

applicationcanbe a

ments. Applications are fully portable, and so are pro-

punishingexperience. grammers' skills. FOCUS has a large and independent user group.

And we back FOCUS with

local help lines in 12 regional

AX programmers FOCUS includes all the pro- offices, a central hotline, and

an take it on the

ductivity tools your program- a national network of techni-

chin ifthey try to

mers need. They can write cal support and training

create applications using a any application completely centers.

database without a complete in FOCUS, without lapsing

Protect yourself. Ask for

fourth-generation language. into any other language.

more information on

You'll find them working

You can expect FOCUS to FOCUS. Call 1-212-736-4433,

in cumbersome, time-con- improve programmer pro- Ext. 3700. Or write Informa-

suming third-generation

ductivity by a factor of ten or tion Builders, Inc., Dept. I9,

ways.

more.

1250 Broadway, New York,

The alternative is FOCUS -a complete fourth-genera-

Easy on the Mind

NY 10001. Without sticking your chin out.

tion language with its own

From the first day, pro-

powerful database manager. grammers can learn as they

C.OOptntivc M1rketin1 Propm

ENTER 129 ON READER CARD

(101) fr£ta:'=!~

TEK 4200 SERIES TERMINALS

Typically, one host serves your business applications while another serves your engineering and database needs. Now Tek's 4200 Series gives you one window to them all.
Tek 4200 Series terminals let you switch between IBM and DEC hosts at will , and work with up to six databases at once.
You can work independently of the host, too: Among Tek's superb graphics capabilities is

extensive local intelligence that lets you go off-line to better utilize host resources . Local zoom and pan, for example, lets you view data well beyond display addressability.
Compatibility with over 175 leading software packages puts the 4200 Series in the mainstream of CAD/CAM, CAE, technical data analysis and business graphics. Bring your report, presentation and documenta-

tion hard copy to life with the 4200-compatible 4690 Family of color printers.
Available in 13-inch or 19-inch versions, as well as a super-tough industrial version, Tek 4200 terminals add the ideal graphic and alphanumeric solution to every station.
To learn more about the 4200 Series , contact your local Tek representative . Or call 1-800-225-5434. In Oregon, 1-235-7202.

A

nniversaries are a good time to look back on what has happened and what you've accomplished, as well as a time to look ahead at what you might be able to do in the future.

Clusters, Local Area VAXCLUSTERS, DECNET, Ethernet and gateways all are meaningful terms for DEC computers; they do it all. This is DEC's second coup; they have it right again. First minicomputers and now networking.

Looking far back to 1967 when I first used a DEC

Staying number one in small computers has been

computer, it was fun and still is fun . I liked the PDP-6 difficult, but DEC is slowly closing in on the giant

that taught me timesharing and Digital-style com- IBM. While they are still far apart, the gap is narrow-

puting. DEC was a small company then, less than ing for IBM with alarming speed. While it used to be

1,000 employees and under $100 million in sales. In unthinkable that DEC could overtake IBM, now in-

1987, just 20 years later, they are approximately 100 dustry experts (besides us) are starting to see that

times larger. In 1972, I bought a DECLAB 11/40 for a possibility.

scientific gait study center, complete with 16K of

What will the next eight years bring? We foresee

memory, an A-D converter and a VT40 graphics no major change in DEC, an evolutionary migration

display - is anyone surprised that it's still running? of the sales force into a more professional, customer ·

What is it that made DEC what it is today? What oriented group is important for DEC's complete trans-

it will be in the next eight years? First, it's the style ition to be a key player in corporate computing. The

of computing that DEC pioneered back in the early VAX family will grow and its capabilities will expand.

1960s. Minicomputers meant Digital computers, and Networking will continue as a fundamental in con-

interactive was how

necting all of a corpora-

they worked. They

tion together. IBM will

were a success. The word leaked out slowly,

8th ANNIVERSARY

be forced into a technology and architecture

then gained momentum

that will be new to it

through the 70s leading

and its customers; it

to an explosion in the

may or may not be suc-

80s. The key to DEC

cessful. DEC's path for

computing was how it

these years, however, is

felt; no cards were fed

assured, made that way

to an operator, which

by clever planning and

delivered output hours

excellent execution.

(days?) later. DEC com-

When Digital

puting was hands-on

started as a company it

and interactive, if you

had less than five peo-

made a mistake, you

ple and $75,000 in

knew it immediately.

capital. Today it is are a

It was fun. It was

$10 billion company

productive.

with more than 100,000

No doubt about it,

employees and over $1

DEC got it right. That's

billion net income.

number one. Getting it

From this powerful

right once can give you an edge, but only for a while. But, Digital

A Look Back. · ·

base it can grow much faster and support that growth from a strong

didn't sit still; the com-

by Carl B. Marbach

financial base. Ken

pany built its current

Olsen recently re-

architecture, the VAX, to be compatible with each marked, "If our message ever gets across, we'll need

other and above all the computers were made to be all of our cash to support the demand." We think that

connected together. Networking and connectivity the message is getting across, and that even more spec-

became the watchwords of the 80s. Most companies tacular growth is in store for the future.

only said the words while DEC produced computers

In eight years it won't be, "Can DEC be Number

that "have it now."

1?" It will be DEC is Number 1.

32

DEC PROFESSIO NAL

y first 11/70 came with the snow in

I was always re-inventing the wheel. I spent at

December 1975. It cost approxi- least 40 percent of my time inventing things that come

mately $150,000 largely uninflated free with VMS. Programmers today spend no time on

dollars, had 96K of memory (core, wheels, and all their time producing code.

of course) and a gigantic 88MB

Today's world has slightly different hardware

RP04! Its serial was 5104 (Number 104) and its original constraints. When 88 MB was a very big disk, you

backplane is hanging on the wall next to me as I write designed your files differently from the procedures

this. (It, of course, is still in operation 24/7, running used today, when 1.3 GB is a fairly big disk, but

the code I wrote for it in the fall of that year.)

another one costs only about $15K (88MB cost $30K

When I attended my first DECUS the entire RSTS in 1975). When all your programs had to fit into 32

SIG fit into a small

KB, no matter what,

room. There was the

and you had to pay the

usual assortment of gurus, each with a

8th ANNIVERSARY

premium of overlays and endless linking, you

specialty in some arcane

tended to write in a cer-

16-bit type problem.

tain style. Today, with

Carl and I made our

free memory ($600/MB

mark early on because

versus $100K/MB), that

we figured out how to

problem is gone.

optimize a disk struc-

My first 11/70 was

ture. We used to give

as far ahead of my first

cook-book style lessons

computer (an RCA 501)

on how to do it by hand

as my MICROVAX is of

(there was no other

my 11/70. The only

way).

thing that is changing

Time passed, and

now is the dt/dx (the

the RSTS SIG grew un-

rate of change). A

til it was filling a room

generation now spans

meant for 600. Then, it began to contract again, as the 32-bit message sank in. Gurus went

· · .And Ahead
by Dave Mallery

about 18 months. The MICROVAX III that we applaud today will be junk in mid 1989.

away as did the prob-

(How's your new 8200?)

lems they addressed. Today, most of them actually are

Our publications have grown and contracted with

working on useful new things, rather than work- the DEC market. Our RSTS PROFESSIONAL was the

arounds to circumvent 16-bit restrictions.

guru's delight. It served that community in its hour

We all, some more reluctantly than others, took of need, then went away... or should I say, followed

the plunge into the icy waters of VMS. Icy they are, its readers into VMS. Our late lamented Personal and

compared to the warm fuzzy world of RSTS. Each in Professional chronicled a brief and unhappy experi-

turn has railed against the seemingly endless complex- ment in mass marketing, and died with the idea.

ity of the operating system, and each in turn has

Today, VAX PROFESSIONAL, The Software journal

overcome.

For VMS serves the VMS professional with today 's

The beauty of VMS is that with each seeming mission: software excellence. DEC PROFESSIONAL

complexity comes another level of freedom. I notice continues to be the magazine that professionals keep

that the applications our programmers are churning around because reading it makes them better at their

out have a level of finesse and class that you never respective jobs.

could have achieved in the old days, no matter how

We are growing. We use our DEC computers in

clever you were.

new ways to create these publications for you. We will

The restraints on RSTS were so great that either continue to grow technically as the community grows.

you traded programming ease for performance, or you Every article that passes my desk in the review pro-

spent loads of time re-inventing the wheel to buy a cess must pass a single test: I must learn something

little more performance.

from it.

NOVEMBER 1987

33

8th ANNIVERSARY
It Started One Day With An Idea And Soon Grew Into A Celebrated
Eight Years Of Publishing.

' 'A forum is a meeting place, a place for politics and speeches, a place for intelligence gathering and a place to do business; a place to learn and a place to teach. A forum that's not crowded with people and full of noise and activity is a useless empty space. The RSTS PROFESSIONAL will be a forum only ifyou, the professionals, flock to it, use it, trade in it, and learn from it." These words, written by Dave Mallery, appeared in Volume 1, Number 1 of RSTS PROFESSIONAL which was in print by the Fall DECUS in San Diego. That November/December 1979 issue became the first computer-specific magazine in history. RSTS PROFESSIONAL was the seed that sprouted into what Professional Press is .today publisher of DEC PROFESSIONAL; VAX PROFESSIONAL, The Softwarejournal For VMS; HP PROFESSIONAL and a series of technical books.

But where did that seed originate? In the winter of 1975, Carl Marbach, then withJacob Stem and Sons in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, braved a snowstorm to borrow a SYSGEN tape from Dave Mallery, then installing his first 11/70 computer system at his company, Nationwide Data Dialogue (NDD) in nearby Southhampton. Carl's computer was ready to roll when he discovered he had the wrong tape and DEC Field Service suggested he plow over to NDD and borrow the tape from Dave.
From this first meeting, Carl and Dave discovered a realm of common interests that brought them together at DECUS meetings. As both were "authors by inclination; ' they were soon prominent contributors to DEC's RSTS SIG Newsletter and frequent presenters at DECUS meetings.
At the time, DEC computer systems were growing rapidly, but their performance didn't always keep up with the demand. Performance became a major issue. Because Carl and Dave were involved in corporate computing, both confronted per-

formance in their everyday jobs. Bringing together their experience from various resources and their own ideas, they presented a session at DECUS on performance.
This quickly became known as the " Carl and Dave Show." The session included approximately 600 attendees and started at 8 p.m. It regaled the multitudes on every facet ofRSTS performance until the wee hours. The session went on from there to be a full day and was presented both at the Australian DECUS and the UK. DECUS in London.
Time marched on and fortune, lurking around the comer, presented itselfin the spring of 1979 when Dave and Carl attended the New Orleans DECUS. The idea for their first magazine was born during a RSTS SIG meeting at which DECUS announced its plan to charge for the newsletter. The suggestion was met with an uproar: "Why not take advertising?" the throngs shouted! Why not?
In one of the great moments of publishing

history, Carl turned to Dave and said, " We need to make a magazine!" At that time, there were no DEC-specific publications. The only conduit of information was the DECUS SIG publications, and they were small and infrequent offset newsletters. The major source ofinformation was at the DECUS Symposia.
Carl foresaw the need for a DEC-specific magazine to serve advertisers and readers. At the time, DEC's market was relatively small, VAX was beginning to take off, and there was no costeffective place for third-party vendors to advertise. DEC buyers were looking for a source of information and analysis. Thus the seedling took root and RSTS PROFESSIONAL began publishing.
When RSTS PROFESSIONAL was introduced at the San Diego DECUS meeting in November 1979, DEC management was shocked. " You can't publish this," was their first reaction to an article about operating system internals that advo-

34

DEC PROFESSIONAL

DEC-Size Power, PC-Size Price.

The QUBE, Unbound's New Desktop Computer
... a powerful, compact and affordable entry-level system, compatible with I.SI 11/23, 11/73 and MicroVAX II.

BREAKTHROUGH FOR INTEGRATORS! Now you can offer a DEC solution, priced like a PC but with more capability and expandability. In fact, this Q-Bus compatible is the most compact and affordable DEC-type computer available. It actually takes up less space than an AT-with far superior price/performance advantages.And UNBOUND's deep discounts mean better margins for you!
TRUE CONFIGURATION FLEXIBILITY. Modular design lets you start with the exact system you need, then grow anytime.A choice of powerful, reliable high-capacity peripherals includes fast ESDI storage to 760 MB and floppy disk, Ut" or W' DEC TK-50 backup.
OPENS UP NEW APPLICATIONS. The QUBE's unique features, low cost, small size and big power are the keys. Dimensions: 6"xl4"xl4"-and weigh just 22 lbs. Even with disk, tape and optional carrying case the QUBE tucks under an airline seat. So you can take it with you to those important demos.

The QUBE is compact for business users, powerful enough for departmental computing. Ruggedized and transportable for lab, industrial and field duty. And perfect for custom data acquisition, with its high-speed performance.

GETTING THE SQUEEZE FROM PC s? The QUBE

gets you around it! Also, our high-powered/low-cost

solution is well supported and highly reliable, thanks to

time tested components. Find out more with a toll-free

l'()(JN· I" call.That's 1-800-UNBOUND. (In Calif. 714/895-6205.) Or

write: UNBOUND, 15239 Springdale St., Huntington Beach,CA 92649.

!Il1lNi; .J

I J

DEC, LSI II, MicroVAX. TK-50 and Q-Bus are registered trademarks of Digital Equi pment Corporation.

ENTER 248 ON READER CARD

8th ANNIVERSARY

cated certain patches to increase performance. But by realizing that information distribution is good for everyone, DEC changed its attitude. And, many of the highest level DEC executives subscribed, even Ken Olsen, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation.
The magazine started out as a quarterly, supported by paid subscriptions. Pressure began to mount as
August 1987 readers demanded more and in 1980, RSTS PROFESSIONAL became a bimonthly publication. Between 1979 and 1981, growth was steady. Dave and Carl increased their activities in DECUS; gave seminars

throughout the country and overseas; founded the RSTS Rescue Squad, a service that saved logically corrupted disks; consulted in Australia, Canada and throughout the United·States including solving a major problem with the four DEC computers installed in the Office of the President of the United States - one that DEC itself had been unable to solve.
According to Mallery, "During the '79 to '81 period, RSTS was_ maturing as an operating system, but was plagued with all the classic 16-bit address space problems. As people demanded more and more from their systems, they ran up against limitations. Anyone with experience in enhancing performance on a RSTS system became well known rather quickly."
By 1982, RSTS PROFESSIONAL had 10,000 readers and provided a media and advertising outlet that was responsible for the birth ofa whole generation of DECspecific companies. All the 16-bit problems had been fixed in the VAX, but it was still too early for the mass

migration. People were holding out and stretching their investments in RSTS and RSX.
As other computerspecific magazines followed RSTS PROFESSIONAL's lead, the time had come to pull even farther ahead. According to Mallery, "The writing was on the wall: Digital was going to make it big, and to be there when it arrived, we had to have a free magazine that dealt with every aspect of the corporation and served all the constituencies." The tough got going and in July 1982, Volume 1, Number 1 of DEC PROFESSIONAL made its debut.
Changes, developments and innovations continue to be trademarks of the computer industry. So Professional Press, to keep up with the times, changed RSTS PROFESSIONAL to VAX!RSTS PROFESSIONAL and then again to VAX PROFESSIONAL, The SoftwareJournal For VMS.
That seedling that Carl and Dave planted in 1979 sprouted again in June of 1983 with Personal and Professional. The magazine focused

on choosing, using and adapting Digital Equipment Corporation's personal computer line. Personal and Prefessional delivered up-to-date news on current topics from
May 1987
hardware insights to software reviews. Unfortunately, as the DEC Rainbow market faded, so did Personal and Professional magazine.
As DEC PROFESSIONAL became implanted in the computer publishing field and known throughout computer circles for its technical excellence, the publishers of Professional Press planted yet another seedling. May 1987 marked the debut of HP PROFESSIONAL, serving the Hewlett-Packard market.
Understanding and anticipating the needs of the reader have made Professional Press Inc. the leading publisher in the DEC market, setting the pace and the standard for the industry. Publisher Carl Marbach and Editorial Director Dave Mallery see their mission as one to publish material that will help professionals grow in their everyday jobs. Professional Press celebrates its eight years of publishing with you our loyal readers.

DEC PROFESSIONAL

You can debug your embedded programs right on your development host - our MICSIM Simulator needs no extra hardware. It's like debugging on your favorite emulator, but with no contention for dedicated resources, no download time, and with the symbolic breakpoint and trace control you've always dreamed of having.
AN XAB CROSS ASSEMBLER Our macro assembler is both fast and powerful, with support for 68020, 68881, and 68551.
A PASCAL COMPILER You can program as much as you want in ISO Standard Pascal, or use the powerful extensions we've added to this production quality compiler. And you get complete integration with C and assembly language as well.
Working together, the 68K Cross Development Tools deliver both optimized performance and improved programmer productivity. Best of all, Whitesmiths offers everything y ou need at a r;ery competitive price. We've been delivering and supporting high quality software development tools since 1978, and we're committed to continually enhancing our product line.
If you develop 68000 programs on a DEC VAX, an IBM PC, or a UNIX workstation, chances are we can save you time and money. For more technical details, call our toll-free number today. We also offer attractive packages for OEMs.
59 Power Road Westford, MA 01886
617 /692-7800
ENTER 168 ON READER CARD

8th ANNIVERSARY

DEC Milestones ·· 1979-1987 ··
·· 1979 ··
PDP-11/44 · LSI-11/23 · SBC-11/21
·· 1980 ··
VAX-11/750
·· 1981 ··
DECMATE 1

·· 1982 ..
DECMATE II · Professional 300 · Professional 325 · Professional 350 · VAX-11/730 ·Rainbow 100 · VT180 Robin· VAX-11/782 ·MICRO PDP-11
·· 1983 ··
LSI-11173 (MICRO PDP-11173) · VAXCLUSTER ·DEC informs DECSYSTEM-10 and DECSYSTEM-20 users that it's no longer developing these systems. DEC continues support, but actively converts DECSYSTEM 10 and 20 users to VAX solutions · MICROVAX I · VAX-11/725 ·DEC breaks into top Fortune 100 industrial companies list.

·· 1984 ..
PDP-11/84 · Professional 380 · DECMATE III · VAX-11/785 · VI200 ·VAX 8600
·· 1985 ..
MICROVAX II · MICRO PDP-11/83 ·DEC ceases development of its PC product line and begins R & D on an IBM PC AT-compatible/ VAX-compatible low-end machine · VAX 8650 · DEC'S DNA protocols already are well matched with OSI, and its protocols are largely peer in nature. This process began in June 1985 and is expected to be complete in June 1988 · By the end of 1985,

Charter Subscribers Look Back

· · Michael Mayfield, vice president of Research and Development
at Northwest Digital, Seattle, Washington, received his first copy ofRSTS PROFESSIONAL in 1979 at DECUS in San Diego. Eight years later, Mayfield is still a subscriber. He recently shared his views with Staff Editor Suzanne Garr. · ·
When did you first start muling RSI'S PROFESSIONAV How did you beconae aware of the magazine?
Dave Mallery and Carl Marbach introduced me to the magazine at DECUS in 1979. I found the magazine impressive as well as the fact that they started a whole new industry. There really was no place to go for information about your system. The entire RSTS community has Dave and Carl to thank for giving us the knowledge to do a better job.
What is your vkw ofthe change ofRSTS PROFESSIONAL to VAX RSTS PROFESSIONAL and then to VAX PROFESSIONAL, The Software Journal For VMS?
At the time, the RSTS market as well as the DEC market was changing. More and more interest was in the VAX market. VAX/VMS is the vehicle for active involvement of new custom applications. RSTS PROFESSION AL started out as a user-supported magazine and VAX PROFESSIONAL continues the tradition.
Can you can provide me with an anealote about your early days with DEC equipment?
When DEC came out with WPS-8, I told them that they could put it on RSTS. They commented that it couldn't be done; there wasn't a market for it. Then DPD and I designed the WPS-8 compatible,
WORD-11.

How did you get involved in RSTS?
In 1973, I was attending the University of California-Irvine and worked on V4.A.
What type of hardware were you working on in 1979?
I was working on the PDP-11/45.
What system are you currendy working on?
At Northwest Digital, we work on the PDP-11/73 and VAX.
Is there anything you miss about the old system of RSTS?
My feelings are: "The answer is VAX, now what's the question?" DEC's general philosophy is that the VAX is the answer.
Where do you S« the direction ofDEC and the third party go-
ing in the nect right years?
I see DEC concentrating more on Fortune 500 companies than on tl;ie traditional market.
·· David N. Witham, MIS director at A.H. Harris & Sons Inc., New Britain, Connecticut, started reading RSTS PROFESSIONAL in 1979 with the November/December premier issue. · · Can you provide me with an an«dote about your early days with DEC equipment?
We thought we were training DEC support people at the company's expense.
. . . Continued on page 40.

38

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Integral power supply for all disk
configurations
MDB canister design protects disk drives from 100-G shocks

Da/8 Shuttle"Family for use with all computer systems
Effective forced-air ooling design for each canister
Low insertion force

Compact 5W' rack
height

Mounts any 5\ii'' device - Winchester
r optical

Proprietary DC power-down feature assures head retraction
and park when removing drives, without elaborate
relays or solenoids
Canisters with or without drives (Up to 760 MBytes per canister)
With or without high-performance
MDB controllers

---~~-_;·solUantiqiuoenshoofckdrives
for safe removal, transport and storage

F.SDI, Sf506, RD5X & SCSI interfaces- jumper selectable

Removability for portability, security, archiving, maintenance. Infinite storage capacitywith Winchester reliability

The only commercial removable-drive sub~stem See u:o~t~~i:;~ West with shock isolation, superior design.

With quick-release
failure-proof
power-down feature

DATA SHUITLE 2000TMis the latest in MDB's removable-disk subsystems. Drawing upon real experience in airborne and shipboard ruggedized, militarized installations, MDB
is able to offer proprietary shock protection in this affordable and functional package. You'll get the new freedom of removability: large-capacity data portability, the
ultimate in data security, easy software upd;tting, file duplication, and maximum system up-time during disk replacement. It has a failure-proof power-down scheme that is automatically implemented when removing the canister. Plus you get something else: ease of mind, knowing that MDB's unique drive mounts will protect your drives during transport. That's why MDB will warranty the disk drives for shock-related failures for one-year- even if the manufacturer doesn't! Call us about the configuration that's right for you.

DATA SHUnLE 2000TM
The only shock-isolated, low-cost design for commercial, lab and
industrial applications.
DATA SHUnLE 3000TM
Rock-solid ruggedized for harsh environments, when you need
durability, but not the added cost of Mil-spec.
DATA SHUnLE 4000TM
The peripheral subsystem of our Rugged Computer System (RCS-P).
The most ruggedized, Mil-spec, Tempest-certifiable unit today.

~[)B

Corporate Headquarters 1995 N. Batavia Street, Box 5508, Orange, CA 92613-5508 TEL: (800) 556-0222 ·INCA: (800) 637-2028·1WX: 910-593-1339 ·FAX:714-637-4060
roR UNrrEDKINGDOM MDB Systems U.K. , Ltd. Unit 13, Intec 2,Wade Road, Basingstoke, Hants. RG24 ONE ·TEL: 0256 464767 ·TELEX: 858389 MDBSYS G·FAX: 0256 59748

SYSTEMS INC. roR WESTERN EUROPE MDB Systems IRL., Ltd. Porturnna Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
- We put the Stale of the Art to work - ·TEL: (0509) 4ll63/41413 ·TELEX: 50918 MDBEI ·FAX: (0509) 41447
ENTER 224 ON READER CARD

8th ANNIVERSARY

DEC had installed 3,700 networks with 206,000 devices on them.
·· 1986 ··
VAXMATE ·VAX 8800 ·VAX 8700 · VAX 8550 ·VAX 8500 · VAX 8200/8300 Configuration 2 · PC ALL-IN-1 · VAXJVMS services for MS-DOS· LA75 Companion Printer · MUXSERVER 100/ DECMUX II · RD54 Hard Disk Drive · Local Area VAXCLUSTER ·VAX DEC/MAP · DECMATE III Plus
·· 1987 ..
DEC is the darling of Wall Street. ·VAX Data Distributor

· VAX SQL Software · DECWINDOWS · RTVAX 8550 · RTVAX 8700 ·VAX 8974 · VAX 8978 · SA482 Storage Array · VAXSTATION 2000 · MICROVAX 2000 · ScriptPrinter · VAX 8250 · VAX 8350 · VAX 8530 · VAXSTATION Publishing Solution System · Industrial VAX 630 · Industrial VAX 620 · Industrial PDP-11/83 · METROWAVE Bridge · The one millionth VT220 terminal · VT340 Color Terminal · VT330 Terminal · VAXDOCUMENT · Color VAXSTATION 2000 · IBM PC Network Integration Package ·VAX Supercomputer Gateway · PDP-11/84E ·MICRO PDP-11/53 Plus · LJ250 Printer ·VT320 Terminal

·Three MICROVAX Us ·Two new VAXSTATION configurations: VAXSTATION II/GPX · VAX Source Code ·Analyzer· TU81-Plus Based System · KXJ11-C Peripheral Processor · KA620 · VAXBI 8750 · MICROVAX 3500 · MICROVAX 3600 · VAXSTATION 3200 · VAXSTATION 3500 · Unshielded Twisted-Pair Ethernet Adapter (UTPEA) ·VAX Message Router/S Gateway· VAX Message Router V3.0 · DECNET System Services · VAX Distributed Name Service Vl.O · VAXSERVER 3500, 3600 and 3602 · RA70 · RA82 · TK70 · ULTRIX Workstation Software
1988 ...

Continued from page 38.
How did you get involved in RSTS?
We needed an on-line environment. DEC had a better approach and price. They handled communications more effectively. We were working on the PDP-11/45 in 1976.
What type of hardware were you working on in 1979?
We were working on the PDP-11/45.
What system are you currently working on?
We're currently working on the VAX 785, but converting over to the
VAX 8530.
Is there anything you miss about the old system or RSTS?
Not at all. VAX is far superior.
Where do you see the direction ofDEC going in the next eight years?
I think DEC is going to get more horsepower for less buck.
When did you first start reading RSTS PROFESSIONAL?
With the November/December premier issue in 1979. I still have the first issue on my shelf. I kept them all because they ar.: great references. I continue to read DEC PROFESSIONAL today.
What was the int.ellectual environment like then and now?
In the beginning, the advancements were slower. The 11 line was around for a long time and the VAX was slow to take over. Now the changes happen every month and the support people are great.
· · Carol Teague, director of academic computing at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, received her first copy of RSTS PROFESSIONAL in 1979 with the November/December premier issue and continues to read DEC PROFESSIONAL today eight years later. · ·

Can you provide me with an anecdot.e about your early days with DEC equipment?
I remember my first computer installation. It was a PDP-11/70 with 16 terminals and ordered by a University committee. We didn't know that you needed cables and cords and a room with proper air conditioning. This was my first initiation to add-ons and extras.
How did you get involved in RSTS?
In 1976 we had to choose between two systems, !AS and RSTS. We chose RSTS because it was great. It was very user-friendly.
What syst.em are you currently working on?
We are still using the PDP-11170; it just sits there and hums. But we also work on the VAX 785.
What was the physical environment like then?
The difference between now and then? There really is no difference. Our PDP-11/70 doesn't take up that much more room than the VAX 785. We thought back in 1976 that we could put our PDP-11/70 in a classroom, plug it in and let it rip. Not so; we had to get special plugs, cables and a properly air conditioned room.
Is there anything you miss about the old RSTS syst.em?
The lights on the front CPU; they use to blink.
When did you start reading RSTS PROFESSIONAL?
Back in 1979 with the premier issue. I must comment RSTS PROFESSIONAL helped to keep RSTS alive when DEC was considering making the system obsolete. The editors did a great job.
What was the int.ellectual environment like then and now?
People's knowledge and attitude toward what they can do has certainly changed in the last eight years. Back then the computer was considered an interesting diversion. Today computers are necessary to life. Almost everyone will be exposed to computers and eventually use them in his job or everyday life.

40

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Error-Correcting 2400 bps Modems from Multi.:rech Systems:
When it has to be as good as it is fast
· Dial-up 2400 bps modems have arrived. More datacomm users are upgrading from 1200 to 2400 than ever before. But there can be a flip side to increased speed: more transmission errors.
· That's why our MultiModem224ETM offers MNPTM error correction. Available in our 2400 bps desktop, internal and rack-mounted modems, MNP gives you 100% error-free transmissions, no matter how bad the phone line. MNP does it without the speed degradation of less efficient, software-based protocols.
· Another important point: MNP Class 3 has emerged as an industry standard. It's now in the public domain, and has been implemented in virtually all 2400 bps modems that offer errorcorrection.

· So, why buy error-correcting modems from MultiTech? There are many good reasons, including:

1. Multi-Tech modems are 100% Hayes-compatible (more so than Hayes' own 2400 bps modems*), and our MultiModem224E with error-correction costs less than a Hayes Smartmodem 2400 TM without this feature.

2. Bonus features, like speed conversion, both synch and asynch operation, battery-backed option settings and phone number memory.

3. Versatility: the auto-dial/auto-answer MultiModem224E runs at 2400, 1200 or 300 bps, with or without error-correction, automatically!

4. Our two year warranty means something. Since Multi-Tech modems are designed and manufactured at our Minnesota headquarters (as they have been for the last sixteen years), you can be sure we'll be here when you need us.

· Please call us toll-free at 1-800-531-0019, for

additional information .. .get a modem that's as good

as it is fast!

·1nf0World-8/5185-reprints available

ENTER 233 ON READER CARD Trademarks : MultiModem and the Multi-Tech Systems logo:
Multi-Tech Systems Inc. · MNP: Microcom Inc. Smartmodem : Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

Netwotx,.

DATA PRODUCTS COMPANY, Inc.

Networx Data Products Company, Inc.· 188 Main Street· Northport, NY 11768 1-800-531-0019·1-516-754-2798 ·FAX 516-754-2474 ·Telex 6004981

IN CIM, OUR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM LETS YOU DEC YOUR COMPETITION.

Companies like Alcoa, Ford You can begin on DEC work-

Australia, Xerox and Volvo

stations for single projects and

who are successfully imple-

migrate upward into multiple

menting Computer-Integrated- projects and company-wide

Manufacturing are solving the programs on DEC minis and

problems commonly associated mainframes. MAPPS' combina-

with CIM by using the MAPPS tion of flexibility and power,

program management system. along with Mitchell Manage-

They're using MAPPS

ment Systems' unique training

because they've focused on the program, are two of the reasons

origins of these problems:

why MAPPS received the 1987

, · · , getting the right Target Award as the best DEC-

diglralreview data to the

compatible project manage-

TARGET right person at ment software system from the

AWARDS the right time

WINNER L====.1

from every man-

80,000 subscribers of Digital Review.

agement function involved from MAPPS power allows you to

finance to MIS to engineering, freeze the complex interface

manufacturing, marketing, and dynamics of CIM to reallocate

production planning and control. resources, time, and costs, so

A unique characteristic of your CIM system becomes

MAPPS is that MAPPS is truly operational more quickly and

a management system rather then delivers faster, more profit-

than just a software program. able production cycles.

Part of this system involves a

If you're implementing-or

built-in training and education thinking of implementing-

program that successfully

CIM on DEC hardware, join the

breaks down the traditional

other Fortune 500 companies

barriers between manufactur- who are ensuring the success

ing, MIS, finance, and top

of that implementation with

management. MAPPS inte-

the MAPPS software system.

grates the business objectives For more information, call

of CIM with manufacturing

1-800-336-3661. Or write

applications needs and MIS

Mitchell Management Systems,

disciplines from the first day of Westborough Office Park,

training. As a result, functional 2000 West Park Drive,

relationships are strengthened. Westborough, MA 01581.

MITCHELL MIS comes to understand the
problems of shop floor applica-
MANAGEMENT tions, while manufacturing
comes to appreciate the software

SYSTEMS maintenance and documenta-
tion skills that MIS can provide.

The result: much quicker implementation of your CIM program.
MAPPS program manage-

Asubsidiary of URS Corporation. Making Technology Work'."

ment software is modular to let

you take full advantage of

DEC's superior connectivity.

ENTER 140 ON READER CARD

Tying Islands Of Automation
Into CIM Systems

ScHICK RAZOR developed its CIM program with top-down commitment and bottom-up design and implementation.

BY DONALD E. STERN JR.

COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTUR-
ING (CIM) is the use of computers to streamline the flow of materials and information within a manufacturing organization. The goal of CIM is to increase productivity, product quality and manufacturing flexibility while decreasing cost and time-to-market. It's important to keep in mind that CIM itself isn't the goal, but instead a strategy to ensure the long-term survivability of the manufacturing organization.

CIM is the strategy by which manufacturers organize the various hardware and software components, such .as robotics, machine vision, CAD, CAM and Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP-11), into a unified system working toward the same goals. There is, however, no scientific formula for CIM. You can't expect to purchase a generalized CIM solution, only CIM tools.
Each organization must build its

own CIM system to fit its personality and organizational requirements. CIM implies more than getting the various pieces of hardware in the manufacturing process communicating with each other. Organizational and procedural flexibility is necessary in the CIM implementation process. Just as a CIM program is molded to the organization, the organization must be willing to change in order to realize the full benefit of a CIM implementation.

44

DEC PROFESSIONAL

CIM
Just In Time

Manufacturing Lead nmes Reduced

Quality Improvements

The acronym JIT is used for

the phrase just in time. It refers to a methodology for operating a plant such that

OUT
Inventory Reductions Raw Materials

the materials needed to complete a manufacturing

Space Reduction

operation are delivered to

that operation at the time

they're to be used or ''just

in time." The result of JIT manufacturing is a minimization of a company's investment in inventory and,

therefore, the associated costs of carrying the excess inventory.

Companies usually have excess work in process (WIP) inventory to ensure that the manufacturing opera-

tion will flow smoothly and not be interrupted by material shortages. To achieve JIT a company must gain

control of the entire manufacturing process from the raw material vendors to shipment of finished goods. A

company must work with carefully selected suppliers so that the necessary level of quality can be assumed,

eliminating or minimizing the need for receiving inspection. JIT delivery schedules must also be worked out

with vendors to ensure on-time deliveries. Within the plant, each of the various manufacturing operations

must be synchronized with subsequent steps in the process. Close coordination between the manufacturing

operations is necessary. Quality must be monitored during the process rather than at the end.

To achieve JIT, a manufacturer must ensure that each step in the manufacturing process supplies the cor-

rect parts in the correct quantity to the next step. Too few, or the wrong parts, can shut down the operation,

while too many parts will result in excess inventory. In either case, the costs can be enormous.

Over the past several years, CIM has been evolving at the Schick Razor and Blade manufacturing facility in Milford, Connecticut, an operating unit of the Warner-Lambert Company, a worldwide health-care and consumerproducts company. Schick razors and blades are manufactured in Milford for the domestic market.
Schick has been developing its CIM program with top-down commitment and bottom-up design and implemen-

tation. Local experts in manufacturing, engineering, quality and information systems technology have driven the CIM effort. Major systems have been developed or purchased that touch, in some way, all functional areas of the facility. While some systems started as islands of automation, the goal has been to implement all systems with integration in mind.
The first commercial application of digital computers for many companies

is in the accounting and financial areas. A substantial portion of the total DP budget of several organizations still deals with the task of counting the money. In many large organizations, this is accomplished with centralized systems that run on mainframe computer systems.
During the '70s and ·sos, as lowcost computers became available, digital computers found a place within the manufacturing environment. Now a

NOVEMBER 1987

45

CIM

Figure 1.

Payroll

Human Resources

General Ledger

Marketing & Sales 'Analysis

Accounts Payable

r Cost
...__A_ccounting

Inventory leoMI IMRPI Contro l

Distribution

Project management
I Math Models
Drawing Management

I I Trend Analysis

Inspection

Testing

Machine Vision

Robotics 11 PLCs l
·

NC
machines

Process Monitoring
Productivity Measurement

Typical islands of automation.

Figure 2.

3 Department
2 Work Cell
1 Factory Floor

n f
0
r Information
a
I i
0
n
CIM pyramid.

viable option, specialized systems have. been implemented to collect and analyze quality data, assist in the planning process, aid in the engineering design process, track productivity data, control machinery, track material movements, and more. The phrase "islands of automation" has become popularized and describes these disconnected, standalone systems (see Figure 1). Although lowcost computing has contributed to advances in planning, implementing, monitoring and controlling the manufacturing process, more is possible with a coherent plan for integrating these standalone systems.
The manufacturing environment isn't a set of disconnected, unrelated processes. Communication between individuals and functional units such as engineering, production; planning, quality and accounting, is a prerequisite to a well-managed organization. Information must flow freely and in a timely fashion; it must be accurate and available to decision makers when they need it. CIM addresses this key premise.
Analogous to the hierarchical structure of many organizations, the CIM Pyramid has been used to model the architecture of a generalized CIM environment. The pyramid is divided into five levels (see Figure 2) . At the foundation, level one is the factory floor. Automated production equipment, robots and numerically controlled machinery populate this level.
Regulatory systems reside on level two. Using feedback data from level one, as well as setup and control data from the upper levels, the real-time control of the manufacturing process occurs here. Automatic gauging, microprocessors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and bar code devices are some of the hardware tools used at this level.
Level three represents the work center or department. Supervisory control is the function of systems at this level. Departmental computers and personal workstations are the hardware tools found here.
The fourth level contains systems involved with resource management.

46 \.

DEC PRO FESSIONAL

OVER 15,000 More sophisticated desktop

Ourfamilygivesyouroomtogrow

publishers are using Microtek desktop scanners with their IBM-PCs and Macintoshs

DESK.fOP with the confidence that all members willworktogether.

than any other. This was true

PlJBLISHERS in
in

119988571!1S9e8v6~raalndinidsesptiellnt-rue

MADI] M1cn1orrvK fdieednttshuisr~veOyvsehra1v5e,0v0e0ri-
n have chosen Microtek

lJ

#} manufactured scanners.

Another reason why over 15,000 desktop

publishers have made us#1is that Microtek products are more reliable,

and more feature-rich than

ff 1I

others. You can count on receiving more capability

for your money with

Microtek. We are the choice of the serious

Why do more people choose

·

user! Contact your local Microtek Dealer or call

Microtek? One reason is Microtek's

us to see why.

product "family'.' You can choose from four different image scanners;

MICROTEK

plus Optical Character Readers; plus Fax communication tools; plus Raster

16901 South Western Ave. Gardena, California 90247

to Vector conversion software.

213-321-2121 800-654-4160

*International Data Corp. and Dataquest reports.

ENTER 239 ON READER CARD

Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computers, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machi nes Corporation.

**MICROTEK is the CMP choice of DEC.

CIM

Figure 3.

Digital Gauge Digital Gauge Digital Gauge

RS-232C Host

Interface

Computer

VT-xxx Terminal

Figure 4.

Concept for automatic quality data collection.

Level 5-Corporatc Administration and Finance
Level 4-Plantwide Resource Management
Level 3-Departmental, Work Center, Supervisory Control
Level 2-Work Cell, Regulatory Control

IBM Mainframe:

~"'"'I

Thinwire Echcrnct

lvn .. I

CAD/CAM Workstations

- :::::,... - - - - - - - - - - - '

Level 1-Factory Floor

Production Equipment and Machinery
Simp lified diagram of a CIM topology.

MRP-II and CAD are among the computerized systems that populate this level.
At the top level are the corporate systems. Inputs to systems at this level, together with external stimuli, provide information to top management for strategic decision making and communication back down to the plants.
Just as departmental responsibilities sometimes aren't delineated, the distinction between the levels isn't always clear; computerized systems can fill the continuum of organizational requirements for information. The pyramid is shown as an aid to understanding the requirements of a successful CIM implementation. A primary purpose of CIM is to facilitate the omnidirectional flow of information within an organization so that more timely decisions can be made.
Evolution Of A CIM Environment
Among the first of the islands of automation to be developed was in the area of automating the inspection process. Several years ago, the company made a commitment to a program of Total Quality Control (TQC) . Early in our CIM implementation, the need for automation in quality assurance was recognized. Before implementing automated systems for the collection and analysis of quality data, quantities of data representing quantitative gauge measurements were recorded on paper by inspectors. This data was used in real-time to spot gross drifts in the manufacturing process, and primarily in hindsight to verify and diagnose a problem that already had occurred.
Gauges were modified so that their output could be electronically captured, and interfaces were developed to convert the gauge data into an ASCII data stream that could be transmitted to the host PDP-11 computer via a standard RS-232 line. An ASCII terminal also was connected to the interface providing keyboard access for the inspector (see Figure 3).
The PDP-11 also was introduced into the research environment at approximately the same time. Initially used for

48

DEC PROFESSIONAL

CIM

real-time laboratory data collection and for machine vision inspection systems, the PDP-11 quickly became a generalpurpose departmental computer.
As the number of applications and the subsequent demand for computing power grew, these PDP-lls were replaced with VAX systems and supplemented with personal computer systems. The diagram in Figure 4 illustrates

networks. An SNA Gateway, for example, provides a bridge between the LAN and the corporate mainframe computer.
With the availability of PC-based DECNET, personal computers have been added to the network. This promotes

data sharing and, through the use of virtual disks, enhances the security ofdata files. Because these data files reside on VAX systems, backup of the files becomes part of the daily routine.
It's widely recognized that CIM

CIM Architecture Terms

A PRIMARY purpose of CIM is to facilitate the
omnidirectional flow of
information
how a Local Area Network (LAN) topology evolved and ho~ this topology fits the CIM model.
We've found that centralizing data while distributing the data processing is a key feature to a successful CIM system. The hardware glue that binds our information systems together is an Ethernet LAN and a number of VAX systems. VT240/241 and VT330/340 terminals are connected to DECSERVER 200s and DECSA terminal servers that in turn are connected to the Ethernet. All of the VAX systems use the VMS operating system and are running DECNET.
The baseband network provides sufficient bandwidth to accommodate present and anticipated future data rates. One feature of this arrangement is that growth is managed because of the commonality of the VMS operating system across the VAX line and the ability to loosely couple the system in both high-end and local-area cluster configurations.
We've found that bridges and gateways are available that provide access to non-Digital equipment and to other

CIM - Computer integrated manufacturing includes the management of required resources; people, organization, material, energy, data, computer technology and automation equipment.
Architecture - A set ofprinciples, · rules and standards and other supporting data, classified and presented in a form to illustrate the arrangement and connectivity of parts of a system.
CIM Architecture - A set ofprinciples and rules for selecting and developing products and standards that can participate in a CIM system.
Enterprise - A set of functions that carry a product through its entire lifespan from concept through manufacture, distribution, sales and service.
System - Descril;>es something that has numerous interrelated components.
CIM System - Refers to an implementation of the CIM architecture to integrate an enterprise.
Subsystem - A collection of logically connected functions that implement a particular function in the system.
Task - The lowest level of functional decomposition of an enterprise that corresponds to the function of a single person or machine at a point in time.
Model - A synthetic abstraction of reality.

Application - A user- or machineoriented function supported by automation technology.
Architectural Resources - The integrating elements used to build a CIM system. Resources can be categorized as interfaces, protocols or handlers and management tools.
Protocol - A formal definition that describes how data is to be formatted for communication between a data source and a data sink.
Function - A group of tasks that can be classified as having a common objective within a company.
Conceptual Model - An abstract representation of an object or phenomenon that provides a common understanding.
Human Interface - A tool able to intercept, interpret and guide the interaction of the end user with the system.
Message - A collection of one or more sentences and/or command statements to be used as an information exchange between applications or users.
Application Process - An element within a system that performs the information/data processing for a particular application.
Open System - A system that obeys public standards in its communication with other systems and/or between layers.

NOVEMBER 1987

49

CIM

MAP Or Ethernet?
By providing a standard communications language and a shared medium, Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP) networks allow dissimilar computers and devices in factories to communicate with each other. With computers and devices able to communicate, manufacturing efficiency and flexibility is increased, helping companies reap higher returns from their investments in CIM systems.
MAP specifies a 10 megabits-per-second (Mbps) token-passing bus network operating on broadband cable. Its origins date back to 1980, when General Moto~s (G~~ began investigating alternatives after determining that its pointto-pomt wmng system was expensive, inflexible and inefficient relative to performance. GM determined that linking all devices with a single, contiguous cable and allowing them to communicate with a common set of protocols was the best solution.
MAP on broadband satisfies manufacturers' most important factory communications needs: multivendor connectivity, predictable network access and response time, wide area coverage and multiple data channels.
Why MAP? The answer lies in the multivendor nature of most factories. Unlike proprietary networks, which interconnect devices from a single manufacturer, MAP's standards-based architecture allows a diversity of computers and production devices to communicate through a common set ofprotocols over a single cable.
With the worldwide, standards-based protocol system provided by MAP, manufacturers are free to select the best computer or tool for each production task, and not compromise the choice by having to accept whatever will run on the proprietary system.
Why not use Ethernet, an existing standard, as a factory floor network? The primary reason is found in the different network access methods used by Ethernet and MAP. Ethernet's carrier-sense multiple-access/collision detection (CSM~CD) allows any station to send a data packet any time, creating the potential for packet collisions. While CSMA/CD is well suited for offices and laboratories, which have less real-time network traffic than factories, it's inappropriate for the task-dependent, time-critical environments found in production areas.
MAP's token-passing method provides predictable network access and response times because the token is passed in turn to all workstations. Because only the station with the token can send data, the possibility of collisions is eliminated.
Predictable access and assured response times help satisfy the wide area coverage requirement of factory networks. Many plants are hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of square feet, and have hundreds of networked workstations. The performance of such a large system would be severely limited without assured access and response times.
Why broadband? With multiple channels, broadband is suitable for use as an enterprise-wide cable because it can support multiple types of transmissions, such as data, voice, video and utility. A typical configuration is to run MAP in factory areas over several of the broadband channels, Ethernet and token ring in offices and laboratories, and video and utilities throughout the company.
-Michael A. Gardner, Ungermann-Bass Inc., Santa Clara, California.

can't be mandated or managed by a large central MIS department, particularly if the manufacturing plant is at a remote facility. The end users must be involved in the development process. They must own and embrace the system; if it's forced onto an organization, it won't be accepted and successful. The active participation of the individuals responsible for manufacturing the product is necessary. Responsibility for identifying, justifying, acquiring and managing CIM systems within the plant has remained in the plant. As a result, local expertise in information systems technology gradually has been built up over several years.
Many CIM applications have been developed internally. At the start of the program, commercially available software didn't fit the applications. Additionally, because this was the first exposure to a computer system for many of the individuals involved, it was felt that a customized user interface would minimize anxiety.
With local computing experts coming from engineering and other technical backgrounds, it's not surprising that FORTRAN became the standard language used. DECFORMS products, FMS and TOMS, enjoy wide use in many applications. Extensive use is made of the VAX Information Architecture family of software products. While many older systems use RMS files for data storage, the newer internally developed systems use VAX Rdb/VMS or VAX-11 DBMS for data management. The Common Data Dictionary is part of virtually every system that we created. VAX DATATRIEVE is used extensively by programmers and end users for both standard reports and ad hoc inquiries.
To conserve prime-time resources, reports that aren't time critical are created during off-peak hours by automatic procedures that reschedule and resubmit themselves. In many cases, the reports generated are graphical; in these instances, either DATATRIEVE or DECGRAPH plots are generated. One internally developed application manages these reports and provides menu-

50

DEC PROFESSIONAL

This is the screen that dreams are made of-the DECcompatible ADDS 3220. Its unique 70Hz refresh display gives you a stunning flicker-free performance. Along with a presentation so brilliant your operators will be happy to work with it all day.
And you'll appreciate our supporting cast of biggerthan-life characters. Presented on a 14" flat green, amber or white screen, our easy-to-read double wide and double high/wide characters can be viewed in your choice of 80 or 132 column format. With operator selectable settings for brightness and contrast.
Brains and beauty.
But more than Just a terminal that's great to look at, the ADDS 3220 gives you brains behind the beauty. Our DEC-style keyboard enhances the performance of your software. With value-added features like 22 fully program-
The person pictured above is a celebrity look-alike. The estate has not authorized or approved the use of look-alikes.

mable function keys and 256 bytes of non-volatile memory

that help distinguish your product from the competition.

Naturally the ADDS 3220 is fully compatible with the

DEC Vf220, VflOO, Vf52, and ANSI X3.64. What's

more, it won Digital Review's 1987 "Best Alphanumeric

Terminal of the Year" award.

__ .4

Screen test an ADDS 3220

today. It could be the start of a

beautiful relationship. For more

information, call 1-800-231-5445.

In N.Y. 516-231-5400.

Ask for Displays Marketing.

mss~
Applied Digit.al Oat.a Systems Ire.
A Subsidiary of NCR Corporation
100 Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, N. Y. 11788

See us at Comdex/Fall - #2746, & DEXPO West - #1448

ENTER 102 oN READER CARD

CIM

driven user interface for uniform access to text, ReGIS, and SIXEL documents.
While several applications have been developed, we've found that the decision to develop software internally must be evaluated. With local programming expertise, it becomes tempting to create applications that are customized and precisely fit the organization. Even if the development costs can be justified, managers can't afford to ignore the long-term operating and maintenance costs associated with these systems.
Programming standards and structured methodologies can help control program development and maintenance costs. Strict enforcement of documentation standards becomes necessary to preserve·the value of the application and to avoid unnecessary future maintenance costs. In short, managers with responsibility for plant-wide computing must apply many of the same principles that managers oflarge central MIS organizations have learned over the past 40 years.
Purchased Systems
In many cases it's not feasible to invest the resources necessary to develop and maintain some applications. At our facility, this was the situation for two systems, CAD and MRP-11.
After surveying the market, an Intergraph CAD system was selected by
MANMAN
ASK Computer Systems Inc. 730 Distel Dr. Los Altos, CA 94022 (415) 969-4442
ENTER 406 ON READER CARD
Pletulostation Bentley Systems 180 Gordon Dr. Lionville, PA 19353 (215) 524-9800
ENTER 407 ON READER CARD
CAD System Intergraph Corporation One Madison Industrial Park Huntsville, AL 35807 (205) 772-2000
ENTER 408 ON READER CARD

the Engineering Department. Like the first internally developed systems, the CAD system was PDP-11 based initially, and later was upgraded to a VAX-based system. A VAX 11/780 supports 12 shared design workstations. Connected to the Ethernet, asynchronous terminal access is provided via the various terminal
C 1M isn't and can't be just another computer system layered on the existing
business ...
servers on the network. A program called Pseudostation from Bentley Systems provides access to design files through VT240/241, VT330 and VT340 terminals. Similarly, a standard RS-232 line provides the link between the CAD system and a CNC system.
The most recent CIM application to be purchased is an MRP-11 system. MRP-11, or big MRP, systems are relatively new and were preceded by little MRP systems. Materials Requirements Planning systems were designed to track current and future inventory requirements based on forecasted demands, known product structures and projected manufacturing output. MRP-11 systems build on the shop floor control achieved with MRP, incorporating it with financial databases and routing information, to form a manufacturing planning system.
ASK Computer Systems lnc.'s MANMAN software was acquired because it provided the best fit to our manufacturing operation. The production of razors and blades is a defined set of processes. Unlike a work orderdriven operation where the necessary

components are kitted prior to assembly, our products are manufactured according to a build schedule with work in process (WIP) flowing continuously among manufacturing departments. The plant operates on a just-in-time 011) system; a philosophy that components and supplies should be delivered to the shop floor at the time they are to be used. The MANMANIREPETITIVE software permitted us to maintain this mode of operation. Key features of this software include the ability to develop and maintain build schedules and a utility that provides automatic component material consumption or backflushing when a production completion is reported.
From the local DP perspective, the product was attractive for a number of reasons. It ran on VAX hardware using a standard VMS system; it was coded in VAX FORTRAN; and it used VAX-11 DBMS and the CDD for data management. These features made it compatible with existing and planned systems. The vanilla MANMAN system has been supplemented with a number ofcustom reports. Because standard DEC VIA products were used, DATATRIEVE has been able to provide the primary mechanism for generating these custom reports. A decision has been made not to modify the actual code or database structure in order to avoid future maintenance overhead.
CIM isn't and can't be just another computer system layered on the existing business; it's a fundamental change in the way business is conducted. Top management, therefore, must have an understanding of the technology and how it relates to the overall business plan. Clear goals and reasonable expectations must be set if commitment to and support for CIM is to be sustained in the face ofincreasing global competition and cost of goods pressures. -
Donald E. SternJr. is a manager ofcomputer
services at Warner-Lambert Company in Milford, Connecticut.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 403 Medium 404 Low 405

52

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Graphics · als

A c R r T r c A L link in automating the shop floor.
BY GARY CONNER

COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (CIM) maximizes the efficiency of the production process from design through machining and beyond. CIM's power lies in the recognition of the information processing aspects of manufacturing. Overall efficiency depends on more than spindle speeds. New approaches help translate ideas into products. The computer plays a central role, aided by communication networks and protocols, and specialized software for planning, documentation, control and tracking.
The human-machine interface remains a critical link in the CIM process. The communication at the shop floor is

more than sending instructions to a machine; the machine operator is linked to engineering, quality, and scheduling data, allowing more flexible and accurate decision-making at the point of production.
The optimum human-machine interface is the graphics terminal. Instead of burying the machine operator with tabulated data, charts and graphs can be displayed quickly. Instead of paper drawings that are difficult to keep clean, let alone current, online computer file access and graphics display give the operator instant access to any engineering data required. Any conceivable format for instructions, data display or

advisory information can be programmed to appear on a graphics terminal. This flexible approach allows the same interface device to serve multiple applications and to support any improvements made to the system software.
The Graphics Connection
The integration of production systems depends on meaningful, comprehensive and reliable communication within and among key production tools and processes. Experts agree that CIM is most effective as a function of timely and task-specific information exchange between a company's design, production,

54

DEC PROFESSIONAL

CIM

scheduling and manufacturing departments.
Numerous obstacles, however, prevent its immediate attainment. One problem has been the burden of too much information taxing both design and manufacturing capabilities. Too little information between design and manufacturing functions is unacceptable. Too much information also is problematic; it can overload the system and limit the ability to deal with the very data necessary to bring about a more productive relationship between the design and manufacturing processes.
The solution is the increased use of computer graphics terminals and graphics software to focus only on the pertinent and relevant job-specific information for the immediate shop floor task at hand. When used properly, graphics terminals act as selective optical filters , offering the shop floor targeted access to specifically desired information within the engineering database. Timely and precise information in a compre-

hensible format is immediately available to operators on the production floor.
Instructions generated from the design database and graphically portrayed on a graphics terminal screen are the optimal way to communicate this essential information. The result is improved accuracy with a reduction in waste, scrap and rework, and decreased paperwork and handling.
Computer graphics terminals linking the shop floor with design, engineering, marketing and other corporate functions decrease product development time and expense. The graphics terminal is the emerging critical component moving us closer to the factory of the future.
Why More Automation?
Numerous obstacles and problems need to be overcome before CIM is realized fully. It's useful to review some basic assumptions concerning increased shop floor productivity.
The motivation for increased manufacturing automation is the same as

for the original industrial revolution. Automation is the way to increase
productivity and improve manufacturing accuracy·. It thus enhances product quality, eliminates dangerous and boring work, and re~uces labor, material and operational costs. Particularly noteworthy is the need to bring the efficiencies of mass production to small batch production. Competition with automated foreign manufacturers has increased U.S. acceptance of the need for more shop floor automation.
Automation is production in which certain operations are carried on automatically under direction of programmed controls. Automatic control systems on the shop floor began in the late 1940s with transfer machines for moving and positioning large objects on a production line.
In the 1950s, control systems were primarily analog-type instruments providing feedback from a single point within the scope of a machine's task, and providing correction of any opera-

Photo A (left) shows a terminal from Graph-On Corporation, Campbell, California, in use with a .flexible manufacturing
cell (FMC). In Photo B the terminal is in use with a compukrized part measuring station.

N O VEMBER 1987

55

CIM

tional deviance to a single point. The "total" control system was simply a collection of such devices. Analog control systems provided information about plant production conditions, but required manual operation and adjustments to correct problems.
Automation ofthe factory environment progressed with the increasing use of numerical control (NC) systems, a process controlling the action of machines through direct insertion of numerical data on punched cards or tape into the shop floor production tool. The machine then automatically interprets at least some portions of this data, receiving instruction in the proper sequence, kind of operation, feed rate and other tasks. Most NC-controlled shop floor machines are semiautomatic, requiring an operator to, at the very least, load, unload and supervise the operation of the device.
Computer Numerical Control
To be fully automatic, a machine tool must be capable of producing parts repetitively without operator assistance in loading, starting the machine and unloading. The addition ofdigital computers to computer numerical control (CNC) brought the shop floor a step closer to full automation.
The advent of CNC made clear the computer's actual and potential role in controlling the production process. Computers could supervise the production task by changing set parameters externally, depending on conditions. Digital computers could provide direct control of specific operations by replacing a group of analog controllers. Ideally, computers could exercise both supervisory and direct control, resulting in complete hierarchical control of all operations of any particular shop floor device.
Flexible Manufacturing Systems
Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) operations follow a predetermined sequence of steps in making a product. Flexible manufacturing systems are a step closer to true factory automation

because they're designed to be programmed and reprogrammed easily and cost effectively in order to produce different parts or products. The FMS operation is less labor intensive, has lower setup costs, shorter lead times and requires lower inventory levels than less efficient production modes.
While components of any batch
FLEXIBLE
manufacturing
systems (FMS)
operations follow
a predetermined
sequence of
steps in making
a product.
processing system spend 90 percent of the time queuing for time on a tool, FMS allows automated manufacturing of components on a random basis. Aggregate production volumes can be high enough to justify the cost of FMS even though individual part volumes are low.
An integral part of FMS is computer-controlled materials handling systems, which include robots, towline and wire-guided self-propelled carts, overhead cranes, and variable speed conveyers. These allow items to be moved between production stations. By enabling the automation oflow-volume production, FMS holds the key to the workerless factories of the future.
Arthur D. Little Co., a research firm, claims that by 1992 CIM will be a $100 billion market with 35 percent of all U .S. manufacturing production suitable for some kind of CIM support. Major CAD/CAM vendors have committed substantial investment in developing turnkey CIM systems. Major end users like General Motors, General Electric and IBM currently have fully automated

plants with more to come. Competition, especially from Japan, whose 36,000 industrial robots outnumber the estimated 6,300 currently at work in the U.S., intensifies the pressure on American manufacturers to increase their commitment to CIM.
The Graphic Terminal's Role
Some information about a production process still may be missing from the manufacturing database. In many cases, however, the problem is finding a way , to communicate the existing information within flexible manufacturing cells (FMCs) and among larger work centers within the production process. Computer graphics offers an ideal method of abstracting extensive quantitative information into readily understood pictographs.
There are numerous examples of computer graphics facilitating communication among and within FMS and FMC operations. At General Motors, a technician at a graphics terminal soon will be able to call up a moving image ofan industrial robot, determine the optimal path ofits work task on the screen and download any number of programs to the robot on the assembly line. Offline graphics aided programming will cut the time to train a robot from three days to 30 minutes.
At a General Electric dishwasher plant, a DEC PDP-11/44 computer supervises assembly. Custom software provides a color graphics display of every machine on the floor and locates parts, subassemblies and other components.
In order to make possible ajust-intime 011) inventory schedule, eliminating the need to have large quantities of materials on hand, comprehensive and timely inventory data must be consistently available and comprehensible. Graphics aids in that function.
The Shop Floor Graphics Terminal
While graphics terminals allow production personnel to comprehend data and act on it quickly, on the shop floor, graphics terminals must have performance capabilities exceeding those re-

56

DEC PROFESSIONAL

EMC's New 8000 Series Memory Upgrades Ar.e A Lot Like Digital's.

Except They're More Advanced

Better Sem"ced And More ne -·b7e Atlast! you have an alternative
when It comes to memory

~,11!Ja

ill

· service plans.In either case, you can return the suspect board

upgrades for 8500 up to 8800

after the replacement arrives.

VAXes. From EMC, the company thars been everyone's favorite

And finally, we can just about guarantee, you'll like working

all along.

with us. You get the commitment of an industry leader. The

In addition to saving you about 20-30 percent, even more if you've earned EMC trade-up credits, they'll impress you in

financial resources of a $100+ million corporation to back that commitment up. And the comfort of knowing we have the best

ways you've come to expect. For starters, our modules use the latest lMbit chips instead
of older 256K RAMs. Which means our boards are inherently

track record in the business. So when your VAX 8000 Series; or any other VAX for that
matter, is ready for an upgrade, move up with EMC. For more

more reliable, since they use about 114 the number of

information contact EMC Corporation, Hopkinton, MA 01748-

connections.

9103.

And while were on the subject of reliability, consider our stringent testing procedures. After bum-in, each board spends at least 24 hours running test patterns and diagnostics in one
of our own VAX'" 8000 Series computers. Which is more quality control than even Digital provides.
Wha"l S more you'll get some pretty comfortm· g guarantees from EMC.
We guarantee delivery to meet your demands. And we

1Fo-8r (M)(o)r-e2I2n2fo-rEmMatiCon2Or To Order' Call

(In MA, call 617-435-2541)

In Canada : 416-922-0419; European Headquaners: In London IOI668) 551 1;

In Germany: International

10619648) 1885. Number: +441668

551

;

u.s. TELEX

948615

EMC

CORP

NTIK .

Digital and VAX are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

'EMC 8000 memory includes: 16MB, 32MB, and 64MB arrays for VAX 8500, 8530, 8550, 8700, 8800

guarantee our boards for the life of your system. If you even suspect a problem, just give us a call. You'll have a replacement in your hands overnight. Or, you can select one of our priority

Ecomputers.M C 2
The System Enhancement
Company

ENTER 118 ON READER CARD

CIM

quired for the typical office environment.
Terminals on the shop floor must be hardened to withstand heat, dust, vapors, dripping caustic and acidic liquids and repeated impact. They must be highly reliable. A $4,000 terminal can't be responsible for shutting down a St million FMS operation. The ideal shop floor graphics terminal basically should be maintenance free and possess off-the-shelf, plug-in reliability.
The following should be areas of concern to prospective purchasers of shop floor graphics terminals: 1. Size and Weight - Space is at a premium on the shop floor, so graphics terminals must demonstrate a sensitivity to size limitations. A small footprint, as well as small volume, is a must.
Terminal weight isn't necessarily a protection against a tough nuts and bolts environment. It's really a burden to end users who may have to physically move a shop floor graphics terminal as production machine configurations change. The heavier the terminal, the heavier the

hardware required to fix and mount the terminal enclosure at the production site. 2. Mounting the Shop Floor Terminal - The ideal shop floor graphics terminal should adapt to many potential mounting styles in order to accommodate the varied conditions encountered in a shop floor environment. The flexible graphics terminal is one that can be mounted easily and inexpensively on a pedestal by means of bolts, hung from an inverted U bracket, or mounted on a tilt and swivel mechanism which is optionally bolted to a horizontal or vertical surface. In each case, there must be a logical method for attaching the terminal keyboard to the front of the display enclosure. The simplest arrangement would be not to mount the terminal at all, but to place it on rubber feet on a convenient horizontal surface. 3. Enclosure Strength - Shop floor graphics terminals must possess industrial strength but not at a penalty of increased weight or complexity. The shop floor graphics terminal enclosure must be able to withstand the rough

Glossary Of Automation Terminology

CAM - (Computer Aided Manufacturing) Reference to production process using some form of computer control.
CAD - (Computer Aided Design) Creation of product or part design using computer graphics.
CAE - (Computer Aided Engineering) Software that predicts how a product or part will perform.

FMC - (Flexible Manufacturing Cell) An interconnected group of machine tools controlled by NC units connected by computer, minus materials handling systems.
FMS - (Flexible Manufacturing Systems) Robot-control transport of work from one machine to another. Control of NC units connected by computer via data transmission network.

NC - (Numerical Controls) The use oftape or punch cards to control the operation of a machine tool.
CNC - (Computer Numerical Control) The use ofa digital computer to control the operation of a machine tool.

MAP - (Manufacturing Automation Protocol) General Motors, standard for linking incompatible devices in a network.

treatment of users accustomed to working with heavy tools and materials that require no finesse in handling. The terminal enclosure must be strong enough to withstand a hammer dropped from above or a heavy chuck placed on the unit for temporary storage. Certainly, if leaned on, the enclosure should not flex. 4. Resistance to Liquids - The ideal shop floor graphics terminal will be impervious to dripping or puddling liquids that could penetrate the enclosure and harm the electronics. A shop floor graphics terminal should possess no seams to permit dripping or sprayed liquid access to the interior. Connectors should be splash proof, and may require additional protection to deflect sprayed liquids. 5. Keyboard Enclosure - Especially important is the keyboard's ability to function free ofjamming caused by flying chips, foreign substances, oils and liquids common to the shop floor environment. However, the keyboard and keyswitches are protected; the keyswitch must allow full travel for operator comfort and ease of use. The keyboard cable and connector should be strong enough to support a dropped keyboard dangling from the connector.
Inexpensive, composite graphics terminals will become increasingly cost effective as a reliable and efficient means to enhance computer control over the manufacturing and production process. While emerging as the key in effectively coordinating the movements ofthe shop floor and the corporate office, graphics terminals will be most productive as part of a well-designed and integrated production automation system. Optimum system building continues to require planning. For manufacturers, the best advice is to work closely with CIM vendors in designing a system tailored to specific production needs - not today, but as those production needs will be 10 years from now. -Gary Conner is vice president of Operations at GraphOn Corporation, Campbell, California.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 452 Medium 453 Low 454

58

DEC PROFESSIONAL

ASCII

COM.FILE

CPT

Convergent/ DEF

DEC/ dx

DCA(RFf)

NBI Xerox 860 XeroxWriter WPS-PLUS (dx) Word Star WordPerfect

HOW 1b ACHIEVE PERFECT
VAX-BASED DOCUMENT INrERCHANGE BETWEEN
26 DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
(INCLUDING AN APPIB).

The simple answer is Keyword's KEYpak!M

DuPont, US West, Boeing, Martin Marietta

KEYpak is the only VAX-based Editable

and British Gas. Keyword pioneered the tech-

Document Exchange (EDE) software that

nology of document interchange and continues

provides you with perfect document inter-

to lead the industry.

change between so many different systems.

For example, our KEYpak+ 1 Seamless

So comparing interchanged documents is

User Interface allows you to integrate KEYpak

always comparing oranges to

with DEC ALL-IN-1. Your

oranges. Even if they origi-

electronic mail can then be

nate on an Apple.

extended into document

The document you create

mail, offering transparent

on your PC using MultiMate

operation to the end user.

Advantage appears with

Or KEYpak can function

every tab, indent, underline

as a stand-alone VMS

and boldface perfectly

application.

reproduced on a Macintosh

However you choose to

using Word.

employ KEYpak you'll never

Or DisplayWrite 4, Word-

outgrow it. It's designed to

star, Xerox 860 - or any of

be truly modular. As your

26 different systems.

needs grow, so will your

KEYpak provides total

KEYpak system.

document interchange

And as productivity

between any or all of these systems regardless of where the document originates.
Use it between your PCs,

I IBM PC

PC Compo1iblo

OWicated Word Procnsor

(Xerox, Con~ra:cm Technologies, Wang, IBM, ere.)

improves, your investment
pays Off. With one phone call
you can begin to maxi-

dedicated word processors, VAXs, VTs, IBM mize the potential of PC-VAX integra-

mainframes or all of them combined. Your

tion. Call Keyword, the Connectivity

documents will always appear letter perfect

catalyst, today and ask for more infor-

instantly.

mation and trial software on KEVpakTM

When you invest in the KEYpak system

EDE and KEYpak+l User Interface

you're in the company of such innovators as

products.

DisplayWrite 3/ 4 MASS-11
MS Word (MAC) MSWord(PC) MultiMate
MultiMate Advantage

Word MARC

1-(800) 661-8161
ENTER 216 ON READER CARD
DEC, VAX, VT1nd ALL- IN-I 1rt11l rqistcrtd l~dcmarks of 011111\ Equipment Corpor.llhon. All other producu art the f"fCIUC~ trademarks of 1hc1r rrtp«llW'C manufac1urrn.

NavyDIF

Wang VS

WangOIS

Wang PC

SAMNA

Q-ONE

Office Writer

CONNECTIVITY

HE BLURRING OF DEC
NE'l'WORKS

By David Langl a i s

In the past, DEC networks have existed

behind a solid line of demarcation, consisting

A Bulwark To

almost entirely of DEC hardware and networking software. The only notable exception

The Continued Effectiveness Of DEC Systems, Or

has been the existence of simple DECNET-toSNA converters that permitted remote job entry and some simple routing of messages to SNA networks.
On the whole, this isolation created no

A Threat?

major problems or performance limitations because there was little need or opportunity

for DEC processors on DEC networks to share

information with any of the non-DEC

resources in the same organization. Nor were

there critically important resources to access

outside the organizational limits.

In recent years, however, non-DEC pro-

cessors like Sun workstations and generic PCs

became considerably more important, and

users on systems supporting only DECNET

began to feel hemmed in. Many VMS users

clamored to cross the DECNET line and access

powerful UNIX utilities and applications.

Organizations began to see the cost-

effectiveness of having PCs and workstations

break through the line to use available VAXs

as file servers and supplementary processors,

and to access laser printers, pen plotters and

other peripherals.

Approximately three years ago, the first

sign of blurring in the line between DEC and

non-DEC networks appeared. The occasion

was the installation ofa non-proprietary pro-

tocol called Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) on a VAX for the first time. The new capability allowed DEC users to add equipment and access resources that previously had been outside the limits of their DEC network.
Since then, a variety ofnew communications technologies and products have decisively and permanently blurred the line between DEC and non-DEC networks. Users on primarily DEC-based networks now are able to access a variety of processors and resources from other vendors. The blurring centers around the addition of well-established nonproprietary protocols to VMS. It also involves the use of link-level media normally not available to DECNET, the sharing of existing DEC Ethernet controllers with other protocols and even the capability to support third-party file transfers among incompatible resources across DECNET.
Once the DECNET communications barrier to other operating systems was broken, more organizations began to perceive the advantages of linking DEC networks to other resources. Over the years, a vigorous market has sparked development of a range of TCP/IPbased products that allow DEC computers to share information and resources with virtually every other major vendor's offerings.
The basic TCP/IP suite of protocols that allow diverse hosts to communicate freely and

60

DEC PROFESSIONAL

DECNET

·n;

-Q)
c: i-!!2

Cl..
tL:

~
-e.c5:::2
(.)

wQ)

Other Resources

The three main TCPflP facilities for all processors using the protocol to communicate.

transparently were developed more than a decade ago and almost immediately incorporated into all UNIX BSD versions, 4.2 and later. Berkeley 4.2 BSD, and later 4.3, quickly became the most popular UNIX system for VAXs and for almost every significant CAD/CAM workstation on the market. This wasn't because of the powerful new networking capabilities they offered, but because they supported the virtual memory and demand paging required for processing large jobs. TCP/IP also has become the dominant method for networking with UNIX System V.
Fundamentally, DECNET was and still is far richer in functionality than TCP/IP. However, DECNET never has been able to provide VAXs the degree of unfettered and

transparent communications with UNIX and other non-DEC resources that have become routine under TCP/IP. The addition of TCP/IP capabilities to VMS is one of the most significant forces blurring the line between DEC and non-DEC resources.
Three Main Facilities
Although over 60 vendors support the TCP/IP suite of protocols, they all provide the same basic functionality through either the Department of Defense protocol suite or the very similar Berkeley "r" utilities. This tends to make the use of TCP/IP extremely consistent and simple for the vast majority of users. All versions ofTCP/IP provide three main facilities for all processors using it to communicate: virtual terminal, in the forms ofTelnet and rlogin; file transfer, in the forms of FTP and rep; and electronic mail (see Figure 1).
Telnet allows any user on the network to

NOVEMBER 1987

61

WITH RABBIT-7 Disk Optimizer
AND Increase VMS throughput

FEATURES: · Eliminates file fragmentation · Consolidates free space · Users position files,
directories & free space · Extensive "before & after"
disk statistics · Runs on-line or off-line ·Runs FAST & SAFE!!!
BENEFITS: Studies show 40-55% throughput gains when files are contiguous. Data base, CAD/CAM, word processing, and back up applications show significant improvement after fragmented files are "fixed" with RABBIT-7 Disk Optimizer.
Run RAB.BIT-7 and Go Home Early!

Just Contact:

RAXCO USA RAXCO CANADA

1370 Piccard Dr. 899 3rd Ave. East

Rockville, MD Owen Sound,

2ffi50

Ontario N4K 21<6

(301)258-2620

(519)371-5<120

RAXCO NElHERLANDS
Meenthof18 1241 CP Kortenhoef Netherlands, (3135) 62444

RAXCO European Dishibutor:
Software Intelligence Ltd., Portland House, 21 Narborough, Cosby, Leicester LE9 5fA United Kingdom, (0533) 866613

RAXCO RABBIT SOFTWARE

ENTER 186 ON READER CARD 62

address any equipment on the network or connected networks simply by typing TELNET followed by the host's network name. In practice, any terminal or PC can connect to any processor and function as though it were a locally wired-in terminal. The data transmission is extremely efficient, and any necessary translations are transparent to the user.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows a user to move files to and from hosts anywhere in the network. The transfer requires a one line command giving filename, source, and destination. The network does all required conversions and translations, allowing files to be transferred smoothly between hosts with very different internal architectures and data storage formats.
Electronic mail provides the usual message routing services, but does it between DEC and non-DEC hosts. TCP/IP electronic mail has even been implemented using the standard VMS MAIL interface. The network calculates the optimal routing from one user to another, as well as automatic return routing for replies or undeliverable messages. TCP/IP electronic mail can also use established distribution lists.
Powerful lnternets
One of the most important reasons TCP/IP-based products are helping to blur the line between DECNET and other resources is their built-in internet capabilities. The continuing push toward open networking is fueled largely by users' needs and desires to connect to a variety of data, peripherals and processors. The internet concept facilitates this process efficiently and transparently to the user.
As you probably recognize, a network is considered to be a single type of physical link connecting multiple processors. By extension, an internet is made up of several physical links connecting multiple processors, in effect a network of several networks (see Figure 2).
To successfully make possible the efficient and transparent data transfer
DEC PROFESSIONAL

from one physical network to another, an internet protocol must support the different physical links in all of the interconnected networks. These differences usually are quite considerable. For example, Ethernet is capable of 10 megabits per second. HYPERCHANNEL links support transfer rates of up to 50 megabits per second. The X.25, however, in use on many telephone lines, may operate at any rate from 4800 bits per second to 56 kilobits per second.
It's also necessary to combine both wide area and local area networks (LANs) , which use . vastly different technology. LANs normally provide high bandwidth (t to 100 megabits per second) over a short distance using fiber optic lines or coaxial cables. A wide area network, by contrast, operates at 4800 to 1.5 megabits per second over much longer distances using X.25, DMR-11 , or point-to-point communications, like a satellite channel.
TCP/IP has been successful in blurring DEC data networks because it doesn't hamper users with any of these technological considerations. All users on the internet operate as if all hosts are connected to a single physical link, creating a virtual network. LANs can be mixed with host-to-host leased lines, microwave channels and satellite links in any conceivable order or combination. In addition, the number and placement of the hosts or the topology ofthe blurred DEC network becomes totally irrelevant to the user.
For example, at one situation within Boeing Aerospace Company, Sun workstations are communicating with some VAX computers running VMS, with other VAXs running 4.2 BSD UNIX, and with IBM PCs and. Apollo workstations (see Figure 3). The established limits of DECNET have been blurred by means of TCP/IP so that a user on any of the VAXs has access to processing power anywhere on the full Boeing computer network. Files can be transferred between hosts and PCs or workstations with ease and speed.
In corporations and research organizations across the country, DEC net-
N OVEMBER 1987

lflGH SPEED VMS
ARCHIVING BACKUP

RAXCO's RABBIT-5Backup Management System...the safest,
fas test backup restore system in the world.

RABBIT-5 isn't "just a replacement" for your present backup program. It's a completely new approach that combines administrative, operational and programmed solutions for the modern data center.
Replace your old backup problems with new RABBIT-5 solutions:
· Run RABBIT-5 during first shift and go home early. It's so frugal with VMS®system resources, users won't even know (or care) when you run it.
· RABBIT-S's librarian tape management feature prompts operator for the correct backup tape and checks the label, safeguarding backup data.
· RABBIT-5 Archiver locates lost files by tape number for fast data restores.
· Run concurrent RABBIT-5 backups and utilize 100% of all tape drives while increasing throughput up to five times.

Good Investment:

RABBIT-5 is efficient - it gets the job done quickly. R-5 is safe - it gets the job done right. R-5 eliminates many backup headaches and saves countless hours of operator and CPU time.

Try R-5. It pays for itself in real dollars -fast.

Just Contact:

RAXCO USA RAXCO CANADA

1370 Piccard Dr. 899 3rd Ave. East

Rockville, MD Owen Sound,

20050

Ontario N4K 21<6

(301)258-2620

(519)371-smo

RAXCO NETHERLANDS
Meenthof18 1241 CP Kortenhoef Netherlands, (3135) 62444

RAXCO European Distributor:
Software Intelligence Ltd. , Portland House, 21 Narborough, Cosby, Leicester LE9 STA United Kingdom, (0533) 866613

RAXCO RABBIT SOFTWARE

ENTER 187 ON READER CARD 63

An internet is made up ofseveral physical links connecting multiple processors. A sample configuration, from the Boeing Aerospace Company.

works using TCP/IP internet capabilities to support a functionally transparent network across virtually every combination of local area networks, dedicated lines, satellite links, fiber optic channels, clusters and hosts. Workstations, minicomputers, mainframes, and even supercomputers with incompatible operating systems now are linked in endlessly different topologies. Yet they still function efficiently. No matter what the network or multinetwork configuration, the same simple TELNET or FTP command operates almost identically across all these networks and internets.
The new breed of blurred DECNETs also copes easily with the addition or subtraction of hosts, and nonDEC processors can be added to the internet in a variety of configurations. This means a DEC-based network can support complex and rapidly changing network topologies much more easily than before.
For example, consider an organization running two DECNETs in separate cities, each consisting of a VAX supporting its own Ethernet local area network with several local workstations (see Figure 4). By putting TCP/IP networking software on, say, an IBM mainframe in one city and a PC in another, and by also installing TCP/IP software on designated DECNET gateway processors controlling a link between the two networks, the organization creates an internet allowing simple, direct communications between the mainframe and the PC.
Adding TCP/IP to other non-DEC processors on either one of the Ethernet links allows them to join the internet and operate as if also linked directly together. None of the end users on the internet need be aware of or concerned about the various levels and links it contains.
The advantages ofTCP/IP's superior performance and adaptability to unusual network topologies is important for large organizations, which rarely can exist today with just a single DECNET. Instead, large organizations typically use several distinct networks that support

64

DEC PROFESSIONAL

the organizational structure and conform to geographical dispersion and data traffic patterns. With internetting, all of these networks can be linked into one.
A true non-proprietary internet, supported by dozens of independent vendors, TCP/IP is used in products able to accommodate a variety of physical links and many different data transfer rates. Because the vendors continually are competing for market share and new markets, TCP/IP remains a lively and viable protocol that regularly grows to meet new technologies and to bridge more gaps between DECNET and nonDEC resources.
In addition, Wollongong's TCP/IPbased products implement the protocol kernel essentially as a device driver that's connected like any other device into the VMS operating system, providing high throughput for network operations with no alterations to the VMS kernel.
Shared Resources For Networking
Normally, both DECNET and TCP/IP use dedicated controllers, but modern implementations of TCP/IP in software have become highly adept at cutting the cost of blurring DEC networks by sharing the DECNET communications lines and controllers already installed. The ability to use DECNET resources for non-DECNET protocols means user organizations need not incur any additional hardware costs to put up a supplementary TCP/IP network.
While sharing these important resources, however, the piggy-back protocols are careful to allow DECNET to function normally. Of course, network administrators in these organizations find themselves with the added responsibility of supporting the second protocol, but users get connectivity benefits not otherwise available.
One.example of the blurring technology is the sharing of the DEUNA, which connects a VAX to an Ethernet. By having the already installed DEUNA used simultaneously by both DECNET and TCP/IP, users connected to the DEC host gain access to non-DEC processors
NOVEMBER 1987

DECNET LAN using
Ethernet
TCP/IP and
DECNET
VAX 1
TCP/IP link
VAX 2
TCP/IP and
DECNET
DECNET LAN using
Ethernet

IBM mainframe
with TCP/IP
PC with TCP/IP

An organization running two DECNETs in separate cities, each with a VAX supporting its own Ethernet LAN, with several local workstations.

LHDH
VAX
TCP/IP and
DECNET

Install TCP/IP software here to share DEC hardware and
complete the
internet.

NASA Ames' direct access to the Defense Data Network.

65

Once schematic capture is completed at the workstation, the user easily can shift the file from the VAX to a third processor,

on the Ethernet, such as the popular and powerful Sun workstations.
Normally, a full communications link to accomplish such connectivity would require a second expensive network, including all new cabling, interfaces and management systems for the d uplicate, non-DEC links. But with TCP/IP software sharing the DEUNA, existing Ethernet hardware and cables can be used to communicate between all the TCP/IP machines and any of the VAXs on the DECNET running the proper TCP/IP software. M eanwhile, DECNET operations are unaffected.
The same type of sharing is available for wide area communications links. TCP/IP software with a DBRIDGE option for the VAX and MICROVAX make shared resources possible for a large number of installed DECNETs regardless of w hether they use synch ronous, RS232, X.25, DMR-11, or some other communications link. The sharing is much the same as described above.
The main difference, however, is that in this case the DECNET links are acting as a bridge between processors using the TCP/IP protocol. The TCP/IP packets actually are encapsulated into standard DECNET packets, passed along any of the DECNET routes, then stripped of their DECNET skins at the other end of the bridge and sent along to TCP/IP processors as though the DECNET bridge didn't exist. Like the shared Ethernet option, the DBRIDGE option is another way to use existing DECNET communications lines and routing instructions to put up a low-cost TCP/IP

network that can communicate with non-DEC systems.
At NASA Ames, Mountain View, California, TCP/IP is the network protocol that now links Amdahl mainframes running UTS with DEC VAXs running System V and UNIX 4.2 BSD, DEC VAXs running VMS, and various UNIX- based workstations. The research organization is using sophisticated TCP/IP software products to transport TCP/IP packets over DECNET lines and DEUNA communications controllers.
Until recently, the organization's only direct access to the Defense Data Network (DDN) was a VAX running TCP/IP using an LHDH interface (an older DDN protocol (see Figure 5). But that VAX was connected only to DECNET networks, while the UNIX workstations needing DDN access were linked through an Ethernet with no direct connection to the LHDH VAX. The intervening DECNETs couldn't communicate via TCP/IP, and the UNIX workstations couldn't use DECNET protocols.
The solution involved a complex combination of a shared DEUNA and co-existing protocol software. But the software solution to a lack of one cable from the Ethernet to the DDN was cost effective because this integrated the organization's entire computing environment. TCP/IP was and remains the only viable networking solution here because no other networking protocol could match its performance on this many interconnected and heterogeneous processors.
Each shared process essentially is independent, so a single VAX can have a variety of DECNET and DECNET-

sharing operations under way at the same time. Ordinarily, such multiple networks working through a single processor would seriously degrade overall performance. But because TCP/IP does most of its own context switching and internal packetizing as independent VMS processes, TCP/IP shared throughput can remain as high as 85 percent of the VAX's pure DECNET communications capability.
Although shared communications methods are slightly slower than dedicated methods, bear in mind that simple speed comparisons are of little value because the shared techniques represent the only way in which a particular VAX is able to communicate with a non-DEC processor.
Of course, sharing isn't necessary to blur a DEC network . TCP/IP can take full control of any DECNET physical interface, such as a DEUNA, DMR-11, X.25, or HYPERCHANNEL. TCP/IP functionality can be point- to-point, as with a DMR-11, or point- to- many-points, as with a typical Ethernet.
It's usually faster and more responsive than DECNET over the same facilities.
DEC Connects To UNIX
As the line between DECNET and other resources eroded, DEC began to support a basic implementation of UNIX and its TCP/IP protocol in its own offerings. The company's initial product was ULTRIX, which was developed by adding some enhancements to the Berkeley 4.2 version of UNIX and TCP/IP.
Approximately two years ago, DEC began to offer The Wollongong Group's version of TCP/IP (called WIN/TCP) for VAXs running the VMS operating system. Trying to cover all bases, the company also implemented a version of DECNET to run under ULTRIX.
With these and other products, users on VMS have gained new

66

DEC PROFESSIONAL

capabilities for building DEC-based networks that can communicate with both DEC and non-DEC processors. Workhorse VAXs now can use DECNET to share data with both UNIX and VMS systems. They also can employ the TCP/IP suite of protocols to share files, mail and data with other UNIX and non-UNIX systems running TCP/IP.
The blurring of the line between DEC and UNIX networks is satisfying. The openness helps connect the vast installed base of the VAX, with its enviable processing power and resources, to the efficient development environment of UNIX and to the specialized capabilities of workstations developed within the UNIX environment.
Pure DECNETs currently are adequate only within narrowly defined applications, and they continue to offer only limited ability to cross-connect to other resources. Even when gateways and other links are operable, a user needs considerable operational training and experience to communicate with diverse hosts. But with newer non-proprietary software-based protocols like TCP/IP, the line between DECNETs and other resources is becoming blurred almost to invisibility.
In the CAD/CAM world, for example, a link to VAX/VMS systems often is important because much of the early CAD/CAM work was accomplished in VAX environments, and because the VAX offers a significant installed base of processing power. TCP/IP makes possible a link between the newest high-performance graphics CAD/CAM units, across existing DECNET facilities or other transmission media, to under-used VAX installations.
Today, it's not uncommon for engineering users to do their CAD work on Sun workstations communicating over a network to a remote VAX and its available online disk capacity. Once schematic capture is completed at the workstation, the user easily can shift the file from the VAX to a third processor, perhaps a Sequent parallel-architecture computer, to accomplish the massive computational work involved in per-
NOVEMBER 1987

forming circuit simulation, board layout and other complex simulations and design analyses.
One of the most recent advances that's blurring the distinctions between DECNETs and other facilities is the capability ofperforming third-party file transfers (see Figure 6). Visualize an

organization with a VAX that's a gateway between a pure DECNET system and an Ethernet using TCP/IP. The gateway VAX now can smoothly and easily oversee the movement of a file from any host on the Ethernet to any host on the DECNET.
Another relatively new feature

How Much Faster Will Your

Computer Be With

MASTER DISK?

·3

As Fast As It Can Get.
Add one of MasterDisk's disk storage systems to your DEC computer and discover what you can do with significantly increased speed and storage:
·Make a MicroVAX II outperform a VAX 8600· · Double the number of users on the system and
get a better performance for each user· · Improve disk system throughput by as much as 450% ·
MasterDlsk is the most convenient and cost effective means available to attain the maximum throughput from your existing DEC system.

Storage Capacities - 152 megabytes to 2.93 gigabytes Compatibility- All Q-Bus and Unibus systems including MicroVAX II, & 3000s;
PDP-11s, and VAXs Warranty - Exclusive TWO YEAR WARRANTY with Nationwide service and support Mounting/Packaging · Rack mount, floor stand, table top or internal mounting Delivery - Within 30 days, complete and ready for simple customer installation

' Actual lleld application data reported by some of our enthusiastic customers

/Vl~~f~[!.!.!;:11®

(617) 443-7711
~
£ir:l American Digital Systems Inc.
75 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776-9990

See Us At DEXPO West 87
Booth * 1747

ENTER 192 ON READER CARD 67

Capable of third-party transfer of files from
A to C and back.
A third-party file transfer.

VAX

VAX

-..-,

/"7

' ' ' ' ' TCP/IP
NFS

/ / / / /
......, /-yo

TCP/IP
NFS
IBM PC

~~g,/':~>,/<::>~/, 'f,,:~<. T,,,

/'!:>~~(/ $/
~~/
/ / /

',~~-?c.<!
''Z''v~--?
' '

TCP/IP
NFS
TCP/IP
NFS
IBM PC

The Network File System permits local resources to be made transparently available to remote hosts on the netwark.

that's helping to blur the line surrounding DECNET is the Network File System , (NFS). This facility essentially permits local resources to be made transparently available to remote hosts on the network. For example, once all or part of a local disk storage device is exported out to the network and then mounted to a remote host, files on the exported portion of the disk can be accessed by the remote host as though the disk were their local resource (see Figure 7).
In practical terms, this means a PC user in one building can access the disk subsystem of a VAX in another building as though the disk were locally controlled and in the same room. NFS probably will blur DECNETs even more because it obliterates most of the remaining discontinuities among DEC and other resources. NFS creates exciting new opportunities for untrained users and local applications to use file sharing and distributed data.
Benefits To The Users
In the broad view, the blurring of DEC networks significantly benefits users because it allows each organization maximum latitude in choosing the best hardware and software to fit its needs, in many instances regardless ofwhether or not the preferred solution happens to be offered by DEC.
A major benefit to the user stems from TCP/IP not being a proprietary protocol. All vendors of TCP/IP products want the protocol as flexible, useful and compatible with other products as possible. As a result, no other protocol crosses so many proprietary boundaries and works so effectively with so many proprietary systems for both wide and local area networks.
TCP/IP networks running on DEC systems provide all the advantages of standardization, too, because TCP/IP is the official standard promulgated by the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, many research organizations, the majority of supercomputer centers and other large centers of processing power. This

68

DEC PROFESSIONAL

ensures that the protocol will remain compatible with mainstream products introduced in years to come. Once installed, TCP/IP also is fairly simple to learn and use because it provides a consistent user interface across all the processors, terminals and peripherals on the network.
Even before reliable OSI-based products reach the market in great numbers, DEC networks using TCP/IP are proving their ability to communicate and share data with a variety ofimportant subsystems, including offerings from Sun, Data General, Cray, Control Data, Apollo, Pyramid, and more than 50 other vendors. Given their present level of connectivity and the likelihood of continued development in the same direction, DEC networks should be able to follow along smoothly as the dominant vendor independent protocol migrates from TCP/IP toward OSI.
Once the line between DECNET and non-DEC resources was impenetrable; today it's heavily blurred, broken and erased. Although it may never disappear, the connectivity between DEC and non-DEC resources continues to increase at a regular rate.
Today, the growing popularity of vendor independent networking protocols leads user organizations to exercise their shopping rights to an unprecedented degree. The line between DEC networks and other resources is blurring close to invisibility. The typical network, once constructed homogeneously from DEC hosts and components, now tends to incorporate a variety of third-party offerings. Users who once were blocked from reaching non-DEC resources, now routinely tap into a range of external networks and vendor independent facilities .
Although a few die-hard DEC enthusiasts still lament the blurring of DEC networks and the concomitant shift in networking strategies, most network specialists view the trend as a bulwark, rather than a threat, to the continued effectiveness of DEC systems. As a practical matter, DECNET offerings remain very strong, and their popularity

is undiminished. If anything, the blurring of the line between DEC and other networks makes DECNET more viable than ever. The increased connectivity made possible by the blurring allows the strengths of DEC systems to flow beyond the boundaries of what once

was a vendor-specific network.
- David Langlais is director of major
accounts for The Wollongong Group Inc., Palo Alto, California.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 465 Medium 466 Low 467

AVERAGE DISK ACCESS
TIME ...
6.39msec.

What can this kind of performance do for you? Add one of MasterDlsk's disk storage systems to your DEC computer and discover what you can do with significantly increased speed and storage:
·Make a MicroVAX II outperform a VAX 8600· ·Double the number of users on the system and
get a better performance for each user· ·Improve disk system throughput by as much as 450% ·
MasterDlsk Is the most convenient and cost effective means available to attain the maximum throughput from your existing DEC system .
Storage Capacities - 152 megabytes to 2.93 gigabytes
Compatlblllty - All Q-Bus and Unibus systems including MicroVAX II, & 3000s; PDP-11s, and VAXs
Warranty- Exclusive TWO YEAR WARRANTY with Nationwide service and support
Mounting/Packaging - Rack mount, floor stand, table top or internal mounting
Delivery - Within 30 days, complete and ready for simple customer installation
·Actual field application data reported by some of our enthusiastic customers

fl~~f~r.!.!!';~~~ .

M/ \

(617) 443-7711

DEXP0West87 Booth *1141

£i~ American Digital Systems Inc.

75 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776-9990

ENTER 229 ON READER CARD

NOVEMBER 1987

69

l

I"
C\ . r'
TERMINALS

HE CIT-224 TERMINAL

By Bruce Feldman

At first glance, there's not much that disting-

uishes the CIT-224 from the pack. It's rather

plain with amber eyes and its keyboard is
An ANSI-Compatible distinguished only by a slate-gray flip panel

Entry That's Worth

that sits across the head like a bandana and, OK, it has nice, small feet.

A Look.

But when you take it to your desk and turn it on, the CIT-224 terminal, from CIE Ter-

minals Inc., is a pretty fair performer; a ver-

satile VDT that's compatible with its DEC

VT220, VT100 and VT52 predecessors and

operates in either ANSI or VT52 mode.

Standard features include a multimode

bidirectional auxiliary port and two- and

three-key compose sequences. The display is

a 14-inch diagonal, non-glare CRT with light

on dark characters or the reverse, in cells of

10 x 6 dots, and screen formatting of 24 x 80

or 132 characters. Cursor types are block,

underline or invisible, in blinking or non-

blinking modes. A host addressable 25th status

line enables the host to send system messages

to this line, without otherwise disturbing the

current screen display.

Looks Aren't Everything
The display is one of the nicest aspects of this terminal. The character dot patterns are tight, well formed and pleasing to the eye, with full descenders. The separate controls for contrast and brightness provide a more-than-adequate range of intensities to explore. The characters are displayed without the common haziness around the edges that appears on some lowend terminals, often on different parts of the screen.

Attributes include blinking, underline and bold. The CIT-224 stocks several character sets, including ASCII, special graphics, supplemental graphics, national replacement sets and "soft" downline loadable character sets.
Vital Statistics
The monitor sits on a petite, rectanguiar pedestal that's only 11 'h inches wide, 10 inches deep and less than one-inch high. The complete unit requires 13 inches of desk space from front to rear, however, to accommodate the depth of the monitor. The monitor easily rotates 45 degrees left or right and tilts up or down 30 degrees on its base. All of the hardware is housed upstairs.
There are three molded plastic cut-outs just below the screen at the far left and right. One contains the block-like power ON/OFF switch, with a power indicator LED right next door. The third is the (replaceable) model number panel, indicating that the identical housing probably is used for other CIE terminals.
The screen of the 224 is bordered in off white at the top and bottom, with offsetting slate-gray borders to accent the top keyboard strip. Separate brightness and contrast controls are hidden at the rear of the monitor unit, underneath and to the right. Adjacent is the keyboard jack.
At the rear of the unit is a 115V/230V AC voltage selection switch, a fuse holder, the AC power input and two RS-232C ports - the

70

DEC PROFESSIONAL

main communications port connector and an auxiliary port.
For a terrninal that features such a clean, crisp display, it's unfortunate that not enough attention was paid to the keyboard. The features are there, but the ergonomics are not. · The keyboard emulates the standard DEC VT220 keyboard, with separate editing and cursor keypads and a strip of function keys at the top. A gray flip panel covers six LEDs, one each for Online, Hold Screen, Caps Lock, Compose, Wait and Shift Lock. Below the LEDs is a row of programmable and nonprogrammable function keys. At the far right are the Hold Screen, Print Screen, Setup, Data/Talk and Break keys. Function keys 6 through 14 and 17 through 20 are programmable and separated by the Help and Do keys.
The Escape key sits at the top left-most position. The Back Space key is next to the Delete key at the upper-right corner, not a good spot because most VT220 clones have the Delete key there alone. With the Back Space key so close, annoying errors can easily occur within applications that define specific func-

CIT-224 Terminal CIE Terminals Inc. 2505 McCabe Way Irvine, Californai 92714 (714) 660-1421 Price: $699
ENTER 412 ON READER CARD
tions for each key. The feel of the keys, on a scale from
precise to unsteady, is forgiving of wandering fingers, but is a bit like walking on loose sand. In the middle 50- to 75-words-perminute range that most typists inhabit, however, it's probably minimally adequate.
One nice touch on the keyboard is the top flip panel. The lower portion of the panel is transparent plastic so that programmed function key identifications can be slipped underneath for quick reference.
The coiled keyboard cord stems from a jack located well underneath the keyboard unit toward the left side. The cord is wrapped

NOVEMBER 1987

The CIT-224 terminal emulates a DEC VT220, vrtoo or a VI'52.
71

~~~
You r company ' s DEC and com-
patible computer needs are as important to us as they are to you . W e tak e tho se needs very seriously because we want your business, and we want you to get th e right equipmen t, ot th e right price, at tn e right time. With our large inventory and staff of skilled professionals, Microtek can assist you in your computer purchasing decisions with speed and skill, unmatch ed in the industry.
Additionally, with each purchase from Microtek you receive our three-way guarantee:
l . W e do not se ll equipment which has not been maintained by the manufacturer.
2. All eciuipm ent is checked out in
our Cl eveland Plant by factory train ed tech ni cians for fool proof operation to anticipate and compl etely eliminate all delays to immed iate usefulness.
3. All equipme nt is guaranteed for 30 days, and is guaranteed for
maintenance by the manufacturer.
MICROTEK, WE MEAN BUSINESS 800-828-0303 IN OHIO 216-234-8040 FAX 216-234-0784 TELEX 4944465
83 70 Dow Circle, Cleve., OH 441 36
ENTER 178 ON READER CARD
72

through a subterranean groove, so that the unit lies flat, to the right-most end, where it then stretches to the jack in the monitor housing, also on the same side. Unfortunately, plastic prongs on the underside of the keyboard base are insufficient to keep the cord fully tucked underneath the unit. As a result, the cord springs loose and annoyingly must be tucked in by hand whenever the keyboard is moved aside to make room for other desk work.
The base of the keyboard sprouts two small, plastic feet with rubber soles to prevent marring the desktop. The feet can tuck under, stand flat or stretch on tippy toes.
Health Check
At power ON, a self test is run and the message "CIT-224 OK" appears if everything checks out. Error messages are displayed in reverse video on the screen and echoed by the LEDs; i.e. , the Hold Screen light blinks if there's a ROM error, Caps Lock blinks for a RAM error as does the Compose key for an NVR error.
The Setup key plants you in an 11-screen environment, where NVR memory permanently stores your settings. Factory default settings otherwise are displayed.
Special Skills
The CIT-224 includes a Compose key for creating special characters not available on the keyboard. There are both twoand three-key sequences for many of these. The library of special characters is extensive, but remember that to use them in a document, your printer must support them.
The programming of the function keys isn't completely menu driven and requires reading the documentation. Pressing a Shift-Function key returns the current definition of the row ofunshifted function keys. Pressing a CTRLFunction key displays the unshifted key definitions. Finally, you can display an additional row of function keys by pressing CTRL-Shift.
Each of these commands accesses

the Function Key Editor menu that displays the function of the key being programmed, the identities of other programmed keys on the board, and the programmable key space remaining. There are a total of 60 function keys, 45 of which are programmable locally in non-volatile memory.
This menu is not accessed directly through the setup directory, which can be confusing. Replacing the current definition merely requires deleting the old and typing in the new, then saving it by pressing the Enter key.
The manual that comes with the CIT-224 is a concisely written, dot matrix-printed guide with sections on installation, keyboard description and configuration, operation of the terminal and programmer data, control codes and the like.
Appendices are included for code tables, control sequences and codes, and sample setup screens. Illustrations and tables abound and are referenced in the Table of Contents. A CIT-224 maintenance manual is available from C. Itoh Inc., but isn't included with the terminal.
The manual is comprehensive without being hyperbolic. Subheads abound, as do lists and charts to present information in the most accessible manner. The section on the compose character sequences is presented especially well, by providing a bulleted, step-bystep keystroke progression that also is accompanied by a table of characters and the sequences that elicit them.
When all is said and done, this terminal is worth a look.
Editor's note: At press time, DEC announced the settlement ofa dispute with C.ltoh & Co. Ltd., the parent company of CIE Terminals Inc. As part of the agreement, C.ltoh agreed to alter the setup screens on the CIE-224 terminal.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUITTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 438 Medium 439 Low 440

DEC PROFESSIONAL

@
Discover a light beyond conventional computing.
For years thousands of businesses and computer specialists have relied on mdbs products and services to reach plateaus far beyond the capabilities of other software packages. No matter what the size or scope of your data processing needs, mdbs can help you create unique, powerful applications quickly and efficiently.
GURU combines an expert system development tool and familiar information management tools in one software environment. GURU applications provide expert advice or embed reasoning in everyday computing.
.MD~ m,the extended-network data base management system,
provides solutions for easy and efficient development of applications- involving massive data bases and complex relationships.
KnowledgeMan/ 2 fuses a powerful relational data base management system with business computing essentials such as spreadsheet, graphics, text processing, report generation, communications and more.

MDBS m, GURU, and
KnowledgeMan/ 2 are offered for single-user micros, popular PC-based LANs, and the
DEC VAX. mdbs also supplies specialized
application development, consulting, training and other services to corporations, government agencies and VARs. For more information on how mdbs software and services will help you discover the real potential of your computer, call or write us.

mdbs, Inc.
P.O. Box 248 Lafayette, IN 47902 800/ 344-5832 or 317/ 463-2581 TIX 5106017487 (MDBS I.AF UQ)

@
Indbs

mdbs, MDBS 111, GURU and KnowledgeMan/2 are registered trademarks of Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. VAX is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corp. ENTER 137 ON READER CARD

VAX
ETTING THE
MOST FROM
VAXNMS MAIL

By Cynthia Hartman

One major advantage of networking is the

ability electronically to transfer information

To: You

worldwide with a few keystrokes. A common way to transfer information across the network

From: Me

is by using the VAX/VMS operating system's mail utility, referred to as MAIL. This utility

Subject: State-Of· The-Art Delivery

provides you with the means to communicate with anyone on the network.
Like other VAX/VMS users, I begin my

For MAIL

morning by pouring a cup of coffee, logging in, and reading my mail. In the process I've

learned some useful MAIL features.

A Copy For Your Records
It's convenient to send yourself a copy of the messages you send to others. When you announce that you're scheduling a meeting for 9 a.m., on the day of the meeting you can refer back to the message to make sure you're on time. To automatically receive a copy of each message you send or reply to, enter the following command at the MAIL> prompt:

MAIL>SET COPY_SELF SEND,REPLY

You only have to type this command

once. From now on, MAIL will send you a copy of all your messages.
On the other hand, ifyou want to choose which messages you receive a copy of, specify the /SELF qualifier each time you send or reply to mail:
MAIL> SEND/SELF MAIL> REPLY/SELF
This method is useful if you don't want a copy of everything you send to others.
Using Your Editor
You can invoke MAIL so that when you send messages, you automatically call up an editor to enter the text of the message. When you exit from the editor, your mail message is sent. This is helpful when you have to send an error-free message.
To enter the editor, invoke MAIL with the following command:
$ MAIL/EDIT= (SEND,FORWARD,REPLY)
I prefer to edit messages only before I SEND or FORWARD them, so I put the following symbol in my LOGIN.COM:

$ M*AIL : = = MAIL/EDIT= (FORWARD,SEND)

74

DEC PROFESSIONAL

..,'~ _-_-.--_----.------

It's Not

PC-to-DEC Communications, The Right Way.
Some companies think it's easy to make your IBM PCs act like a DEC terminal. But before you settle for some patch job, consider these facts.
Only Polygon has consistently offered true emulation through the years. In fact, when Digital Equipment Corporation went looking for terminal emulation software to license, they didn't choose just anyone. They chose Polygon. Tuday Polygon continues to be used in more DEC installations than any other competitive product.
Polygon is ahead in other ways, too. We were first to ship VT220 emulation. First with VT240 emulation. First with full-color VT241 support. And now we provide Ethernet (LAJ') communications as well.

You'll find our dedication shows in a whole range of products, featuring error-free file transfers, and sharing PC files in a VAX library. Our poly-5'D\R, poly-SHARE and the famous poly-COM series of products have set the standards for DEC communications software.
So ifyou want it done right, talk to Polygon.
Call 1-(314)-576-7709 For Free Demo.
We'll send a free demo package to any qualified company. just call or write us. Polygon, Inc.,1024 Executive Parkway, Saint Louis , MO 63141 (314) 576-7709, lelefax: (314) 2759185 .1elex883245.

@polygon
'Ierminal Emulation, The Right Way.
ENTER 146 ON READER CARD Pol)'gOn. 1he Polygon logo. and poly are regis1ered 1rademarks of Polygon. Inc. DEC. \'T. and 1he Digiial logo are 1ractemarks ofDigi1al Equipment Corporation. The IBM logo is a regisiered !fademark of lmernaiional Business Machines Corp.

IGURE 1.

MAIL Folder

Folder

Message

Message

Message

Message

If you want to edit particular messages, you can use the /EDIT qualifier with individual SEND, REPLY, and FORWARD commands.
By default, MAIL invokes the EDT editor. If you wish, you can tell MAIL to use TPU instead. To do this, put the following logical definition in your LOGIN.COM file:
$ DEFINE MAIUEDIT CALLABLE_TPU
Organizing Messages
Frequently, you receive messages that you want to save for future reference. It's difficult to locate specific messages if you keep all of them in the same place. Fortunately, MAIL provides you with the ability to organize your messages into folders (see Figure 1).
Your MAIL file automatically contains three folders : MAIL, NEWMAIL and WASTEBASKET. The title of the folder you're in is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
Your MAIL folder contains messages that you've read already, but didn't delete. The NEWMAIL folder contains new messages that you haven't read . The WASTEBASKET folder contains all of the messages that you delete before you enter PURGE at the MAIL> prompt or exit from MAIL.
You can create additional folders to store your messages. For instance, let's say you're working on three different projects: apples, peaches and plums. You can put messages about

MAIL Folders.
these projects in their own folders so that they are easy to find for future reference.
You create folders by moving a message to a folder that currently doesn't exist. To move the message you're currently reading to another folder and delete it from its current folder, enter one of the following commands:
MAIL> MOVE folder_name
or
MAIL> FILE folder_name
Use the COPY command to move a message to a folder without deleting it from its current folder:
MAIL> COPY folder_name
If the folder currently doesn't exist, MAIL asks if you want to create that folder. For example, ifyou try to copy a message to a new folder called REQUEST, MAIL issues the following response:
Folder REQUEST doesn't exist. Do you want to create it (YIN, default is N)?

76

DEC PROFESSIONAL

tract into a file to edit or use at a later time. Type the following command while the message is on your screen:

MAIL> EXTRACT filename.extension

You can send mail easily to various people by creating a distribution list.
Once you start creating folders, you need to keep track of the names of all of them. To recall the names of the folders, enter DIRECTORY/FOLDERS at the MAIL> prompt. MAIL lists the names of all your folders:

When I extract files, I like to store them wi~hout the MAIL header information by typing:
MAIL> EXTRACT/NOHEADER filename.extension
You also can send files from the DCL prompt without entering MAIL. To do this, use the DCL command MAIL from the DCL prompt:
$ MAIL /SUBJECT= "subject" filename.ex t username

MAIL> DIRECTORY/FOLDERS

Listing of folders in DISK_NAME:[USERNAMEJMAIL.MAI;l Press CTRL/C to cancel listing

APPLES N EWM AIL PLUMS

M AIL PEAC H ES WAS T E BA SK E T

Select a folder by typing SELECT folder_name at the MAIL> prompt:

MAIL> SELECT folder_name

Selecting a folder allows you to move among folders. To display a directory of all of the messages in a folder, you have two choices. Ifyou've selected that folder already, simply type DIRECTORY at the MAIL> prompt. If you're not yet in that folder, type "DIRECTORY folder_name" at the MAIL> prompt. The latter method also selects that folder for you.
One final note: Every folder vanishes when there are no messages in it.
Mail And VMS Files
Another command that invokes your specified editor is the REPLY/EXTRACT command. I find this command useful when I want to include text from the original message in my reply. When the message you want to reply to is on your screen, enter the following command at the MAIL> prompt:

MAIL> REPLY/EXTRACT

MAIL invokes the editor in an editing session that contains the text of the message to which you are replying. You then can add to the message and send it.
Sometimes, you receive messages that you need to ex-

The subject qualifier is optional. If you don't specify a subject, the subject line of your message will be blank.
Personalizing Your Mail
You may define a text string, called a personal name, to be associated with your MAIL account. Your personal name appears when the new MAIL message broadcasts on the receiver's terminal and also in the MAIL header information.
You can identify your messages with your name and phone number or perhaps a quote. Set your personal name by typing:
MAIL>SET PERSONAL_NAME "Zippy the Pin-Head"
Once you set your personal name, you may want to remind yourself of it before you send your monthly status report to your boss. View your pers0nal name by typing:
MAIL>SHOW PERSONAL_NAME
Defining Logical Usernames
A logical name is a string that VMS automatically translates into another string. You may define short logicals to refer to users to whom you frequently send messages. Define the logicals in your LOGIN.COM file in the following manner:
$ DEFINE GEORGE GEORGES_NODE::GEORGES_NAME
When in MAIL, enter GEORGE at the TO: prompt to send a message to George. You no longer have to type George's node followed by George's username:
TO: GEORGE
Sending Mail To Many People
You can send mail easily to various people by creating a distribution list. For instance, one of my distribution lists is

78

DEC PROFESSIONAL

THE PDP 11/70 PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT PACKAGE

The PEP-70 will renew your wel 1founded belief in the PDP 11/70. You always knew that it was the finest communications system ever produced by DEC. Its horsepower was harnessed only by its memory speed.

Now you can throw away the harness and un-bridle its raw power. Your software applications are secured and you can be assured of applause from your users. Shine in the glow of the PEP-70 generation.

Call or Write
M R f coMPUTERs
1520 N.W. 65th Avenue, Suite 2 Ft. Laude rdale, FL 33313 800-992-6340 In Fla. : 305/ 587-7464

800-992-6340

ENTER 223 ON READER CARD

DEC. PDP, UN IBUS are trademarks of Digi tal Equipment Corporatio n.

By defining keys you can move between your main process and your MAIL subprocess with a single keystroke.
titled "WRITERS.DIS" and contains the nodes and names of all of the writers in my group. When I have information that I'm sure they all would be interested in, I send the message to my Writers distribution list.
Sending messages to a distribution list is a three-step process. 1. Create a logical name in your LOGIN.COM that points to the directory that will hold all your distribution lists. For example, define the logical $LISTS to be your home directory. 2. Create each distribution list in the directory you've chosen above. The list simply contains each username on a separate line with its nodename ifyou 're on a network. The file should have a .DIS extension. Don't use leading dollar signs. 3. When you want to send mail to that list, reference it at the TO: prompt in MAIL. Begin with an @ sign, then include the logical directory name and the distribution list filename:
TO: @$LISTS:WRITERS
Sending Your Mail Elsewhere
With the proliferation of MICROVAX II and VAXSTATION II systems, it's not uncommon for today 's VAX/VMS user to have an account on more than one node.
Ifyou plan to be working on another node and still want to receive your mail, you can forward your messages from any other node on which you have an account, to your current node:
MAIL> SET FORWARD node::username
If you set your forwarding address and want to make sure your messages will be forwarded to the right place, type:
MAIL> SHOW FORWARD
To cancel the forwarding command, type:
SET NOFORWARD
at the MAIL> prompt.
Running MAIL In A Subprocess
For those of you who often enter and exit MAIL, you may prefer to run MAIL in a subprocess. You'll find attaching to

a subprocess takes less time than invoking MAIL. Furthermore, by defining keys you can move between your main process and your MAIL subprocess with a single keystroke.
The first step is to define the keys used to spawn and to attach to the subprocess. Add the following lines to your LOGIN.COM file:
$ DEFINE/KEY/NOLOG F17 "ATTACH" "sub_mail""" /TERMINATE
$ DEFINE/KEY/NOLOG F18 "SPAWN /PROCESS= ""sub_mail"" "/TERMINATE
You don't have to define the same function keys as in the example above. However, I've found these two keys to be convenient for this purpose. Also, choose your own name for the subprocess (sub_mail) because this name must be unique within each user group on your system.
You have to create a MAIL initialization file to define the key. This allows you to attach back to your main process. Create a file that contains the following line:
DEFINE/KEY Fl 7 "ATTACH/PARENT" /TERMINATE
Define the following logical in your LOGIN.COM to point to this file. This causes MAIL to define that key during initialization:
$ DEFINE MAIL$INIT disk_name: [username)MAIUKEYDEF.INI
Before any of this works, run your LOGIN.COM file; type @LOGIN or log out and back in again. To set up your MAIL subprocess at the beginning of the day: 1. Press F18 to spawn your MAIL subprocess 2. Type MAIL to invoke MAIL 3. Press F17 to return to your main process.
Now use the F17 key to toggle between your MAIL subprocess and your main process.
['VE ONLY SKIMMED the capabilities of VAX/VMS MAIL. For additional documentation on MAIL, see DEC's VAX/VMS Introduction to VAX/VMS Manual and VAX/VMS MAIL Utility Reference Manual. You also can enter HELP at the MAIL> prompt for the syntax or meaning of any MAIL command, as well as see examples of these commands. -Cynthia Hartman is afree-lance writer in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 413 Medium 414 Low 415

80

DEC PROFESSIONAL

· Emulation '!hat Works For Everyone.

How can VAX managers and PC users agree on Vf220 emulation software? You might call it a small miracle, but all you need is one look at Reflection 2.

Reflection 2 works for manelgers.

When you standardize on Reflection, two good things hap-

pen. Confusion disappears. And productivity takes over.That's

because our powerful command language lets you create com-

mand scripts for custom user interfaces or perform complex and unattended tasks. It lets you configure your video for 132-

column display. Or remap PC keyboards to conform to the terminal layout you prefer.
Ifyou're linked by a LAN,

Reflection supports you here too. With Reflection you also receive host-based file transfer software, a costly option with some other emulation packages. And our optional PLUS software automatically backs up PC-user files on the host
Reflection 2 works for PC users.
Getting started is a snap. An on-screen question and answer session helps new users connect to the host in minutes.
Only Reflection lets you do two things at once. Bounce from the VAX to a PC application quick as you can say ''hot key." And at the same time, Reflection can be running in the background. AVAX file might be streaming out of your printer. Or a PC file could be beaming up to your VAX.

VAX managers andPC Users both like what they see in Reflection 2.
And ifyou ever get stuck, there's immediate telephone support at no extra cost
Reflection 2 works for everyone.
Now, for the price of ordinary emulation software, you can put Reflection 2 to work Because Reflection performs every task you could want and offers choices no other package can match. Reflection 2 costs just $199. Or, get automatic backup capability with Reflection 2 PLUS at $249.
Ask about our aggressive quantity discounts. Try Reflection 2 for 30 days. Ifyou're not completely satisfied, return it for a full refund. For all the details and to order, call 800-8PC2VAX (800-872-2829).

Wilker Richer&Quinn,lnc. ~

2825 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98102, (206) 324-0350, Telex 31 1743 WRQUR ENTER 220 ON READER CARD

. ~
COMMUNICATIONS

QUICK

By Michael G. Gonzales

RESPOND/QUICK from Software Syn-

ergy Inc. enables an IBM PC (or compatible)

to emulate a DEC Vf102 in a manner that justi-
A Fast, Easy-To-Install fies its name - you can install and begin emu-

DEC Emulator For An

lation quickly and easily. RESPOND/QUICK comes on a single disk,

IBM PC-Compatible Tenninal.

and is inserted into the A or B drive after booting with PC-DOS. The first screen is the RESPOND/QUICK logo. Next, the RESPON D

Main Menu appears (see Screen 1). The novice

user should select the Quick Start screen (see

Screen 2).

After creating a profile with Quick Start,

you can enter terminal emulation mode and

begin communications, or return to the Main

Menu and save the new profile.

The Select a Profile option permits you

to choose a communications profile previously

created with Quick Start. The Enter Terminal

Emulation option enables the PC to emulate

a VT102 and initiates a communications ses-

sion using the current communications profile.

To exit RESPOND and display the DOS

prompt, choose Quit RESPOND. To access

DOS without exiting DOS, choose the Enter

DOS Command option.

The Main Menu also allows Save a Pro-

file and Erase a Profile options, along with the

Help Mode option (see Screen 3).

Documentation
RESPOND/QUICK comes with a user manual that's well illustrated and easy to follow. The manual doesn't have an index but has a rather

comprehensive Table of Contents. Chapter 1 introduces RESPOND/QUICK
and its capabilities. The second chapter, "Installation," discusses hardware requirements and setup notes, along with installation procedures for single, dual, and hard-disk systems. Accessing Quick Start, the topic of C hapter 3, discusses the mechanics of creating profiles and entering terminal emulation mode. The fourth chapter describes the RESPOND Main Menu, while Chapter 5, "Guide to Emulation," discusses sending and receiving text files. An Appendix details modem requirements.
Operation And Evaluation
RESPOND/QUICK is easy to learn, easy to use and fun to work with. Setting up profiles in Quick Start is so simple that you can do most of it without reading the documentation.
The online Help Mode is quite useful, providing fingertip information that's clear and readily understood . In fact, topics detailed in Help allow you to find things without doing a lot of reading.
Quick Start allows you to create communications profiles. You can enter some of the parameter values necessary for a communications session, while others are set automatically. The Quick Start parameters are: 1. Service/Network - This specifies the service name and network type used to make the connection. In many cases, choosing a service

82

DEC PROFESSIONAL

RESPOND Main Menu
A) Select a Profile
8)
C) Enter Terminal Emulation Mode D) E) F) G) Quick Start H) Save a Profile I) Erase a Profile J) K) Quit RESPOND L) Enter DOS Command Mode M) Enter Help Mode
INSTRUCTIONSl Welcome to RESPOND, the Standard for Integrated PC Communications! To Quick Start Asynchronous Communications, Press the "G" Key. To Select a Different Function, Use the Space Bar or Arrr:IN Keys to Move the Cursor and Then Press the Enter Key.
MESSAGESs Current Profile: <none>
Screen 1: RESPOND main menu screen.

Quick Start Screen

PARAMETERS A) Service/Network B) C) User ID D) Password E) F) Network Address G) Telephone Number H) Dialing Method I) Modem J) Communications Adapter K) Baud Rate L) Character Bits (Set for Service)

VAWES CompuServe/Direct Dial
<?> <?>
<not required > <?> TONE Hayes Compatible 300 or 300/1200 COM1 1200 7 Data-Ignore Parity-1 Stop

M) INSTRUCTIONS

Use the Plus and Minus Keys to Change the value of This Parameter Use the Space Bar or Arrr:IN Keys to Move Cursor Press the Esc Key to Return to the Main Menu Press Ctrl/Home When All Values Are Correct to Start Communications

MESSAGES

Note: Identifies the Service and the W~ You Wish to Connect to it

Screen 2: QUICK START screen.

will select values simultaneously for other parameters.
Possible values for the Service/ Network parameter include direct dialed, hard wired, Telenet and Tymnet choices from CompuServe and The
RESPOND allows you to send and receive data while in emulation mode.
Source, Dow Jones Newsnet, OAG, RCA Mail and MCI.
In addition, you may select the following parameter values for Service/Network:
<other ::>/Direct Dial <other>/Hard Wired <other> /Telenet <other> /Tymnet
These parameter values can be.used to connect to any host or service. 2. User ID - A value for 'this parameter is entered if required. The value is the account of ID number assigned by the service. 3. Password - A value is entered if required. 4. Network Address - A value is entered if required. The value specifies the address that the network assigns to the service. 5. Telephone Number - A value is entered if required. The value is the telephone number of the network or service.
RESPOND/QUICK Software Synergy Inc. 641 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10011 (212) 645-9663 Price: $39
ENTER 367 ON READER CARD

84

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Now there's a new UNIX® System video training program, from the people wlio wrote the book.

AJ&T, the inven-

tor of the UNIX

System, now

offers the most

comprehensive

and most current
IL..------------,.. UNIXSystem
training, even SinycsltuedminVgRUeNleIaXse 3.0.

Acomplete curriculum,

high-interest,easy-to-follow learn-

on videotape, through

ing experience. And each course

the new AJ&T Videotape Library is self-contained, including

Modular Courses.

sample programs and workbook

D Fundamentals of the UNIX

exercises for thorough retention

System:

of skills.

Basic

Questions? Call us.

Intermediate

Ifyou have any technical questions

Advanced

after youhave reviewed your

D Shell Command Language for

Programmers

D 'C' Language for Programmers

1 Our courses are created by

AT&T instructors with 10 years of

experience in grooming AJ&T'.<;

own UNIX System professionals.

Courses are modular and can be

used in entirety or in sections.

More than a 'taped lecture:

Each course blends professionally

developed graphics and text into a

videotape

program, you

can talk directly

to the instructors

who developed

the courses. This

telephone support

service is offered

only byAW

So, to purchase or

lease a video training program that

is authoritative, current, and

complete,call or write now for

more information on the AW

Videotape Library Ademonstration

video is available.

C1:>19s1Ai&r

Call1800 247-1212, Ext.1001, or mail this coupon.

Visit AT&T at COMDEX Nov. 2-6
Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, Booth #2530.
ENTER 104 ON READER CARD

- AT&T
- The right choice.

,..

~

RESPOND Help Mode Menu

JTOPICSi_

A) What is RESPOND/Quick? B) Menu Selections C) XPRESS Keys D) E) Profiles F) Saving a Profile
G) Selecting a Profile H) Erasing a Profile I) Modifying a Profile
J) K) The Quick Start Screen L) M)

N) File Transfer 0) P)
Q) Emulation K8'iS R) Emulation K8'iS (continued)
nS)
U)
V) DOS Command Mode
W) DOS Environment Parameters
X)
Y) Modem Settings Z) Hayes Modem Settings

_rlNSTRUCTIONS}

Use the Space Bar or Arrr:JN Keys to Move Cursor
Press the Enter Key to Select Help Topic Press the Esc Key to Return to the Main Menu

Current Profile: <none>
...

i_MESSAGESt Screen 3: RESPOND help mode menu.

TYPE OF DATA TRANSFER? 1: SEND A TEXT FILE 2: RECEIVE A TEXT FILE 3: SEND A FILE WITH XMODEM 4: RECEIVE A FILE WITH XMODEM 5: SNAPSHOT OF SCREEN
>

Screen 4: Data transfer menu.

6. Dialing Method - A value is entered if required . Two values are possible: tone or pulse. 7. Modem - A value is entered if required. Possible values are: Hayes Compatible 300 or 300/1200, Hayes Smartmodem 2400 or Manual Dial. 8. Communications Adapter - This

specifies the communications adapter on the PC to be used for communications. Possible values are COM! and COM2. 9. Baud Rate - Possible values are 110, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 1200/300 autobaud and 1200/2400 autobaud. 10. Character Bits - This specifies the

The data transfer modes functioned without glitches.
number of bits representing each character.
RESPOND/QUICK allows you to send and receive data while in emulation mode. Upon pressing the ALT-T keys, you're prompted for the type of data transfer (see Screen 4). After typing the appropriate data transfer code, you enter the name of the file to be sent or received.
The Send a Text File and the Receive a Text File options operate without any special error- checking protocol. The XMODEM error-checking protocol, however, is available.
The Snapshot of Screen data transfer option allows you to store snapshots of the screen on disk. After typing a 5 for the desired data transfer option, you enter the name of the file to hold the snapshots. Subsequently, the current screen is saved in the specified file each time CTRL-PrtScrn is entered.
The data transfer modes functioned without glitches. And, as is typical of this package, data transfer was accomplished easily.
Ifyou want to add a friendly communications package to your software library, RESPOND/QUICK is a worthwhile choice. -Michael G. Gonzales is assistant professor of computer and information science at Gwynedd Mercy College, Gwynedd, Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 368 Medium 369 Low 370

86

DEC PROFESSIONAL

In a word...performance. Today's most respected information managers and MIS professionals are investing in Digital VAX.clusters as part of their information management solutions. And when they do, they're turning to INGRES to maximize return on investment They know that INGRES is the only relational DBMS designed to optimize VAX.cluster performance. Here's how:
Superior processing power and versatility.
INGRES harnesses the power in VAX.cluster architecture, turning it into a multi-processing database server for hundreds of concurrent users. Through the use of advanced caching, query optimization, and distributed lock management, INGRES gives DEC's top customers the peak cluster performance they need to drive a range of high powered applications as diverse as realtime shop floor control or the daily clearing of billions of dollars in financial transactions. Only INGRES fully leverages their VAX.cluster investment by supporting system expansion for years to come. Whenever additional capacity is required, they can simply plug another INGRES node into their cluster.
Production systems tolerant to a fault.
When it comes to reliability, the DEC Top 40 count on INGRES for data/ transaction integrity and fault-tolerant DBMS operation. Even if a node goes down, other cluster users go right on processing; INGRES automatically keeps the database consistent. INGRES takes full advantage of DEC features like disk shadowing to guarantee production systems are up and running when they're needed.

Award-winning 4GL development tools.

Now you can achieve the order-of-magnitude

increases in development productivity enjoyed by

DEC's top customers. INGRES makes it easy to

prototype applications, then implement across the

desired operating environments. INGRES even

protects investments in earlier generation language

programs. A rich set of host language interfaces

makes it possible to tie existing programs to

INGRES applications as you build them.

With so much going for it, plus support and

service that sets an industry standard all by itself,

it's no wonder so ma.ny top DEC customers like GE,

Kodak, and Citicorp depend on INGRES. To find

out how to put INGRES solutions to work in your

VAX.cluster, just send in the coupon and we'll

mail you a free information-packed report entitled

"Maximizing Vaxcluster Productivity with INGRES:'

Or for even faster action, call 1-800-4-INGRES.

ENTER 150 ON READER CARD

l !Yes I'd like more details on INGRES perfor:::ce. Please:

I D Send me my free report.

D Have a salesperson call me.

D I'd like to attend a free INGRES D I'd like to know more about the

I

semina r in my area.

INGRES sampler.

Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I

1

Company

I Title_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I Mailing address City

State

Zip·- - - -

I 1

1 Telephone

I

I I Mf;a~i~lttio~:~:IN!nG~eR~E~S~:~~~arkway

'1UnC9'_J Aiameda, CA 94501-9891

LJ - - - - - - - - - - Or call: 1-800-4-INGRES

113

j~ /l/~D1=~
II Relational Technology

INGRES Distributed DBMS for VAX/VMS, UNIX, MS-DOS, IBM VM/CMS, MVS.

DEC Top 50 from Computer Inte lligence Survey.

© 1987 Relational Technology

0

our new

It has been said that the video quality on most alphanumerics terminals doesn't even deserve a second look. Much less a fixed gaze. Unfortunately,
_~~~~~!!1~~~,~~we have toWaegrkeneo. w what
Tltouglti/Sprictdli.ktona/p!tonumtriatmninol, our600&rits poor video quality Can con display botlt bit-mapptdgraphics andfull-ftalufld ltxl. do to an operator's
productivity. And we also know that lost productivity can cost you more than any investment you make in terminals .
But until now, it was almost impossible to find good video at a good price. You had to choose between high-performance,

high-priced graphics terminals , and lower-priced, lackluster alphanumerics terminals.
Introducing the Visual 600 Series Integrated Image Display Station.* A new kind of terminal that combines text with graphics for an image so superior that your users will forget all
about things like poor resolution, flicker and edge distortion.
For about the same price as a regular alphanumerics terminal, it will emulate ASCII,
ANSI or VT220TMterminals, while displaying powerful bit-mapped graphics you would
One oftnebtJt t!tings about tlte 600 Series is tltat it is designedfor plug-and-play operation.

·

only expect from a dedicated graphics terminal. And we think its

integration of text and graphics will soon become the standard

for business computing. -

Besides relieving

terminal operators of

eyestrain, our new 600

Series was designed to

pug-in ''pmonolity module" tells the 600 &ritJ ..htlhtr to emulate a DEC, Wyse, Ttlroideoor you-name-it.

relieve distributors of inventory Strain.

The trick is something we call a plug-in personality module

that can change our basic terminal into a YT220, a Wyse 50 +

or almost anything. And VARs get an open architecture so they

can customize to their hearts' delight.

But don't settle for mere words. Look at our new 600 Series Integrated Image Display Station. Because nobody should look at a terminal through eyes like these.
For more information or to arrange a demonstration, call 1-800-433-0880 or write Visual Technology, P.O. Box 5505, Peoria, IL 61601.
VISUAL
DISPLAYS OF INTELLIGENCE

Corporate Headquarters: Visual Technology, Inc. , 1703 Middlesex Street. Lowell, MA 01851 ·Patent pending. VT220"' is aregistered trademark of Digital Equipmcm Corp.

ENTER 167 ON READER CARD

isk 1/0: Part 1

The role of the disk

..... By Moses Sun ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

storage subsystem in a

modern computing facility should never be

Challenge Of The

underestimated. Not only is it costly but it also has a great impact on overall system perform-

Disk Storage System

ance. For example, the price tag on a MICROVAX II with 5 MB memory, a 71 MB hard disk,

Integrator.

a 95 MB tape drive, and four serial ports is $21,280. The price tag on an RA81 drive is

$13,280. A MICROVAX II equipped with

Emulex's QD32 controller and a Fujitsu

America 2351 Eagle drive competes with the

VAX 11/780 equipped with an RA81 drive.

In recent years, improvements have been

made to the performance of the VAX architec-

tures. The VAX 8800 is capable of executing 12

million instructions per second (MIPS) com-

pared with one MIPS on the 11/780. The VAX

8800 memory cycle time is 495 ns for a 256-bit

read versus 800 ns for a 64-bit read on the

111780. The bus bandwidth of 8800 is 30 MBs

on memory interconnect (MI) compared with

13.3 MBs on synchronous backplane intercon-

nect (SBI) in the 11/780.

According to DEC, seek time and rota-

tional delay use 78% of the total transfer time

on the 11/780 to complete a disk transfer of

four to eight blocks. Therefore, a responsive

system requires minimizing the disk transfer

time, a challenge not only to the disk drive and co~troller manufacturers but also to the system

configurator, the system manager and the ap-

plication programmer.

Disk drive manufacturers have responded

to the need by producing faster, higher-

capacity and more cost-effective drives. The

CDC 9772, for example, has a 1330 MB (unfor-

matted) storage capacity, 16 ms access time,

and a 3.0 MB transfer rate. For high demand applications such as image processing systems, parallel transfer drives are available that ca11 transfer data as fast as 12 MBs.
The disk controller manufacturers have responded to the challenge by packaging more intelligence (i.e., advanced disk seek and rotational optimization algorithm, configuring, monitoring, tuning, and maintenance tools) and larger cache memory into the controller. As a result, the effective seek time has been reduced.
The challenge presented to the system designer is to build a balanced system meeting the application requirements. For example, a MICROVAX II equipped with a Digital RDxx drive isn't adequate for an 1/0 intensive environment. Because the Q-bus is capable of transferring 1-3 MBs, the RDxx can transfer only 625 KBs. On the other hand, a MICROVAX II equipped with Emulex's QD32 controller and a Fujitsu America 2351 Eagle drive that supports a 2.5-MB transfer rate would be appropriate. The ultimate goal of a system designer is a cost-effective computer system in which each component can perform to its potential.
The system manager must develop a better understanding of the disk 1/0 mechanism and the on-disk information structure (i .e., Files-11 disk structure) so that adequate memory caching is provided and an optimal disk structure is maintained. The application programmer must understand the mechanism of the file system, and design well-structured files so that the end users can enjoy good system performance. By understanding the disk storage system, the system integrator will be able to configure a balanced system. In a future article, we'll take a look at how the

90

DEC PROFESSIONAL

GET MORE OUT OF YOUR I

Control your space

Pinpoint bottlenecks

VDM catches the "disk demons" who are gobbling up your blocks. You get daily reports showing the blocks allocated to each user. Rapidly growing accounts are highlighted. lfyou're using quotas, VDM also shows you what percentage of quota each user has used up.
$495
Never run out
MINUTEMAN guards your free space. Once a minute, it checks how many blocks are free on each disk drive. If any drive has less than the minimum you've set, it recovers space by purging multiple file versions and deleting temporary files according to rules you 've specified . If space continues to decrease, it warns you and asks for help. With MINUTEMAN, you'll never run out of free space again.
$395
Twice as fast
GO moves you up, down and around VMS directories twice as fast as SET DEFAULT. It's simple, powerful and FAST. This is what the SET DEFAULT command should have been.
$195
~FREETRIAL Try any of our products on your system for 30 full days without cost or obligation.
~GUARANTEE If, within the first 90 days, you're not completely satisfied, simply return the distribution and we will refund all your money.

WATCH helpsyou manageyourVAX.Minute by minute, it shows howyoursystem is handling its load and where the performance bottlenecks are. WATCH screens are packed with key performance indicators. A potent VMS performance monitor.
$495
Eliminate waste
HITMAN frees up resources and plugs security leaks by killing idle processes. If a process remains idle longer than the time you selected, HITMAN eliminates it with or without warning. All "hits" are logged to the system console.
$395
What's going on?
SNITCH tells you when a particular user logs on, when a specific terminal is used, when a DIALUP login occurs, when a particular image runs and lots more. You can define your own "events" as well. A good SNITCH is invaluable. You'll wonder how you ever got along without one.
$395
VAXtoVAX
VtV moves executables and data files from one VAX to another over normal telephone lines. You can transfer your data interactively during the day or by batch at night when the rates are low.
$495
Call Alan Clifford at:
Jager Computer Systems
(403) 259-0700
VAX, VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation

ENTER 131 ON READER CARD

H

0

SDI*

s
T <:i;::::===

Intelligent

<i;:::SMD==::J>[Disk

MSCP

Controller

SM1J.E

On~

B

,__~~~~~___. SCSI

u

ESDI

s

IPI

*SDI - StandaRl Disk Interface
SMD-E - Enhanced SMD EDSI - Enhanced Small Disk Interface

SMD - Storage Module DM:e
SCSI - Small Computer System lnlerface IPI - lntaligent Ferlplleral Interface

Disk storage system architecture.

UDA50 KDA50 KDB50 HSC50

3 MBs 3 MBs 3 MBs 4 MBs

HSC70 4 MBs

RQDXx

NA

Drive Type

4 RAxx,8A482 UNIBUS

20

52

4

RAxx,SA482 Q.BUS

20

41

4 RAxx,8A482

Bl

20

42

24 RAxx,8A482 Bl.881.cMI

1000

256

via Cl

32 RAxx,8A482 Bl.881.cMI 2000

512

via Cl

4

ROxx,RXxx Q.Bus

NA

NA

DEC DSA disk controller characteristics.

UNIBUS CMI SBI Bl Cl

llO Bandwidth

CPU

3 MBs

MlcnM'X

1.2 MBs

1117xx.Bxxx

5 MBs

11/750

13.3 MBs

11/78x,86xx

13.3 MBs

8(2,3,5,7,ll)xx

UMBs

~

CMI - CPU MelllOly lntereonnect SBI - Synchronous Backplane llll8n:OnneCt
Bl - Bus lntan:onnect Cl - Computer Interconnect

Host bus characteristics.

system manager maintains it and the programmer develops more efficient applications.
Disk Storage System Architecture
The most advanced disk storage system implemented by DEC is called Digital Storage Architecture (DSA) . In DSA, an intelligent controller is used to interconnect the host internal bus and the disk drive (see Figure t). This architecture does more than add another smart controller to offload drive control from the CPU. DSA specifies the functionalities of the host computer software (device driver), the disk controller, and the disk drive and how they relate to each other. It also defines the interface standards and message format between these components.
The functions of the disk controller defined by DSA include: 1. Seek and rotational optimization 2. Data error checking and correction 3. Command buffering and prioritization 4. Data buffering 5. Self-testing 6. Bad block replacement and mapping 7. Logical to physical data mapping.
The command and data buffering capabilities enable the controller to balance the I/O bandwidth differences between the host bus, the controller, and the disk drive to sustain the continuity of the dataflow. The bad block replacement and mapping feature conceals any disk flaws from the host computer by remapping the bad block with a good replacement block. The data error checking and correction capability guarantees that error-free data will be provided to the host computer.
Several techniques are employed in the seek and rotational optimization: 1. The seek ordering technique minimizes the disk head movement by ordering the 1/0 requests so the closest seek request will be satisfied first. 2. Overlapped seeking technique, applicable to a single-controller-withmultiple-drives configuration, enables one drive to perform a data transfer

92

DEC PROFESSIONAL

DA23 eCardage with 8 Slot "CD" or· 022" Backplane
·Mounting for two 5.25" Peripherals e350 Watt Continuous Power Supply ·Control Console with Write Protect/Ready functions and
Audible and Visual Thermal Protection Alarm

DA523

~

· Cardcage with 12 Slot "CD" Q-Bus Backplane

·Mounting for five 5.25" Peripherals

e500 Watt Power Supply

·Control Console with Write Protect/Ready functions and

Audible and Visual Thermal Protection Alarm

1mm

DASO
·Mounting for four 5.25" Peripherals e50 Watt Power Supply for each drive ·Control Console with Write Protect/Ready functions ·Cooling System with Audible and Visual Thermal Protec-
tion Alarm
DA 80 and DA 90
·Mounting for 2 Peripherals side by side ·Standard Square F.dged or DEC styled front bezel ·Optional 270 Watt Continous Power Supply for 8" Drives
ENTER 226 ON READER CARD
-m1mm

11949 Sherman Road, North Hollywood, CA 91605 Phone: 818-983-1833, 800-272-3557 in CA, 800-423-2024 outside CA FAX: 818-503-0438 TWX: 910 499 4745

~ 2-6 Giltway, Giltbrook Nottingham, NG16 2GN, England
~ Phone: (0602) 385485 FAX: (0602) 389973 Telex: 378317

DEC, Q.Bus, CO, and 022 are reg191919d trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

while the other drives are seeking. 3. When multiple drives are on cylinder, the rotational position sensing technique enables the controller to service the drive whose heads are closest to the requested data sectors.

4. Segmented data transfer, another rotational optimization technique, allows a data transfer to start at any disk sector within the target sectors without requiring the head to rotate to the beginning of the target sectors. For example,

ST5CJ6 ESOI SCSI IPI SMD ESMO HSMD

2.418 Htll

Disk int.erface standard charact.eristics.

Drive
IWIO RA81 RA60 SA482 RD53 RD54

Access Tlme(ms)*

33.3

1.2

12t

38.3 50

2.2
1·

·

32.3

2.4MllllpRll

38

825 K8s

38.3

825 K8s

· access time · seek time + IOllltlonal delay

DEC disk drive charact.eristics.

2 RA81 + cabinet 912 MB 1o.s·

Sl93C + SOllSMD

controller

844 MB

38.3 ms 23 ms

2.2 MBs 2.4 MBs

Comparison of two configurations.

if the current head position is at sector three, a request for the data sectors zero to seven will be transferred in two segments, four to seven and zero to three.
Perhaps the most important function performed by the controller is the logical-to-physical data mapping. When the host driver requests a data block, only the logical block number (LBN) is given to the controller. The controller translates the given LBN to the physical location; that is, cylinder, track and sector, on the drive. With this feature, the host disk driver is freed from knowing the details of the. drive geometry cylinders, tracks and sectors; is able to control drives with different characteristics capacity and speed; and is easier to maintain.
The characteristics of the DEC DSA controllers are summarized in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the characteristics of their connecting bus. While DSA defines the functionality of the disk controller, the system communication architecture (SCA) delineates the communication framework between the host and the disk controller. Under SCA, the device driver is divided into two layers: a class driver (D UDRIVER) and a port driver (PUDRIVER,PADRIVER). DUDRIVER is a generic disk driver that can communicate with any DSA drives through a port driver. PUDRIVER controls the UDASO controller. PADRIVER controls the CI750/780 controller.
DUDRIVER uses message packets to communicate with the disk controller. The format of the message packet is defined by the Mass Storage Control Protocol (MSCP). Two types of message are defined by MSCP: the command packet specifying the command that needs to be executed by the controller, and the response packet which sends the completion status of the command execution to the host.
The disk interface standard specifies the physical connection, data channel, and handshaking signals between the controller and disk drive. These specifications enable a disk controller to control any drive that complies with the same standard, regardless of its speed,

94

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Introducing a New Image for DECnet DOSTM
Mainframe Graphics Through Your PC.

GrafpointTM, the leader in Tektronix terminal emulation software, announces support for DECnet DOS. With Grafpoint's TNEI'Myour PC can now be networked with host-based graphics programs.
Look To Grafpoint For The Widest Selection In Terminal Emulation Software
Grafpoint has a wide range of high-performance graphics terminal emulators, giving you a choice of Tektronix's 4105, 4107, 4109, or 4115 Terminals in asynchronous or local area network environments. Grafpoint's software transforms your PC and graphics card combination into a powerful graphics terminal, capable of supporting hundreds of mainframe graphics applications.
Discover The Latent Graphics Terminal In Every PC
With TNET, your networked PC will provide full Tektronix compatibility, plus the advantage of network communications speeds. PCs become powerful and versatile workstations for both standalone and host-dependant applications. Grafpoint's TNET offers graphics terminal emulation capability over networks such as Ungermann-Bass Net OneTM, Bridge EtherTerm TM,and now, DECnet.
You Can't Afford To Use Less Than The Best
Grafpoint's commitment to quality in products and customer support is second to none. Free updates and technical support for one year are just part of Grafpoint's comprehensive effort in providing support to you the customer, making Grafpoint the industry leader in high-performance terminal emulation.
Free 30-day Trial To learn more about TNET, or to arrange for a no-risk 30-day trial, call 1-800-426-2230, (408-446-1919 in CA).

JECnet DOS is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. :therTerm 1s a registered trademark of Bridge Communications Jrafpomt & TNET are registered trademarks of Grafpoint NET-1 is a eg1stered trademark of Ungermann·Bass. Im: Tektronix is a registered .rademark of Tektronix, Inc.

Yes, please send me your free terminal emulation guide on Grafpoint's high-performance Tektronix graphics terminal emulation software for PCs.
Name ________________ ____
Title _ ________ Company _______ Address ________ ___________
City __________ State ___ Zip _ _ __ Telephone _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ _~
(I GRAFPOlnT
- 1485 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, California 95129 1800) 426-2230 In CA 1408) 446-1919

1 Courtesy of PDA Engineering 2 Courtesy of SOAC 3 Courtesy of TEMPLATE 4 Counesy of Computer Associates International, Inc 5 Courtesy of Swanson Anylsis Systems. Inc.
ENTER 123 ON READER CARD

Control Data Corporation MPI Division 12701 White Water Dr. Minneapolis, MN 55343 (800) 232-1985
ENTER 460 ON READER CARD
Digital Equipment Corporation 146 Main St. Maynard, MA 01754-2571 (617) 897-5111
ENTER 461 ON READER CARD
Ernulex Corporation 3545 Harbor Blvd. P.O. Box 6725 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 662-5600
ENTER 462 ON READER CARD
Fujitsu America Inc. 3055 Orchard Dr. San Jose, CA 95134-2017 (408) 946-8777
ENTER 463 ON READER CARD
System Industries 560 Cotton Wood Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035 (408) 942-1212
ENTER 464 ON READER CARD
capacity, and physical size. Unfortunately, no single standard exists. DEC employs its own standard disk interface (SDI) but doesn't support the widely used storage module device (SMD) standard, an ANSI standard. Figure 4 shows the performance characteristics of current industry disk interface standards.
This presents a problem to the system designer when selecting the disk storage system, because he can't buy a SMD drive and expect it to work with the UDASO controller or the HSC50. A separate SMD controller or an SMD/SDI converter has to be installed to use the drive.
DEC's intention is to grab a major share of the peripheral market. If the cost/performance ratio is not a concern in your establishment, DEC can save you the time of shopping around (see Figure 5). But if cost performance/ratio

is an issue, check into some other options offered by the third-party vendors.
The other types of disk storage architectures implemented by Digital and third-party vendors are UNIBUS and MASSBUS disk storage systems. In both architectures, the host processor plays a major role in controlling the disk drives. In fact, the details of a disk drive are built into the operating system disk driver. Consequently, to upgrade and maintain a disk storage system is costly.
To keep up with the evolving disk controller and drive technologies without incurring massive costs in rewriting the disk driver, DEC invented DSA. In DSA, all the MSCP compatible controllers can communicate with the host generic disk driver. This feature enables the peripheral manufacturers to concentrate on producing better controllers and drives without worrying about which operating system they'll be connected to. Currently, the MSCP compatible products occupy 65 percent of the peripheral market.
Disk Storage System Integration
A system integrator must apply his understanding of disk storage system architecture to configure a cost-effective disk storage system. To do so, he needs two pieces ofinformation about the host system: the 1/0 bandwidth that's required by the application, and the connecting host bus performance characteristics.
Defining the 1/0 requirements of an application is a non-trivial task. This information may be obtained from the software vendor who furnishes the software, the programmer who developed the application or the VMS monitor utility.
The next step is to find controllers compatible with the system bus and performance characteristics. Because a variety of controllers is available, you must evaluate optimization techniques, error checking and recovery capabilities, the size of the cache buffer, the MSCP compatibility, the drive interface standard, the board size, the I/O bandwidth and the number of supporting drives.

The third step is to find drives that are compatible with the controllers you selected. The choice of selecting a drive is dependent on its capacity, 1/0 bandwidth, interface standard, mean time between failure, access time and physical size. The final step is to determine the cost/performance ratio of the potential configurations.
For example, suppose you were requested to upgrade an existing disk storage system to accommodate several applications that require 2 MBs throughput, 200 MB for code, and 500 MB for data. After examining the current system configuration, you find that UNIBUS, CM!, and CI (HSC50) are available on the host; two channels on HSC50 are still available for connecting disk drives; and one slot in an RA81 cabinet is available for mounting. Rule out both UNIBUS and CM! bus connections because UNIBUS supports only 1.2 MBs throughput and no MSCPcompatible controller is available for the CMI bus. The only possibility is the HSC50 .
You have the choice of buying a drive either from DEC or a third party. Because the capacity requirement is 700 MB, you would need two RA81 drives (456 MB each) and a separate disk cabinet, for a total cost of more than $28,000. Or, you could choose the System Industry's SI93C drive with 844 MB capacity or the Emulex SMDI with the large CDC drives, and use the existing cabinet. Figure 6 compares these two configurations. In this example, the third-party equipment would provide superior performance at lower price.
With an understanding of the basic system architecture, the system integrator can recognize the limitations and options when designing a system and make the best possible choices. -Moses Sun is a system manager for Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas.
ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 457 Medium 458 Low 459

96

DEC PROFESSIONAL

.I system accounting packages are not created equal.

Let GEJAC show you
the _,...___ difference.

Some system accounting packages look fine on the outside ·.. but their actual performance just doesn't measure up to VMS standards. And with others, their numbers just don't add up-they're flashy but not functional.
Then there's ARSAP-the one complete resource management tool that lets you do everything from overseeing your chargeback operation to capacity planning and performance analysis. And, you get the critical level of efficiency, reliability, and accuracy you require from a systems product.
How can you tell the difference before you buy? For starters, here are three questions to ask yourself about any system accounting package: · What language is it programmed in? (We programmed
ARSAP In MACR0-32 and FORTRAN-the most efficient, optimized higher level language available on VMS.) · What kind of user interface does it have? (With ARSAP, we give you familiar, powerful UCL-style commands with online help and wild card support.) · Will the company be around to support you? (We will! We have a proven ten-year support track record and we'll be here to support you in the future.)
We approach your system accounting problems from a systems orientation. That means you benefit from a soft-

ware design that looks like it came from DEC. And, whether you have a standalone CPU, network, or VAXcluster, ARSAP's the answer to your system accounting needs.
Get in touch with GEJAC todaY-because system ac-
- counting packages are not like peas in a pod. And you need
to find out the difference before you buy.
Yes! Show me the difference.

Name

Tille

Company

Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

DP Manager

These are the areas I'm most interested in:

D Chargeback

D Performance Evaluation

D D Capacity Planning

Project Accounting

D Resource Management D Other _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I have the following VAX/VMS systems:

#of Systems

Model Nos.

c 1917 GEJAC, Inc. ARSAP II I lrldem1rtc DI GEJAC, Inc. VMS 111 registered tndem1rtc ol Dlgllll Equipment Corporation.
ENTER 175 ON READER CARD

Mail to: GEJAC

8643 Cherry Lane

Laurel, MD 20707

Or call: 301-725-2500

DP1187

ACHING IN
ON RSTS/E

B y La urence F . Koolkin

The ability to cache both directory and data

information has been available under the

Make The Most

RSTS/E operating system for quite some time. By now, most RSTS/E sites with a technical

Of Your System

understanding of their operations probably are making as much use of caching as the drop-

By Allowing Mass Enabling Of Caching

ping cost of memory allows, but are they really? Often, a site's system startup command file (START.COM) will use the "SET CACHE/ALL"

For Selected Sets

command, and the system manager assumes that this will cause all opened files to be cached

Of Files.

by RSTS/E V9.3. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true!

A CAREFUL READING of the description of the . "/ALL" switch indicates that it " ... caches all read requests ... for a particular file depending on the file's UFD entry or the OPEN MODE specification." Unless application software is specifically coded to open a file in random or

sequential caching mode, or the file's directory entry has a caching flag set, that file will not be cached by RSTS/E. If there is a question as to whether an open file is being cached or not, simply check the characteristics of the open files for the job in question from another terminal (while the file is opened), using the SYSTAT utility and "/W" switch. Unfortunately, the DCL command "SHOW FILES/OPEN" does not show the required information. By using the "/W" switch, the open mode specifications are shown (see Figure t).
To see if the UFD entry for a file is flagged to perform caching upon open, use the DIR/ FULL command. If you are coding in BASIC under RSTS/E, you can open (either for INPUT or OUTPUT) a file with " MODE 256." for random caching, or "MODE 256. + 2048." for sequential caching, on a program by program basis.
Often, a system has many data files (or

*

··
I G U R· E·
. ..

,," · 'r · · "'·'"

....,,.. · i

'.J~llf"g'"lf1""',f0¥~:'';"~>il'il,t..,',,~t,.

.
"> ;

1 : ~ ~-~; · . »::· ,~~~_, ~ ·

'." ,

t
...

·
.

Open Files and jobs accessing them:

ORO: -- Fi le

Op/RR Size

ORO: [125,1 )ABCOE .OAT<60> 1/0

534

Job 4 Block 383

Rd, Wr, Rnd

ORO: [ 0,1 Job 2 Job 8 Job 4

]LOGIN . COM<104) 2/1

4

Block 2

Rd, Seq,

Block 2

Rd, Seq,

Block 2

Rd, Seq, RR

Clu Status 8
<-- Cached/Ran dom
shown by ' Rn d' 8
<-- Cached/Seq shown
by 'Seq'

98

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Introducing HP terminals for your DEC, IBMor ASCII system.

Into a world of sameness comes a world of difference.
Until now you could pick a terminal on price alone. Now you can pick a name. A name that stands for design and engineering excellence.
And still get a clone price. With all the reassurance of knowing that in consecutive Datapro surveys from 1982 through 1986, Hewlett-Packard users gave us top ratings in overall display terminal performance. That's the difference we make.
HP 700/22 for your DEC/ANSI system. VT220 compatible with VT220 keyboard layout; 4 pages of memory; choice of screen color including soft-white. (See next page for more.)
$575*
HP 700/71 for your IBM system. 3191 compatible with 3191 keyboard layouts ; 14" diagonal display with easier-to-read characters; choice of screen color. (See next page for more.)
$695*
HP 700/41 for your ASCII system. 9 emulation modes ; 14" diagonal display with easier-to-read characters ; full-function keyboard; choice of screen color. (See next page for more.)
$375*
Call 1800 752-0900, Dept. 304A
Call us toll-free for more information about the new HP 700 family of terminals. And for details of our introductory half-price offer on your first evaluation unit, call before December 31, 1987.
F//'OW HEWLETT
~~ PACKARD
* All prices U.S. list.

HP700/22 DEC VT220 Compatible Terminal
Compatibility Modes VT220 mode, 7-bit controls VT220 mode, 8-bit controls VTIOOmode VT52mode
Keyboard VT220 style 106-key layout Tuctile feedback
Ergonomics 14-inch anti-glare screen Green, amber or soft-white display Tilt and swivel Selectable 50, 60 or 72 HZ refresh
rates Front panel controls Detached adjustable keyboard
Additional Features 4 pages of display memory 80 or 132 column display 30 programmable function keys Easy setup menus RS232C and 20m current loop
interfaces 9-pin RS232C printer port
Other 1year warranty Jump or smooth scroll Compose character capability Nonvolatile memory for saving setup National language layouts available

HP700/71 IBM 3191 Compatible Terminal
Compatibility Modes IBM 3191 Models A and B, Display
Station IBM 3270 Information Display
System, coax connection
Keyboards IBM style 102 and 122 key layouts 24 programmable function keys for
application use Tuctile feedback
Ergonomics 14-inch anti-glare screen Green or amber display Tilt and swivel Front panel controls Detached adjustable keyboard
Additional Features Security lock and keys Automatic screen saver Easy setup menu
Other 1 year warranty Nonvolatile memory for saving setup
information National language layouts available
IBM 3191 Display Station and IBM 3270 Information Display products of International Business Machmes Corp. IBM is a registered trademark of Internat10nal Business Machines Corp

DEC VT220, VTIOO and VT52 products ofDig 1tal Equipment Corporati on DEC is a registered. trademark of D1gita1 Equipment Corp.

HP700/41 Entry Level ASCII Terminal
Compatibility Modes WyseWY-30 TuleVideo 905, 910+, 925E Lear Siegler ADM 3A, ADM 5 Hazeltine 1500 ADDS Viewpoint A2 Oume QVT-101
Keyboard Enhanced 106 key layout 16 function keys (32 shiftable) 58 programmable keys Tuctile feedback
Ergonomics 14-inch anti-glare screen Green or amber display Tilt and swivel Front panel controls Detached adjustable keyboard
Additional Features 2 standard RS232C ports Split screen capability Easy setup menus
Other 1 year warranty Variable smooth scrolling Copy and transparent print modes Nonvolatile memory saves setup,
programmed key info National language layouts available
WY-30 product of Wyse Tuchnologies Systems TuleVideo 005. 910+ and 925E products of TuleVideo Systems, Inc. ADM 3A and ADM5 products of Lear Siegler Corp Hazelone 1500 product of Espnt Systems. Inc ADDS Viewpomt AZ product of App~ecl Digital Data Systems. Inc OUME OVl'-101 product of Oume Corp

For more information, call 1 800 752-0900, Dept. 304A.

F//;'I HEWLETT
.:~ PACKARD

© Hewle tt-Packard Co. 1987 IS02726

tern

The Quality Control Tool You Won't Outgrow.

histograms, scatter plots, and more.
In fact. you'll find the SAS System a key decision support tool at every stage of production. Analyze manufacturing data using

See for yourself how the SAS System brings you higher productivity, lower production costs, and greater customer satisfaction. Just send us your name and address. Or call a Software Sales Representative today.

,.,.,...,

Gap ..... rFldth

,.............

Ana/ysI·S

everything from simple descriptive statistics to advanced methods
such as nonlinear regression. Produce reports for line workers, ::.. ~:· process engineers, and managers. Plan optimal production schedules. Manage inventories.

Better Quality Products
Begin with
the SAS System.
lflrf SAS Institute Inc. Box 8000 D SAS Circle Cary, NC 27511-8000 (919) 467-8000 ® Fax (919) 469-3737

It's easy to combine tools in the SAS System to meet

your changing information needs. We've even created a prototype

menu system to get you started.

Novice users can run

W hen quality counts, you can count on the SAS~ System...soft-

complete applications with just a few keystrokes, and your

ware that keeps you in control. programmers can tailor The SAS System gives you the sample applications.
a faster, easier way to put

statistical quality control in

action. And you don't have to be a programmer to use it! Easy-to-use procedures let you turn production data into powerful graphic presentations.

0 Send me more about
the quality control tools in the SAS<» System.
0 Include details about training. D Tell me other ways the SAS System can work in my company. 0 Call me to discuss a 30-day trial.

You can generate all basic types of Shewhart control charts, as well as cumulative sum and moving average control charts,

Please complete or attach your business card. Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
Title _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Organization _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Address------------------City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ ZIP _ _ _ __

The SAS System runs on IBM 370 /30 xx/4 3xx and compatible machines, Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX'" and MicroVAX II!" Data General Corporation's ECLI PSE~ MV series, Prime Computer, Inc.'s Prime 50 series, and the IBM PC XT and PC AT. Not all products are available for all operati ng systems. SAS is the registered trademark of SAS Institute Inc.. Cary, NC, USA. Copyright Cl 1986 by SAS Institute Inc. Printed in the USA.

Phone ( Machine

Operating System _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Mail to: SAS Institute Inc., Attn: CC Box 8000, SAS Circle, Cary, NC 27511-8000

DP1 187

large overlaid task images) that should be cached, but w on't be unless their UFD entries are flagged. By using the BASIC program given (see Program 1), any group (or groups) of files that can b e identified with the " PIP" utility and "/LI" switch can have their UFD caching flag set - in a mass update fashion! The program takes an output file created by using " PIP/LI", and creates a DCL command file. For each entry appearing in the " PIP/LI" output file (including specific disk and

PROGRAM 1.
I

I !CACHE . BAS - USE TO MN ON CACHING OH A CROU' OF SELECTED FILES; RSTS/E V9 . x

! l ! FOR USE ON A PRIVILEGED ACCOUNT THAT CAN EXECVTE DCL 'SET FILE' COMMAND

! l

! To Use :PIP xxx . DAT=[na,bbb]· . ???/Ll

!

RUN CACHE

It wi 11 ask for the . DAT file n·me, and create xu . COM

l

1

and uk whether to user RAH or SEQ each i ng switch . When its done,

!

si91ply enter ' Oux' to execute t he conmand file .

!l

!

You can do ·ultiple accts by PIP ux .OAT=(an,·)· . ???/LI,

or PIP ux . DAT={au,bbb) · . ???/LI, (ccc,ddd) · . ???/LI,

or specific disks only by PIP XIOl . OAT=DOn : (aaa,bbb)· . ???/LI , etc .

ll

'

100

extend

110

on error goto 1000

120

input ·xu . OAT fi lena111e from Oirectory·;OATS

\ goto 32767 if cvtU(datS , ~ 1~= 11

l

\ xl=instr(l",datS,· . ·)

l

\ datS=datS·· .DAT· if xl--OI

l

\ xl=instr(ll,datS, · . · ) if xll--OI

l

\ d=left(datl,xl-11()

l

\open datS for input as file 1"

l

! Open the · .DAT file with PIP/LI inforution

l

I

130

print 1 C0111111nd file being cre1ted is 1 +xS+ 1 .COM1

\ print

\open d+ 1 . COM 1 for output as file 2"

\ print 12",'l SET VERIFY' ! Cre1te the · .COM file and SET VERIFY to 1110nitor execut.ion of · . COM Fi le

!

140

input ·SEQ or RAN caching' ; typel

\ typel=cvtll (t.ypeS, -1")

\ cnt~

\ goto 140 if typeS()'SEQ· and t.ypeS<>'RAN '

\ if typeS= 1 RAN 1 then typeSz 11

e Ise typeS='=SEQUENTIAL1

! Which type of C1ching requested for this group of files?

!

150

input I ine fl",aS

\ xl=inst.r(l",aS, 1 [ 1 )

\ got.o 150 i f xl--OI:

! Find start of PIP/LI entries

160

';cctS=cvt.Sl (right(d , d--4"), 1"·2'1·-4"·81 ·161· 32ti·128")

! Extract account number wit.h disk specification

!

170

input I ine fl",aS

\ goto 150 if cvtSS (aS,-1")=11

\goto 170 if instr(l " , aS , 1 ( 1 )~

\print 12", 'S SET FILE 1 +1cc tS+cvtSS (left.(aS ,lot:),-l" )· ' /CACHE1 +typeS

\ cntlacnt"·l"

\ got.o 170

! Write out 1 'SET FILE .. ' entry to the · .COM f i le , go b1ck for 1110re

!

1000 !l

! - - - - - error hind I i ng - - - - -

!

1010 if erlzl20 then pr int chr S(7")· ' · Invalid Name or Cannot Find File ·

1020 1100 32767

\ print \ resume 120 ! Invalid input f i lenarne specific1tion ! if er I 1:150 or er I =170 then resume 32767 ! Bai I out when done with input file !
on error got.o 0 \ resUIMI 32767 ! Trap any une11:pected errors ! print
\print cnt" ;' entri es written t.o 1 +XS+ 1 . COM 1 \print 12",' S SET NOVERIFY' \ close 1", 21 \ end ! Fi nish up , SET NOVERIFY , then announce number of entries to be CACHEd !

UFD designators), the DCL command file will have an entry of the form:
$ SET FILE {disk :acct:fil ename}/CAC HE
or
$ SET FILE {disk: acct: filename}
/CAC HE= SEQ UENTIAL
For instance, if your system would benefit from random caching on all files with the extension "*.DAT" only on disk "DR1:", this can be accomplished quickly and easily using these four steps: 1. Log onto an account with this program available, and the appropriate privileges to perform a "PIP/LI" of the files to be cached and to execute the DCL "SET FILE ... " command upon those files. 2. Enter "PIP xx.yy =ORI :[*,*]*.DAT/LI" to produce the output list of files to be cached. 3. Run this program, specifying either SEQ or RAN caching for the group of files; its output is a DC L command file named
"xx.COM".
4. Enter "@xx" to actually execute the DC L command file, and enable caching on the group of files .
Any legal "PI P/LI" construction will work. If you need to set caching on more than one group of files at once, step #2 above could be the following:
PIP xx.yy = SY:[*,*)*.IDX,DB0:[99,*)ABC???.DAT, ...
Some of the RSTS/E V9.x utilities preserve the caching flags m a UFO entry ; be aware that "PIP" does not. Once the . caching flag has been turned on in the UFD, it will remain in effect for file opens until it is reset, or the file somehow is moved or copied by a utility that does not preserve this flag. The DIR and SYS commands described above may be used to check a file's status, if a question arises.
This article is not meant to be a treatise on the intricacies ofcaching's effects on system performance, or system tuning. Questions such as the optimal cache "/KEEP" time for a given site, disk versus cache cluster sizes, or ensuring that sufficient cache clusters are always available for directory caching (as opposed to data caching) are beyond the scope of this article. Instead, I hope it presents a few easily used tips on how to ensure that your system is at least "Caching in on RSTS/E." -Laurence F. Koo/kin is president of Systems Alternatives, Inc., Montpelier, Vermont.

ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card
High 486 Medium 487 Low 488

100

DEC PROFESSIONAL

tern
The Data Analysis Tool You Won't Outgrow.

Warehouse Inventory Report - 16JAN87

Quantity Quantity

Projected

on Hand on Order Reorder Oa te

For details, send us your name and address. Or call a Software Sales Representative today.

I f your job demands a powerful data analysis tool, the SAS®System is your solution. The SAS System gives you ready-to-use procedures for performing every kind of analysis-from simple descriptive statistics to advanced regression, analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, clustering, scoring, and more.
The SAS System reads data in any structure from any kind of file. You can create new variables, modify old ones, combine files, detect errors, and accumulate totals. Once your analysis is complete, you can report your results in lists, tables, charts, or plots.

360003 592653

123980 89450 20110
6565 15965 469120

10000 THU, FEB 12, 87 5000 FR I, FEB 20, 67 1000 MON, MAR 30, 67 0 TUE, FEB 10, 67 500 TUE, FEB 10, 67
20000 WED, FEB 16, 67

The SAS System. It's the most widely installed tool for data analysis among VMS users*... And more.

And as your needs grow, the SAS System grows with you. All the tools you need for color graphics, forecasting, modeling, ''what if" analysis, project management, optimization, and quality control are available in the SAS System. You choose the products you need, and enjoy the same easy-to-use language and syntax in each. Plus, you can use the same software on your personal computer.

l f l i SAS Institute Inc. SAS Circle 0 Box 8000 Cary, NC 27512-8000 (919) 467-8000
Fax (919) 469-3737

· Computer Intelligence, January 1986.

The SAS System runs on Digital Equipment Corp.'s VAX'" series minicomputers and workstations under VMS!"'as well as other mainframes, minicomputers, and personal computers.
SAS is the registered trademark of SAS Institute Inc.. Cary, NC, USA. Copyright Q 1987 by SAS Institute Inc. Printed in the USA.

mamaaa '"' Cooper~tive

I

I Marketing

Program

Rate

30

40

6

5o

6

60

3

6

10

4

7

4

6
8 5 ,5
9 6.5
10
7. o

0 33 66 83

DEC's VAX C

LET'S C NOW Compiler, Part 2

Rex Jaeschke

Editor's note: This month Mr. Jaeschke

continues his series on DEC's VAX C com-

piler. The topics he addresses include the

preprocessor and the ways in which VAX

C violates the VAX Standard Calling Sequence.

In my opinion, V2 .2 had a serious deficiency : The

preprocessor directives were required to begin in column I

of a source line. For a free-format language, not only is that

contradictory, but also it's arbitrarily restrictive. Surely it's not

that hard to ignore leading white space. What we need is the

ability to indent nested sets of directives as in:

# ; fdef VAXC #; fdef DEBUG
#end if
#· lse
#end ; f

V2 .3 carries on that tradition. Strangely though, it is permissible (in UNIX and ANSI tradition) to have white space between the # and the directive name - something that provides no utility and can lead to bad programming practices, since eventually someone is going to write something like:

# def;ne PI 3.1415926

#

define

MAX

23

#

define MIN

34

which is not easy to read. Give 10 programmers some room to move and they will find 10 different ways to represent the same data . Even the compiler-supplied headers are formatted inconsistently; some use one space, others none.

The #define Directive
Ifyou write complex macros, particularly those that reference other macros (which in turn reference other macros, etc.), you will appreciate the ability to display the macro expansion at each level using the compile- time switches /LIST/SHOW= INTERMEDIATE. This is essential when debugging macros since compiler error messages that result, or symbolic references from DEBUG, all relate to the preprocessed output, not the source as written.
For simple cases, defining macros in the compilation command-line is straightforward. However, macros with arguments or definitions containing literal strings usually require some head scratching. The main problem is DCL; it gets in the way. DCL insists on being case-insensitive for the most

part and since C treats macro names as case sensitive (as it does for all identifiers), this can be a problem. For example, /DEFINE= debug causes the macro DEBUG (not debug) to be equated to the value I. DCL converts debug to uppercase and
' ' If you write complex macros,
you will appreciate the ability to display the macro expansion at each level using the compile-time switches /LIST/SHOW INTERMEDIATE.
' ' passes it to the compiler. So if you really want a macro of the
name debug, you must use /DEFINE= " debug". Ifyou need to define a macro as being a literal string, you
need to specify and preserve extra sets of quotes. For example, /DEFINE= " VERSION= ""V2 .3""" has the same effect as # define VERSION " V2.3 ".
Again, we have to fool DCL. At a glance, it seems that it's impossible to have more than one /DEFINE switch on a command line, and that is the case. How then can we define more than one macro? That is done by extending the syntax of the /DEFINE such that it can handle multiple declarations. For example:
/DEFINE= ("DEBUG= 1" , ·CHAR= ·a ··)
is equivalent to:
#defi ne DEBUG 1 #define CHAR · · '
The VAX Standard Calling Sequence
Prior to the introduction of the VAX, DEC had a variety of operating systems and languages, each one invented by some group or other that seemed to go out of their way not to talk to each other. With the VAX, DEC decided to design the hardware and the operating system so that they complemented each other. They also intended that there be only one operating system for the VAX and that any language would be able to call any other language provided that the languages complied with the VAX Standard Calling model. They even added ex-

102

DEC PRO FESSIONAL

Announcing - the database

development system that

you designed.

TM

~ c»
c PROGRAMMERSWe asked what you wanted in a database development system and we built it!
db_VISTA III'" is the database development system for programmers who want powerful, high performance DBMS capabilities ... and in any environment. Based on the network database model and the B-tree indexing method, db_VISTA III gives you the most powerful and efficient system for data organization and access. From simple file management to complex database structures with millions of records. db_VISTA III runs on most computers and operating systems like MS-DOS, UNIX, VAX/VMS and OS/2. It's written in C and the complete source code is available, so your application performance and portability are guaranteed! With db_VISTA III you can build applications for single-user microcomputers to multi-user LANs, up to minis and even mainframes .

The db_VISTA nr Database Development System
a db_VISTA·1 The Hip Performance DBMS

The major features include:

· A runtime library of over 100 functions.

· Multi-user support for LANs and multi-user · Operating systems, MS-DOS. UNIX V,

computers.

XENIX, VMS, OS/2 .

· Multipk da1abase access.

· C Compilers: L2nice, Microsof1 . IBM .

· File and record locking.

Aztec, Computer Innovations, Turbo C.

· Automatic database recover)'.

XENIX, and UNIX.

· lhmsaction processing and Jogging.

· LAN systems: LifeNet, Ne1Ware, PC Net·

· Timcsramping.

work, 3Com, SCO XENIX-NET. orher NET.

· Database consistency check utility.

BIOS comparible MS-DOS nerworks.

· Fast access methods based on rhe network

fl da1abase model and 8-rree indexing. Uses

db_ QUERv,· The SQL-based Query.

both direct "set" relations and B-trec in- · Provides relational view of db_VISTA

dexing lndepcndenrly for design nexibiliry applications.

and performance.

· Structured Query Language

· An easy-to-use imcracth·c database access · C linkable.

urillry.

· Predefine quer)· procedures or run ad·hoc

· File transfer u1ili1ics for importingkxpon- queries "on the fly".

II ing ASCII rexr and dBASE 11/111 files .
· A Dalllbase Definlrion Language parrerned

dbJlEVISE·, The Dalllbase

afrer C.

Restructure Program.

· Virtual memory disk caching for fast

· Redesign your database easily.

database access.

· Converts all existing da1a to revbed design .

All components feature royalty-free run-time distribution, source code availability and our commitment to customer service. That's why corporations like ARCO. AT&T, Hewlett-Packard , IBM, Northwestern Mutual life, UNISYS and others use our products.

RAIMA'S COMMITMENT TO YOU: No Royalties, Source Code Availability, 60 days FREE Technical Support and our 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. Extended services available include: Application Development, Product Development, Professional Consulting, Training Classes and Extended Application Development Support.

HOW TO ORDER: Purchase only those components you need. Start out with Single-user for MS-DOS then add components, upgrade ... or purchase Multi-user with Source for the entire db_VISTA III System. It's easy... call toll-free today!

RELATIONAL DBMS

TABLE I

INDEX

TABLE 2

~A~'-8~'-C~'--- ~

Overhead

NETWORK MODEL DBMS... db_ VISTA"
rn~Rm

db_ VISTA out-performs relational DBMS's with direct

shown la black and darkaray.

~POINTER~

access to data and less data redundancy. Your applications run faster and more efficiently!

db_VISTA IIITM Database Development System

db_\llSTA Ill '" db_QUEA'f '" db_ l\f\llSE '"

s595 - 3960 S595 - 3960 S595 - 3960

db_ \llST/\'" File Manager

Starts at S195

We'll answer your questions, help determine your needs and get you started.

CALL TODAY!

·

1-800-db-RAIMA I I VISA

(that's 1-800-327-2462)

~ RAIM~
~ CORPORATION
3055 112th Avenue N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004 (206)828-4636 Telex: 6503018237MCIUW FAX: (206)828-3131

Convert©
YOUR VAX TAPE AREA
THE CONVERT TAPE UTILITY
ISTHE
SOLUTION
TO THE
EXCHANGE OF TAPES
BETWEEN
DEC & IBM
CONVERT CAN:
·CREATE & PROCESS STANDARD IBM LABELED TAPES
·PROCESS FILES FROM EBCDIC TO ASCII & ASCII TO EBCDIC
·TRANSFER PACKED & BINARY FIELDS ·READ OR WRITE VARIABLE & FIXED
LENGTH RECORDS
CONVERT HAS:
·ANSI-PRINT CARRIAGE CONTROL ·SPOOLING OF MULTIPLE FILES TO TAPE ·MULTI-REEL SUPPORT & SELECTED
TAPE DENSITY ·COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION ·DUMP FACILITY
CONVERT IS:
·RELIABLE ·ACCURATE AND FULLY SUPPORTED BY:
EDISON SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
Call Today
(201) 906-1321
OR WRITE
P.O. BOX 211 METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY 08840
*DEC & VAX are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corp. IBM, DOS, OS are trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc. Convert Tape Utility is a copyright of Edison Software Systems 1982 ALL RIGHTS Reserved.
ENTER 214 ON READER CARD
104

tensions to all their languages so that you can pass arguments by value, address and descriptor, as necessary. And, of course, the complete system services library immediately became accessible to every application program without requiring you to resort to assembler.
Before we take a look at how VAX C fits into that model, it's worth doing a quick refresher course on the VAX calling model. When control is passed to a subroutine, the argument list is pushed onto the stack along with the argument count in the form:

-I--------o---------I---n---I

!

·rgument. 1

-------·-r-g-u-m-e-n-t-. --2 -------I

·rgu··nt. 3

I

argument. n
The argument count n is an unsigned byte in the first byte of the argument list. The maximum number of arguments, therefore, is 255. The high-order three bytes in that first longword are reserved by DEC for future use. Each argument on the stack takes up a longword and may represent either a value, the address of a data object or piece ofexecutable code, or the address of a descriptor.
If n is 10, the stack frame contains the count longword and to longword arguments. If n is zero, the frame contains only one longword, that for the count. Therefore, the maximum size of the call stack is 255 longwords, which one might think is big enough, and it is. Since every argument passed by the VAX languages fits nicely into a longword, the number of arguments actually passed in the program matches n , and hence, the number of longwords on the stack.
Now to the C specifics. VAX C violates the VAX Calling Sequence in two ways: one involving double-precision arguments, the other, structures. What exactly does violating the calling sequence mean, and why do we care? After all, DEC broke its own rule since it implemented VAX C so one presumes it isn't too serious. Serious? No. Restrictive? Maybe.
First, the floating-point case:

f () {
double d; g(.ld);
d = sqrt.(1 . 2);
}
The function g is called with one argument: the address of the double variable d. Because all object addresses are 32 bits, this fits nicely in one longword; n is 1 and the argument list has two longwords. The call to sqrt is a different matter. Because all floating-point constants have type double, and scalars are passed by value, the constant 1.2 is passed to sqrt by value as a double. A double normally is stored using the D floating-point representation, which is eight bytes long.

DEC PROFESSIONAL

(When the /G_FLOAT compile-time switch is specified, a double object is represented using the G floating-point type. However, this type is still only eight bytes long - it just uses a different number of bits for the exponent and mantissa.)
How is this eight-byte value represented on the stack because the VAX calling sequence requires that each argument fit into a four-byte longword? The value is represented as two longwords. It violates the VAX calling sequence. The other interesting thing is that now the argument count is two (one

' ' In recent years, the C language has
been extended to allow the passing of
structures (and unions) by value. That is, f(str); and f(&str); are different.

' ' for each longword in the double value) and the stack frame
contains three longwords. While n is two, only one argument was passed in the C code. Now we see that n is actually the number of physical arguments Oongwords) on the call stack, not the number of actual Oogical) arguments used in the programming language. For C, these two values may be different. (FORTRAN always passes REAL*S arguments by address and a pointer always fits in a longword.)
Now to the second case, that involving structures; specifically, the passing of structures by value:
struct big { int tab Ie [255];
};
main() {
struct big st.;
print.f("Calling testl with stack of 255 longwords\n") ; hst.1 (st); }
testl (arg) struct big arg; { }
S CC PROO S LINK PROO S RUN PROO Ca I I i ng test.l with stack of 255 Iongwords
In recent years, the C language has been extended to allow the passing of structures (and unions) by value. That is, f(str); and f(&str); are different. Because a structure has no theoretical limit on its size, this can cause problems. How is the stack set up in the above program? Let's look at a fragment of the code generated by using the compile-time switches /LIST/MACHINE:

testl (st);

subl2 movc3
cal ls movl ret

#1020,sp #1020,-1024(fp), (sp)
#265,lESTl #1,rO

/· a I I ocate auto st ·/ /· push st onto stack ·/ /· ca I I testl ·/ /· s etup return value ·/ /· return from main ·/

NOVEMBER 1987

Q-BUS MASS STORAGE:
UP YOURS!

11/23 11/53 11/73 11/83
MICROVAX

WINCHESTER FLOPPY TAPE
INTERNAL EXTERNAL

CUSTOM OR STANDARD
ZOLTECH DELIVERS
Zo ltec h offers th e latest contro ller and drive tec hnology. co mbin ed w ith our mod ular chassis design, to bring ym1 th e most versa til e and cost effecti ve Q- Bus mass sto rage subsystems. U se one of o ur standard pac kages or let us build your spec ial system. W e ca n provide th e exact configurati on you need - at a standard cost and with fast d eli very. W e offe r all th e stand ard DEC emul ati o ns (M SC P, TSV, TM SC P, RL, RX) with th e highest storage ca pac ities (to 1200mb) and data transfer rates (>S OOkb/s). Configurati ons range from ba re drives and contro llers to completely assembled and tested turnkey subsystems.
Call or write today for our latest catalog and price list.

®

7023 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406 USA

(818) 780-1800

Telex 755451

Representative and dealer inquiries are invited.
11 / 23, 11 / Sl, 11 173, 11 183 and MICROVAX are trademarks o f the Digital Equipment CorporatH>n.

ENTER 225 ON READER CARD 105

The structure contains an integer array of 255 elements; each four bytes long. Therefore, the size of the structure is 255 longwords, or 1,020 bytes. As we can see, code is generated to move 1,020 bytes from the automatic variable st to the stack. Then the function testl is called with the argument count set to 255. That is, n, the argument count, is set to 255 to indicate that the stack frame contains the 255 longwords of arguments. So even though only one argument is passed in C, 255 (longword) arguments are on the stack. In short, the stack is filled completely with only one argument.
Let's prove that the stack really is filled:
struct big { int table(255];
};
main() {
struct big st;
pri ntf ("Ca 11 i ng testl with stack of 255 longwords\n"); tostl (st) ; pr i ntf (l'Ca I Ii ng test2 with stack of 256 Iongwords\n"); test2 (st, 100) ;
testl (arg) struct big argj { }
test2 (argl, erg2) struct big argl; int arg2; { }
%CC-E-ARGL!STOOLONG, Function reference specifies an argument I ist whose length exceeds the VAX architecture I imit. At I ine number 12 in DUBS' [INTR09]STACK.C;2.
Because the compiler always knows the size of an object at compile time, it detects that the argument list we are passing to test2 is 256 longwords (255 for st and 1 for the int constant 100) and as we have seen, the stack can only hold 255 longwords of arguments besides the count longword. Therefore, the compiler informs us that we can't do what we want. We have violated the VAX calling sequence; however, this time it's fatal.
The limitation is that we can't pass structures or unions by value if their size is more than 1,020 bytes. More generally stated, the restriction is that the sum of the sizes of all of the arguments AFTER WIDENING can't exceed 1,020 bytes. The number of arguments actually present in the function call has little bearing except that it obviously can't exceed 255.
Apart from these (minor) restrictions, what's so bad about violating the VAX calling sequence? Doing so means that you can't call most other languages and pass them doubles or structures by value; they simply have no syntax to allow you to map into them on the stack frame. You must pass them by address. Of course, you can handle just about anything in MACRO (and possibly in BLISS as well) but for the high-level languages, it's not possible using native data types. For this reason, C has to have its own math library because most of the math functions expect to receive double arguments to be passed by value.
I stated "the total size after widening" for two reasons. As you know, certain types in C always are widened when passed to a function by value. The rules are that char and short

are widened to int, and float is widened to double. For char and short arguments, this means that they always occupy a longword on the call stack, just as an int does. The upper bytes in char and short arguments are wasted. When a float is widened to a double, four bytes of zero bits are added to the mantissa.
The second reason has to do with the other way that you can pass an argument with a size other than a multiple of four
It's obviously cheaper to copy n bytes to the stack than it is to copy n + 1;
so the smaller the object to be copied, the cheaper the copy.
' ' bytes: structures and unions by value. Consider the case where
we pass two five-byte structures by value, one after the other. How much stack space is used and what is the argument count stored inn?
Another reality of the VAX calling sequence is that each argument on the call stack must begin on a longword boundary. Therefore, the first five- byte structure is copied to the stack where it occupies two longwords. The upper three bytes in the second longword are unused. The second five- byte structure then is pushed on to the stack in the same manner. The result is that four longwords are used and n is set to 4.
So while the maximum size of the call stack is 1,020 bytes, it really should be thought of as 255 longwords because we could not fit 204 five-byte structures there. (This would re-
quire 204 * 8 = 1,632 bytes.) Nor could we fit four 255-byte
structures because each would be aligned on the next longword boundary and would require 1,024 bytes in all, four bytes more than are available.
Just what is the cost of passing by value anyway? If it's too expensive, then the whole problem might go away. It's obviously cheaper to copy n bytes to the stack than it is to copy n + 1; so the smaller the object to be copied, the cheaper the copy. Whether the cost is appreciable depends on the speed criteria of your program, but for most applications it probably won't matter. The only restriction then is that you can't pass a structure or union larger than 1,020 bytes, by value and that's probably a restriction we can live with. After all, all the other VAX languages do. And you always can pass these large objects by address, allowing even the largest structures to be accessed.
The only impact this has on the proposed ANSI Standard

106

DEC PROFESSIONAL

MCBNs.
MCBA makes the transition to computerized operations easy. With MCBA's modular manufacturing software system, you can install just what you need when you need it. Handle key areas first, add more of MCBA's 18 integrated manufacturing, distribution, and accounting software modules* when you're ready. One step at a time. Without disrupting your whole operation.
A leader in the business for over a decade, MCBA has software that's field-proven. MCBA's full MRP II system is at work in over 500 job shops and repetitive manufacturing environments. And MCBA's accounting and distribution packages boast close to 25,000 users worldwide.
Put it all together, and you have a powerful, integrated system that can give you increased visibility and control of your operations. With comprehensive reports and easy data access.
MCBA's Manufacturing System is available for.PDP*-1 ls and the full VAX* line. And MCBA provides source code,

so customization to your special needs is simple.
Why not make computerization easy on yourself? For FREE information, mail us the coupon, or call the MCBA office nearest you.** Reseller inquiries are invited.

Please send me FREE information on MCBA's manufacturing software for D VAX COBOL; D DIBOL*.

Name - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Title - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I C o m p a n y - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Address - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

City

State _ _ ZIP _ _ __

Phone ( - - )

Best time to call - - ·

D End User; D Software Reseller; D OEM; D Consultant.

Hardware in use

Number of DP staff _ _ __

Mail to: MCBA, Inc., Dept. A 425 W. Broadway
SSoolfutwtioanres DP1187 Glendale, CA 91204-1269

that Mean Business Thl

**Headquarters: 425 W. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91204-1269. (818) 242-9600 **Branch Office: 120 Wood Ave. S., Suite 300, Iselin, NJ 08830-2709. (201) 548-6600
(Currently serving MS, TN, AL, SC, GA, FL, NC, VA, NY, NJ, DE, MD, DC)
*MCBA's Manufacturing System Modules: Accounts Payable,Accounts Receivable,Bill of Material Processor,CapacityRequirements Planning,Customer Order Processing, Fixed Assets and Depreciation, General Ledger, Inventory Management, Job Costing, Labor Performance, Master Scheduling, Material Requirements Planning, Payroll, Purchase Order and Receiving, Report Writer, Sales History, Shop Floor Control, Standard Product Costing, and Standard Product Routing. (Call for package availability.)
Copyrighl O1987 by MCBA, Inc. All righ~ rescrl'ed. MCBAe is a regisiered 1rademarkand Scf1warc Sclu1ions that Mean Business'"is a1rademark of MCBA. Inc. VAX'"is alrademark and PDP8 and DIBQL9 are regislered lrademarks ofDigital Equipmenl Corp.
ENTER 136 ON READER CARD

is that it must say that the maximum size of a structure or union that may be passed by value is implementation-defined. The VAX is allowed to live on.

Returning Structures And Unions By Value
Another recent addition to the C language is the ability to have
functions with structure and union return types as well as pointer to structure and pointer to union types. While sup-
port for these places some burden on the implementer, it's nowhere near that of passing them by value.
As well as having a standard calling sequence on the VAX, we also have a standard value returning sequence. If a func-
tion's return value fits in 32-bits, it is returned in register RO. If it is representable in 64-bits, the register pair RO and Rl are used. Ifonly eight bytes are available how then can we return a structure of 48 bytes, for example, by value? Let's look at
a program that returns a 48-byte structure by value:
atruct tag { ;nt ;c10]; double d;
};
void f() {
struct tag strl, str2; struct tag g () ;
str2 = g (st.rl) ;
}
struct tag g(arg) struct tag arg; {
r"eturn (arg); }

Now let's look at a fragment of the code generated by using the compile-time switches /LIST/MACHINE.

str2 = g(strl);

subl2
movc3 pusheb cal la
movc3

#48,sp #48,-lOO(fp), (sp) -148(fp)
#13,C #48,-148(fp) ,-52(fp)

struct tag g(srg) st.ruct tag arg;
.entry g,·m<r2,r3,r4,r5> subl2 #4,sp { return (arg} ; 111<>vc3 f48,8(ap) ,04(ap) ret
>
The key to the question lies in the instruction "calls #13,G".
The size of the object being passed into g is 12 longwords (an
array of10 longwords and a double of two longwords.) Why then is the argument count on the stack set to 13? What is this
extra longword being used for? As to what is being pushed,
it's the address of a data area by using the instruction "pushab
-148(fp)". Specifically, it's the address of a temporary 48-byte
structure the compiler created on the stack. This is not one of the two auto 48-byte structures we declared:
Then when the return statement is encountered in func-
tion g, the 48-byte structure to be returned is copied to the
location on the stack whose address was passed as the extra argument. When control returns to the calling function f that

48-byte temporary is copied to the structure str2. The reason it has to be done as a two-step process is that C functions are
not obliged to use the value returned to them by a function. Therefore, g could not copy directly into str2, because str2 need not exist and iff and g were compiled separately, g would have no way of knowing whether its return value was being used or not. By copying the return value on the stack that
' ' Another recent addition to the C language is the ability to have functions with structure and union return types as well as pointer to structure and pointer to union types.

' ' value can be accessed easily by the caller if it needs it, and if
it doesn't, then the temporary copy will be deleted when the

caller returns to its caller.

In short, the registers RO and Rl play no part in returning structures and unions by value. (Note though, that structures and unions less than or equal to eight bytes could be passed back in these two registers.) The return value is passed back via the extra argument the compiler added to the call list. Because of this, the VAX architecture places no limit on the size of a structure or union that can be returned by value.
Having deduced this, let's refer to the VAX architecture documentation regarding what it says happens when a return value is larger than 64 bits. "If the function value cannot be represented in 64 bits, the source language list of arguments and formals is shifted by one and the first formal in the argument list is reserved for the function value." And that's exactly what C does.
There is one subtle impact of this extra argument. When it's created by the compiler, it limits the actual user-supplied calling argument list to 254 longwords instead of 255.

Therefore, the following program will not compile:

st.ruct big { ; nt tab 1e [255];
};

main() {

st,.uct big st,.l, str2; struct big g();

str2 = g (strl) ; }

The reason the compiler would complain is that it needs a stack with 256 longwords for arguments, 255 for the structure and one for the address of the temporary return value that the compiler itself generates. The program would compile if the size of the structure were reduced to 254 entries.
Readers are encouraged to submit any C-related com-

ments and suggestions to Rex Jaeschke, 2051 Swans Neck Way,

Reston, Virginia 22091.

·

108

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Looking For A

FELD
SERVICE

Digital Multimeter?

Ron Levine

You have been

making deci-

sions all of

your life: The

light is yellow. · "Don't Walk" is flashing.

· Should I stand here or risk running
across? · If I drink a diet soda instead of a

malt, can I get away with eating the burger
and fries? · If I don't understand the joke,

should I laugh anyway?

In the case of buying the right

tools, the decision isn't easier. The digital

multimeter dilemma is a prime example.

Besides the oscilloscope, the digital mul-

timeter (DMM) is one of the most often

used pieces of electronic test equipment.

This fact has drawn a large number of

manufacturers into the marketplace,

each with its own combination of fea-

tures, quality, and price. And each year

the cost per feature in DMM units goes

down.

The design of the DMM is evolv-

ing continually to reduce operator er-

rors, increase accuracy and improve res-

olution. And some DMMs now can

measure the surface or ambient temper-

ature of !Cs, transistors or mechanical

components. Many are even able to

measure capacitance and frequency, and

test continuity and diodes. This, of

course, is in addition to measuring

AC/DC voltage, current, and resistance

- the main purpose of these versatile

instruments.

Unfortunately, because none of the

devices on the market excels in all areas,

you must evaluate your particular situ-

ation and needs in order to find the

DMM best suited to your applications.

Not only do the features vary, but so

also does the ruggedness, ease of use, ac-

curacy, and over-all quality (and also the _ manufacturer's reputation and warranty).
We'll be looking at the "standard" units; i.e., those suitable for normal field service use, the heavy- duty ones built to last under grueling conditions, and the lower priced models. A lower price doesn't necessarily mean less service. Because some ofthe higher priced units <;mphasize durability or a few specialized features, the lower priced ones may provide more functions and features that an FE uses on a daily basis.
Selecting The Right DMM
Knowing the right questions to ask when choosing a DMM is important. Ask yourself how the DMM will be used, how often, to measure what, and where. Only then can you select the one that's best for you. The following is a

summary of the various categories of DMMs from which to choose: 1. Standard Units - Though not as rugged as the heavy-duty models, the standard units are made to withstand normal daily field service use. They usually are bench type or hand held and have more functions than the heavyduty DMMs. Even without ideal lighting conditions, these units are easy to read. Standard units are accurate and sell for $40 to 360.
Is a standard DMM right for you? Ask yourself, "Am I going to be using my DMM frequently, but not in a situation dangerous to the equipment, such as near moisture or dust?" You can depend on the standard model to provide years of service while withstanding occasional bumping, jarring and quite a bit of handling. An FE who services office-

The Fluke 77 multimeter is a convenient size for carrying in the fuld. Lead connections also are configured for ease
of use.

110

DEC PROFESSIONAL

type accounts will do well with a standard unit. 2. Heavy-Duty Units - A rugged, water-tight casing makes these models ideal for coping with situations where you'll encounter liquid spills, dirt,
' ' Knowing the right
questions to ask when choosing a DMM is important.
' ' smoke or where it might be dropped off
a desk or counter, or slammed around in a toolbox or briefcase. They are in the same price range as the standard units because "survivability" is traded for other options, though most have higher overload protection and are more easily serviced than their standard counterparts.
How do you know if this type is for you? Consider your situation: Will you be travelling frequently, subjecting the unit to airport baggage carousels, the hot and bumpy trunk of a car, or the jamming of subway crowds? Is this DMM going to be used in an environment involving moisture, like in a boiler room or factory where there might be steam? Will it be used where water and other liquids might be spilled, like in an office, near hanging plants, or even outside? If the answer is yes to any of these, you might seriously consider buying a heavy-duty model. 3. Lower Priced Units - Most units priced below $80 are not made in the United States, but may be sold by foreign or American companies. They are typified by their small, compact size (pocket sized), and may contain specialized functions . Note, however, that they're usually less accurate than the two categories of DMMs above, and many buy the lower priced models as throw aways to discard after having been ex-

The Circuitmate DM71 multimeter is a hand-held pen-type multimeter f rom Beckman Industrial Corporation.
The size and features ofthe Simpson Model 462 multimeter offer maximum versatility for work on the bench, in the field or on the line.

NOVEMBER 1987

111

posed to an electrical overload or after being dropped.
These units are largely unrepairable. "Will I be using my DMM infrequently or am I buying one especially for a feature that's needed only occasionally? Am I going to be using the unit carefully in an environment where it's unlikely to be damaged?" If so, a lowcost unit should serve your needs.
Desirable Features
Most DMMs can handle the basics measuring AC and DC current, AC and DC voltage, resistance (ohms), and checking continuity. Special features include the ability to measure frequency and capacitance, monitor temperature on a logic or mechanical circuit or component (surface) or in the air (ambient), and test diodes. Also, some include functions

like data hold (allowing the freezing of measurements) and peak hold (allowing the freezing of high-point readings) in which the probe can be removed and the results maintained for later recording. Most DMMs offer only two or three of these special features. The following is a detailed description of the more desirable ones: 1. Display - The most common is called the 3'h digit display, actually showing four digit readings (because the first digit can be only a 0 or a 1, it's considered " 'h "). On some models a 4112 -digit display (again O or 1 only as the first digit) is provided. When buying a DMM , check for easy readability. We recommend that you tilt the unit to see if it's readable at an angle and ask about the availability of a high-contrast display that many find easier on the eyes. You also might look for a DMM with a recessed display to better protect against scraping and scratching of the surface.

If buying a lower priced model, check for last digit bounce - when the last digit doesn't settle but fluctuates around its true value. We found it very annoying. Note that the display's resolution factor, determined by the combination of the number of display digits and the number of ranges ofeach function, is the smallest number that will appear on the display. 2. Switches - Push button and rotary switches are the two main types on the market. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Push buttons (or the slide type) usually require more complex DMM setup and can be hard to use until you're familiar with the unit. They can make life easier when your hands are full, however, because they're easier to use than the dial type (wouldn't you rather have a push-button phone?).
Rotary switches, however, can be

tu

DEC PROFESSIONAL

easier to use in the beginning because they need fewer decisions and steps to set the meter. We found both the type that uses a single switch to select the range, function and turn the meter on/off, and those that use a dual rotary setup. The disadvantage of the rotary switch DMMs is that conductive "filings" tend to build up between contacts (due to the rotary contact method), thus creating a path for high-voltage current. Another drawback is that rotary switches tend to wear out faster than the push-button or slide types. 3. Outside Case - The heavy-duty types are made ofimpact resistant plastic and, as mentioned before, are made to withstand most "reasonable" wear and tear and spills. I wouldn't throw one over Niagara Falls and expect it to live, but I wouldn't worry if it fell from the top of my car on a misty day. It also might be wise to buy a DMM with a casing made from self-extinguishing plastic in case of fire. 4. Safety - Accidental contact with electrical components (even when

working with low voltages) is to be avoided. Make sure that the meter you buy has protective sleeves around the banana plug and that the jacks are recessed. Also, it's preferable that the test leads have finger guards. Some also have a serrated surface to help guard against forward finger slippage. 5. Location Of Fuses - Don't wait until a fuse blows to find out how hard or easy it is to change. Look for a DMM with fuses located in plain view when the meter is opened, one that uses a size that's easy to find (and preferably not ceramic because these can't be visually checked), and if possible, buy a unit containing a place to store a spare. 6. Arrangement Of Lead Connections - The grouping ofthe connections can make troubleshooting easier if it's done in a logical way. Avoid having to switch leads often when taking measurements. It's easier to use if the volts and ohms (the two most common measurements) are measured from the same socket instead of the amps and ohms. 7. Location OfBattery - As with fuse

location, this isn't one of the most important features, but one of convenience. We recommend a DMM with a battery compartment rather than one in which you have to open the back of the DMM and expose the working components to reach the battery. This may not be available on some heavy-duty models, however, because of the concern for water tightness. 8. Stand Or Tilt Bail - This device is attached to the casing and is used to stand the DMM on the desk, bench or wherever you're working. This helps position the meter for easy reading and frees both hands. 9. How Correct Is The Measurement? - There's a wide range of accuracy between models; what you need depends on your particular application. For AC measurements, there are two methods used: RMS and average.
If exceptionally accurate measurements ofthe various types ofwaveforms (e.g., square waves, sine waves, etc.) commonly encountered when working with triac, SCR, and digital circuits are

Companies Mentioned In This Article

AW Sperry Instruments 245 Marcus Blvd. Hauppauge, NY 11788 (516) 231-7050
BNTl!R 418 ON READER CARD
B&K Precision 6460 W. Cortland St. Chicago, IL 60635 (312) 889-8870
ENTEll 419 ON READER CARD
Ballentine Labs P.O. Box 97
Boonton, NJ 07005
(201) 335-0900
ENTEll 420 ON READER CARD
Beckman Industrial Corp. 630 Puente St. Brea, CA 92621 (714) 671-4800
ENTEll 421 ON READER CARD
Black Box Corp. P.O. Box 12800 Pittsburgh, PA 15241 (412) 746-5500
ENTEll 422 ON READER CARD
Heath Zenith Co. Hilltop Rd. Saint Joseph, Ml 49085 (616) 982-3200
ENTER 423 ON READER CARD
Hewlett-Packard 1820 Embarcadero Palo Alto, CA 94303 (915) 857-4161
ENTJ!ll 424 ON READER CARD

John Fluke Mfg. P.O. Box C 9090/MS 250C Everett, WA 98206 (206) 347-6100
ENTER 425 ON READER CARD
Misco Inc., Computer Supplies 1 Misco Plaza
Holmdel, NJ 07733
(201) 946-3500 (800) 631-2227
ENTEll 426 ON READER CARD
Pioneer Instrument 4800 E. 131st St. Cleveland, OH 44105 (216) 587-3600
ENTER ·27 ON READER CARD
Simpson Electric Co. 853 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120 (312) 697-2260
ENTER 428 ON READER CARD
Time Motion Tools 410 S. Douglas St. El Segundo, CA 90245 (213) 772-8170
ENTER 429 ON READER CARD
Tool Kit Specialists Inc. 1366 Borregas Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (408) 745-6020
.BNTllll 430 ON READER CARD
'Iliplen Corp. One 'Iliplett Dr. Blufton, OH 45817 (419) 358-5015
ENTER 431 ON IU!ADlill CARD

required, an RMS meter is a must. Though some standard models use
the average method, it's mostly found in the lower priced units. This method is accurate only for pure sine waves because the analog-to-digital conversion is done by sampling at predetermined intervals. 10. Continuity Check Indicators LEDs and audible beeps are the two types ofcontinuity check indicators that we found . In the case of beeps, a tone is heard when the test is positive (useful for circuit checking without having to

continually look at the DMM). We recommend this type beeper over the type that leaves the tone on continually while continuity is maintained. Besides draining the battery, we vote it the DMM most likely to be thrown out the window. Try one in the store and see if you don't agree.
The LED type of indicator, of course, only helps if you're looking at the meter. A positive continuity test is indicated by a light, or sometimes a special symbol. 11. Bandwidth - We found that you can choose anywhere between to Hz and 40 KHz. Because this is so de-

pendent on your application, however, we're not making any bandwidth recommendations. 12. Protecting Against Overload This is an important feature, especially if using the DMM for power supply measurements. The amount ofoverload protection governs the amount of voltage capacity to which the meter can be exposed. Some DMMs provide overload protection for all ranges and functions, while others only warn of an overload condition. 13. RF! Shielding - This is useful in keeping readings accurate in a high RFIgenerating situation. 14. Size -The smallest units we found are the probe type, shaped like a pencil (or tire gauge). These are carried easily and are helpful when taking measurements in out-of-the-way or hardto-reach spots. The pocket-calculator size also is portable and convenient. This size is more durable and provides a higher resolution than the "tire-gauge" sized DMMs.
These are small tools and aren't made for rugged use. The larger meters (pocket-calculator size) have internal supports and sturdier cases for extra protection. Unless you'll use your DMM infrequently or have a need for one that only can be used to probe in hard-toreach spaces, one of the larger units may be preferable. These are designed for everyday field service situations.
Of course, if you need a DMM that can withstand a particularly hazardous or rough environment, you can be fairly safe with a heavy-duty unit. This type still can be hand-held and convenient. 15. Manufacturer's Warranty - Look for a warranty covering more than just defective parts and workmanship. We found that there are warranties that cover accidental exposure to high voltages and accidental misuse, such as being dropped . Of course, any compo-

114

DEC PROFESSIONAL

nent problem, other than those caused by outright abuse, should be covered by the manufacturer. 16. Service - Even the most rugged units need service sometimes. Before
' ' We found that there are warranties that cover accidental exposure to high voltages and accidental
misuse, such as being dropped.

' ' buying a DMM, ask these questions:

a. Who can service it and where?

b. Is there someone local or must it be

mailed halfway across the country?

c. How long will repairs take?

d. Is it more expensive to repair the unit

or replace it? And remember, consider

the reputation ofthe manufacturer when

checking out the warranty and service.

17. The Buying Decision - Now that

we've discussed most of the different

options available, let's answer the orig-

inal questions: How and where will I be

using it? How often? Exactly what do

I need to measure?

Add the following questions: How

high are the voltages normally en-

countered? Would it be better to buy one

DMM that can do everything or a few

specialized ones? How will I transport

my unit - in my trunk, in a toolbox,

in my pocket? Will I be lending it to my

clumsy partner? And, of course, the big-

gest question - How much can I afford

to spend for this tool?

When these questions are answered,

you're ready to buy. There are many

DMM manufacturers out there and we

don't pretend to have seen all the units

available. But we did see enough dif-

ferent types and combinations of op-

tions to say with confidence that the

perfect digital multimeter for you is

surely out there.

·

NOVEMBER 1987

OUR OASTM OPTICAL ARCHIVING SYSTEM WILL WORK WITH YOUR COMPUTER. WE GUARANTEE IT!
If your computer uses an industry standard tape drive, Aquidneck will put optical archiving to work for you now.
Aquidneck's OAS Optical Archiving Systems provide 1-280 Gigabytes of on-line storage. Our systems require no host software and modifications. In fact, installation is incredibly simple. Just plug it in! If it doesn't perform to your satisfaction, we'll take it back.
See for yourself Call or write today for information. On-site demonstrations are available for qualified customers. Aquidneck Systems International, 650 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Telephone: (401) 295-2691. FAX: (401) 295-1851. Telex: 6716233.
ENTER 103 ON READER CARD
A· UIDNECK
systems international , inc
115

MVII Configuration

MANAGING

YOUR
MICROVAX

Back To The Basics

David W. Bynon With all of its and physical connectors for each the CD slots. However, any quad-size

virtues, the module, is divided into four rows (A to module (four rows) may be installed in

MICROVAX can D) and eight or 12 slots (columns).

a CD slot. Dual-width modules (two

still be a thor-

As a special design for the rows) may only be installed in the AB

oughly aggravating piece of equipment. MICROVAX, the Q22 bus is wired so that rows of a CD slot.

Take, for example, the simple chore of some of the C and D backplane rows

The CPU must always be the first

adding a new disk controller. What slot

does it go in? What should the CSR and vector be? Why does it work in one slot and not the other? Why won't the other disk drives show up now? It's back to basics for the answers.
The MICROVAX II bus (common communication path for address, data

' ' The Q22 bus, also called the extended
Q-bus, gets its name from its addressing capability: it has a 22-bit address range.

and control information transferred be-

tween CPU, memory and controllers) is called a Q22 bus. It's an extended design based on Digital's LSI Q-bus computer systems. It's important to understand a

' ' are interconnected. This CD intercon- device on the bus, and it must never be

little about this animal before you can nection is known as the MICROVAX .installed in a non-CD slot - it would

install new options.

Memory Interconnect or CD. In a BA23 be the death of the little workaholic.

The Q22 bus, also called the ex- system, the first three slots are CD, and

Next, MICROVAX memory always

tended Q-bus, gets its name from its ad- in a BA123 system, the first four slots should follow the processor in subse-

dressing capability: it has a 22-bit ad- are CD.

quent CD slots. It is interesting to note

dress range. The Q22 consists of two
unidirectional and 42 bidirectional signal MICROVAX Add-Ons

that while Digital only allows two memory boards to be installed in a

lines incorporated into a backplane. The As a rule, only a MICROVAX CPU or MICROVAX II system (because of the

backplane, which houses the signal lines MICROVAX memory should be put in CPU-to-memory jumper [PMI]), it's

possible to install more. I made a cable

,..

with four connectors and successfully

$ $ RUN SYS$SYSTEM:SYSGEN SYSGEN > CONFIGURE DEVICE> UDA,2 DEVICE> DHV11 DEVICE> ONA DEVICE> TU81 DEVICE> Exit Device:TU81 Name:PTA Device:ONA Name:XOA Device:UDA Name:PUB Device:DHV11 Name:TXA SYSGEN > EXIT
$

CSR:n4500 CSR:n4440 CSR:760354 CSR:760500

Vector:260 Vector:120 Vector:310 Vector:320

Support: yes Support: yes Support: yes Support: yes

installed two 4-MB memory boards and one 8-MB memory board in a BA123 system.
The MICROVAX II CPU and memory are the easy parts; there are no configuration switches or jumpers to worry about on the MICROVAX II processor or memory boards, and the order of these boards is clearly defined. Other devices, however, require a little research.
Each device on the Q22 bus is required to have a unique address, referred

Screen 1: SYSGEN corifiguration example.

116

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Introduc·

A · -Performance Graphics E · eWith

ALow StickerPrice.

,......,._ ..
I

:;.;_i~

Im

Now the DEC Micro-

VAX II®can be egui1med

-II with "four-on-the-floor."

· · Cl

Here's a high-

c

performance champion that's graphically superior.

· It's CalComp's new El Formula 1TM Series. The hot

· · little graphics engine that

~-ii ·· ·1· 111·· 11 ll lllll! 1·· 1.1. 1111 uses new, custom VLSI

gate-array technology to give you as many as

four workstations from a single MicroVAX II.

Without excess power drain. Before CalComp

got in the race, a MicroVAX II could gain

graphics capability only by using multiple

slots. Or with the addition of separate, bulky

and expensive controller hardware. Now,

there's no contest.

With CalComp's Formula 1 Series your

MicroVAX II gains a graphics capability that

will set the designing mind free. Zoom, pan

and update with turbocharged speed and a

high-visibility 1280 x 1024 resolution. All in

256 souped up colors on a flicker-free screen.

Plus get 32-bit floating point CGI standard

functionality as standard equipment.

And don't worry about sticker shock. You

can drive away with the entire Formula 1

Series subsystem-graphics engine,high-

resolution color monitor, keyboard and

mouse-for only $6995. Or, try-out the

Formula 1Series engine alone for just

$3995. It's your option.

Naturally, our smooth-running Formula 1 Series graphics engine is CalCompatible with other peripherals and software. For information and specifications call 1-800-CALCOMP. Or write CalComp, P. 0. Box 3250, Anaheim, CA 92803.
Drop the Formula 1Series graphics engine into your MicroVAX II and see what it'll do. Because there's no other way to get high perfor· mance and four-on-the-floor at a price like this.
Wedrawon your irnagination:M

ENTER 193 ON READER CARD DEC and MICROVAX II are registe red trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. Fbrmula I is a trademark of CalComp. 1987 CALCOMP

--jCa/Comp
A Lockheed Company

TABLE 1.

- - - Device
'

KA630-AA

M7606

6.2

0.14

MS630-AA M7607

1.0

0.0

MS630-BA M7608

1.3

0.0

MS630-BB M7609

1.8

0.0

MS630-CA M7610

DHV11

M3104

4.5

0.55

DZV11

M7957

1.2

o.39

DZQ11

M3106

1.0

0.36

DEON A

M7504

3.5

0.5

RQDX2

M8639-YB 6.4

0.1

RQDX3

M7555

2.48

0.06

KDAS0-0

M7164/5 13.5

0.03

TKQ50

M7546

2.9

0.0

LP\111

M8027

0.8

0.0

KLES1

M7740

3.0

0.0

TSW5

M7196

6.5

0.0

RD52

1.0

2.5

RD53

0.9

2.5

RD54

1.0

2.5

TK50

1.35

2.4

Power (walls)
32.70 5.00 6.50 9.00
29.10 10.70 9.32 23.50 33.20 13.20 67.90 14.50 4.00 15.00 32.50 35.00 34.50 35.00 33.55

D evice load information.

KA630 MS630-XX (or other manufacturer's memory)
TSW5 MRV11 AAV11 ADV11 IE011 DRV11-J LP\111 DZV11/DZQ11 (or emulating devices)

DEON A KMV11 DHV11 (or emulating devices) TKQ50 RQDX3 (or emulating device) KDASO (or emulating device) KLESI RQOX2 DRV11-WA

Device

to as a CSR (command/status register), and an interrupt vector. The CSR is a register, residing in the processor's I/O, that's used to pass commands and data to and from the de~ice's software driver. The vector is a storage location, known to the system, which contains the memory address of the device driver. When a device interrupts the CPU, current program execution is suspended and control is passed to the software driver via the address contained at the device vector.
An easy way to think of the purpose of the CSR and vector is by looking at the operation of UPS or the post office. In order to deliver a package (data), it must have an address (CSR). When the delivery man (device) rings your door bell (interrupt vector), you (software driver) answer the door and accept the package.
The CSR address and interrupt vector are either fixed or floating. Fixed means that there's an address location reserved in memory for the address or vector of that device. Floating means that the device is assigned an address or vector within a range of octal numbers. A floating CSR is in the range of 17760010 to 17763776. A floating vector is in the range of 300 to 774.
Because the four most significant digits of the CSR are always the same, and the magnitude of the last digit is limited to six, the only bits that must be adjusted in the 22-bit word are bits 12 to two. For this reason, the most jumpers or dip switches you'll ever see for the CSR is 10.
CSR and vector information are provided with the option you have purchased or, in most cases (if it's a Digital product), in the MICROVAX II Hardware Information Manual provided with the system.

DP\111 DRV11· · LP\111 DZV11 DZ011 DHV11

DP\111 DR11W
LP11 DZ11 DZ11 DHV11

RQDX- * KDASO TOK50 TSV05 DEON A IE011

UDA System Considerations

UDA

A major concern when configuring a

TU81 TS11

new module or storage peripheral into

ONA

IEQ11

SYSGEN device names.

118

DEC PROFESSIONAL

a MICROVAX system is power. The MICROVAX power supply is very conservative and can be overloaded easily. Table 1 provides the information you need to compute the load you want to put on it. If you're installing a nonDigital option, look at the manufacturer's specifications for this information.
Remember that each MICROVAX configuration has a different power supply. For example, a BA23 system has a single power supply with a rating of 230 watts, which supplies + 5 volts de at 36.0 amps and + 12 volts de at 7.0 amps. The BA123 system has a 460-watt supply split between two regulators. Each regulator supplies + 5 volts de at 36.0 amps and + 12 volts de at 7.0 amps. H9642-J systems are simply multiple BA23 chassis installed in the rack mount cabinet. Use these values when figuring a new system load.
Ifyou approach or exceed the limits of the power supply, two problems arise. First, as the load increases in the system, so does the heat and the chance that a component will fail. Even MICROVAX fans are thermostatically regulated; they're limited in the amount of cooling they can provide. Second, if you overload the power supply, the circuit breaker will blow and bring down your system. This often will happen only after the system has had sufficient time to get warm.
Before planning to add a new option that uses backplane space, you first must ensure that you have slots free. The owners of the BA123 with its 12-slot backplane don't have to worry about slot space. BA23 owners, on the other hand, find it very easy to fill the backplane.
When it's full and you still want more devices, consider one of several options. The first is to use an alternate bus (other than the Q22). For example, if you must expand your storage system, rather than using the standard ST506, ESDI, SMD, TSVOS or TKQSO device controllers, use a bus host adapter, such as an SCSI. An SCSI host adapter consumes one backplane slot but allows you to in-

terface multiple disk and tape drive systems. There also are performance benefits with this method.
Another option is to do it the Digital way and start using Ethernet as your second bus. Instead ofusing serial port controllers like the DHV11 , DZV11

or DZQ11, start using terminal servers. In this way, only one dual-width board, the DEQNA, is required in the backplane.
Finally, be aware that some devices are position dependent; i.e., they won't work, or won't be recognized unless

Repairs&S For DEC?

DSN announces NEW competitive prices on ALL. ..DEC repairs! Add to this our Buy/Sell Parts Program and Full Exchange Program and you have the best DEC Repairs & Spares one-stop DEPOT support available anywhere. You can eliminate multi-vendor problems.
DynService Network , formerly Dynalectron Service Network, has spent over a decade specializing in DEPOT repair and service of DEC assemblies and their subassemblies. From LSI to VAX and beyond , DSN provides prompt and reliable quality service at the most competitive prices. Call today and ask for our new low prices.

ENTER 116 ON READER CARD

NOVEMBER 1987

119

they fall into the correct order relative to other devices. For this reason, Table 2 lists a recommended device (option) order. Additionally, there may be performance reasons for the device order you choose. Because the MICROVAX operates on an interrupt priority

scheme, if two devices interrupt at the same time, the device that's electrically closest to the CPU will get control.
Configuring Controller Options
Warning: All MICROVAX circuit boards are sensitive to static electricity.

MAKE YOUR PDP-11 PERFORM LIKE AVAX!

SOLVE YOUR SYSTEM
MIGRATION PUZZLE!

You can double your system's speed and triple
peripheral capacity.

If you own a PDP-11/24, 11/34 or 11/44 you've probably experi-

enced one or more of the following

problems with your system:

· UNIBUS bandwidth topped·oot · System is at maximum configuration · High data rates choke the UNIBUS · Insufficient Device/DC load capability · ReaHime increases out of control · Unidentified errors

Anew system would be ideal, but the cost can be prohibi live.

AUNIBUS Enhancement Package is available that Since 1976, Digital Data Systems Inc., has provided

will add years of life to your current data processing design, service and unique manufactured products for

investment, solve phantom problems and allow for End-Users and OEM's. Our design engineers have develplanned migration to new CP and bus technology oped custom memoryproducts for many Fortune 500

The heart of the Enhancement Companies and the U.S. Government.

Package is an Ultra Fast UNI- At DDS, over a decade of experience in memory BUS Memory (UFUM) and a design and manufacturing has contributed to a product UN IBUS Segment Isolator/ line of unfailing reliability Standard products are manHigh Speed Repeater (USI/ HSR). ufactured to the same stringent specifications as re-

WORLD 'S FASTEST UNIBUS MEMORY
MEMORY FEATURES · Effective memory cycle lime less than
SNS compared to the industry standard of 500NS. · System bandwidth increase of at least a factor of 2. with certain appl1cat1ons realizing further improvements. · Plug and play. requires no software or hardware changes. · On board battery backup. ·Up to 1MB of storage on a single board . · Designed with Static Rams. · CSR standard.

ISOLATOR/REPEATER FEATURES · Allows UNIBUS bandwidth to be
driven up to 6MB. · Automatically tunes the UNIBUS
ehmmating the need to reconfigure
as the system grows · Plug and play, requires no software
or hardware changes.
· Upgrades to UDA-50 technology with existing UNIBUS configuration.
· Allows the addition of up to 60 DC unit loads on a single UNIBUS
· Allows the addition of two UDA controllers on one UNIBUS or UBA
· Improves data integrity as proven under UNIX.

quired for Government contracts. Our state-of-the art design and manufacturing capabilities enable us to offer superior products at the
THE lowest possible cost, with
a lifetime warranty and
2rme4pe-nlhatocgeu-ur artaInNteeT. SEOLLLUIGTEIONNT

Note. ut:.C, POP-11 ana UNIBUS are reglsml!!d lr.t!lemarks 01 Digital Equ1prnent Cofp UNIX 1s a trademark ol AT&T Bell Lat>oratones USl/HSR 1s a trademark ol SETASI Research & Oevelopmenl

(305) 792·3290 DIGITAL DATA SYSTEMS INC.
1551 N.W. 65TH AVENUE· PLANTATION , FL 33313

s,1987 DIGITAL DATA SYSTEMS INC

TWX: 910-997-4751 (DIGITAL)

ENTER 200 ON READER CARD

Therefore, you should always use an antistatic kit when handling circuit boards or storage devices. You can find these at your local electronics supply store.
The first step in configuring a new MICROVAX option is to use the running MICROVAX as a configuration tool. This is done with the SYSGEN utility, through the use of the CONFIGURE command.
After telling SYSGEN what devices you want in your new configuration, it will make the necessary calculations to figure out where it expects those devices to be (CSR and vector). SYSGEN provides you with a list of device names, CSRs and vectors. This information then can be used to configure your new option. Table 3 shows a list of device names that SYSGEN accepts. Screen 1 shows a sample configuration.
As soon as you have the CSR and vector for your new device, you can set the dip switches or jumpers according to the information provided with the option. The CSR and vector settings are always listed as a series of ones (ts) and zeros (Os). A one corresponds to the switch being on or the jumper in. A zero means that the switch should be off or the jumper out. A pen or paper clip can be used to flip the dip switches.
When the option has been configured, it's ready to be installed. For all hardware installations, the MICROVAX must be shut off. Removing or installing an option with the power on will cause serious damage to the computer. After the power has been turned off, the panels providing access to the card cage can be removed. On BA23 systems, this includes the rear cabinet cover and the I/O panel; on BA123 systems, it encompasses the right side panel and the card cage cover.
In most cases, installing a new controller option requires moving options already installed in the card cage. Decide first where your new option should go by using the device order table (see Table 2). Ifyour new option must be installed between existing options, start by moving down the last and subsequent boards

120

DEC PROFESSIONAL

ENTER 249 ON READER CARD

Teltone, the creator of

data over voice, introduces:

·

over voice.

Now you can link terminals, PCs, minis,

It's all implemented on the phone

mainframes, printers, modems and other lines, without affecting telephone

data devices to a powerful data-over-

service. Cable installation costs are

voice local area network. TelLAN

eliminated. Modular components let you

combines PC/LAN and data switch

start small, and grow as needed up to

functions that let you:

250 nodes.

· share printers and other resources

TelLANis friendly, password

~ TelLAN: The 1-Mbps switched data network on your phone lines.

· perform high-speed file transfer between PCs
· handle multiple calls with one login
· communicate with devices that operate at different speeds up to 19.2

protected, and easy to install. Ask for a free copy of our connectivity solutions guide:
1-800-426-3926
(In Washington State: 206-827-9626)

kbps

....................... .. .. ............... ............ ..............1..C...E...L..-..C...C.. N...E...®...

Teltone Corporation, 10801-120th Avenue NE, Kirkland , Washington 98033, 206-827·9626 Teltone Limited, 183 Amber Street, Markham , Ontario L3R 38 4, 416-475-0837

ENTER 245 ON READER CARD

in Beta Test [For Appplications created using the Oracle Database)

DEC'S COD*

XENTIS® DICTIONARY

Argonaut

DBSI

MCBA

Tra nscomm/GSI

Diagonal Data Ross Systems

Applications developed in-house

Manufact ur ing & Accounting Software

XENTIS- the premier report generator for DEC VAX/VMS computers- will soon be able to interface with the Oracle 4th GL . For programmers and nonprogrammers alike, XENTIS is fast and easy to use
Proven in more than 500 installations, the Park Software report writer can combine inform ation across several data bases . . for example, your accounting staff can pull information from Ross Systems accounting software and combine it with data from Argonaut's Human Resources package in one report . And soon you 'll be able to add data from applications created with the Oracle system .

To learn more about XENTIS and our fully functional evaluation kit,

call (206) 343-0447 today!

ENTER 143 ON READER CARD

0

PARK SOFTWARE, INC.
P.O. Box 31529
Seattle, WA 98103-1529 (206) 343-0447

'Oracle is a registered trademark ol lhe Oracle Corp DEC and CDD are registe red trademarks ol D191tal Equipment Corp XENTIS

------------------------------- and XENTIS/01c11onary are registered lrademarks ol Park Software. Inc MAXCIM is a registered lrademark of the NCA Corp

L

MCBA is a registered trademark of MCBA . Inc

J

Network DEC to UNIX?
(J)W!Joa Vilbirl<llAfD--(J)tll !!tip!Joa!

TCP/IP ;f/~~~···
Did you know that most UNIX computers already support industry-standard TCP/IP networking protocols? And that Process Software Corporation gives you TCP/ IP networking solutions for more DEC operating systems than anybody?
r()//, 1JM~, R~X- RT-I!, IA~ Ad T~rx-Plm...
Network to UNIX using just our TCP/IP software and your standard DEC Ethernet hardware on the UNIBUS. Q-bus. VAXBI. or the new MicroVAX 2000. And run concurrently with DECnet. LAT. or LAVC.
VtA~HDi 7i8~!Joa...
Say goodbye to special hardware. messy installation. and unneeded layers of software. Our TCP/IP products are modular. efficient. and designed for the operating system they run on . You benefit from ease of use. simple installation and virtually no maintenance.
r-()1/, c~ App~...
And we support the full range of popular TCP/IP applications, including FTP (File Transfer). TELNET (Virtual Terminal) . TCP. IP. and UDP programming interfaces. and others.
You won't find a better lower-cost way to connect DEC to UNIX anywhere!
ItiliAP4tiJ/,? Call Process Software Corporation today.

PROCESi cr

413-549-6994

=
35 Montague Road· PO Box 746 ·Amherst. Massachusetts 01004

DEC. IAS. RSX. RT- 11 . UNIBUS. VAX . and VMSare D1g1tal Equipment Corporation trademarks. Unix 1s an AT&T trademark. Ethernet 1s a Xerox Corporation trademark. TSX-Plus 1sa 58.H Computers trademark.

122

ENTER 148 ON READER CARD

one slot at a time. Finally, install your new option.
If your new option is on a dualheight board, and the installation leaves two rows empty, you must install a continuity grant card in the empty rows. This is because the Q22 backplane pro-
''
Digital's RDxx drives are controlled by an RQDX-type
controller, which has a single connector output.
' ' vides continuity in a serpentine fashion,
like ABCD-DCBA-ABCD... . After the board is installed, you
must connect any cables that will carry data from the controller to a cabinet kit or directly to an internal device. Be sure to push the cables in straight so as not to bend the pins.
Installing New Disk Drives
Perhaps the most common MICROVAX option is an additional RDxx disk drive or an OEM disk subsystem. Ifyou're adding this option to a BA23 system, the disk drive will be in an external cabinet, while the BA123 most likely will be internal.
Installing an external RDxx drive is a clumsy proposition at best. Digital's RDxx drives are controlled by an RQDX-type controller, which has a single connector output. This output is sent to a signal distribution board which provides connectors for an RXSO floppy drive and two RDxx-type drives. To extend the controller signals to an external drive, you must purchase an RQDXE expansion board, which brings all signals, not only the ones you want, out to the 1/0 panel. These signals, again, must be run into an RQDX signal distribution board.
DEC PROFESSIONAL

For_· ·
disk just press

relief of es,
Only MegaTape makes disk backup totally painless, with up to 630 MB per cartridge (formatted). Enough to hold the entire contents ofany popular disk drive.
Think what that means: No media changes. No waiting.Just pop in a cartridge, fire up your regular backup utility-and go home.
MegaTape has already cured backup headaches at thousands of sites. And we're developing even higher capacity for the future. So no matter how big your disks get, your backup job doesn't have to get any bigger. Just push the button and go home.
Try MegaTape once. You'11 agree that anything else is just a big pain.

Available i11 lablelop, rackmounl, and "ba!f-widri' co11/iguralio11s
See Us At DEXPO West Booth #457

~
MEGATAPE CORPORATION 1041 Hamilton Road, Duarte, CA 91010-0317
(818) 357-9921/TELEX 510 600 7131

ENTER 138 ON READER CARD
~~egaTape

© 1987 MegaTape Corp.

For all who are upgrading to an external (and internal) system, I suggest using an OEM solution, preferably going to the ESDI disk format. Many solutions are available from companies like U.S. Design, DILOG, and Emulex. Most ESDI disk controllers handle from two to four physical drives, and the con-

trollers have individual connectors for each drive; therefore, no signal distribution board is required.
Adding internal drives to a BA123 system is simple. Each RQDX controller comes with a signal distribution board that plugs into the last slots in the backplane. Connection, then, is only a

DILOG
1555 S. Sinclair St. P.O. Box 6270 Anaheim, CA 92806 (714) 937-5700
ENTER 478 ON READER CARD
Emulex Corporation 3545 Harbor Blvd. P.O. Box 6725 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 662-5600
ENTER 479 ON READER CARD
U.S. Design Corporation 4311 Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706 (800) 368-2811
BNTl!R 480 ON READER CARD

We've got the connections NOW!

Whether your need is user-proof separation of data from voice or future RS232 / RS423 compatibility, MOD-TAP has the Modified Modular Jack (MMJ) products NOW!

· Patching · Wallplates · Harmonicas · Octopuses · Adapters

Compatible with DECconnect, IBM, HP, Wang, and many others, MOD-TAP meets your communication needs for today and tomorrow with a wide range of MMJ products that include:

At MOD-TAP, communications wiring is our only business, so make the right connection with our MMJ products.

See Us At DEXPO West '87

DEC and DECconnect are tradema r ks of Digital Equipment Corporat ion.

Booth #354

HP is a trademark of Hewlett Packard. IBM is a registered trade mar k of International Business Machines Corpora tion. MOD-TAP is a trademark of MOD-TAP System .

Wang is a tradem ar k o f Wa ng Laboratories, Inc.

Mftl)-'l~U! MOD-TAP System · P.O. Box 706 · Harvard, MA 01451 · (617) 456-3500

ENTER 215 ON READER CARD

matter of routing cables from the

distribution board to the new drive, and

plugging in the drive's power supply

cable.

Before any new drive is installed,

from Digital or an OEM, a minor con-

figuration must be made. All 51/·-inch

Winchester disk drives have jumpers or

switches to control drive select. The

drive select is, in essence, the drive ad-

dress for the controller. For example, if

four drive-select jumper positions are

provided on the drive, and the drive

you're installing is the second on the

controller, then you'd move the jumper

to the second position. When using an

RQDX controller, drive selects one and

two are reserved for an RDSO drive.

Follow the manufacturer's directions for

this procedure.

Ifyou're like me, you do something

first and read the directions later or as

a last resort. After all, you're just as

smart as the guy who built the thing.

Right?

Take it from me: Read the manual

before you start reconfiguring your

system or adding an option. In most

cases the directions will tell you if

changes must be made to the system,

what the power requirements are, how

to set the dip switches and jumpers, and

where the cables go. Just because things

fit doesn't mean they go there.

·

124

DEC PROFESSIO N AL

Any disk backup can save your
· onecan saveyourlife.

Most people would agree that life is too short to spend sitting in front of a tape drive, swapping reels or cartridges while disk backup grinds on and on.
It's boring, error-prone, and expensive.
It's also unneccessary. Just get an inexpensive MegaTape drive. Plug it in right where your 9track was (your system won't know the difference). Pop in a cartridge. Push the button. Then turn out the lights and go home. When you come back in the morning, all your data-up to an amazing 630 megabytes-will be safe and sound on a single book-size cartridge. That's an entire RA-81 or Fujitsu Eagle, with room to spare. Room enough even for the next generation ofultrahigh capaci'ty drives. No other tape backup systemexisting, rumored or announcedoffers anything close to this kind of convenience. And we've been delivering it for over two years. So why waste your life babysitting a backup, when with MegaTape you can save it for more important things?
~~egaTape
BECAUSE ONE IS ENOUGH AND TWO IS TOO MANY.

-~
© 1986 MEGATAPE CORPORATION 1041 Hamilton Road, Duarte, CA 91010-0317
(818) 357-9921/TELEX 510 600 7131

ENTER 234 ON READER CARD
See Us At DEXPO West Booth #457

*

DCL DIALOGUE

The Joys Of Captivity

Kevin G. Barkes VAX system
sites are often the victims of a double-edged sword. Small- to moderate-sized systems require little in the way ofday-today management. Ifextensive magnetic tape handling isn't required, the need for full-time operators is eliminated. A oneperson operation and the economies it provides are one of the major pluses of running VAXs. On the downside, a VAX is a VAX, from MICROVAX to 8800, and there are certain semicomplex functions, such as incremental backup, that must be performed by someone with a relative degree of competence. The following is a "case study" of such a site, which offers one way of handling the problem. The installation ran in a commercial environment on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-per-week basis. Data constantly was entered by users into a database management system. All data was maintained online; operators weren't required . Key operations personnel were

trained to perform printer-related duties, such as fixing jams and changing paper and ribbons. The necessary queuemanagement functions were contained in a small suite of DCL command procedures.
Because of the volatility of the database, incremental backups were required every eight hours. This was the source of the problem. No systems personnel were on duty after business hours; only production workers. Management didn't like the idea of leaving privileged accounts open to members of the staff
The system manager had a problem with scheduling the backups to be executed from batch queues. Instead, he opted to run the jobs from a captive account. A captive account severely limits the user. Among other restrictions, captive users can't change their passwords, use the /DISK or /COMMAND qualifiers at login to bypass the default login command procedure, or CTRL-Y out of the procedure. The command file executed by the captive account at login can be set up so that the user never gets to the

ABLE 1 . .

Use r na me : BACKUP

Account : SYSTEM

CLI :

DC L

Defa u It : SYSSSYSROOT : (SYSMGR)

Ow ner : SYSTEM MANAGER

UIC :

[1 , 5) ( (SYSTEM , BACKUP))

T ables :

LGICMD : SYSSMANAGER : I NCBACKUP . COM

Login F lags : D i sct l y Ca ptive Diswelcome

Prima r y days : Mon Tu e We d T hu Fr i

Secondary days :

Sat Sun

No access restr i ctions

Expiration :

( none)

Pwdminimum: 8

Pwdl if e tim ~ :

(no ne)

Pwdc ha nge:

Last Lo gin : 2 - SEP-1987 17 :08 ( inter a ctive),

Log i n Fa i Is :

0

(none)

( none) (non- interactive

Mu:j o bs :

0 F i I Im :

20 Byt l m:

20480

Maxacctj o bs :

0 Shr fi I Im :

0 Pbytl m:

0

Ma xdetach :

0 BIO I m:

18 JTquota :

102 4

Pr c lm :

10 DIOl m:

18 WSdef :

512

Prio :

4 ASTl m:

2 4 WSquo :

768

Quepr i o:

0 TQE lm:

20 WSe xtent :

1536

CPU :

(none) Enq Im:

3 0 Pg f I quo:

10000

Autho r iz ed Pr iv i I e ges:

BYPASS L OG IO PRMMBX TMPMBX OPER NETMBX PHY IO SYSPRV

Default Pr i vTl eges :

-

BYPASS LOG_IO PRMMBX TMPMBX OPER NETMBX PHY_IO SYSPRV

Your comments, criticisms and suggestions are encouraged. You'll get the fastest response by leaving a message on ARIS (215) 542-9458. You also can write my office at 4107 Overlook Street, Library, PA 15129; DEC PROFESSIONAL, P.O. Box 503, Spring House, PA 19477; via CompuServe EasyPlex, user l.D. 72067,341 (check out the VAXSIG while you're there); or, by calling or sending a message to my DCL BBS, SYS$0UTPUT (412) 854-0511. If your local FidoNet BBS isn't carrying the national VAX echomail conference, ask the SYSOP to contact me at FidoNet 129/38.
DCL level. This permits the manager to give the account high-level privileges without having to worry about the person logging in gaining free access to the system.
The Table shows the user-authorization record of the captive account used in this application. Note the login flags entry, which ensures that the user can't escape to the system. The "Diswelcome" entry eliminates the display of the welcome message at login.
Although not visible on the UAF record, the account is set up with no password; all that's required is to enter the account name BACKUP. The actual incremental backup is performed by the command file SYS$MANAGER:INCBACK. COM, the procedure executed at login. Added security is provided here by performing several checks.
The procedure looks at the terminal where the process is logged in. Ifit's not the operator's console, the procedure

U6

DEC PROFESSIO NAL

Now! Optical Disk Mass Storage for VAX/VMSTMUsers !

---------- -

------~--~

-----~---

----~--

-

r

------~-

A Completely Integrated System Including Software.

The new Perceptics LaserSystemrM finally solves the mass storage problem for VAX/VMS users. Fully integrated, tested, and ready-to-use, LaserSystem features an OSI optical disk drive, SCSI host adapter, Perceptics LaserWareTMsoftware, media, complete installation and on-site maintenance.
LaserSystem includes several advanced features, such as Direct Read During Write (DROW) data verification, automatic bad block reallocation, and extensive self-diagnostics. A removable 12-inch cartridge is used to permanently store up to 2 GBytes of data.
Our revolutionary LaserWare software, which has become the industry standard, is completely transparent to your VMS utilities and applications. LaserWare requires no changes to your existing software.
peR[gltics

Perceptics Corporation Pellissippi Corporate Center Knoxville, Tennessee 37922 (615) 966-9200
ENTER 144 ON READER CARD

VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. LaserSystem and laserWare are trademarks of Perceptics Corporation.

branches to BAD_TERMINAL and logs the user out.
If the procedure is executed by a user other than BACKUP, or from an account that isn't captive, the branch to NOL. .AUTHORIZED also terminates the session.
The normal procedure at the site was for a member of the staff to enter the computer room, load the appropriate tape on the drive and then log in as BACKUP. The original procedure did no error checking, and if the drive were allocated by someone else or the tape didn't mount properly, it simply would bomb through the rest ofthe procedure and exit, confounding and confusing the user.
INCBACK checks the status of the allocate and mount commands, and if either fails, warns the users on the system. It waits a minute, then tries again. Without the /NOASSIST qualifier to the MOUNT command, the procedure simply would notify the operator terminals to mount a tape. Sometimes this

message would go unnoticed for hours, especially ifthe procedure were started by someone who was going offshift.
The actual backup commands are straightforward. At this site, the in-

out compromising the integrity of the system.
What's your method of handling situations such as these? Send your suggestions to me at any of the addresses

' ' INCBACK checks the status of the
allocate and mount commands, and if either fails, warns the users on the system.
''
crementals all fit on one tape, so no pro- listed in the box accompanying this vision was made to notify users should article. a second volume be necessary. Captive Author's notes: Dave Smith, a SYSS accounts provide one easy-to-imple- OUTPUT user, noted the privilege ment method of permitting non-tech- stacking procedures in the July issue nical users to perform tasks that require were more complicated than necessary. potentially dangerous privileges, with- Dave takes issue with the section where

PROGRAM 1.

INCBACK . COM Command pF"ocedu,.e t.o perform incremental backups . Designed to be run
by a captive account. named BACKLP from t.he system operator's console .

I---------------------------------
\ Disable er-r-or- pr-ocessing :

S

SET NOON

!

! - ----------- ---------------------

' Make cer-t.ain t.he pr-ocedur-e is being execut.ed fr-om t.he

I capt.iv· BACKUP account., at. t.he oper-at.or-'· console :

S

IF FSCETJPI("","TERMINAL") . NES . "0PAO : " nlEN GOTO BAO_TERMINAL

S

IF FSGETJPI("","USERNAME") . NES . "BACKUP" . OR . -

. NOT . FSENVIRONMENT("CAPTIVE") nlEN GOTO NOT_AUTiiORIZEO

! --------------------------------! Allocat.· t.h· t.ape dr-ive. Subst.it.ut.e your- t.ape device t.hr-oughout,

I or- use a Iog i ca I name assignment..

S ALLOCATE DRIVE :

S

Al.t:OCATE MTAO :

1! ---------------------------------

! St.or-· t.he va Iue of SSTAlUS

S

SALLOSTAT "' SSTAl\JS

I

!- -------------------------------! If ALLOCATE failed, acr-eam bloody mur-der- :

S

IF . NOT . SALLOSTAT nlEN GOTO BAO ALLOCATE

I

-

!---------------------------------

! Mount the tape . The /NOASSIST qua Ii f i er- for-ces MOUNT t.o fa i I and r-etur-n

I an er-r-or- , r-ather- than pr-int out a message at the oper-at.or- console :

S MOUNT TAPE'

$

-MOUNT/NOASSIST/FOREIGN MTAO '

II ---------------------------------

! St.or-· the va I ue of SSTATUS :

S

SMOUNTSTAT · SSTAl\JS

I Notify user-a if MOlJNT fai Is :

S

IF . NOT . SMOUNTSTAT THEN GOTO BAO_MOUNT

1! ---------------------------------
1 Per-for-m the actual backup . Change disk device names as necessar-y .

S

ON SEVERE ERROR THEN GOTO ERROR 1

S

REPLY/ALL7BELL " Back ing up syst9m disk ... "

S

BACKUP/REWIND/ RECORD/FAST/ J<Jl.RNAL·SYSSMANACER ' INCSYS . BJL/-

ICNORE·UlTCRLOCK/VERIFY/BUFFER=S SYSSSYSOEVICE: [ · ·.. ) /SINCE=BACKUP MTAO: INCSYS . BCK

REPLY/ALL/BELL "Backing up OISKl ... "

BACKlP/NOREWINO/RECORD/FAST/ JOLRNAL=SYSSMANAGER : INCDISKl . BJL/-

ICNORE·IITTERLOCK/VERIFY/BUFFER· S -

OISKl : [ · ... ] /SINCE=BACKLP MTAO: INCOISKl . BCK

I1---------------------------------

! Notify uaers when backup is completed :

S

REPLY/ALL/BELL "Increment.a I backup comp I eted

!

! --------------------------------! Ex it gracefully:
S FINISH :

S

DISMOUNT MTAO :

S

DEALLOCATE MTAO :

S

EOJ

!

1I -E-r-r-o-r--h-a-n--d-le--rs-:------------------

! Notify usel"'s of backup error and exit :

S ERROR 1:

S

-REPLY/ALL/BELL/LRGENT "WARNINCI BACKUP FAILURE!"

S

REPLY/ALL/BELL/URCENT "NOTIFY SYSTEM MANACER ! "

S

DISMOUNT MTAO :

S

DEALLOCATE MTAO:

S

EOJ

I

! --------------------------------! Not.ify uaer-s of MOUNT fai lur-e and t.el I t.hem why it.failed :

S BAD MOUNT:

S - REPLY/URGENT/BELL/ALL "ERROR MOUNTING TAPE! PLEASE CHECK!!"

S

REPLY/URGENT/BELL/ALL "Er-r-or- : ''FSMESSAGE(SMOUNTSTAT) ' "

I Wait. one mi nut.e, t.hen t.r-y t.o mount. t.he t.ape aga i n :

S

WAIT 00:01 : 00

S

GOTO MOUNT TAPE

I

-

! ---------------------------------

! Notify user-s of ALLOCATE failur-e and tell them why it failed :

S BAO ALLOCATE:

S - REPLY/URGENT/BELL/ALL "ERROR ALLOCATINC DRIVE i PLEASE CHECK!!"

S

REPLY/URGENT/BELL/ALL "E,.,-or- : ' ' FSMESSAGE(SALLOSTAT) '"

! Wait one minute, then try t..o al loc ate the drive again :

S

WAIT 00 : 01 : 00

S

GOTO ALLOCATE DRIVE

!

-

s1-B-A-D--T-E-R-M--IN-A-L-:---------------------

S - WRITE SYSSOUTPUT "BACKUP must. be r-un fr-om the oper-at.or-'s console . "

S

EOJ

I

! ----------------------------------

$ NOT AUTiiORIZEO:

S - WRITE SYSSOUTPUT "You ar-e not. author-ized t.o use this pr-ocedur-e

S

EOJ

128

DEC PROFESSIONAL

A Classic Approach to Mass Storage! Optical Disk Jukebox for VAX/VMSTM

Introducing LaserStar"', a complete optical disk jukebox subsystem.

Perceptics' LaserStar brings the massive storage capacity of optical disk jukeboxes to the fingertips of VAXNMS users. Combining the latest in optical storage technology with the classic "jukebox" concept of disk handling, LaserStar provides convenient, on-line storage and retrieval of vast amounts of data using writeonce optical disks.

include 12-inch double-sided media and on-site maintenance. A variety of drive/media configurations are available to meet your specific budget and performance requirements, with total on-line storage capacities ranging from tens to hundreds of gigabytes. Media are fully compatible with Perceptics' LaserSystemTM optical disk subsystem.

disk library. Based upon Perceptics' industry standard
TM
LaserWare software, LaserStar is completely compatible with VMS utilities and applications. Thus, each optical disk volume in the jukebox may be accessed with no changes to your existing software.

The LaserStar jukebox consists of a robotic disk handling mechanism, a media storage unit, and one or more optical disk drives. The system also includes a host adapter, Perceptics LaserStar software, and installation. Optional items

LaserStar software provides automatic, VMS-transparent access to the jukebox optical

ENTER 145 ON READER CARD
VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. LaserStar, LaserSystem, and LaserWare are trademarks of Perceptics Corporation.

Perceptics Corporation Pellissippi Corporate Center Knoxville, TN 37933-0991, USA (615) 966-9200 FAX (615) 966-9330

2.5 Gigabytes VAX Backup
/H//////////////l//lll//lll//

we tested CMKRNL privilege. Using UPOP.COM as an example, this is how I would have written the code between the DO_pOP: and POP_UIC: labels:
s oo_poP: $ SAVE_pRJV =
F$SETPRV(''CMKRNL'') $ IF F$PRIVILEGE("CMKRNL")
THEN GOTO POP_UIC $ TYPE SYS$INPUT You do not have the privileges required to use this command. $EXIT $ POP_UIC:

Gigastore works with the standard VMS, DCL Backup Command and all Qualifiers or standard Unix Dump/Restore Command and all Arguments. It also provides DEC tape emulation for general purpose use.
Utilizing true read-after-write coupled with very powerful error correction, GIGASTORETM gives you an unsurpassed error rate of 1 in 1023 bits. In addition, you get a high speed search capability not available in most 9-track drives and the convenience of a T-120 VHS cartridge. An IBM PC interface is also available.
Call Digi-Data, an organization with a 25 year history of manufacturing quality tape drives, at (301) 498-0200.
TMGIGASTORE is a trademark of D1gi-Data Corporation.
I I OIGl-DATA CORPORATION 8580 Dorsey Run Road Jessup. MD 20794-9990 ·~ (301) 498-0200 · Telex 87-580 · · · · · ... First In Value In Europe contact: Oig~Data Ltd. · Unit 4 · Kings Grove · Maidenhead, Berkshire England SLS 40P · Telephone No. 0828 2955518 · Telex 84n20
ENTER 194 ON READER CARD
FREE ADVICE . . .
Read AR/STALK this month and see just how good it can be. Readers talking to readers about computers talking to computers and other issues of concern to you. Information to save you time and money. AR/STALK - an exclusive feature of an exclusive magazine - - -
DEC PROFESSIONAL I
130

Then, at the end of the procedure to restore the previous privilege: $EXIT: $ SAVE_pRJV =
F$PRIVILEGE(SAVE_pRJV) $EXIT

Dave caught me on this one. My only excuse is laziness. Like any good DCL writer, I frequently steal hunks of code from other procedures. This segment came from a procedure that passed various privileges to the lexicals and checked to determine whether the requested privilege was "legal," because a non-existent one would return an error. So much for saving time!

"YooHoo" Opus

My DCL bulletin board system, SYS$

OUTPUT, should be converted from

Fido to Opus software by the time this

column appears in print. Opus is a more

user-friendly system, but it has several

quirks. Then again, how can you not

like communications software that has

the text "YooHoo!" as part of its file

transfer initialization sequence? It isn't

DECNET, but it makes running a PC-

based BBS simpler. If your local

FIDONET BBS isn't carrying the national

VAX echomail conference, ask the sysop

to request additional information from

me at matrix address 129/38. -Kevin G

Barkes is a specialist in VAX systems software,

management, tuning and training in Library,

Pennsylvania .

·

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Mil-spec power supply with shock and vibration isolation

1.ero losertion Force oonnectors -
80~10 discoooect
Modular design for fast service, simple reconfigurations Up to 90% attenuation of random d>ration Atmospheric pressure-loss sensor FSDI, ST506, RD5X interfaces 115VAC/230VAC/28VDC input power

Proprietary tuned
isolators protect ag&nst severe shock

Individual fan oooling within disk c:anJsters
'Ili-dJmensional shock suspension of any 5\4" device

High temperature and pressure loss mmide switch

Remowbility giws you Infinite storage capacity with Winchester reliability (up to 700 MBytes
per canister)

The most ruggedized, militarized, Tempestcertifiable removable-drive subsystem today.

With quick-release failure-proof power-down feature

DATA SHlJITLE 4000TM is the subsystem to specify for hostile environments - proven by actual MOB experience in airborne and shipboard installations. This is the peripheral
subsystem (RCS-P) in our RUGGED COMPUfER SYSTEM series. It's designed for militarized computer systems - not just an adaptation of a commercial product.
It's put together with thoughtful engineering and proprietary concepts. Power is automatically disconnected from the drives when the canister is being removed. Zero Insertion Force
connectors provide long life to an already reliable product. Individually cooled canisters protect drives against shock and vibration within the Data Shuttle and during transport. You can configure any 5\4" storage device in canisters, or one with a permanently mounted removable-media back-up drive with shock protection. Available with or without controllers. Call or write for more information.
DATA SHUnLE 4000TM
The peripheral subsystem that's good enough for MDB Rugged Computer Systems - militarized and able to take the harshest operational shock and vibration.
DATA SHUnLE 3000TM
Rock-solid ruggedized for harsh environments, when durability is needed, but not the added cost of Mil-spec.
DATA SHUnLE 2000TM
The only shock-isolated, low-cost design for commercial, lab and industrial applications. See Us At DEXPO West 87, Disneyland Hotel, Booth 269

ENTER 238 ON READER CARD

r:1 [) B Corporate Headquarters 1995 N. Batavia Street, Box 5508, Orange, CA 92613-5508

TEL: (800) 556-0222 ·IN CA: (800) 637-2028·1WX: 910-593-1339 ·FAX:714-637-4o6o

I

R>RVNffEDKINGooMMDB Systems U.K., Ltd. Unit 13, Intec 2, Wade Road, Basingstoke, Hams. RG24 ONE ·TEL: 0256 464767 ·TELEX: 858389 MDBSYS G·FAX: 0256 59748

SYSTEMS INC. R>R WliSTFJIN EllROPE MOB Systems IRL., Ltd. Portumna Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland

- We put the State of the Art to work - ··TEL: (353) 509 41J63/414I3 ·TELEX: 50918 MDBEI ·FAX: (353) 509 41447

Consider Microtek for your uexl DEC computer purchase and SAVE 20-50% over
manufacturers list price. Only Microtek protects your equipment investment with a lbree way guaranlee. All equipment leaving our facility is reconditioned and eligible for DEC lfainlenance Service. And, for added security, is crated lo insure against damage during shipping. Whatever your computer hardware needs, Microtek can meet them with
our large inventory and DEC application specialists. Call today for current prices and detailed information.
216/234-8040 1-800-828-0303 BUY SELL LEASE TRADE

Ask one of tlle :3·fllillion Americans wlldve survived cancer, if the money spent on research is worth it.
Weare w1nn1ng.

ENTER 236 ON READER CARD 132

.sPulepapsoert the
AMERICAN
I'-!CANCER
fSOCIETY®
DEC PROFESSIONAL

A HIGH QUALITY, ENTRY LEVEL ANSI TERMINAL OFFERING OUTSTANDING PRICE/PERFORMANCE.
Introducing the newest addition to the Freedom ONE family of terminals from Liberty Electronics.The Freedom ONE ANSI. The ONE terminal for your DEC and Data General requirements. This low-cost, ANSI-only terminal includes many of the same advanced features you'd expect to find in higher priced terminals.
For starters,it provides emulation ofDEC vr220;· VflOO " and Vf52~ as well as Data General DASHER" D210 and 0211. It has the same sleek, award-winning ergonomic styling of the original Freedom ONE. It comes with a high contrast amber 14-inch flat screen, with full tilt and swivel capability. It includes a choice of two detached, low-profile keyboard styles: DECVf220 and Data General D210/211.
It'sall backed by Liberty'scomprehensive warranty programs and nationwide network of authorized service centers.
The new Freedom ONE ANSI. You won't find a higher quality ANSl terminal for the price. Anywhere.

·Another Choice of Freedom.

[[!Liberty

We build better terminals.

Western Region (714) 476-3113Central Region (312) 690-3'!33
Eastern Region (617) 660-1938 Canada (416) 238-0366

ENTER 134·0N READER CARD

DECWORLD:

DEC WATCH Digital Scores The Big Win

Charles Connell DECWORLD
was the best computer show ever staged and one of the best advertising events ever created. It displayed DEC's products and the corporation in a stunning light for customers, the media, industry pundits and the general public. For the edification of DEC community members who may have been backpacking in the Andes during September, DECWORLD was a showcase of DEC's products put on by DEC itself. The two-week show overflowed Boston's World Trade Center and attracted 50,000 people. DECWORLD was designed to promote DEC's sales force. They gave out most ofthe invitations to customers and potential customers, greeted the arrivals, shepherded them through the display areas, wined and dined them at night, and (hopefully) negotiated lucrative contracts with them in the meeting rooms. The show was very big. Because the World Trade Center and Boston's hotels weren't large enough for the show, DEC rented the cruise ships S.S Oceanic and the Queen Elizabeth 2. The ships were docked adjacent to the World Trade Center, one on each side, as floating extensions to the building. The ships have hundreds of hotel rooms, seminar space, meeting rooms, numerous restaurants, bars, shopping galleries and party venues. DECWORLD also consumed every available hotel room in Boston, in spite of a major hotel building boom in the city over the last several years. People who didn't make reservations early

could only find rooms 30 miles outside the city.
Boston, not just the computer industry, went gaga over DECWORLD. The Boston Globe ran several features on the show in the weeks leading up it. On the day it opened, DECWORLD occupied part ofthe first page and the entire front of the business section. A large, color cartoon on the first business page featured a giant, muscled Ken Olsen standing on top of his company headquarters. The caricature was using his sinewy arms to plug in the network that united DECWORLD. It's impossible to buy this kind of advertising.
As the show progressed, it received additional media coverage nearly every day. For two weeks in Boston, it was almost as chic to have a ticket into DECWORLD and the QE2 as it was to have been at Live Aid.
DECWORLD revolved around an exhibit hall on the lower floor of the Wodd Trade Center. As visitors walked in the door of the hall, they entered a small theatre to view a to-minute talk and slide show. The emcees, and the images flashing behind them, heavily stressed computer connectivity among different parts of a corporation. When the talk ended, green laser beams shot out of a large globe overhead and zapped around the hall, bouncing off strategically placed mirrors. The audience, hopefully agog with anticipation, was invited to tour the exhibits.
The exhibit space was organized in an easy-to-follow manner. The center of the room was technology-focused, with each display highlighting a particular product line. Some booths presented software development tools, others showed local area network capabilities. Some demonstrated DEC's largest systems, others the smallest.

The perimeter of the hall, on the other hand, was solution-focused, and these exhibits were unique. Most computer shows consist of booth after booth of glitzy technology. The bittwiddlers love it, but anyone without a background in impedence matching or queuing theory is confused. DECWORLD, however, contained approximately a dozen industry-specific display areas. Each one held packaged solutions for particular problems faced by people in that industry.
Some examples: For the retail industry, two third-party vendors showed point-of-sale systems built around DEC processors. The demonstrations featured mockup stores, shelves ofproducts and checkout counters that contain the point-of-sale systems. For the travel industry, a number of major airlines had working reservation systems that contained a DEC front end for a remote mainframe. Ifyou wanted to, you could use them to book your flight home.
These demonstrations were unique because DEC displayed the entire solution to business problems. At most computer shows, a visitor needs enough technical knowledge to see how a processor from Category A, a communication controller from Category B and a fiber optic cable from Category C might solve his need.
DEC also unveiled a rash of new products and used the new products to enhance the excitement ofDECWORLD. The most significant set of new products introduced there was the MICROVAX 3000 line. This product line

134

DEC PROFESSIONAL

~aging people is harder than
managing projects

~
}Ill{
Ifyou have to do both,we'd like to show you . . . . . .l!!!!!l!!!!!!!!!iii~~~~~~~~~ TFftQCI<~~~ A new generation of project/resource management software for the VAX.

Managing projects and people.
We created TrackStar because you have to plan the work of people not just project milestones. Because you have to make commitments to many projects, not just one. Because you're part of a team, with responsibility up and down the line.
With TrackStar you can manage many projects at once, and plan your people resources right down to the "key person."
TrackStar - the one software tool that will help you plan, sche-
ENTER 156 ON READER CARD
T~CK~~~ from
1100 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 313-973-1900

dule, revise and document the people, the activities and the budgets it will take to bring all your projects in on-time. And let your people go home at night.

TrackStar you need to use it yourself on your own projects on your own computer. To do this we have a low-cost 30 day trial installation offer.

Take a look, then give it a try Plus introductory pricing!

with our Special Trial Installation Offer.

Take advantage ofour special, introductory pricing, available for

To really understand and appre- a limited time only. ciate the power and capability of
.I·····························.·I ~ ~ Tell me more about TraekStar

· LY.J

·

·

Please send me your color brochure describing all of TrackStar's features

·

and capabilities, plus information about your 30 Day Trial Installation

·

·

and Introductory Pricing.

·

·

Name~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

·· Title
· Company

· ·
·

=· Address
· City Phone (_ _)

·

St

Zip

I ·

· VAX model(s) currently in use:

·

·

Mail to: T and B Computing, Inc., 1100 Eisenhower Place, Dept. 7211

·

·

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

·

······························

N1100PLUS
· 4 Mbytes DRAM · B KBytes Cache · Hardware Floating Point · Memory Management

N1100
· 2 Mbytes DRAM
· Memory Management · Serial Line Unit · Universal Boot ROM

J-11"POWER FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE
FITS ALL EXISTING CPUsNO BACKPLANE CHANGE

Call ED GRIFFIN for FREE PRODUCT INSTALLATION GUIDE

(800) 233-1837 Ext. 370

In Calif. (714) 261 -8811 Ext. 370

· UNIBUS ·POP · J· 1I 11e l9i11Slt!f1Kl trademarks ol DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

NISSHO
ELECT RONICS
17310 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200, Irvine, California 92714 · FAX (714) 261-8819, TLX 181-308
ENTER 207 ON READER CARD

136

is based on a new set of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chips that implement the MICROVAX instruction set. Emerging from this processor technology are two new computers (MICROVAX 3500 and 3600), three new processing servers for local area networks (VAXSERVER 3500, 3600 and 3602) and two new workstations (VAXSTATION 3200 and 3500).
The MICROVAX 3500 and 3600 probably will attract the most attention. They are based on the same Q-bus architecture as the popular MICROVAX II, but are expected to run three to four times faster. (The 3500 and 3600 differ only in their cabinetry and expansion options.) The machines will sell for base prices of $74,800 and $99,800, respectively.
What did customers think ofDECWORLD? I interviewed a number of people on the floor and most were impressed. One customer commented on the amount of work he could get done in a short time at the show. He said that although he could see the same demonstrations at home, it would require dozens of separate meetings with DEC salespeople and third-party vendors. At DECWORLD, he could do six months' worth of product reviews in an afternoon.
Another attendee said that he was getting valuable ideas about how to apply new technology at his company. He had looked at the automated assembly line in the manufacturing area, and was thinking of using some of those methods in his company's manufacturing plants.
The only negative comment I heard was from a pair ofcustomers who were frustrated by the lack of technical knowledge of the people running the display booths. These customers complained that whenever they asked a question beyond the canned demos, the person staffing the booth didn't know the answer. This criticism appeared to be an unusual case, however, compared to the many positive impressions.
All in all, DECWORLD was a winner for Digital.
DEC PROFESSIONAL

SY0 TEM Nt\VIGt\118N
IMPROVED USER PRODUCTIVITY · REDUCED TRAINING COSTS
Traverse is a clean, simple interface that integrates any or all of the activities on a VAX/VMS system. This software allows applications, utilities, DCL commands and inhouse development to be incorporated into a cohesive user environment.

Using Traverse simply involves defining Nodes (activities) and Paths between nodes (relationships between activities). In this way, any activity that can be performed using
DCL can be built into a screen driver system .

BENEFITS:

· Reduced training costs · Less user frustration · Higher productivity

· Speaks the user's language · Flexible & expandable

CALL (403) 250 - 1266

VISITECH GRAPHIC RESOURCES INC. JllS 12th St. N.E. , Calgary, Alberta TZE 7J2

ENTER 217 ON READER CARD

VAX and VMS are crademarks of Oigiial Equipement Corporation. Traverse is a tradrmark of Visitech GraphIC Resources Inc.

FROM Keyword's KEYPAK
THE LAB
Carl B. Marbach

As wonderful

as connectivity

and communications are, they introduce some new problems. A user with a WORDSTAR word processing program on a PC now may want to exchange documents with a VAX-

' The key is that the new document must be editable and include all special attributes, rulers and pagination markings.

based word processing system, or with

another PC user who has a different word processing system, such as SAMNA or Microsoft WORD.
Exchanging documents always has

' ' into word processing program B. This holding, double underlining, rulers,

been possible using an ASCII file be- approach usually works because most etc.). There's also the problem of hard

tween the two systems. You first con- word processing applications include a carriage returns, hyphenation and

vert from word processing to a regular utility for translating into and out of pagination.

ASCII (print) file using word processing ASCII. The problem is that using this

Real document translation must

program A, then convert the ASCII file process loses attributes (underlining, move "editable" documents, including

all attributes and page parameters, from

one system to another. The key is that

the new document must be editable and

include all special attributes, rulers and

Mnemonic

Document Type

pagination markings. There often will be incompatibilities among different

AF DC DX IP M1 MCMW MM MW ND
ow

ASCII DCA/RFT WPS-Plus (DX) DisplayWrite 2/3 MASS-11 Microsoft WORD (Macintosh) Multi Mate Microsoft WORD (PC) Navy/DIF Office Writer

systems; for example, some won't support double underlining and the translation then must make some reasonable conversion.
Document translation should be used when: 1. You want to edit another person's document and he's using a word processing system different from yours. 2. You have a PC at home that uses a

01

Quadatron Q-ONE

different word processing system from

SA

SAM NA

WC

Wang PC

WF

Wang Flat

WP

WordPerfect

ws

Word Star

XF

XF Xerox Flat (Xerox 860)

xw

Xerox (Writer II, Ill)

the one on your VAX at the office. 3. You want to edit a document you created when you were using that old word processor that's no longer on the VAX. 4. A friend at another installation is going to edit your work but he has a

different word processing system from

KEYPAK supports many dffferent types of documents, each of which is yours.

identified with a mnemonic. 5. You don't want to make everyone in

138

DEC PROFESSIONAL

your office use the same word processing system just for compatibility sake; the secretary needs a simple system and the engineers need equation capability. 6. You're converting from a standalone system to shared word processing on the VAX. 7. A remote office has a standalone system and they want you to archive their documents on the VAX. 8. You'll be working in a different office for a short time and you want to take some documents with you, but they use a different word processing system from yours.
KEYPAK To The Rescue
Keyword Office Technologies m Calgary, Alberta, Canada, distributes KEYPAK, a document translation program for the VAX. We tested the product on our Lab's VAX 750 using

Microsoft's WORD and Microsystems Engineering Corporation's MASS-11. We found the product easy to use and able to do the job.
KEYPAK is delivered as a VMS executable image and is ready to run. The program, KW.EXE, operates like any other DCL command, once the logical has been installed.
Converting a Microsoft WORD document that exists on a Macintosh to a VAX-based MASS-11 format was straightforward. First we transferred the WORD document to the VAX (using a basic file transfer utility), making sure that all eight bits were transferred. This required that the terminal line be configured for /EIGHTBIT and IPASSALL and that the transmission protocol understood that the data is eight bit. Note: Since the file may contain some strange characters, pretending that the file is binary is a good idea. This way

the transmission protocol simply will transfer everything, including CNTL-C or CNTL-Z, that it finds in the file.
Once the WORD file was on the VAX, we used the command format:
KW <source id code> <destination id code> /Source = filename /Target = filename /log = filename
Thus our transfer was:
KW MCMW M1 IS= MWD.DOC IT= MASS.DOC IL= LOGFILE.OUT
or
KEYPAK from Microsoft WORD to MASS-11 with the source (WORD) file called MWD.DOC, and the output

FOR THE VAXmate ·IBM PC· XT ·AT· PS/2

·Spelling checker with 60,000 word dictionary. · DX and AX serial communication. · List processing with SORT. · Document transfer to WPS-PLUS/VMS and ALL-IN-1. · Convert documents to other word processors.

DECmate STYLE WORD PROCESSING

WPS-PC gives you familiar Gold-key style word processing on the IBM PC and compatibles. Maintain your investment in DECmate training and DECmate documents and still move to the IBM PC. Read and write your DECmate II or Ill document diskettes in the 1.2MB drive of a PC AT or transfer the DECmate documents to any PC using DX communications.

$275
PLUS $3.75 SHIPPIN G
See us at DEXPO West '87
Booth #558.

Designed for fast response on a minimum configuration of 128KB of memory and two floppy diskettes ; runs on hard disks as well · VT-102 te rminal emu lation and CX communication · Supports over 50 popular serial and parallel printers, including the LN03 and the HP LaserJet · Distributed on 5Y· and 3Y2 inch floppy diskettes ·
Call for information on a demonst ration system. Dealer inquiries invited. Educational discounts available.
IBM PC XT PS 2 and AT are ltademarks of IBM Corp WPS-PC and WPS-DOS are trademarks of E"fccp11ona Business So1u11ons Inc VAX VMS WPS-PLUS VAXmate ALL-IN-1 DECma1e and RAINBOW are lrademarks of 01g11a· Equipment Corp HP LaserJet is a trademark of Hew1e11 Packa,d Corp

Exc·ional
Business Solutions Inc.
10811 Washing ton Blvd . #240 · Culver City ·CA 90232-3658 213/ 558-3435

FOR THE RAINBOW
ENTER 120 ON READER CARD

NOVEMBER 1987

139

Norm De Nardi Presents:

The only Computer and Graphics Show in California that highlights technology
for the OEM, systems integrator, software and hardware designer.

. . . attention Aerospace and Defense Contractors!

Held right here in Silicon Valley, this one day show gives you the opportunity to meet today's industry leaders and tomorrow's innovators who can furnish you with solutions to your hardware and software needs.

Exhibit Features: · Graphic Displays
& Controllers · Supercomputers ·Workstations ·UNIX · Desktop Publishing

Update your calendar now.
Call or write Norm De Nardi Enterprises for your free invitation, 289 S. San Antonio Rd. , Suite 204, Los Altos, CA 94022, (415) 941-8440.

·CAD/CAM · Printers/Plotters · Imaging Systems &
Controller Boards ·Software

,
/ / / / /

/
/

(target file) to be MASS.DOC and write a log file called LOGFILE.OUT.
In our Lab tests, KEYPAK translated a large 120,000-character document with a CPU time of 6:25, a little more than 300 characters per second (about 3600 baud). A smaller document processed approx·imately 500 characters per second, demonstrating that there are complexities in translations beyond just handling pure characters. If your document has many rulers, centered words, underlining and a lot of holding, then translation can take longer. If you want to know how much text 120,000 characters is, think of a page with 66 lines of 72 characters (every space filled with a let-

ter), and multiply by 25. It would take 25 completely filled pages to equal 120,000 characters.
Once the file has been converted and MASS.DOC exists, it must be entered into your MASS-11 directory using the Utilities menu. Our test document converted properly, but the

PAGE/PRINT attributes were set improperly for our configuration and weren't set to the default. Therefore, the output didn't work correctly on our laser printer. Changing the PAGE/PRINT settings to our regular ones, however, provided the fix . We then converted a complex document with a lot ofunder-

RS IQuantum

The flex ible VAX*resource accounting and chargeback solution.

KEYPAK
Keyword Office Technologies Ltd. 2816 Eleventh St. N.E. Calgary, AB Canada TIE 7S7 (800) 661-8161 (403) 250-1770 Entry level system price: $2,000 (includes server and any two modules) for MlCROVAX, VAX 111725, 11/730. Additional 15 percent annual maintenance fee. Successive modules - $2,000 each. Top level system price: $15,000 (includes server and any two modules) for VAX 8800, 8900. Additional 15 percent annual maintenance fee. Successive modules - $6,000 each.
ENTER 48.1 ON READER CARD
WORD
Microsoft 10700 Northup Way Box 97200 Bellview WA 98009 (800) 426 9400
ENTER 485 ON READER CARD
MASS-11
Microsystems Engineering Corp. 2400 W. Hassell Rd., Ste. 400 Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 (312) 882-0111
ENTER 484 ON READER CARD
NOVEMBER 1987

dS
COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.

Quantum RS is a powerful system management tool whether your need is · Chargeback /Cost Allocation · Project /Department Accounting · Network/Cluster Accounting · Capacity Planning · Report Generation · Establishes rate schedules for nodes, accounts, projects, departments, users, terminals and user-defined entities. · Offers project and department level accounting without traditional VMS* accounting limitations. · Operates in single or multiple VAX environments from a central database whether the nodes are connected via DECNET*, Ethernet, in a cluster or any combination of methods.

Quantum RS is the easy-to-use software package that offers the VAX manager a complete solution to resource accounting!

Free Demonstrations Available. Call TOLL-FREE 1-800 -232-S215, in Massachusetts or outside U.S. call 617-848 -7515, o r return the coupon for details.

Computer Information Systems, Inc. 16S Bay State Drive, Braintree, MA 02184 U.S.A., 1-800-232-S2 1S. In M assachusetts or outsi d e U.S., 617-848 -7S1S. Telex 9102500738 CIS INC

DP87 11

Computer Information Software, Ltd Yeom ans Cou rt, Ware Roa d, Hertford SG13 7HJ England , (0992) S00006

Attached is my business card or letterhead . I w ould like mo re inf ormation about :
O VA X Charg eback D VAX Resource Utilization
O VA X Performance Monitoring Number of VAX Systems _ _ _ __

" VAX, VMS , and DEC NET ;uetrademarklof 0 1g 1tal Equ ipm ent Corporation .

ENTER 111 ON READER CARD

141

Introducing
PHANTOMTM
The first INTILLIGINT OMA Controller from Multiware

Name: Phantom. Mother: Virtual memory disk . Father: OMA controller. DEC Family: Runs OP PDP-ll 's and MicroVAXes with 0-Bus. Chorocter: High real-time data transfer rates without CPU intervention. Brief Description: Highly capable. Peripherol 1/0 processor with parallel and serial ports, OMA engine, and VMS virtual disk software. Speed: Fastest available - call for details. Immunized ogoinst: 1/0 bottlenecks, disk "data late" errors. Siblings: l brother and 2 sisters under development. Doctors Comments: "I've delivered a lot al babies, but I've never seen one like this before ... It's phenomenal!" Time of Birth: Shipping December l, 1987. More Information: Call us for a lull pedigree at 118001522-0202.
ENTER 221 ON READER CARD
See us at Dexpo West, Booth #2040

. v~ ... .
...... .M·U..L..T.·IW..,ARE
2121 Second St., Building B, Suite 107 Dovis, California 95616 In California coll 916/756-3291
INNOVATION AT WORK

==-= .::~

------ -- - -- ------ --.

_

_..._ T -

Who says you have to pay extra
to get an ASCII terminal equipped with these three letters?

Introducing the new family of IBM 3151 ASCII displays.

We worked harder to make them easier to use.

Now you can have the most versatile ASCII terminals IBM has ever made, for the lowest price IBM has ever offered. Our new 3151 family gives you more functions, and greater compatibility with more ASCII host system computers, for single unit purchase prices starting at less than $400" per terminal.
Three models and up to 16 emulations make them flexible.
The entry level Model 110 comes with 10 nonIBM emulations built in, and provides an 84-key keyboard with 12 definable function keys.
The full-function Models 310 and 410 come with 11 emulations, and are easily capable of more (such as DEC VT220/100/52TM and WYSE WY-50/50 +TM)by simply adding a new low-cost, slimline cartridge.
Their 102-key keyboards, equipped with up to 36 definable function keys, are also recappable, so you can adapt them to fit just about any program.

Besides being designed for compatibility with other computers, IBM's new ASCII terminals are more compatible with people.
New 14" flat screen displays provide a nonglare viewing surface and smooth scrolling. Our 310 and 410 models also offer a choice of 80 or 132 column displays, with crisp character resolution, in green or amber-gold.
What's more, we built the logic into the monitors, making all three models more compact and more reliable.
However, the most important feature of our new displays isn'ton the screen, but above it: the IBM name. IBM provides not only a choice of a one or three year warranty, but a tradition of quality, service and support.
It's no wonder these three letters have come to symbolize so much to so many people. And at these prices, they'll be even more in demand. For additional information, contact your IBM Marketing Representative, or call 1-800-IBM-2468 for a supplier near you.

Model310

------------- - ----------- - - - - - ~ ---------- -

Model 110

Model410
· Prices subject to change without notice. IC IBM 1987. IBM is a registered trademark of the IBM Corporation. DEC VT220/IOOl52 are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. WYSE WY-'YJF.IJ+ 1s a trademark of WYSE Technology.

lines and many rulers, and it worked perfectly in MASS-11.
KEYPAK is distributed with only the conversion modules needed. Conversion routines are stored in object modules that are contained in a VMS object library. Using the VMS LIBRARIAN, object modules can be

added or removed. The user can customize the transla-
tion using KEYPAK's configuration control. While KEYPAK has optimized the configuration for the majority of conversions, users can modify source, target and character definitions. For instance, some word processors have a special

EMU·TEK seven Plus craphlcs Terminal Emulation SOftware

Compatible-works with virtually all 4107 compatible programs. PATRAN~ UNIRAS~ REACCS~ and Dl-3000® are just a few.

Affordable-at $695, our 4107 emulation software is the cost-effective way to link a PC to host computer graphics.

Sensible-adds versatility to your PC-based workstation. The PC you use for word processing or spread sheets can be used as a graphics terminal, too.

Reasonable-find out how our whole family of graphics terminal emulation software makes good sense for the work you do. Call today fo r more information.

IFT IENTER 122 ON READER CARD

~ DATA \,I SYSTEMS

(714) 995-3900 (800) 962-3900 (800) 972-3900 (Calif.) 10801 Dale St., Suite M-2, P.O. Box 615 Stanton, CA 90680 Telex: 887840

DJ.JOCX) is a rq?IStered trademark ~ Prec151on Visuals, Inc., PAIBAN IS a trademark of PDA Engmttnnfi!. REA ACS is a registered trademark of Molecular Des11,on. Lid.. and UN IRAS 1s a rrademark of UN IRAS, Inc.

ruler tab that allows all tab spaces to be represented by dots. Thus:

xxxxxx(tab)... ... .. ... ....YYYYY

If your target word processor doesn't support this construct, you can translate to:

x x x x x x ................ . ..Y Y Y Y Y

which has no tabs, or

xxxxxx(tab)

yyyyy

which has a tab, but no dots.

The configuration parameters in KEYPAK allow you to modify decisions made by the defaults. By using the configuration option, users can customize most conversion parameters to match their own needs.

Other Keyword Products

KEYPAK + 1 is an ALL-IN- 1 user inter-

face for the VAX conversion software.

KEYPAK + 1 includes electronic messag-

ing of external files, like documents on

workstations or from spreadsheets. It

uses the standard ALL-IN-1 interface and

includes GOLD key support and HELP

facilities. ALL-IN-1 users will need little

or no training in the use of KEYPAK + 1.

Keyword also produces a PC ver-

sion of the conversion software called

SOFTPAK. This software is customized

to run on a PC and will convert among

different word processors. KEYWORD

COMMANDER is a complete menuing

and command processor for the PC.

In addition, Keyword markets

complete PC-based systems for doing

document exchange. Some of these

systems include 8-inch as well as

51/·-inch and 31/2-inch floppy disks. The

KEYWORD 7000 System includes a

51/·-inch 48-TPI floppy, a 51/·-inch 96-TPI

floppy and two 8-inch 48-TPI floppies.

The new KEYWORD 8000 System also

can include 3 1/2-inch diskettes for

Macintosh, Data General, PC portables,

HP 150, Grid Computers, Toshiba and

others.

·

144

DEC PROFESSIONAL

ATIONAL·INFORMATION·SYSTEM

While Other 4th GLs

Make You Crawl

Through Programming,

Better yet, ACCENT R even provides upward mobility for

existing applications. That's

ACCENT R®Lets You Fly.

because ACCENT R can use VAX RMS files.

Which means

you can eas-

ily expand

without

. " CCENT R gets your

dramatically reducing pro-

redesigning

n vAXNMS multi-user

gramming time; a full comple- your appli-

production applications off the ment of debugging tools; error cation or

ground fast.

and syntax checking; and

re-loading your

The reason: Speed.

intuitive commands for

data.

ACCENT R is actually

prototyping and developing

Fact is, ACCENT R

much more than a 4th GL and sophisticated applications.

will keep your applications

RDBMS. It's a Total Applica-

ACCENT R even delivers

flyi"ng for years. It's no surprise

tions Development Environ-

custom reports, data entry and that FORTUNE 1000 compa-

ment providing complete

display forms, and menus; all nies, government agencies, and

control.

without coding.

universities have chosen

For you, this means a prod-

Still, that's not the only

ACCENT R for developing

uct that finally reason why applications devel- their full-blown applications.

breaks the lan-

oped in ACCENT R take wing.

That's why you should call

guage barrier. Sim- ACCENT R generates compiled National Information Systems

ply, you'll never revert code and is optimized for

at (408) 985- 7100 for more

o Cobol, Fortran, or C

VAX/VMS environments.

information . After all, why

again.

~

You take advantage of

So your resulting multi-user applications can run as much

crawl through programming when you can now fly?

ACCENT R's powerful and efficient programming

ACCENTR® as forty times faster than interpretive

language. One that features "Application Models"-a unique framework for

systems.

408-985-7100
National Information Systems, Inc. 1190 Saratoga Avenue Sanjose, CA 95129

ENTER 219 ON READER CARD

For Your Free Demonstration Package, or courseware catalog, call:
(800) 323-8649 or
(312) 987-4084
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
Te lemedia, Inc.
310 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604
In Europe: Bush House, 72 Prince St.
Bristol BSl 4HU Telephone: (0272) 290651

DEC
VAX/VMS for Programmers VAX/VMS for Users

PC

PC Primer MS-DOS Lotus 1-2-3 dBase Ill dBase Ill Plus R:Base 5000 Enable

Multimate Multiplan Symphony Displaywrite Word Perfect

'C' Language
'C' Language Programming Advanced 'C' Programming
UNIX®
UNIX Executive Perspective UNIX Overview UNIX Fundamentals for
Programmers UNIX Shell vi Editor UNIX System V Internals

ENTER 112 ON READER CARD

· UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T

Dl'OIBSSional Dl'BSS DU/J/icalions

Professional Press launched the DEC-specific publishing industry in 1979 with the publication of its first DEC magazine RSTS PROFESSIONAL.
Today Professional Press offers two DEC-oriented publications and a third, geared to the HewlettPackard marketplace. Plus two important texts for computing pros who want to learn about C language and VAX/VMS.

DEC PROFESSIONAL The largest circulation DEC publication in existence - 100% buyer qualified· and dedicated to improving staff and equipment performance at DEC installations.

vA"X..r -···
p rofe -;ri ona l

VAX PROFESSIONAL-The Software Journal for VMS This bimonthly publication is the only technical journal dedicated solely to the users of VAX/VMS. It's the source of practical advice on how to write better software and make better use of the hardware on every VAX system - from the MicroVAX to the 8800.

- ·~ ··--·

HP PROFESSIONAL A monthly magazine written for professional users and managers of Hewlett-Packard's business/commercial and technical computer systems. With 30,000 buyer qualifiedsubscribers, it offers by far the largest and most clearly targeted circulation in its marketplace.

INTRODUCTION TO VAX/VMS This self-teaching text explains and illustrates how to use VAX/VMS systems. Easy to learn for the computing novice . . . an excellent reference for VAX/VMS pros. Covers the basics and teaches systems and programming as well. plus glossary and appendices. Author: Terry Shannon. Updated and revised by David Bynon.

·:;--, LJ

LET'S C NOW A complete guide to learning C language in two volumes. Over 300 pages in 26 chapters in a selfinstructing workbook format . All the information needed to become proficient in C. Plus chapter summaries, glossary and author, Rex Jaeschke's hints and suggestions.

·June 1987 BPA Publisher 's Statement, May issue analyzed.

PRO.

f

.

For More Information Call (215) 542-7008

TRIMM Industries'

FROM
THE LAB

DA

David W. Bynon There comes a
time in the life of a MICROVAX when it must be upgraded. These upgrades come in the form of more memory, new or additional storage systems, cartridge tape drives, serial port controllers, and so on. For the BA 123 "world box" MICROVAX II owner, this isn't much of a problem. The BA 123 chassis has enough space to house five 51/.-inch storage peripherals and plenty ofpower to run them. The BA 23, pedestal, chassis, however, doesn't provide you with this luxury (unless you convert to a rack-mount system). Space for two storage peripherals and too few 1/0 panels leaves little, if any, growth path. TRIMM Industries recognized this

DA 123 Cabinet TRIMM Industries Inc. 11939 Sherman Rd. North Hollywood, CA 91605 (818) 983-1833 Price: Configurations from $895 to $3,000
ENTER 436 ON READER CARD
Maxtor 4380 Maxtor Corporation 150 River Oaks Pkwy. San Jose, CA 95134 (408) 842-1700
ENTER 455 ON READER CARD
RQDX Signal Distribution Board Zoltech Corporation 7023 Valjean Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91406-3997 (818) 780-1800
ENTER 437 ON READER CARD

123 Cabinet

problem. Already having a strong presence in the MICROVAX market, TRIMM came out with its DA 123 series of MICROVAX cabinets. The DA 123, as its name implies is a world box cabinet, like

for the Digital BA 23 chassis. The idea behind this cabinet is brilliant; the left half of the DA 123 expansion cabinet is used to house the BA 23 chassis, and the right half provides mounting space for

' ' To install the BA 23 chassis, you simply remove it from its original pedestal and slide it into the DA 123.

''
the Digital BA 123. The likeness, how- additional storage devices and a power

ever, is only in appearance.

supply. The brilliance of the design is

TRIMM DA 123 systems are built that the BA 23 chassis isn't modified, it

around two base models: an integrated thus remains warranty and DEC Field

expansion cabinet and a full system Service eligible.

chassis/cabinet. Many custom config-

The DA 123 expansion cabinet pro-

urations can be created from these basic vides mounting space for as many as

designs. For this Lab test, I ordered both four 51/·-inch devices or one 5'I·-inch

DA 123 models with an assortment of device and two 8-inch drives. A total of

peripheral mounting hardware.

six 5114 -inch devices may be installed if

When the cabinets arrived, I was you use the original BA 23 chassis slots.

surprised to discover their combined Needless to say, this box gives you some

weight to be almost 400 pounds. These growing room.

are heavy-duty plated steel cabinets; you

To install the BA 23 chassis, you

won't find any plastic. The finish exactly simply remove it from its original ped-

matches the DEC equipment. All ex- estal and slide it into the DA 123. A

terior surfaces are painted in a durable, special mounting bracket on the DA 123

textured enamel.

securely holds the BA 23. Once the BA

The DA 123 cabinets have remov- 23 chassis is bolted in, you can start add-

able front and side panels, and a hinged ing storage devices.

rear door for access to the 1/0 panels. It

The system I used to test the expan-

takes some time to get the knack of re- sion cabinet was a perfect candidate. It

moving and replacing the front and side had an RX50 and an RD54 in the two BA

panels but, once learned, access to any 23 internal slots, and a TK50, RD53 and

system component takes seconds. I

found this ease of access a big plus.

The first unit I tried was the expan-

sion cabinet, designed to be an upgrade

148

DEC PROFESSIONAL

the HighTech RDBMS Now with full remote update

Discover It!

Other RDBMS vendors are claiming full distributed functionality, but delivering "read - only remote'.'
EMPRESS Version II gives you full remote update single or multidatabase distributed operation on such popular networks as NFS, DecNet and the Apollo Ring, with two-phase commit protocol to guarantee database integrity in the event of system failure.
Now for the first time, you can really optimize systems/ network resources.

And that's not all.
In conjunction with our Bulk datatype, User Defined Functions allow you to store any type of data (in effect you can create new datatypes) as well as design and integrate your own customized operators into EMPRESS. It's that flexible.
In addition, EMPRESS Version II provides Referential Integrity and the ability to update through complex views, as well as many enhancements to our powerful

application development tool M-Builder.
With its built-in adaptability and open architecture, EMPRESS dispells the myth that a commercially available RDBMS can't handle such high tech applications as CAD, voice and photogrammetry. It can, and does, and is currently available on most UNIX Systems as well as VMS and DOS.
Call us today for more infonnation.

The High Tech RDBMS
Rhodnius
Rhodmus Incorporated 250 Bloor Street East.Toronto. Ontano. Canada M4W tE6
Tel: (416) 922-1743 Fax: (416) 922-0162
ENTER 151 ON READER CARD

The expansion cabinet takes a BA 23, which resolves any DEC-related service issues.

The DA 123 has a TRIMM-supplied backplane and shelving to hold four 51.4-inch drives.

Maxtor 4380 in individual external boxes. It was a sloppy situation that I was forever griping about.
Fortunately, all of the cables to the external storage devices were long. This saved me from having to make new cables, and it made the installation painless. I simply had to remove the devices from their individual cabinets, screw on the TRIMM slide mount brackets (DEC compatible I might add), and route the cables. The total conversion took about two and a half hours. The result is a neatly integrated MICROVAX system in a handsome cabinet. With the original

BA 23 control panel and RX50 showing in front, it looks like it's an original DEC system.
In addition to providing space and power for more storage devices, the TRIMM boxes have a DEC-compatible, hinged UO panel (optional on the DA 123 expansion cabinet). The panel provides 50 percent more space for I/O cabinet kits than the BA 23. This was great news for me, because I was having to buy special remote mount cabinet kits for the DHVs.
The second cabinet was not as easy to build as the expansion cabinet, although it turned out to be a fun project. This DA 123 cabinet is designed for

the OEM or systems integrator. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that includes an eight-slot Q22/CD backplane and card cage, 540 watt power supply, CPU front control panel, fans, circuit breaker, and an assortment of 51/·- and 8-inch storage device mounting possibilities.
The card cage and backplane are mounted on a hinged door, which makes working on the system a breeze. Additionally, this door serves as a radio frequency interference (RFI) seal. I liked this feature very much, even though I had to make longer cables for every circuit board in the system. It took a full day to size and make up the cables. The end result, though, was worth the time spent. It turned out to be neat and professional. The ribbon cable guides and stays, built into the card cage, were a blessing.
To keep the use of my RDxx and RX50 drives, I had to find an RQDX distribution board. On the Digital BA

150

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Soft\Vare AG's VMS Product Family.

ADABAS: flexible, high-performance data base management

ADABAS is a relational-oriented data base management system (DBMS) uniquely designed to fully utilize the power of VAX architecture and the VMS operating system. ADABAS features a modular design, and is written in VAX Macro to maximize the benefits provided by the VMS operating system within the VAX architecture, and to ensure efficient usage of computer resources (110, CPU, and disk space).

NATURAL: advanced 4th Generation applications development technology

NATURAL combines all the components necessary to implement sophisticated, practical applications in the high-volume production environments of both VAX and IBM users. NATURAL allows for data entry, data manipulation, ad hoc queries, development and editing of programs and forms, report generation, library management, and security systems. This integration of functions in one, easy-to-learn technology significantly enhances programmer productivity, while reducing application development time by up to 90%.

PREDICT: integrated, active data dictionary*

,

0

PREDICT is an online, interactive data dictionary which serves as the focal point of Software AG's advanced information management and applications development system. Fully integrated with ADABAS and NATURAL, PREDICT actively defines and documents the format and nature of data in ADABAS and its usage in NATURAL and ADABAS SQL applications.

SUPER NATURAL: interactive applications generation for end users*

SUPER NATURAL is an integrated, menu-driven, and easy-to-learn system that allows novice users-as well as experienced ones-to generate inquiries and reports, manipulate data, and create and maintain user files, making easy work of applications development.

NET-WORK meets the complex communications needs of VAX and VAX/IBM environments, allowing transparent access to, and update o~ remote data residing in ADABAS data bases on VAX or IBM processor nodes. NET-WORK supports a wide variety of communication protocols used within VAX environments and between Digital and IBM systems.

And all of these tools can be presented to the VMS user through simple menus, using Software AG's "WORKBENCH" technology.
Just another way in which Software AG delivers the Digital Advantage.

For a free color brochure on the
Software AG VMS
productfantlly,call toll-free: 1-800-843-9534
(In Virginia and Canada,call
703-860-5050)

·New for VAX users in 1987

ENTER 241 ON READER CARD
t: SC~WAAE AG
. , PROGRAMMING BUSINESS SUCCESS

23, the distribution board is mounted to the rear ofthe backplane. While I could have used the BA 23 distribution panel for this Lab test, I decided to search for an OEM solution. Zoltech Corporation had just the ticket. Its RQDX signal distribution board (CA-RQDX-VQll) is

designed to bolt directly to your RDxx drive. Rather than using it in this manner, I decided to mount it in the cabinet, in an area where the drive cables were being routed. Nylon PC board stand-offs served as a stable mounting solution.

At first I was concerned that an eight-slot backplane wouldn't be large enough for everything that I wanted in my MICROVAX. A year ago this would have been true, but we now have manufacturers putting 16 MB of MICROVAX II memory on a single quad-height board, 16 serial ports on a single dualheight board, and multifunction disk/

"LEAF" IT ALL TO
US!

SCHERERS 6145 Scherers Place Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 889-9810

~Haoma ·
Authorized Distributor

ENTER 173 ON READER CARD 152

' ' I was so impressed with
the TRIMM Industries DA
123 cabinets in the Lab, that I bought them.

''

tape controllers. Eight slots is plenty for

most systems.

There's no doubt that the DA 123

cabinet is the supreme choice for the

systems integrator. I have, however,

several items to go on a TRIMM DA 123

wish list.

First, and foremost, the use of DC

fans. AC fans, while efficient and power-

ful, are simply too loud for an office en-

vironment. DC fans, on the other hand,

can be controlled easily through the use

of a thermostat. A thermostat located in

the card cage area would control the

speed of the fans, keeping the sound

level to a minimum.

Second, a secure cabinet option

would be beneficial. As with Digital's

MICROVAX systems, the DA 123s leave

the MICROVAX vulnerable to tampering

or theft. This could be resolved with a

panel and door lock system. Finally, a

front bezel on which to mount drive

write-protect panels, like those built by

Emulex and Digital. The drive write-

protect panels, while not required, are

nice items to have.

I was so impressed with the

TRIMM Industries DA 123 cabinets in the

Lab, that I bought them.

·

DEC PROFESSIONAL

The Cl-PMI-EDC is an ULTRA HIGH DENSITY, HIGH SPEED, State~of-the-Art dynamic random access memory with built in Error Detection and Correction circuitry. The module has access and cycle times in the range of most memories without EDC capability. The CI-PMI-EDC supports the PMI interface on the PDP 11/ 83 and PDP 11/ 84.
Cl-QBUS-EDC
LSl-11, J-11, MICROVAX I
· Single bit error correction, double bit error detection
· Runs complete DEC diagnostics · Dual width card · 2 or 4 megabytes on one board · Block Mode OMA

Cl-MIV8-EDC
· Single bit error correction, double bit error detection
· 8 megabytes on one board · MicroVAX II hardware &
software compatible · Control Status Register (CSR) · MicroVAX error logger support

Cl-MIV16
· 4, 8 and 16 megabytes on one board · On-board parity · Plug compatible to any MicroVAX II · Completely hardware and software compatible
with the MicroVAX II

· IBM-RT PC compatible memory board
· Standard configuration of 8 megabytes
· Supports cycle interleaving

Cl-RT-PC-MEMORY

· Fast Cycle Times of 170 nanoseconds
· Error Detection and Correction for added reliability
· IOONS access times

- Lii0..... -..--,-.11 I I
CHRISLIN ALSO CARRIES STATE-OF-THE-ART MEMORIES FOR VMEbus, MULTIBUS, IBM PC or AT

800-468-0736 Call Toll Free:

(est.)

Chri!!!ilin lndustrie!!!i Caribe,, Inc.

ENTER 228 ON READER CARD

P.O. BOX 1657, SAN JUAN, PR 00629 TEL. 809-876-5205 TELEX 3454170 (CHRISLN PD)

31352 VIA COLINAS, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 TEL. 818-991-2254 TWX 910 494-1253

REPRESENTATIVES: CANADA-TECH-TREK, ONTARIO (416)238-0366, MONTREAL (514)337-7540 W. GERMANY-DEMA Computertechnik (089) 272 3240, SWITZERLAND-OAP (01) 948 0580
PDP, QBUS. LSl-11 , J-11 MicroVAX, VAX are Trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation . IBM is a Trademark of International Business Machines. MULTIBUS is a trademark of Intel Corporation.

The Ernulex QD33

FROM THE LAB

Controller Upgrade

Dave Mallery

We've been us-

ing an Emulex

QD32 for many

months in our

MICROVAX II. This is the dual-high

MSCP controller that has been available

for some time. The QD33 is an upgrade

that's capable of supporting the newest

3 MB/second drives that are just coming

on the market.

I set out to replace the QD32 with

the 33. The first consideration was to

ensure that the parameters stored in the

controller's memory matched the FUJI

2333 drive. The parameters given in the

manual matched those in the QD32, so

the only problem was to program the

same ones into the EPROM on the QD33.

There are two ways to do this: one is to

use ODT; the other is via an Emulex

supplied diagnostic program.

Figuring that real men use ODT, I

went for the first alternate method. (I

used to get my kicks from toggling in

long memory diagnostics on 11/40

consoles!)

Basically, you deposit a list of

parameters in low memory that are

specific to the drive(s) you wish to use.

Then, you have the controller load this

list into its nonvolatile RAM. The

manual supplies a list of parameters for

all the popular disk drives:

CDC RSD 9710 CDC 9715-340 CDC 9715-515 CDC9771XMD CDC 9772 XMD CDC 9772-13 XMD Fujitsu M2351A Fujitsu M2361A Fujitsu M2333 CDC 9720

The parameters for the FUJI 2333 are shown in Table 1.
These are deposited in low memory as follows:
D/W/P 0 1 D/W/P 2 1 D/W/P 4 0 D/W/P 6 43 D/W/P 8 A D/W/P A 335
D/W/P lA 10C D/W/P 1C 0 D/W/P 1E 0 D/W/P 20 0
This last one is to terminate the list. A single-drive system has to have rotational position sensing turned off, so you deposit a 6 at location 10. Hexadecimal notation is the bane of
The QD33 and two drives. The CDC is using round, shi.elded XMD cables; the FUJI 2333 is using standard SMDs.

VAX ODT. Your familiar octal bus addresses are no good here. My controller is DUA, the first one.
Therefore, the old familiar 772150, first controller CSR, becomes 20001468 in hex (see Table 2).
The actual procedure to cause the nonvolatile RAM on the controller to accept this list of values is a series of ODT deposits and examines covered in Section 6.5.2 of the manual. Once these parameters are in place in the controller, it's able to deal with the physical realities of the drive attached. MSCP puts all the burden ofphysical device location determination on the shoulders of the controller, leaving the host CPU with a simple linear sequence of relative blocks. All bad blocks are revectored by the controller so that a "seamless" error free "device" is presented to the host.
The big advantage of MSCP then, is that all drives are the same, save for size. All error recovery is the controller's problem, and effectively is offloaded from the host CPU's problem list.
The QD33 doesn't emulate the DEC Diagnostic and Utility command protocol, and therefore will not support any DEC MSCP diagnostics.
The QD33 can control two physical drives. Each could be partitioned into two logical drives, giving the subsystem a capacity of four logical drives. About the only argument for partitioning an MSCP drive is perhaps to make a very small second drive on one of the very big ones that's bootable and has a few basics on it like backup. I'd keep that drive in reserve for a rainy day.
The controller is a simple card. There are three sets of dip switches: one on the board edge, which has one switch you might want to toggle if running the onboard diagnostics, another fourbanger that selects the 18- or 22-bit ad-

154

DEC PROFESSIONAL

With the WY-85 at left, Wyse authored Our dual resolution mode lets you retain

the bestselling alternative to DEC's VT- full VT-220 compatibility and shift from

220. It's fully compatible with the VT-220, DEC resolution to hi res.

but loaded with features that make it even And there's a happy ending. The WY-85

more compatible with the people who use it. is just $599, the WY-99GT $649. Both are

Like a larger 14" screen. Tilt and swivel made, serviced, and supported by the com-

base. An easier set-up mode.

pany that ships more terminals than anyone

\ And while our keyboard is identical to but IBM~

DEC's in layout, they can't touch our touch. Wyse. When it comes to quality and value

Our new WY-99GT at right further illus- in terminals, we wrote the book. For more

trates Wyse's continuing drive to improve information, call 1-800-GET-WYSE.

on a standard. It features the same advantages as the WY-85. Plus graphics, with full . Tektronix 4010/4014 compatibility, and

WYSE
I I I -I

high resolution characters.

We make it better, or we just don't make it. ·

I

Trade Mir Owners: Wyse, WY.-85. WY-99G T/Wyse Technology; DEt. 'T-220,1ligiral Equipmenl Corporation: Tektronix,40l0,4014 /Tektmnix. Screen imil"gl' on WY·99GT created using Cognos Power House.

" IDC l~ U.S Tennma1 Census.

"

ENTER 1111 ON READER CARD

1 0

2 2

3 4

4 6

5 8

6
7

A c

8 E

9 10

10 12

11 14

12 16

13 18

14 1A

15 1C

16 1E

2

1
1
0
103 12 1465
1 2 101406/6*
0
0
403 10020
414
0 0 0

1 1 0 43 A
335
1 2 8306/6* 0
0
103 1010 10C
0 0
0

Number of Drives Type Code Head Offset Sectors per Track Heads Cylinders Spare Sectors per Track Spare Cylinders Configuration Bits Split Code Removable Media Flag Gap 0 Parameter Gap 1 Parameter Gap 2 Parameter Cylinder Offset Spiral Offset end

*Voiu. after slosh is with RPS disabltd.

Fujitsu M2333 NOVRAM parameters.

IP

m150

SA

m152

IP

m154

SA

m156

IP

760334

SA

760336

IP

760340

SA

760342

IP

760344

SA

760346

IP

760350

SA

760352

IP

760354

SA

760356

IP

760360

SA

760362

20001468 2000146A 2000146C 2000146E 200000DC 200000DE 200000EO 200000E2 200000E4 200000E6 200000E8 200000EA 200000EC 200000EE 200000FO 200000F2

QD33 IP and SA registers.

Emulex Corporation 3545 Harbor Blvd. P.O. Box 6725 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (800) EMU-LEX3
ENTER 498 O N READER CARD
Fujitsu America Inc. 3055 Orchard Drive San Jose, CA 95134 (408) 946-8777
ENTER 499 ON READER CARD

dress mode, and a 10-position switch

that handles the bus address and a few

other particulars. If you're adding a

QD33 to an existing MICROVAX without

replacing the original RQDX controller

and drive, you'll want to set the address

to the first alternate: 772154. If you're

building a system and this is your only

disk, then you need 772150. The full

range oflegal addresses are available for

super systems.

Features are available that are for

MICROPDP installations specifically -

22-bit memory addressing and

bootstrap.

There are three controller-resident

functions. First, is the ability to load the

NOVRAM with a block of disk size

parameters. Without this, the controller

makes a good book marker. The second

is the format command sequence. This

will write a format on all the cylinders

defined by the size parameters. Third is

the drive verify. I was unable to make

this work. It would start but fail after

a few hundred sectors, leaving the error

indicatiqn illuminated on the LED on

the edge of the controller. Fortunately,

the diagnostic set supplied by Emulex

works well. I recommend using it.

There also is a boot function. This isn't

for the MICROVAX, so I didn't try it.

I have always had good luck with

Emulex controllers. The QD32

predecessor to this controller worked

normatively for the many months we

used it as the baseline standard for Lab

comparisons. I have every reason to

believe that the QD33 also will live up

to its lineage.

·

156

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Busin~ ~ement 5)stems
From Collier-Jac~n

Because Overtime Is Overhead.

For financial managers, time is an eminent factor, accurate infonnation a must. We've spent over 12 years developing financial, accounting and personnel systems to help you process, analyze and present infonnation more efficiently, more effectively.
We're an award-winning software finn with a full-range of products, hardware expertise, setvice and support.

ENTER 110 ON READER CARD

Idi 3707 CCoorpllolrea·te·JO·f·filcueos:n. ·nc. West Cherry Street i~~)a·7~:;::g7

~t Dmt DDma ··
·
Coopm1ive Ma<ke1ing Program

CJ/ADVANCED GENERAL LEDGER TM
CJ/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TM
CJ!ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE TM
CJ/FIXED ASSETS TM
CJ/PAYROLL TM
CJ/PERSONNEL TM
CJ/EMPLOYEE HJND ADMINISTRATION TM CJ/REPORT WRITER TM CJIEXECULINK TM

"Why do we own thousands of They start with solid engineer-

TeleVideo®terminals?

ing, and follow through with

Because we can't afford thou- every detail, down to the steel

sands ofproblems:' ·

brace in the _keyboard. Over-

· Susan Kennedy is a prod- all they've built the same qual-

uct analyst at Leasametric, a

ity into the 9220 that's made

company that rents, sells, and

all their other terminals last so

services DP equipment all over long. Obviously, we want to

the country. Including thou-

make sure that, two years from

sands of terminals. And if reli- now, our equipment will still

ability is important to the

be working for us. That's why

average user, it's critical to

we feel so good aboutTeleVideo:'

Leasametric.

Of course,

Because every-

9220 KEY FEATURES

Susan is talking

thing they offer Superdark 14"

not only has to

amber screen [green optional)

30 non-volatile
./ programmable
~unction keys

about quality and ./ reliability. When

stand up to the FuUVf 220 rigors of ship- compatibility

./

VflOOcompatible keyboard

./

you check the features you get for

ping, but tlie DB25 connector extra wear and for printer port

./

Compose1cey disable control

./

the money, we look just as good.

tear that rental

Tilt and swivel base

./

Graphics model avai lable

equipment al-

./

As you can

see from the chart,

ways takes. And if a Leasa-

the 9220 gives you full VT 220

metric machine breaks down,

compatibility. A 14" amber

so does the cash flow it

screen. And the best thought-

generates.

out ergonomics around. All for

So before Leasametric

only$619.

approves one unit, they tear it

The TeleVideo 9220. If

apart piece by piece. And give you'd like more inform,ation,

it an evaluation that makes an call us toll-free or write, today.

MIT exam seem easy by com-

TeleVideo Systems, Inc., .

parison. We talked to Susan

1170 Morse Avenue, Sunnyvale, ,

recently, and these are just a

CA 94088-3568.

few ofthe things she said:

In the meantime, we'd like

"Too many terminals just to leave,you with a quote from

don't measure up ... I've seen

Susan Kennedy, "Keeping cus-

machines with questionable

tomers happy is what my job

ergonomics ... keyboards that

is all about. An:d TeleVideo

flex in the middle when you

definitely makes my job a lot

type ... even cheap little diodes easier."

·

that could drop off... all these

O TeleVideo® factors combine to make a prod-
uct you either want or don't

want in your product line ...

THE V ISION YOU NEED TO SUCCEED.

11 "But with TeleVideo, the

r'....:. ENTER 158 ON READER CARD

whole product is well designed. Ld1 1-800-835-3228

DEC and VT220 are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

«:l 1987 TeleVideo Systems, Inc.

m

A Tale Of
Two Protocols

Deciding On The Optimal Protocol For Your Macintosh Is No Easy Task.

BY AL CINI

EVEN THOUGH MOST Macintosh/VAX communication products can be installed and used by people with little or no technical computer expertise, a general behind-the-scenes knowledge of the underlying mechanics, or communication protocols, can help you decide which product~ might be best for a given application.
Computer systems cooperate with each other by exchanging information, and the rules that define the format of this information are known collectively as a protocol. Protocols range in complexity from the simple conventions that might exist between two loosely coupled systems (like KERMIT), to the comprehensive standards required by a large computer network (DECNET and AppleTalk).
Simple agreement on a common computer alphabet, like ASCII, is the only protocol required for two computers to exchange text with each

other over a point-to-point wire. Terminal emulator products like Apple's MacTerminal download host text simply by recording the host's character transmissions to a Macintosh file, or upload it by playing back a similar file as though it were typed at the Mac's keyboard.
The transfer of binary data, on the other hand, like program files, requires the data transparency and error correction capabilities of a real communications protocol. On transmission, the sending system organizes its outgoing data into specially formatted envelopes called packets, which include control information like byte counts and checksums.
The receiver, in turn, can use the packet's control information to determine whether the data it received is correct and intact. If an error is detected, the receiver can send a special response packet to request retransmission of the invalid packet.

Beyond error correction and recovery, both DECNET and AppleTalk protocols provide the end-to-end message routing and many other advanced functions a large computer network needs.
WHICH PROTOCOL FOR YOUR MACINTOSH
TO PARTICIPATE IN DECNET networks, you can program your Macintosh to speak DECNET. A DECNET-equipped Macintosh can send and receive electronic mail, or submit networked print and batch jobs, as though it were just another VAX or PDP-11.
This approach may sacrifice some of the Macintosh's user-friendliness (you might have to run special Macintosh utilities to perform the functions of DEC network programs like NCP and VAX/VMS Mail), but it offers easy integration into existing DEC networks. Macintosh-based DECNET alternatives include products like Alisa

160

DEC PROFESSIONAL

· · · · · ·
MAC/VAX

Session

,IilI

Transport

'

Moving Data With AppleTalk
AppleTalk moves Information by breaking It down Into segments, assigning addresses to them, and sending them along the available communications hardware. This process, known as encapsulation, happens In discrete phases starting with the Information as a user would see It (the Presentation level). To prepare Information In this form for transmission, It first must be broken Into sequentially numbered parts, so that It can be reassembled In the correct order when It's received (the Session level). Information that unambiguously Identifies the parts' recipient must be added (the Transport level), so that these discrete packets of Information can be carried to their addressee by the lower levels (Network Link Access) of the process. These low-level packets, or frames, easily can be assembled upan receipt Into a faithful reproduction of the original Information by decapsulatlng them In a symmetric reversal of the transmission process.

NOVEMBER 1987

161

· ···
MAC/VAX

Systems' TSSNET and Technology Concepts' CommUnity.
Alternatively, a DEC system can be programmed to speak Apple Computer's AppleTalk protocol. While to DEC-oriented people this sounds like a step backward, it offers the advantage of total transparency to Macintosh users.
In practice, neither DECNET nor AppleTalk is universally perfect. Each presents its advantages and drawbacks, and some circumstances may even call for the simultaneous use of both. Our Macintosh/VAX networking series will include reviews of products based on both AppleTalk and DECNET. Here we'll examine the AppleTalk protocol's surprisingly comprehensive and powerful features, and look at the AppleTalk for VMS developer's tool.
The AppleTalk Strategy
IF YOU THINK AppleTalk is simply some twisted-pair cable and funny looking connectors, think again. Realizing that its Macintosh office concept would depend on a consistent

and simple framework for interconnecting Macintosh systems and printer/disk-server devices, Apple conceived and developed its AppleTalk communications protocol with some important basic objectives in mind: 1. In keeping with the plug-and-go nature of the Macintosh, an AppleTalk network would have to be as invisible to the user as possible. Network transactions would have to be peer to peer, and, to minimize the need for network management, the network's message routing facilities would have to learn dynamically where the people (clients) and resources (servers) were as they joined the network . 2 . The same AppleTalk architecture would have to support small networks of a few Macintosh systems and printers, as well as very large internetworks involving thousands of nodes. 3. AppleTalk would have to be layered, so that third-party developers more readily could substitute AppleTalk under their existing networked application software, and so that vanous physical communications media could carry AppleTalk traffic.

Companies Mentioned In This Article

AlisaTalle, TSSNET Alisa Systems Inc. 221 E. Walnut Ave. Suite 230 Pasadena, CA 91101 (818) 792-9474
ENTER 468 ON READER CARD
Appl/Ialie Apple Computer Inc. 20525 Mariani Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 996-1010
ENTER 469 ON READER CARD
PhoneNet Farallon Computing Inc. 2150 Kittredge St. Berkeley, CA 94704 (415) 849-2331
ENTER 470 ON READER CARD

FastPath Kinetics Inc. 2500 Camino Diablo Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (415) 947-0998
ENTER 471 ON READER CARD
Helix Odesta Corporation 4084 Commercial Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062 (312) 498-5615
ENTER 472 ON READER CARD
Comm Unity Technology Concepts 40 Tall Pine Dr. Sudbury, MA 01776 (617) 443-7311
ENTER 473 ON READER CARD

4. AppleTalk would have to be an open architecture, inviting its use not only by Apple's traditional third-party developers but also by IBM and others.
The result, after several years of work, is a documented networking architecture that can run over Ethernet as well as over Apple's own inexpensive twisted-pair hardware; support a couple of Macintoshes sharing a LaserWriter or a very large network with thousands of cooperating systems, printers and file servers; and run under MS-DOS, UNIX and VAX/VMS as well as the Mac's own operating system.
Using AppleTalk, Macintosh procedures, like the familiar CHOOSER desk accessory, are used to access disk and print servers easily either around the world or in the next room. The Mac's uniquely simple icon interface can apply a computer network's vast resources to a user's local Macintosh desktop problems, while completely hiding from them the underlying complexity of network membership, packetizing and message routing.
AppleTalk's Tactics
APPLETALK IS A layered protocol patterned after the ISO standard Open Systems Interconnect model. AppleTalk's layered architecture enables third-party developers to substitute AppleTalk's high-level Presentation layer under their applications in place of the corresponding layers of alternative networking software like TCP/IP and DECNET. Likewise, depending on budget and performance requirements, a faster, more expensive Ethernet can be substituted for the slower, cheaper standard AppleTalk twisted pair communications hardware which constitutes AppleTalk's low-level Link Access and Physical levels.
This logical separation of the underlying hardware from the higher application layers also permits different protocols, such as AppleTalk,

162

DEC PROFESSIONAL

· · · · · ·
MAC/VAX

DECNET, TCP/IP and Local-Area Transport (LAT is the specialized protocol used by DEC's terminal servers to establish interactive VAX sessions) to share a common Ethernet without interfering with each other. Apple and third-party developers, such as Kinetics, have announced hardware to connect Macintosh systems directly to an Ethernet, or to provide protocol gateway services between Ethernet and standard AppleTalk networking hardware.
Macintosh systems and other AppleTalk devices constitute network nodes, and are identified by an eightbit node number that's dynamically determined when the node enters the network . Within a node, up to 255 separate logical AppleTalk channels (sockets) can be defined to handle simultaneously either separate electronic mail or printer client-to-server requests.
While Apple's usual twisted-pair hardware limits an AppleTalk network to no more than 32 nodes for electrical reasons, the software architecture actually will support as many as 255 nodes in a network. A network, in turn, is identified within a larger internet by its 16-bit network number, and connected to other networks through specially programmed AppleTalk bridge nodes, serving as internetwork packet forwarding agents. The long form of an AppleTalk address, therefore, is an eight-bit socket number within an eight-bit node number within a 16-bit network number, for a theoretical maximum (after you take some reserved values into account) ofmillions ofseparately addressable network entities.
Names, of course, are much easier 1to remember than numbers, so AppleTalk provides special name-binding procedures in its transport layer to permit servers to associate humanintelligible 32-character names with
their machine-intelligible 32-bit network addresses. Later, Macintosh net-

work users can select these named servers easily using the CHOOSER. In large internets, which can confuse users with perhaps hundreds of named servers, AppleTalk permits a network manager to organize an internet's bridges into arbitrary zones. After it's defined, a user could choose

processes appear as AppleTalk nodes. By calling various AppleTalk sub-
routines provided in the package, these virtual AppleTalk node processes can communicate with each other in their virtual network, or across Ethernet to various real AppleTalk networks in the outside world through

A properly programmed
VAX can use AppleTalk's protocols to communicate
with networked
Macintoshes.

the LASERWRITER server in the ACCOUNTING zone, as distinct from LASERWRITER servers in the SHIPPING or ORDER PROCESSING zones.
Individual AppleTalk networks configure themselves automatically and, except for routine network hardware plug tightening, require no management attention. Larger internets need manual one-time configuration of their bridges and perhaps a little AppleTalk zone planning. As a companion to their PhoneNet twisted-pair AppleTalk hardware products, Farallon offers AppleTalk network management software for use in diagnosing and correcting problems in large AppleTalk internetworks.
APPLETALK FOR VMS
A PROPERLY PROGRAMMED VAX can use AppleTalk's protocols to communicate with networked Macintoshes. Developed in conjunction with Alisa Systems, Apple licenses a VAX/VMS implementation of AppleTalk, called AppleTalk for VMS, to developers interested in writing VAX-based servers for networked AppleTalk users. Using AppleTalk for VMS, a VAX/VMS system becomes an AppleTalk network and its

the provided AppleTalk/VMS Bridge

process. This bridge process can even

communicate via DECNET with

bridge processes running on other

VAX/VMS systems, enabling an Apple-

Talk internet to be extended transpar-

ently tended across a wide geography

using existing DECNET point-to-

point or X.25 links.

AlisaTalk's VAX/VMS-based file

and print server software uses Apple-

Talk for VMS to provide their services

to Macintosh clients. Similarly,

Odesta's Helix VMX database package

offers VAX/VMS-based database serv-

ices to AppleTalk-networked Macin-

tosh users.. Future developments from

these and other third parties are sure

to include applications like electronic

mail and videotex services.

Depending on your needs, con-

necting a Macintosh to a VAX can be

as simple as using a terminal emulator

to exchange text, or as involved as

running DECNET on your Macintosh

or AppleTalk on your VAX - or even

both at the same time. The successful

construction of a Macintosh/VAX net-

work will require that you know the

relative pluses and minuses of each of

the many alternatives.

·

ARTICLE INTEREST QUOTIENT Enter On Reader Card High 364 Medium 365 Low 366

NOVEMBER I987

163

Memory Upgrades For VAX 8000 Series
EMC Corporation announced the development of memory upgrades for VAX 8000s. EMC released 32-MB and 64-MB arrays for VAX Memory Interconnect (MI)-based computers, which include the 8500, 8530, 8550, 8700 and 8800. EMC's expanded capacity is achieved through use of state-ofthe-art, zig-zag inline packaging (ZIP) technology, and 1-megabit chips. VMS 5.0, the newest revision of DEC's VMS operating system, is expected by the end of the year. VMS 5.0 will allow users to configure up to 256 MB of memory in their VAX systems. To find out more, contact EMC Corp., Hopkinton, MA 01748- 9103; (800) 222-EMC2. Stop by Booth No. 1300.
Enter 344 on reader card
Pennington Has Translation Services
Pennington Systems Incorporated announces program conversion and language translation services available on a contract basis. One such translation tool is XTRAN. XTRAN functions in a fully symbolic, rather than a mechanical fashion, and is inherently language independent. The initial language combinations implemented are PDP-11 and VAX-11 Assembly code to C. Another tool is CONPAX, which converts PDP-11 Assembly code (MACR0-11) to VAXnative mode assemb ly code (VAX MACRO).

Further information is available from Pennington Systems Inc., 65 S. Main St., Bldg. C, Pennington, NJ 08534; (609) 737-2727. Telex: 981032 PENNSYS. Visit Booth No. 257.
Enter 345 on reader card
Unisys Servicing VAX-11/700
Unisys Corporation has announced CUSTOMCARE for VAX-11/700 customers nationwide. Unisys is offering a special promotion called " Reach for the Power,'' which provides new Unisys customers with the first month of service on a free-trial basis. Customers may cancel during this time if not satisfied.
Unisys initially will offer VAX 11/700 service in areas with concentrations of DEC users (including most major US cities) and later extend it to the remaining sites.
DEC maintenance is offered as part of CUSTOMCARE Service, which encompasses all Unisys education services, professional services, and services for hardware and software support.

Editor's note: DEXPO West 87 is fast approaching. This year the 13th National DEC-Compatible Exposition will be held in Anaheim, California, from December 8 through December 10.
Approximately 300 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors are expected to participate. Professional Press' exhibition booth number will be 454. Plan to see us there; we enjoy meeting our readers.
Many of the companies mentioned in "Products" this month will be exhibitors at DEXPO West 87. Their booth numbers are indicated, so stop by and visit.

For further information, contact Unisys Corporation, P.O. Box 500, Blue Bell, PA 19424-0001; (215) 542-2243. Visit Booth No. 1338.
Enter 351 on reader card
The Link Increases PDP-11 CPU Power
The Link, a system software package, recently was introduced from Northwest Digital Software Inc. The Link is designed to extend the life span of existing PDP-11 systems. It allows two PDP-11 systems running RSTS/E to be joined so that disk information can be shared by both systems. This effectively can double the performance of a PDP-11 system.
Designed to run on RSTS/E version 9.2 and newer, The Link uses standard DEC hardware. The Link allows full file protection and record-locking, and doesn't require any modification of existing applications programs. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Northwest Digital Software Inc., Box 1797, W. 405 Walnut, Newport, WA 99156; (509) 447-5631. Stop by Booth No. 453.
Enter 301 on reader card
IMSL Announces FORTRAN Libraries
IMSL has restructured the IMSL Library. Contents of the Library have been expanded and divided into MATH/LIBRARY, for solving mathematical problems; STAT/LIBRARY, for analyzing statistical data; and SFUN/LIBRARY, for evaluating special functions.
The Libraries' nearly 800 user-callable subprograms add more than 150 new areas of functionality to those available in the IMSL Library. The new products implement state-of-the-art algorithms and modern FORTRAN-77 programming techniques. The new task-oriented documentation is reorganized for ease of use. For more information, contact IMSL Sales Division, 2500 ParkWest Tower One, 2500 CityWest Blvd., Houston, TX 77042-3020; (713) 782-6060, Telex: 791 923 IMSL INC HOU, outside TX call (800) 222-IMSL. Visit Booth No. 716.
Enter 302 on reader card

164

DEC PROFESSIONAL

GRAFkit Available On ULTRIX
International Computer Exchange (ICEX) Inc. will introduce its U LTRIX version of GRAFkit at DEXPO WEST 87. The ULTRIX implementation will compliment existing GRAFkit routines available under VMS and will allow users to obtain highlevel graphic capability for graphs, 3-D solids and surfaces, histograms, scatter diagrams, mapping, map data overlays, streamlines, and vector representations for the entire VAX family of computers.
Prices for an entire GRAFkit package start at less than $3,000. Additional information can be obtained by calling International Computer Exchange (ICEX) Inc., 740C S. Pierce Ave., Louisville, CO 80027; (303) 666-5400 ext. 845 or (800) 222-4239 ext. 845. Stop by Booth No. 809.
Enter 303 on reader card
PIVOTAL Offers Guide To VAX/VMS Management
In conjunction with its ALL- IN-1 and VAX/VMS system, performance, network and security management training and consulting offerings, PIVOTAL Inc. offers a new practical guide to VAX/VMS performance management based on its popular two-day seminar, How To Tune Your VAX.
Written as a practical performance management guide by a team of practicing VAX/VMS system managers, How to Time Your VAX - An Introduction to VAX/VMS Performance Management features sections explaining how each of the major components of the VAX and VAX/VMS work as well as sections on how to manage their performance. Learn more by contacting PIVOTAL Inc., 6892 E. Dorado Ct., Tucson, AZ 85715; (602) 886-5563. Stop by Booth No. 1048.
Enter 304 on reader card
MARK 12 Provides Mathematical Subroutines
Mark 12 of the NAG FORTRAN Library provides 688 FORTRAN mathematical and statistical subroutines for more than 80 computer/operating system combinations, from workstations to supercomputers, including all DEC systems. There have been 175 userlevel routines added. Among these are 97 routines including Level 1 and Level 2 BLAS (Basis Linear Algebra Subprograms) that enhance performance on vector and parallel computer systems. Mark 12 now is a comprehensive, integrated library of numerical algorithms for computational science and

engineering. The Online Information Supplement and Graphical Supplement also are available to complement the NAG FORTRAN Library. For more information, contact Numerical Algorithms Group Inc., 1101 31st St., Ste. 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515; (312) 971-2337. Visit Booth No. 642.
Enter 305 on reader card
NISSHO Introduces N1100-Plus
NISSHO Electronics Corporation introduced the Nl 100-Plus Dual Board Computer based on the DEC J-11 microcomputer chip. The Nl 100-Plus is an enhanced version of the N1100 and includes a memory capacity of 4 MB, SK of cache, floating point ac-

ports the following Ethernet cards: Ungermann-Bass (NIC), and the Excelan 205; as well as the previously supported 3-Com 501, the 3-Com 505, and the MICOM NI-5010. Using RAF over Ethernet enables VAX to PC data transfer at a speed of more than 100,000 characters per second. RAF Remote Access Facility is a PCto-host integration system. RAF enables PC users to access and use the processing power of a remote VAX without any knowledge of remote computer commands.
The cost for RAF is $395 per PC and $395 per host. For further information, contact Datability Software Systems, 322 Eighth Ave. , New York, NY 10001 ; (800) 342-5377 or in NY (212) 807-7800. Stop by Booth No. 2150.
Enter 306 on reader card

NISSHO Electronics introduces the N1100-P lus.

celerator option and memory management unit. The Nl 100-Plus incorporates an independent memory bus (IMB) which, combined with high-speed DRAM, provides any PDP-11/24/34 with PDP-11 /84-type performance.
The Nl 100-Plus consists of two HEX size UNIBUS boards and can be installed in any standard SPC slots without backplane changes. The processor operates on the 18-bit backplane and provides UNIBUS M apping to its own IMB.
The price for the Nl 100-Plus is $12,000. For further information, contact NISSHO Electronics Corp., Inwood Pk ., Ste. 200, 17310 Red Hill Ave., Irvine, CA 92714; (714) 261-8811. Stop by Booth No. 362.
Enter 308 on reader card
Datability Expands Ethernet Capabilities
Datability announces the release of version 1.9.2 featuring enhanced Ethernet capabilities. This lates t version of RAF sup-

Pulizzi Introduces PC 585
Pulizzi Engineering Inc. introduced the ZLINE PC 585 multiple time delay (sequenced) up-and-down power distribution and control system. The four-second time delay between switches 1, 2 and 3 lets your system power up large amounts of current, without tripping the circuit breaker. In the power down mode, the controller shuts down in an orderly sequential manner, starting from switched 3, 2 and then 1 to safely bring the power down on your system. Two remote 1/0 connectors are provided for on/off, emergency shut down, and power up of additional Z-LINE controller systems down line. Remotes also provide DEC system connectivity. Learn more by contacting Pulizzi Engineering Inc., 3260 S. Susan St. , Santa Ana, CA 92704-6865; (714) 540-4229, FAX (714) 641-9062. Visit Booth No. 813.
Enter 309 on reader card

NOVEMBER 1987

165

You'll have your say at Digital Equipn1ent Con1puter Users Society Symposia.
Here's your opportunity to speak up. To a"k questions. To swap war stories. And to n1eet computer professionals who share your interests. DICUS is the largest, independent professional computer users group in the industry.
There are over 100,000 DICUS n1embers who have access to year-round training prograins, published materials and a whole library of public domain software-all designed specifically for users of Digital's computers.
Ifyou'd like to plug into this network, join us at our Fall '87 Syn1posiu1n that will be held in Anaheim, California, December 7-11.
You can choose from 800 different sessions. Talk to the actual Digital developers about DECworld product announce1nents. Meet experienced users. And build your personal network.
For membership and symposiu1n information:' telephone 617-480-3328 or write:
[ g DECUS U.S. Chapter 219 Boston Post Road, BP02 Marlboro, MA 01752-1850
*Pre-registratio n savings end Novembe r 16th; for your convenience walk-in registration w ill be accepted.

BBN Software Introduces Programmer's Toolkit
BBN Software Products Corporation announced the RPL Programmer's Toolkit for VAX users. This new programming tool enables the company 's RS/1 users to build and maintain custom applications with greater performance and cost benefits.
The new capabili ties in the RPL Toolkit include automated procedure editing and loading, run-time profiling, code preprocessing, indexing and cross referencing, and batch loading of group and public procedures. Another key feature of the RPL Toolkit, the code preprocessor, allows developers to define and use macros and to specify conditional compilation of code. Learn more by contacting BBN Software Products, 10 Fawcett St., Cambridge, MA 02238; (617) 864-1780. Visit Booth No. 1619.
Enter 307 on reader card
X Window Support On GraphOn G0-250 &G0-235
GraphOn Corporation announced the avai lability ofX Window System support for

the G0-250 and G0-235 monochrome graphics terminals as a no-cost option . GraphOn provides X Window compatibility for a desktop graphics terminal. A GraphOn terminal with the X Window option provides a graphical windowing environment in which multiple applications can be executed concurrently. Terminal users in large centralized computing environments can benefit from windowing system productivity without redesigning their computer system architecture.
The G0-250 costs $2,495 and the G0- 235 costs $1,695. More information can be obtained by contacting GraphOn Corp., Tower One, Fifth Floor, 1901 S. Bascom Ave. , Campbell, CA 95008; (408) 371-8500. Visit Booth No. 1814 .
Enter 310 on reader card
ISE Releases New Version
!SE released its latest version of its Tape/Disk Media Librarian System for the VAX/VMS system. The MEDIA Librarian is a generalpurpose media management system designed to solve the problem of managing and controlling all types of off-line storage.

Full support is provided for any combination of VAX CPUs either single, clustered or networked. The Librarian uses a detached server process to monitor and control the allocation of removable tape and disk drives. All assistance requests are sent to the sy5tem operator in a consistent fashion. Geographically distributed m edia libraries are supported fully while maintaining a central database. Learn more by contacting !SE Inc., P.O. Box 241740, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1740; (213) 837-8339; TWX: (9 10) 340- 6449 (!SE LA); TLX: 322616 (!SE LA UW). Visit Booth No. 1844.
Enter 311 on reader card
Access Technology Demonstrates 20/20
Access Technology Inc. w ill demonstrate a new database interface product for sp readsheet users, called the 20/20 Database Connection, at Dexpo West '87.
The 20/20 Database Connection is a new extension to the 20/20 spreadsheet which provides a seamless bridge between 20/20 and several VAX databases. It was designed for spreadsheet users as a quick, easy way to retrieve database information directly from

RSX
coNSUl1\NG
· M, s, M-PLUS, Micre>RSX
· Perfonnance Analysis/Tuning · Device Drivers a SpeciaHy · Col~Up SUpport Service · Disk Corruption Recovery
NOVEMBER 1987

Ethernet \

&
ThinWire

\

Cables &

Assemblies

...with 24-48 hour turn-around on all orders.

· Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 coax and transceiver cable available for plenum and nonplenum applications
· All cables and assemblies electronically tested and guaranteed to conform to Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 specifications
· Custom-length , in-stock network cabling

In addition, Cabletron Systems manufactures coax and fiber optic repeaters and transceivers, multiport repeaters and transceivers and LAN test equipment.

Ask for literature and prices.

·eil"Ron l Ca Bl,!

, I

Y:STiem:s ----~

11

CABLETRON INDUSTRIAL PARK 10 MAIN STREET. BOX 6257 E. ROCHESTER. NH 0366 7 ·~ (b03J 332-9400 · TELEX: 9BB059

Manufacturer of Network Products · Nationwide Turnkey Systems

ENTER 106 ON READER CARD 167

corporate databases and bring it into 20/20 for analysis. With it, users need not know a query language, and there is no need for intermediate temporary files. For more information, contact Access Technology Inc. , 6 Pleasant St., So. Natick, MA 01760; (617) 655-9191. Visit Booths No. 348 and 350.
Enter 312 o n reader card
Sigma Introduces SA H165
Sigma Information Systems announced a new expansion enclosure for high-capacity Winchester disk drives. Designated the SAH165, the enclosure supports Fujitsu 2300 or Toshiba MK-280 series drives. The enclosure includes a 350 watt heavy-duty power supply, all internal drive cables, plus a front switch/display panel. The front display panel includes control switches and status indicator LEDs.
The price of the SA-Hl65 is Sl,270. For more information, contact Sigma Sales, 3401 E. La Palma Ave. , Anaheim, CA 92806; (714) 630-6553; Telex: 298607 SGMA; FAX: (714) 630-5417. Stop by Booth No. 2145.
Enter 314 on reader card

Minitab Releases 6.1 For VAXNMS Analysis
Minitab Inc. announced that Release 6.1 of its Minitab Data Analysis Software is available for the VAX series of computers. Minitab Release 6.1 has 18 new features, including multifactor analysis of variance, covariance and discriminant analysis.
Minitab also performs basic statistics, regression, nonparametric statistics and tabulation. New users need less than one hour of instruction to get started . For more information, contact Minicab Inc., 3081 Enterprise Dr., State College, PA 16801; (814) 238-3280. Stop by Booth No. 200.
E n ter 313 on reader card
lntellisys Demonstrated At DEXPO
Intellisys, from Genex Technology Group, is an intelligent menu-driven tool that allows users and data processing professionals to easily and quickly develop custom database applications. No programming is required to develop, test or operate serious filing, fo rms management, accounting, and manufactur-

ing applications. Intellisys is easy to use and powerful. Multifile and form applications can be developed easily and quickly.
The combination of power and ease of use in a single product makes lntellisys ideal for developing personal and departmental applications for MicroVAX, VAX, and PDP-11 systems. For more information, contact Genex Technology Group, 224 King St. West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8P 1A9; (416) 527-2191; FAX: (416) 522-6183. Stop by Booth No. 1426.
Enter 315 on reader card
Chrislin Introduces The Cl-MIV8-EDC
Chrislin Industries introduced the CIMIV8-EDC modu le for the MicroVAX II computer system. The CI-MIV8-EDC uses the most advanced technology available: 1 megabit Dynamic Rams. It has a quarter the amount of chips as other modules using 256K rams.
The memory is available with 8 MB and error detection and correction on a single card. It corrects single- bit and detects double-bit errors. In an average parity

The Ups & Downs of Maintenance #
Every OEM and VAR knows that great support service Is great for the bottom line. But the costs of a national service network are, for many, too high. At National Support Group we bring costs in line. We are specialists In Integrated DEC and DEC compatible system maintenance. We've been saving VAR's and OEM's bottom line dollars since 1980. It's done with well trained, experienced field and staff service engineers, custom diagnostic software, technical phone support, logistic support, and a commitment to keeping your users UP and costs DOWN. We'd like to show you how. Call us today st 713-496-4004.
Ni/Sil
NATIONALSUPPORTGROUP
14925-A Memorial Drive· Houston, Texas 77079 Telephone: (713) 496-4004 for more information.
DEC is a tradomarlc of Digital Equipment Corp
ENTER 235 ON READER CARD
168

DON'T BUY

A VAX SPREADSHEET

Without trying GRAPHIC OUTLOOK from Stone Mountain Computing.

If you are looking for LOTUS-like capability on the VAX, try GRAPHIC OUTLOOK. It's powerful. It's useable. And it's affordable.

GRAPHIC OUTLOOK provides

· A LOTUS command mode that makes it as easy to operate as 1-2-3.

· Automatic transfer of worksheets to and from 1-2-3 (versions 1A and 2) and Symphony.

· High-quality business graphics on most popular graphics terminals, plotters, and laser printers.

· 2-user, 6-user licenses, a lease plan and right-tocopy discounts for clustered VAXes.

· Probably more capability than you 've ever seen in a spreadsheet program.
Call about our demonstration package. GRAPHIC OUTLOOK. Tomorrow's VAX spreadsheet program that's available now.

~

Stone Mountain Computi ng P.O. Box 1369 Goleta, CA 9311 6 (805) 964-9101

VAX is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. LOTUS ·nd 1-2-3 u e rcaist ered trMlkm arkl of Lotus Dc:vclopmco t Cor poutio n

ENTER 227 ON READER CARD DEC PROFESSIONAL

How can you get the best of both VMSTMand UNIXTM?
VMS is the system of choice for many VAX users. But UNIX systems are increasingly becoming an accepted standard. From micros to workstations to supercomputers, most sizable installations have, or soon will have, at least one UNIX system.
So, how can you get the best of both worlds? Buy an extra machine? Inconvenient, costly, one more thing to manage. Install a package that modifies VMS? Dangerous. Use a "UNIX-like shell? " Not fully compatible. Replace VMS? Not likely.

HCRhasthe answer
The UNITY®Operating System allows you to use UNIX and VMS on the same machine at the same time.
Based on UNIX System V Release 2, UNITY runs under VMS providing simultaneous environments. UNITY provides UNIX programming tools including Cand Fortran, transparent access to VMS files,and even 'uucp' for linking to other machines. VMS and UNITY users can obtain applications from either system, thereby gaining the leverage to create quality software. At last you can have a compatible UNIX environment without disturbing VMS.
For the key to VMS and UNIX compatibility, please call or write.

The best of · software without disturbing VMS"

ti CR
ENTER 211 ON READER CARD

HCA Corporation
130 Bloor Street West 10th Floor Toronto, Ontario Canada MSS 1NS Telephone (416) 922-1937
Telex 06-218072 HCR TOR Fax (416) 922-8397

See us at booth H7327
~COMDIH7Fall '87 November 2-6. 1987 La Vega Hiiian Hotel
Las Vegas. Nevada

Copyright© 1987 HCR Corporation. UNITY Is aregistered trademark of HCR Corporation. UNIX isa registered trademark of AT&T in the USA and other countries. VAX and VMS are trademarksofDigital Equipment Corporation.

m em ory, an error could occur in a matter of days; w ith the ED C fun ction, the likelihood of an error is a matter o f yea rs. It also includes CSR register where memory errors arc logged so you ca n do on-site repair to the boa rd .
The memo ry is completely hard wa re and so ft wa re co mp atibl e w ith DE C's MicroVAX II sys tem . Fo r more info rmation, contact C hristin Indu stri es C arib c Inc. , P.O. B ox 1657, Ca novanas, PR 00629- 1657; (809) 876- 5205 o r (809) 876- 6160. Stop by Booth N o. 358.
Enter 316 on reader card
Zoltech Displays Hybrid Chassis Series
The versa til e fa mily of Q-bus and VME chass is and system packages from Zoltcch C o rporation w ill be on display at DEXPO West 87. Included in the display w ill be the new VME/PDOS development sys tem , the VV-1 1/M odel 1610 featurin g a 10 MH z 68010 CPU w ith 512K of RAM. The system comes compl ete w ith a 20-MB Winches ter disk drive, and an SOOK 5 1/ 4 -inch fl oppy disk dri ve. Included is the PD O S soft wa re d evelopment package, a hi gh-perfo rmance

Z.Oltech Corporation's Q-bus and UME system packages.

real-time, multitasking, mul tiuser operating system . T he chassis includes a 5- slot 6ux 160 cardcage w ith fo ur slots unoccu pied.
T he basic desktop W-11 /Model 1610-A is priced at $5,995.

Fo r more info rmation, contact Zoltech Corp. , 7023 Valjean Ave., Van Nu ys, CA 91406- 3997; (8 18) 780-1 800; Telex: 75545 1. Stop by Booth N o. 654.
Enter 318 on reader card

There's only one choice. And you can grow with it from word processing and spreadsheets to data
base and business graphics.
170

It's software you only need to learn once whether you run on
a PRO, PDP or VAX.

With it comes complete software support including telephone hot-lines,
year-round training courses and quarterly publications.
DEC PROFESS IONAL

VAX/VMS Spreadsheet Offers 3-D Graphics
Stone Mountain computing recently announced release 4.3 of Graphic Outlook, the first spreadsheet to offer 3-D perspective plots of spreadsheet data. Graphic Outlook reads and writes LOTUS and Symphony spreadsheets including the LOTUS version 2 format. Under the "Lotus Mode" user interface option, the command structure closely parallels that of LOTUS 1-2-3, allowing users to move spreadsheet work between PCs and VAXs without having to learn separate programs. Learn more by contacting Stone Mountain Computing, 42 Aero Camjno, Ste. 209, Goleta, CA 93117; (805) 964-9101. Visit Booth No. 266.
Enter 317 on reader card
INTOUCH Includes GQL For VAX/VMS
Touch Technologies Inc. will demonstrate the latest release of its INTOUCH product at DEXPO West. INTOUCH is the Next Generation Language for VAX/VMS com-

puters, and now includes a natural language interface. Guided Query Language (GQL) is intended for end users who wish to access complex databases without learning a traditional procedural language. As user requests arc made and validated, a full mock-up of the final output is displayed on the screen. GQL includes line-by-line error checking, takes only seconds to modify, and comes with a full HELP system. Contact Touch Technologies Inc. for more information at 9990 Mesa Rim Rd., Ste. 220, San Diego, CA 92121; (619) 455-7404 or (800) 525-2527 in the U.S., (800) 325-2527 in CA. Visit Booth No. 512.
Enter 319 on reader card
Phoenix Data Announces New Products
Phoenix Data Inc. announced hardware and software products to interface its Intelligent Data Acquisition Systems (IDAS) to VAX, MicroVAX II , VAXstation, VAX 8000 series and the PDP-11. !DAS interfaces are avai lable for systems with a Q-bus using the DRQ3B and DRV11-WA, the UNIBUS using the DR11-W, and the VAXBI bus using the DRB32-W. The avai lable software for the

DRV11-WA, DR11-W and DRB32-W is either low- level drivers or high-level menus using the VMS operating system. The software for the DRQ3B is contained in LABSTAR subroutines. Learn more by contacting Phoenix Data Inc., 3384 W. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017; (602) 278-8528; Telex: (910) 951-1364. Stop by Booth No. 1440.
Enter 321 on reader card
UserWare Announces UserBase V3.2
UserWare International Inc. announced the first customer shipments of Release 3.2. UserBase version 3.2 fully supports RMS fixed-length record file types, RMS alternate keys and VAX native data types. This software allows any VAX user the ability to write reports quickly or develop multiwindoworiented screen inquiries or updates from their existing RMS files without any programming knowledge. Find out more by contacting UserWare International, 2235 Meyers Ave., Escondido, CA 92025-1070; (619) 745-6006. Visit Booth No. 470.
Enter 325 on reader card

Put Saturn on your system and explore any one of 5 programs individually or all together as a fully integrated office automation system.
ENTER 218 ON READER CARD
NOVEMBER 1987

Before anyone promises you the moon, take a good look at Saturn.

Instead of a demo, give everybody a 45 day handson tryout of the real thing with Saturn Live.
Work with SATURN-CALC® electronic spreadsheet, SATURN-WP® word and list processor, SATURN-BASE® data base management system, SATURN-GRAPH® business graphics and SATURN-

CALC +TM spreadsheet and business graphics-one at a time or all at once-with all the support services you'll need.
Call 1-800-328-6145 ext.
116 for more information on how to see Saturn Live.
International and Minnesota residents call 612-944-2452. Dealer inquiries welcome.

Show me Saturn live.
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Company _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ _ __ Phone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Telex _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Operating system:
0 P/OS 0 TSX Plus 0 MICRO-RSX 0 RSX 0 RSTS 0 MICRO-VMS 0 VMS

Saturn Systems, Inc. , 6875 Washington Ave. So. Minneapolis , MN 55435 TELEX: 290 322
171

DynService Network Offers Alternative
DynService Network announced DEPOT support for DEC's RA80/81 HDAs. DSN offers competitive pricing, 90-day warranty, fast turnaround with expedite service available and an overnight exchange program.
DynService Network also repairs more than 1,600 other DEC subassemblies. Add to chis its buy/sell parts department coupled with a full exchange program and you have a comprehensive DEPOT support service. For more information, contact DynService Network, 1875 Whipple Rd., Hayward, CA 94544- 7834; (415) 489-6996. Stop by Booth No. 1726.
Enter 320 on reader card
NIS Shows Options For ACCENT R 4th GL
N ational Information Systems Inc. announced the DEXPO debut of three enhancements to the ACCENT R Applications Development Environment/4th GL for VAX/VMS systems.
ACCENT R Express is an end-user productivity tool that lees you quickly create custom database applications without coding. Express makes developing complete applications easy as it guides you through with pulldown menus and help at any level. DataPaint II is a user-friendly yet powerful forms design program generator that complements existing ACCENT R applications. DataPaint II enhancements provide pull-down menuoriented PC-like features and help that simplify file creation and maintenance.
The ACCENT R interface for Britton Lee represents the next generation of software for managing large databases by combining the speed and efficiency of ACCENT R's compiled code with the latest technology in datab ase machines. More informa tion can be obtained from National Information Systems Inc. , 1190 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129; (408) 985-7100. Stop by Booth No. 671.
Enter 322 on reader card
Online Access To VAX Site Database
Computer Intelligence (CI) offers Online Access to its VAX Special Interview Program. Online Access offers CI clients an effective, efficient way to analyze buying intentions, develop telemarketing and direct mail campaigns, identify competitive sales situations, generate custom prospect lists, and perform product planning.
The database is kept current through thousands of telephone interviews completed

Beckman Industrial Corporation's three new digital thermometers.

monthly. Businesses ranging from Fortune 1000 companies to small businesses, in addition to large government, medical and ed ucation sites, are interviewed. To learn more, contact Computer Intelligence, 3344 N. Torrey Pines Ct., La Jolla, CA 92037; (619) 450-1667. Visit Booth No. 658.
Enter 323 on reader card
VAX Link/APPC Unveiled
Systems Strategies Inc., an AGS Company, will introduce its new VAX Link/APPC connectivity software package at DEXPO West. The new package is part of the company's DEC-to-IBM communications software line.
VAX Link/APPC is a software interface chat provides peer-to-peer communications capabilities between VAX and MicroVAX systems and IBM mid-range systems in an

SNA environment. The package provides complete support for IBM's LU6.2, known as Advanced Program-to-Program Communications (APPC), and T2.1 nodes. This enables the DEC systems to share data and applications with IBM devices supporting LU6.2, such as Systern/36s and System/38s, without mainframe intervention. Find out more by contacting Systems Strategies Inc., 225 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001; (212) 279-8400; Telex: 380226. Stop by Booth No. 1039.
Enter 324 on reader card
Beckman Introduces Digital Thermometers
Beckman Industrial Corporation, Instrumentation Products Division, has added three digital thermometers to the company's product line. Models 440, 445 and 450 handheld thermometers all offer a number of

172

DEC PROFESSIONAL

features for use in the field or laboratory: an LCD display that is read easily in all lighting conditions; auto-off to extend battery life; the ability to switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius; and a splash-proof "touch-type" keyboard that ensures the model's portability to field locations without the risk of weather damage.
Model 440 lists for $99, the 445 lists fo r $169, and the 450 lists for $295. For additional information, contact Beckman Industrial Corporation, 3883 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123-1898; (619) 565-4415.
Enter 330 on reader card
Companion Color Printer Presented By DEC
Digital Equipment Corporation recently introduced LJ250/LJ252 Companion Color Printer. This product offers superior text and graphics color printing capabilities. When using the Companion Color Printer, you can print graphs, pie charts, bar charts, CAD/CAM drawings and schematics on paper or transparencies. Its advanced technology allows up to 255 colors to be printed on a single page. Text and graphic protocols are supported for Digital's computer systems, as well as IBM and other compatible PCs. For more information, contact Digital Equipment Corporation, 129 Parker St., Maynard, MA 01754; (800) DECINFO.
Enter 327 on reader card
Softwind Develops XTEND
Softwind Ltd . has released XTEND, an extension of X-WINDOWS, CG! and Tektronix protocols, bound into a userfriend ly, portable graphics development system. The environment of XTEND is X-WINDOWS and UNIX. XTEND allows you to port existing applications or develop new portable applications that arc hardware independent. For example, in a few hours, XTEND and EDS-386 (a graphics editor) were ported from a MicroVAX to three different 386 implementations. Find out more by contacting Softwind Ltd ., Dept. 109-171 , P.O. Box 38003, Los Gatos, CA 95031-8003 ; (408) 356-3180; Telex: 797720 GR! SLG; FAX: (408) 356-3180.
Enter 329 on reader card
DEC Announces VAX Enhancements
DEC has announced a number of performance enhancements to its VAX 8000 series, significantly lower prices on its MicroVAX 2000 computers, and price-performance adjustments across its entire product line.
Digital has made effective performance

en hancements resulting in an increased throughput of up to 40 percent, made possible by two new high-density memory products that expand the system capacities of all VAX 8000 series systems; price reductions on the VAX 8250, VAX 8350, and VAX 8530 system configura tions, and system enhancements and price adjustments across the balance of the VAX 8000 line to more accurately reflect system performance and customer value; the ability of all VAX 8000

series systems to directly attach to Local Area VAXclusters; a 50 percent reduction in the footprint size of8530 and 8550 VAXcluster systems to six square feet , resulting in high power in a small space significant price recl·Jctions on PDP-11 computers; and much more. Find out more by contacting Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, MA 01754- 2571; (800) DECINFO.
Enter 326 on reader card

PORTABILITY REDUCES DEVELOPMENT COSTS
You will save time and money if you use the same software on your new VAX, your old PDP, and your workstation PC. RDM applications can be transferred between a total of 10 supported operating systems for DEC and IBM personal computers without change or rewrite.
SHARE DATA ACROSS YOUR NETWORK
With RDM forms, processes and reports, you can store or retrieve your data from related files located on either your VAX, PC Workstation or both .
NON LANGUAGE
Software development is more complex and costly when you pay for the time it takes to learn or relearn a language. RDM's fill-in-the-blank definition method eliminates the need to learn language syntax, the most difficult part of language learning.
WITH INTERACTIVE DESIGN - YOU SEE WHAT YOU GET
There is no better way to get what you want than to see it and change it on-line. RDM's interactive tools speed your development process by showing the result.
COMPLETED APPLICATION
Just as the job.'s not complete 'till the paperwork's done, your application's not finished until it's ready for the end-user. RDM command menus and help files bring your whole application together.
IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH GOOD COMPANY
RDM is used throughout the US, Canada and around the world by such corporations as American Hospital Supply, Argonne National Labs, BC Telephone, Boeing, Butler Manufacturing, Compudyne, DEC, Dow Chemical, ESI , FM, Gannett News Service, GE ...

JOIN THE CROWD. CALL OR WRITE TODAY. 800·362· 6203

INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

*

10700 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway 460 Park Plaza West Beaverton, OR 97005 503·644·0111 TLX: 703920

VAX, PDP- 11, PR0 -35 0 & VAXmate are regislered trademarks of D igita l Equipment Corp ., Inc., M aynard , MA. RDM and Th e

APPLICATI ON DEVELO PER are trademarks of Interac ti ve Techno logy Incorporated . IBM PC is a tradema rk of IBM .

NOVEMBER 1987

ENTER 130 ON READER CARD

Exclusively UNIX: Biweekly.
Now put the latest UNIX news at your fingertips. · You don't hc.ve to wade th oug h other software and hardware news to find the UNIX infurff1ution you need. · It's all right here in every biweekly issue of /usr/digest. · Each edition is packed with information of the greatest interest to the UNIX systems community- new product information, new partnership announcerne11ts, product enhancement news, standards updates, executive moves. · The only news you'll find in fusr/digest is UNIX news. · Subscribe toduy a,-1d rnake /us1/di est your
oriE. ·iup fo1 co11·1µl8it: J1~iX 111foir110no,-,

/usr/grrup 1~ a non-profit trncic- nS!:oetotion that serves ~s,.. ffl..,Vll for the e)(chonge c~ ;,\'l·rratif't" nbo1Jt prod ucis 'lnri £.;;"'."C"TF bm:6d on
.:ie U~'IX ope;"(',iirig sy.>i.::m
UNIX 1s o r;.g13tered trademarkol AT&T
usrigroup

Nome _ Company _
Street Add re~s _ _ __
Lliy/ Stoie/LIPCountry_ Telephor,;;( _

EMON Analyzes Ethernet Traffic
Bear Computer Systems Inc. has announced its new Ethernet monitoring utility, EM O N . EMON analyzes traffic on the Ethernet via a monitoring process that runs on VAX/VMS. By providing an online window into the Ethernet, it displays complete packet information. All headers, data fields, etc., are available with filter options for captu re and display on the terminal. Also, automatic capture to a statistical file for playback with time stamping may be set for predetermined time intervals. Extra hardware isn't needed. For more information, contact Bear Computer Systems Inc., 5651 Case Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601-9985; (800) 255- 0662 or (818) 508-1894; FAX: (818) 508- 1698.
Enter 362 on reader card
Versatec Announces Turbo Option
Users of Versatec graphic plotting systems with the RPM 800 series rasterizers can obtain up to a 30 percent improvement in performance with the new RPM Turbo option available for RPM controllers with the Versatec Parallel Interface.
The RPM 800 series of intelligent controllers off- loads the data ordering and raster conversion tasks from the host computer, controls the plotter and can generate multiple copies of plots without further intervention from the host computer. The power of the RPM and the Turbo RPM allows not only large host computers, but also workstations to access the throughput of high-speed, high- resolution electrostatic and thermal transfer plotters, including 44-inch wide 400 points-per-inch electrostatic color plotters.
The RPM Turbo option is S2,000 and is available for the RPM 810, 820 and 830 models with the Versatec Parallel Interface. For more information, contact Versatec, 2710 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051; (800) 538-6477. In CA call (800) 341-6060.
Enter 331 on reader card
Tartan Releases Ada Compiler Systems
Tartan Laboratories has released a powerful development and execution environment for the Ada language: TARTAN Ada VMS and TARTAN Ada VMS/1750A. TARTAN Ada combines advanced code generation technology with Ada language expertise.
The compilers are validated to ANSI / MIL-STD-1815A and are suited for Ada language applications. TARTAN Ada

VMS/1750A also is the only 1750A cross compiler to be validated using a VAX/VMS host and three 1750A hardware configurations - Fairchild, Mikros, and Unisys.
TARTAN Ada compilers perform traditional optimizations, code motion transformations, and peephole optimizations. TAR-

TAN Ada VMS/1750 is designed specifically to meet the challenges associated w ith realtime applications development. Learn more by contacting Tartan Laboratories Inc., 461 Melwood Ave., P ittsb urgh , PA 15213; (412) 621 - 2210.
Enter 334 on reader card

'CRYPTION-
TllEKEYTO TA.PRIVACY
Beyond security there is ultimate privacy. With DataLock, high speed VAX/ VMS data encryption software, only you know which one of the 70 billion possible keys wi ll decipher you r most confidential information. DataLock protects your data - for safekeeping on your own system or while sending it privately to someone else. Essential whenever sensitive information must be kept secure, DataLock transparently encrypts and dec rypts data to the US Government Data Encryption Standard . All your data resides on the disk in · encoded form so your file appears meaningless to anyone but you.
In exclusive tests, DR La bs found DataLock " was easy to use and
performed flawlessly." From the most confidential memos to the most sensitive medical records .
from the transfer of electronic bank funds to the prevention of unauthorized
soflwa re copying ... the DataLock defense takes you generations beyond
VMS password protection.
The Key to Ultimate Privacy
Call today.
Find oul how DataLock can protect your sensitive data. 800-362-6203
In Canada call: 800-255-6378
INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
460 Park Plaza West I0700 SW Beaverlon- Hillsda l~ Hwy.
Beavert on, Oregon 97005 (503) 644-01 11
VAX and VMS are trademarks ot Digital Eqwpment ation DataLoclr. is a trademark or JPY Associates.
ENTER 232 ON READER CARD

NOVEMBER 1987

175

Diskeeper V2.0 Announced
Executive Software Inc. announced Diskeeper V2.0, an online disk defragmenter for VAX/VMS. Diskeeper eliminates fragmentation of files to allow data to be read from the disk at maximum speed while also grouping free space at the front of the disk for efficient and contiguous creation of files. With the ability to run online as a detached process (in the background), while users are accessing the system, Diskeeper keeps disks running at peak performance without interrupting users.
Diskeeper's use of the single-I/O file changeover, read-check and write-check and the absence of scratch space on the same disk or a second drive, guarantees complete safety of a user data file while Diskeeper is relocating it. For further information, contact Executive Software Inc., 3131 Foothill Blvd., Suite F, La Crescenta, CA 91214-2699; (818) 249-4709; Telex: (910) 240-9222.
Enter 337 on reader card
VT220 Emulator Connects Systems
KEA Systems Ltd. announces ZSTEMpcVT220 version 3.2 for connecting IBM PC/XT/ATs and compatibles and the IBM PS/2 systems to PDP-11 and VAX computers. In version 3.2, support has been added for the PS/2 Video Graphics Array (VGA) display adapter. ZSTEM supports all VT220 attributes including true double-high/ double-wide characters, true smooth scrolling, and true 132-column mode.
Additional capabilities have been included in Version 3.2. Ungermann-Bass N et/One now is supported. This is the first network board for the PS/2 systems. The Tektronix 4014 option now supports the full 640 by 480 resolution of the VGA. Learn more by contacting KEA Systems Ltd., 2150 W. Broadway, Ste. 412, Vancouver, BC Canada V6K 4L9; Support: (604) 732-7411 ; FAX: (604) 732-0715; Telex: 0435-2848 VCR; telephone orders: (800) 663-8702.
Enter 332 on reader card
Ki Research Offers Phase IV Endnode
Ki Research developed a Phase IV DECnet Endnode-compatible network communications software product for Data General MV Series computers. Ki's DEKnet product provides for cooperating tasks to exchange data between Data General MVs and DEC's VAXs using the DECnet protocol suite.
Ki 's DEKnet is user-installable and has

Diskeeper V2.0 from Executive Software.

a menu-driven network configuration program called PCONFIG that allows the MV to be defined as a Phase IV DECnet Endnode. In addition, PCONFIG may accept or generate command file input that contains network configuration information. For further information, contact Ki Research Inc., 11990-1 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044; (301) 730-0675.
Enter 336 on reader card
CIS Modules Make CAD Simple, Powerful
The CIS Medusa product family comprises an evolving set ofcomputer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software products. CIS Medusa software is modular and can be purchased in a variety of off-the-shelf configurations that can be expanded.
CIS Medusa software consists of general-purpose (core) and specialized modules that make use of close integration with relational database access facilities. General-purpose modules consist of core technologies such as 2-D drafting, 3-D solid modeling, parametrics, engineering drawing analysis (EDA), relational database (MOB) and document manager.
CIS Medusa runs on hardware plat-

forms from DEC and Sun Microsystems. To learn more, contact CIS Medusa Inc., 201 Burlington Rd. , Bedford, MA 01730; (617) 276-1288.
Enter 340 on reader card
lmunelec's Series 11 Gives Power Protection
Imunelec's. Series 11 consists of an ACsupplied rectifier-charger, a maintenance-free sealed lead storage battery, and an inverter converting power from the rectifier or battery into a pure sine-ware, free from all supply system problems.
The rectifier-charger is a highly reliable isolation transformer with electronically controlled charger, rectifier and filter. The inverter includes a crystal-driven oscillator with high-frequency stability and all electronic circuits for control and processing of the power stages.
Imunelec produces only UPS for micro, mini, supermini, and mainframe models, ranging in power from 300 VA to 600 KVA. Lea rn more by contacting Imunelec Inc., 7600 Jericho Tpke., Ste. 201, Woodbury, NY 11797; (516) 364-8008; Telex: 475-8122 ; FAX: (516) 364-0103.
Enter 338 on reader card

176

DEC PROFESSIONAL

L0 GI c RA FT
The Leader In Integrating PC's with DEC Computers

J!:.OC/CHA.FT
22 Cotton Road Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 880-0300 Telex 70 3961
Customer Support Offices in London, Los Angeles, Dallas, Minneap olis

INTRODUCES
386
WA RE
ENTER 135 ON READER CARD

RABBIT-7 Is Fast And Safe
RAXCO Inc. has announced the RABBIT-7 Disk Optimizer Version 2.0 software. The R-7 runs up to twice as fast on the VAX/VMS computer system, and does a better job at eliminating file fragmentation for better disk performance. R-7 Disk Optimizer V2 .0 now runs concurrently on multiple disks, and has an intelligent continuous detached processing algorithm. For further information, contact RAXCO Inc., 1370 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850; (301) 258-2620; TWX: (810) 766- 2256.
Entel'. 339 on reader card
Objective-C Available For VAXNMS
Release 3.3 of the Objective-C objectoriented software engineering language from Productivity Products International Inc. (PP!) is available for VAX/VMS. ObjectiveC is compatible with all VMS utility programs and productivity tools. Its applications also have full access to all VMS run-time facilities, including graphics and windowing.

VAX/VMS users can integrate Objective-C with the VAX/VMS common language environment, allowing integration with all VAX/VMS language processors, including PASCAL, LISP, COBOL, C, FORTRAN and Macro-32. Objective-C supports all VMS C language extensions and features. Learn more by contacting Productivity Products International Inc., Glen Rd ., Sandy Hook, CT 06482; (203) 426-1875 ; Telex: 506127.
Enter 335 on reader card
Cadre Offers Teamwork For Two VAXstations
Cadre Technologies Inc. announced the availability of Cadre's Teamwork computeraided software engineering (CASE) tools running on DEC's new VAXstation 3200 and 3500 systems. The CASE tools family includes support for the automation of systems analysis, real- time systems analysis, information modeling, and systems design phases of the software development life cycle.
Cadre and DEC have a CMP agreement and market systems for the CASE industry.
The Teamwork product line is available for the VAX family of computers and

workstations under the VMS operating system.
Teamwork products range in price from $900 to $7,500. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Cadre Technologies, 222 Richmond St., Providence, RI 02903 ; (401) 351-5950.
Enter 343 on reader card
Power Protection Brochure Available
The new eight-page brochure, Single Source Power Protection from International Power Machines, is available. This brochure contains information on uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), why they are needed, how they work, and some of the innovations that International Power Machines has contributed to UPS technology. There are also descriptions and illustrations of its two series of UPS, monitoring options, power conditioners and power distribution units.
A copy of this brochure may be requested by con tacting Informational Power Machines, 11534 Pagemill Rd. , Dallas, TX 75243; (214) 343- 6076; Telex: 794078.
Enter 341 on reader card

* * Utility Package for TSX-PlusTM (You'll wonder how you elfer got along without it!)

· Over 60 programs

· Program test & development tools

· System management tools

· Full documentation

· Security aids

· One or two of these utilities is worth

· Hardware configuration/testing programs the price of the entire package!

Here's a sample of what's included-

For use will! TSX+ only:
CTlllC" Control·C annthl!r USll"sorooramwtl!fl II llarllJS Instead ollCILL.ngmejob)
ICAllOMI'" Wrrie a SNpShol copy ol o.mnt l\ild« memory 10 a disk Me tor tater nysis
MAlllOD" l Oid a !1esl1 copy ot t\al'ldlef 1i1~ some hUng Cle¥1Ce
si 1ua11ons) LDSllOW" Shaw anotllef LISe'slogical disk 5IJlset (Of
.....,, $1bketlOl'yJITICUllS
l'DllMI'" IMlv.; out memory 01 TS X· Of ot anotner U!oel"s 1UM10g
sm"· Stls openitOI (llllSOle (1trn'MNI INI OPERATOR
mesuges !1C1 IOI SMOfll· LISIS alt open Mes Me name Sile elate IOI eacn
n.rwung Pf<lgQm w1111 tob numbe' and PIOf'3m name sosr Soueeze systl!m cksk trom non oomtor console 1~
i.roet TSX· TSIOOT" Rehablybool RT -11·· rromlSX· {loriinsupporled
TSX·deYces)
........ nl"£u· M051 w~led ul~·IY' Ollp!Olyl wNll "be.ng OUlllUI 10 anotherusef's temwial Invaluable IOI' locatng 1110C>11ms1111tn
xsuo· U.tenoedSEND~ S5lllslOl~l~thl!l'OI'
no11oggedon tmeldJitestarrosmessage uw· SllO\ll another user's assqments
For use with either TSX+ and/ or RT-11:
C·HEI Datacompressionprogr~mNTlll!SdJitatr~ 1.meors1oraoespace
COPlll lienetalll!dcopyuhhtyCnpiesblocksorbytestnn9s opt!Ol'lall)tconta1en;itesatlllgtlsoeed
CllSU* AadS a Sf9"1ml 10 a cloftctory (use witn 'PIP F Deva lull)
C1 ~1e CACsotlilesonaol5kOl'Oisplaynamesot1t1ose hlesthatt1o1vedlangedwa~1n.n
OllllAIC* CrtattabadlupcopyotaCkSkOlfKIOJYlflUSf!ltll! duec 1orvbecomtsCOlflJll!ed A ·mus1 program
OlllD·P· DISPiay cllfectory 111 ~ lorm.il IOctal ASCII) OlllAIT* RestOl'taCkSkdtlect<rylrom1tiellack141copymaoe1>y
DI RBAK
Other Pr oduc ts a11a1 lable tor TSX
and t or RT 11 include
MAil Acompreher\slve & usei triendlyelectron<.m;u! system Of 0r... The Eagle drsk~l\le'loradalnga HUGEd·sl DU· Dr1'1e!'IOI' a HUGE MSCPdlsk TSX -NET T1ansparent communicatlOllS between RT & TSX· .lllClllVE Taoeu11h1y tor sav1119ana res1011n9 dl$k hles.00
SIJlcllfetlOl'le51t1CO"IV!l'llfnlsavestts CT"OS Full tuh,,edWO'dlllOC:KSOl!nowSl.CIOOl'lSComolete
llllll1 ·nationalcharacrefsttJ JSA· Coming §OOll '""'11-~ey !SA M ror DBL 11useis fSJ .,,. Tllf!U§tl'lriencllyl!l.llt1usetQOefit1f19Systtm OI L DlbOlcomoi~lorRT tlan<ITSXPlus

DIPMA( Convert blnao'y Ille (I! 9 TRANSF SAVI to MACRO lor dOw!'llOaOng 10 a remote sys1em
OSKCOlll H!9115'M!@ddiY!COIT(lart f1X DJll* Patchl!5itr1111vahddlfettorytoqiorebadsegments MTCO" Copy between ~·IC \apt and CkSk tiles DL01a1e
art11trai1ly lorl"nalll!O tape {IBM A ~ SI DOS tit I MTOUlllP l>url'Clataoe NecessaiytOOI tor 1aoearia!ys.s NCllYPT Ericsypt0fdectypl ahle w11nuseispec1t1aoleencryption
keylor5etllt1tyotdata $0111 Seaicn 11vougn tpossbly nes!ed) sutm!t1ories without
llavlfll) 10 mount !hem SEAllCll Higtlsoeec!stardlandopl!OflilfeplaceUwough
w110arcled hlelsl Of devices Many~ tivor1te Qf09filn
unc11· SearcntoraMe1t1raugl'laselectl!OsegmentV1atouled m· 1J11d1rec1ory
AllowsSETcommandotRT-t11'1and!erslltlOe!TSX·QI' TSX·hiWldlefsi.r10el'RT11a1So111valuat>ll!IOl'~lfl9 Sfl1outinesfll\al'ldlers SETSllO" Displaydev1tttw!Olerst1optionvalues anOttandlei sca11sticsandSVSGENtonh911fallO!'l5
TllUllC Pl'ogramtot~l·01hle1oa5t!Qll!f wr
UllO(l* UOOl!ll!teslitesselectedbyw11dcards F'reservesOl'igonaJ dJite WOfkswhenCREATEcommandta11S OptionallyllSl!S OIR BAKhle1010eale1,111o(;atabll!Mes
n Tvoeahlebaekwaios11orlook1119a1tneendolal·1t-.,.,11e1e
errorrnesugesaielOl..Wldt ZfllE' Zl!rosatileldevice1tapea111ignsPeeQ1torsecu111 y
For'"u"s"e"'with RT· 11 only:
IO UseBDto1eco\le'hlesonadlsllwtiendirec1orybecomes unreadablel1IDIRBAKhasbetf1n.n)
OLTEST SllO\llCSRIVector/Speeoot DL llsonsy!ttm Ern11 1es1p;111erntoast1ectedoort
Sii Fordebuggingaprogramwt1dltrapsto·01tO D~ registM stacll ninstructlOllS
TC Ooso!ay1raceo!E M Tswnena1110!1~1Sn.n1oecooeseacn EMT Wltn OlllCh\lt! name n 31~1 VOl~.."5)
TElllllllW Switch console 10 OL-11 POrt (no Mulh fffm·~I 514)pot-irecpred)
n Swi1cncoriso1e10DZ11oort1noM11111Termina!Si.c>or1
ll!QllJredl
ENTER 202 ON READER CARD

Networking Oyn1mics Corpor11ion

1234 N Edgemon1 St . Suue 214

N D ~

Hollywood, CA 90029

c ?

12131 66e-0011
Telex 31101 7 (NETWRK)

178

FEELING JUST SLIGHTLY FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE?
11
The Ultimate Disk Optimizer for RSTS/E.
GrayMatter
Software & Consulting
(206) 285-7414 1300 Dexter Avenue North · Suite 550 · Seartle, Washington 98109
ENTER 124 ON READER CARD DEC PROFESSIONAL

----------------

Protect Your Investment in DEC Computing
Building your DEC system efficiently demands a winning strategy: Stay in tune with the latest technological developments and compare alternative solutions.
In other words, come to DEXPO West 87.
It's your best strategy.
DEXPO brings you the best of DEC-style computing ... 300 vendors demonstrating over 10,000 DEC-compatible products and services. You get the answers you need. Plus hands-on technical assistance. Fast.

Push Your System to its Maximum Potential
Improve the productivity of all your VAXs - from MicroVAX to VAX 8800 dusters. Uncover the mysteries behind PC-VAX connectivity. Explore a universe of DBMS, Storage and Memory, CAD/CAM/CAE products. Keep your PDP-lls and older DEC systems at peak performance levels. You'll discover applications, ideas and solutions you've never even considered!

Register Now ... Call 800-433-0880

Complete and mail the attached reply card today or call to get your FREE Show Preview featuring

over 100 of the newest DEC-compatibles. (And, be sure to ask for your money-saving VIP tickets!) Admission is FREE for Anaheim DECUS* Symposium Attendees.

DEXPO®West 87
World's Largest DEC*-Compatible Exposition

JDC in cooperation with DEXPO presents: "Corporate Computing: DEC vs. IBM, The Digital Challenge Continues" A Two-Day Conference.
DEXPO is orga nized by Expoconsul International, Inc., 3 Independence Way, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Disneyland Hotel Anaheim, California December 8-10, 1987
·Registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corp.
DEXPO is not affiliated with or sponsored by DECUS.

ThumbScan Offers Authentication System
ThumbScan Inc. has announced a biometric authentication system that acquires and analyzes unique fingerprint data to ensure that only authorized users gain access to valuable information or funds.
The ThumbScan system interfaces with PC DOS, VAX, IBM mainframe environments and access control systems such as RACF, ACF-2, TOP SECRET, and VMSECURE. The security device costs $995 per lot. Mainframe software costs $9,500 and minicomputer software costs $5,500.
For more information, contact ThumbScan Inc., Two Mid-America Plaza, Ste. 800, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181; (312) 954-2336.
Enter 347 on reader card

PCI Introduces SmartNet 3700
Protocol Computers Inc. (PC!) announces SmartNet 3700. SmartNet 3700 switches more than 100 packets per second.
The 3700 engine is an Intel 80286 16-bit microprocessor equipped with 250K ofbuffer space, providing high-speed network switching and line concentration. SmartNet diagnostics can be invoked locally or remotely.
SmartNet 3700 is available with two or four 64-Kbps X .25 links and four, eight or 12 medium speed links.
SmartNet 3700 is single-unit priced from $6,400 with two 64 Kbps and four medium speed X .25 links. To learn more, contact Protocol Computers Inc., 26630 Agoura Rd. , Calabasas, CA 91302-1988; (818) 880-5704.
Enter 349 on reader card

New Line Driver

Offered By Hitron

Hitron Systems Ltd. announced the

availability of MLD 110, a miniature asyn-

chronous line driver packaged inside a

modular RS232 connector assembly. The

MLD 110 allows high-speed asynchronous

data transmission up to 19.2 Kbps over a

two-mile range using telephone wires. It

eliminates the need for expensive shielded

data cables.

·

No external power is required. The

MLD 110 drives power from RS232 control

and data signals supplied by the data equip-

ment. Its low power requirement ensures

operation with all types of data equipment.

It has built-in protection to guard against

lightning strikes and power surges.

The MLD 110 plugs directly into the

The ThumbScan Inc. system interfaces with VAXs.

RS232 connector ofthe data equipment. The integral RJ45/RJ11 modular jack allows connection to building wiring with a standard modular cable. For additional information, contact Hitron Systems Ltd., 330 Brunel Rd., Mississauga, ON L4Z 1T5; (416) 890-3234. Telex: 0696-5553. FAX: (416) 890-5645.
Enter 350 on reader card
MARC And MENTAT For Sun Workstations
Sun Microsystems has announced two software products for mechanical engineering analysis on the Sun-3 family of technical workstations. Through Sun's third-party program, Moldflow Pty Ltd. will offer its computer-aided engineering and design software for plastic injection mold design, and MARC Analysis Research Corporation will offer its MARC and MENTXr finite element analysis software.
The new products allow mechanical and manufacturing engineers to analyze and modify 3-D product designs on the computer, at an earlier and more cost-effective stage of the design process, rather than in the prototype or production stage.
MARC and MEN'DIT work on all VAX and MicroVAX computers under VMS.
The Moldflow product is available at $30,000 for a perpetual license, or $12,000

annually for licensing, maintenance and support. For more information, contact Sun Microsystems, 2550 Garcia Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043; (415) 960-1300 ext. 7737.
Enter 342 on reader card
EMETEK Enhances MAGIC MENU
MAGIC MENU, from EMETEK, lets users switch among programs. Version 1.3 lets programs run concurrently. Running under VMS 4.x, MAGIC MENU lets a user jump from any point in a program to any point in another program, and back. A single keystroke displays the menu, and the next program is chosen. MAGIC MENU stores the screens and the terminal attributes for each program, working with VTl00/220/240 and compatibles, in VT52 or ANSII alphanumeric or line drawing mode. Version 1.3 will allow any program to be active as the user moves from program to program. Programs will continue to run until they need to output to the terminal.
Version 1.3 costs $100 per user for each installation for the first 70 users, then $20 per user thereafter. For further information, contact EMETEK at 9136 Gibson St., Los Angeles, CA 90034; (213) 836-2784.
Enter 346 on reader card

180

DEC PROFESSIONAL

Introducing the Ditto 221XL .. ·
Except for superior resolution, incredible graphics, larger screen, over 11 major improvements, and the indust~s longest warranty . . . It's just another DEC VT220* Compatible

ucts ~-~~lfll!""' es of the DEC VT220 plus over 11 maior
ovements, including superior resolution, dual host port
a larger screen. And with the 221 GXL upgrade
e incredible graphs, charts, plots, drawings and
(nonochrome graphics ... without disturbing
1Xl's- alpha-numeric features. the Oitto 221 XL is available with a four-year
~QOgeSt in the industry. And all this quality,
service comes with a price tag that's hard to

See why thousands of users are choosing the Ditto 221 XL over any other VT220 compatible. For more information and spec sheets, write or call Networx today at 1-800-531-0019 or (516) 754-2798 within New York State.
w
188 Main Street · Northport, NY 11768
*DEC VT220 is a trademark of the Digital Equipment Corporation.

ENTER 142 ON READER CARD

Colt Software Releases EasyPage
A desktop publishing system for the VAX and MicroVAX has been announced by Colt Software Technologies Inc. Word processing documents are formatted and composed into typeset quality documents for the LN03 laser printer. EasyPage integrates both text and graphics into illustrated documents.
Easy Page runs on the VAX, MicroVAX or VAXstation under VMS V4.4 or later. It requires a VTl 00/200/300 compatible terminal and an LN03 laser printer with an addon memory cartridge. It supports DEC's A-to-Z Word Processing or DECtype, and A-to-Z Business Graphics. EasyPage is integrated with DEC's A-to-Z System, but A-to-Z is not required.
EasyPage is available from Colt Software Technologies Inc. , P.O. Box 8716, Red Bank, NJ 07701-8716; (201) 308-4404.
Enter 348 on reader card
Archimedes Releases ANSI C-8096 Compiler
Archimedes Software Inc. introduced a new C compiler for the 16-bit Intel 8096

microcontroller family, with ANSI-standard C enhancements, several memory models including bankswitching, and universal PROM and emulator support. Archimedes C-8096 is available for the MicroVAX, VAX, IBM PC and compatibles.
The kit includes a C compiler and C library functions, as well as macroassembler, linker and librarian. C-8096 also supports IEEE 32-bit floating point for advanced math routines.
The PC, MicroVAX and VAX versions are priced at $995, $3,995 and $5,995 respectively. For more information, contact Archimedes Software Inc., 2159 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123; (415) 567-4010.
Enter 352 on reader card
lnterscience Introduces Band Printer Family
Interscience has announced a new family of band printers (1500 and 2000 LPM) that are plug compatible with DEC systems. These products are manufactured by Dataproducts and use Interscience proprietary interfaces.
Setup and operation are quick and easy. A swing open gate facilitates paper, ribbon and steel print band changing. A touch-

sensitive control panel includes a built-in self-test unit with switch selectable 80- or 132-column multiple pattern program. A built-in self-diagnostic display monitors all electronics and system interlocks.
The 1500 LPM and 2000 LPM printers list for $20,031 and $25,431 respectively. To find out more, contact Interscience Computer Sciences Inc., 5171 Clareton Dr., Agoura Hills, CA 91301; (818) 707-2000; Telex: 183628.
Enter 353 on reader card
CSD Enhances MRP II System
Computer Systems Development Inc. (CSD) announced IMPCON V3.0, its manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) system for the VAX. IMPCON offers 11 functional modules that can be configured to answer eight distinct application needs. CSD offers a broad range ofsoftware systems to extend the capabilities ofIMPCON, including the AMSYS asset management system, CONCOST contract costing program, and BARCODING for barcode wand input and printing barcode documents. Version 3.0 has important capabilities for U.S. manufacturers facing inventory valuation changes required

Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available from your Government. The U.S. Government Printing Office has produced a new catalog. It tells about the most popular books sold by the Government-nearly 1,000 in all. Books on agriculture, business, children, diet, energy, health, history, space, and much more. For a free copy of this new catalog, write-
New Catalog
Post Office Box 37000 Washington, D.C. 20013

by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. IMPCQN V3.0 is priced between
$35,000 and $200,000, depending on configuration. For more information, contact CSD Inc., 910 Boston Post Rd., Marlborough, MA 01752; (617) 460-0330.
Enter 356 on reader card
Access Electronic Mail Via Touchtone Phone
Microtalker V, from Microtel Inc. , permits users to call in and receive electronic mail messages from an ALL-IN-1 system. Messages are read ·to the caller in a human voice, and all of the Microtalker V's extensive voicemail functions are available within the system.
The system reads messages and the user can reply. Notification of replies is presented to the DEC user with a notation of who replied, when the reply was sent, and what number to call to hear the message. M essages are kept on both the DEC and Voicemail systems, and can be replayed, forwarded, or additional replies made.
The Microtel system is available in configurations of from four to 32 ports. A fourport system is $24,000. Standard Microtel Voicemail systems up to 32 ports are priced between $16,000 and $59,000. To find out more, contact Microtel Inc. , 303 W. 42nd St., Ste. 405, New York, NY 10036; (212) 246-3440.
· Enter 357 on reader card
CAI Announces M-Link
Century Analysis Inc, has announced the release of its new network management system called M-Link. M-Link manages end user connections to ·various combinations of mainframes, minis and micros in wide and local area network environments.
M-Link establishes and maintains concurrent end user sessions across various network links. This is accomplished by placing network management software in various types of processors including DEC mainframes and minis.
M-Link is priced between $5,000 and $20,000 per application node. Additional information can be obtained from Century Analysis Inc., 114 Center Ave., Pacheco, CA 94553; (415) 680-7800.
Enter 359 on reader card
Pilot Announces EIS For MicroVAX 3500/3600s
Pilot Executive Software has announced the availability of the Pilot EIS, a software application that resides on the MicroVAX
NOVEMBER 1987

I

I

I

I

PROBlEM:- HigH- 1nrush Current

SOLUTION: Multiple Time DelayTM

POWER UP WITH

~

TPC 115-10 MTDnl

Z--llNE . ir-=P'~=-=--=--==--==--=--=---==:::---""

--,-}-

.

..... ..... ... _,,...._..;... "'"'-""-"'"'-~~~.;...~--""'-~"""';,;;;;,;;;;;;;..,

...::.

S /- The Smallest Power Distribution & Co~trol System

MTOTM: Sequence your computers power-up
with a controlled time delay between switched 1 \ and switched 2.

REMOTE: On/off & emergency shutdown,

sequence power-up additional equipment

downline.

Visit us at WESCON '87, Booth #5032.

1-

Ll NE PROTECTION: EMl/RFI, Spike & Surge.

PATENT PENDING

PULIZZI ENGINEERING INC.

3260 S. Susan Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704-6865 (T14) 540-4229, FAX #?'14-641-9062

J

ENTER 185 ON READER CARD

PowerStation TM
A Complete VT220 I VT240 Work Station
Upgrade for the IBM PC/XT/AT and PS/2

" You 'll never know you are not using
a real DEC terminal
unless you take advantage of the many extended features ."

PowerStatlonN 240

$389

VT240 style keyboard and ZSTEM VT240 Emulation Software.

ZSTEM pcN· VT240 Emulator Emulation Software only.

$250

VT240/241 Emulation software with all the features of ZSTEM VT220 plus

ZSTEM 4014 and REGIS graphics.

PowerStatlonB 2211

S289

VT220 style keyboard and ZSTEM VT220 emulation Software.

ZSTEMpcN·VT220 Emulator Emulation Software only.

$150

All the features of ZSTEM VT100 plus 8-bit mode. downloadable fonts.

user defined keys, full nationaVmulti-national modes. Extended macros/script language. True 132 columns on Hercules. VGAs. Super EGAs. and standard EGAs using the EGAmate option. 128 columns on CGAs. 43 line

suppon on EGAs. Enhanced keyboard suppon. Ungermann Bass NeVOne

suppon.

EGAmateN

$39

Daughterboard option for 132 columns on most standard EGA adaptors.

PS220/2

Keyboard adaptor cable for PS/2 systems.

ZSTEMpcN·4014 Emulator

$99

Use with ZSTEM VT100. VT220, or stand-alone. Interactive zoom and pan. Savelrecall images from

disk. Keypad. mouse. digitizer. printer. plotter. and

TIFF suppon. 4100 color and line style color mapping.

640 x 400 and 640 x 480 on some adaptor/monitors.

ZSTEMpcB·VT100 Emulator

$99

High performance COLOR VT100. True double

high/wide. smooth scrolling. ISO and attribute

mapped color. XMDDEM and KERMIT. sohkey/MAC-

RDS. DOS access.

KEA Systems Ltd.
#412 - 2150 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6K 4L9
Support (604) 732-7411 TELEX 04-352848 VCR FAX (604) 732-0715
Order Desk (800) 663-8702 Toll Free
30 day money back guarantee MCNISA

ENTER 244 ON READER CARD

BUILD YOUR COMPUTER UBRIRY
Willi
DEC PROFESSIONAL
Back Issue Sets Now Available!
DEC users read our magazine from cover to cover, put it on their bookshelf, use it and reuse it to help solve daily problems, improve their professional skills, and widen their perspectives.
Now you can build your computer library, receive issues you missed and replace well-worn copies.
Order the 40 available back issues of
DEC PROFESSIONAL
as a set and save.
Order Now! Supplies are limited!

TO ORDER CALL t21SJ 5'2·7008 w1111 10ur crBllll cart/ tntormallon. or como1111 anti rBlurn 1111 art/Br /arm 011ow. l'l1m1n1 must /JB 1nc1u11111 w1111 10ur or111r.

-------------------------- 'f' Clip and Send 'f'

'f' Clip and Send 'f'

BACK ISSUE ORDER FORM - DEC PROFESSIONAL

D Please send

set(s) of 40 available back issues of

DEC PROFESSIONAL. $150 for each set ordered. Includes ship-

ing by surface mail . For foreign airmail service add $100.00 per set.

PAYMENT MUST BE IN U.S. DOLLARS AND DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK.

D Check enclosed for$ _ _ _ __

D Charge to:

D VISA

D MASTERCARD

Account# '--,_,_---'---'---'----'----'---'---'---'---'--'--'--'--' Expires _ _~---

Signature ---------------~ Date _ _ _ _ __

NAME PLEASF. PRINT
ADDRESS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
CITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE,_ _ _ _ ZIP_ _ _ _ __

COUNTRY

TELEPHONE (

Mail completed form with payment to: PROFESSIONAL PRESS INC., P.O. Box 504, Spring House, PA 19477-0504

184

3500/3600 systems. Users can interact with Pilot's EIS by using a mouse, touch screen or keyboard.
The Pilot EIS offers three key functions that provide needed information for executives and managers: drill down capability for standard reports, automated exception reports based on each user's predetermined triggers, and graphic and text presentation of time series data revealing patterns over time.
EIS is priced at $110,000 on the VAX, $95,000 on the MicroVAX II or MicroVAX. 3500/3600. Learn more by contacting Pilot Executive Software, 40 Broad St., Boston MA 02109; (617) 350-7035.
Enter 360 on reader card
Bmm Cartridges Available For VAXs
Transitional Technology Inc. recently announced the CTS-8 family of high-capacity tape subsystems for VAX.s and MicroVAX.s. The CTS-8 uses 8mm videocassette cartridges. The metal particle tape used in 8mm cartridges has higher coercivity, making it less prone to demagnetization from stray magnetic fields. The cartridge is pocket-sized and, per cubic inch, affords great storage density.
The CTS-8 is available as a complete subsystem for the UNIBUS and Q-bus VAX systems, and can be mounted directly in an existing BA-23 or BA-123 enclosure or supplied in its own tabletop enclosure.
Pricing starts at $5,995. Find out more by contacting Transitional Technology Inc., 1401 N . Batavia, Ste., 204, Orange, CA 92667; (714) 744-1030.
Enter 358 on reader card
Edison Software Systems Announces IMAGE
Edison Software Systems has addressed another tape processing problem for VAX users. Its new product, IMAGE, allows VAX users to copy data from one tape to another, copy data from tape to disk, select which files or blocks they wish copied, or print selected portions of a tape, and dump any tape.
IMAGE is an excellent companion to Edison Software Systems' Convert Tape Utility product, which allows for the exchange of tapes between DEC and IBM environments.
The IMAGE product is priced at $2,550 per CPU license. If you have any questions contact Edison Software Systems, P.O . Box 211, Metuchen, NJ 08840; (201) 906-1321.
Enter 363 on reader card ·
DEC PROFESSIONAL

When it's time to renew the service contract on
your DEC®systems, will you be getting
the best quality at the right price?

You could save up to 34% on what you may now be paying

And because of our computerized, on-line dispatching system, RESPOND, we get all our expertise to your site fast.

for comparable DEC service.
You're ready to sign on the dotted line, and then it hits you: Are you about to pay too much for too little on service for your DEC systems?
Unfortunately, the plain and simple truth is that all too often, this is the case.
However, there i§ a company that can provide you with responsive, dependable service that's truly second to none. A company with proven capabilities and quality ofservice at the right price.
That's what you get with CUSTOMCARE® Service from Unisys. lfere's why.
For starters, we offer some of the most dedicated and experienced people in the service industry. Customer Service Engineers who know your DEC systems and peripherals-even if they are of varied makes and models-because we place the

All this results in more prod uctivity for your organization. And more profit to your bottom line.
But what else should you expect from a $9 billion company with a 100-year commitment to excellence-the kind of commitment that guarantees cost-effective solutions to fit your requirements.
Now when you consider that we can do all this for you and also save you up to 34%, you'll want to give us a call before you sign that DEC service contract.
In fact, you may even qualify for Two FREE Months of CUSTOMCARE Service from Unisys. You can find out how when you send for your FREE CUSTOMCARE
Information Kit today. Just complete FREE CUSTOMCARE and mail the coupon below or call us toll-free at 1-800-547-8362, Ext. 03, Information Kit

highest priority on both pure technical and "hands on" training.

now.

We support every Customer Service Engineer with a seasoned management team, effective diagnostic tools and the technical expertise of our Customer Support Center.

After all, there is no substitute for the right quality at the right price.

CUSTOMCARE Service

Visit Us At DEXPO West, Booth #1338 December 8, 9, 10, Anaheim, CA

, from Unisys
rs;;c;I Off;:rw:FREEM;t;;; ; CUSTOMCAREs~:e furQu;iif;dDECu7e;; - - -

I Mail this form to: Unisys Corporation, CUSTOMCARE Service,

0 DECSYSTEM® 10/ 20

I

P.O. Box 1804, West Chester, PA 19382.
I 0 Yes, I would like more information on how to qualify for I your special limited time offer of Two FREE Months of I CUSTOMCARE Service from Unisys-and how to save up
to 34% for service on DEC systems. Please send me my FREE CUSTOMCARE Information Kit.
I 0 I'm very interested. Please have a Unisys Representative

I O STC Tape, Disk and Printer Subsystems
o DEC, IBM® or Compaq PCs, 50 units or more O less than 50 units

o DEC or IBM Terminals, 50 units or more 0 less than 50 units

I

I 0 Other -------------------~
Call Toll-Free 1-800-547-8362, Ext. 03.
I Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~

I contact me with the details on how to qualify for Two FREE Months of CUSTOMCARE Service from Unisys. And

I T i t l e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I don't forget my FREE CUSTOMCARE Information Kit.

I Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

I To see if you are eligible for our special offer of Two FREE Months of CUSTOMCARE Service-and to receive your FREE CUSTOMCARE

City_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ __
I Telephone(--) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Information Kit-please complete the information below before mailing.
I I Host System/ Equipment on Site
· 0 DEC PDP®-11 Family, model#_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
I UNISYS I 0 DEC VAX® 11/700 Series, model# ____________
I.... _____________________________ ...I 0 DEC VAX 8000 Series, model# -------------

Best Time to Call 0 AM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ o PM _ _ _ _ _ __
CUSTOMCARE is a service mark or Unisys Corporation. DEC, PDP, DECSYSTEM, VAX and MicroVAX are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

I 0 DEC MicroVAX® II

IBM is a trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. ©August 1987, Unisys Corporation

BDPJ87 I

ENTER 162 ON READER CARD

CONTROL DA TA CORP. (CDC)

XMD
9772-850 MB 14 INCH DISK DRIVE 9772 -1.3 GB 14 INCH DISK DRIVE

$ 9.395 11,595

F880 MICROSfREAMER 1/ 2 INCH TAPE DRIVE 1600 BPI $ 2,795

M890 CACHE TAPE 1/ 2 INCH TAPE'DRIVE 1600 BPI

3,395

M891 CACHE TAPE 112 INCH TAPE DRIVE 1600 BPI

3,695

M990 GCR 1/ 2 INCH TAPE DRIVE 1600/ 3200/ 6250 BPI 6, 195

DUAL DENSITY OPTION FOR F880, M890, AND M89 I

450

SUBSYSTEMS FOR THE ABOVE DISK AND TAPE PRODUCTS ARE Al.SO AVAILABLE AT SUPER LOW PRICES.

FSD
9715 -300 MB 9 INCH FIXED STORAGE DISK 9715-340 MB 9 INCH FIXED STORAGE DISK 9715-515 MB 9 INCH FIXED STORAGE DISK

5,395 6,395 6,995

EMD
9720·368 MB 8 INCH MODULE DRIVE 9720-500 MB 8 INCH MODULE DRIVE 9720-750 MB 8 INCH MODULE DRIVE

3,995 4,595 4,995

RSD 9710-80 9 INCH 80 MB REMOVABLE STORAGE DISK

4,895

WREN II and Ill 5-1I4 INCH FULL HEIGHT DISK DRIVES

94155·48 MB 94 155-67 MB 94 155-85 MB

$ 795 895 950

94 166-10 I MB 94 166-14 I MB 94 166-182 MB

$ 1,295 1,395 1,495

:___- i~ KIMBERLY ELECTRONICS
- - .S::::.::: 140 Route 17 North· Suite 210 · Paramus, NJ 07652 · 800-843-4009 · In NJ 201-387-0872

ENTER 286 ON READER CARD

$9,650 9,650

DSRVA-AA 8-line DECserver I 00

$2,495

DSRVB-AA DECserver 200, RS232 version

3,195

DSRVB-BA DECserver 200, DEC423 version

2,950

DEMPR-AA Thinwire Ethernet MLT PRT repeater

2,495

DEREP-AA Local Ethernet Repeater

1,550

DELUA-M Ethernet to UNIBUS Controller

2,795

DEQNA-M Ethernet to Q-bus Controller

1,995

DELNl-AA Digital Ethernet Local Network Interconnect

995

DESTA-AA Thinwire Ethernet Station Adaptor

225

H-4000

Ethernet Transceiver for use with DEREP

275

DHVll-M

8-line Q-bus Async Terminal Interface

1,275

DHUII-M

16-line Async Terminal Interface

2,795

DHQII-M 8-line Async Q-bus Adaptor

1,275

- -:-=. :--:- KIMBERLY ELECTRONICS

=- ~ ;--· 140 Route 17 North · Suite 210 · Paramus, NJ 07652 · 800-843-4009 · In NJ 201-]8 7-08 72

ENTER 292 ON READER CARD

Increase the perforn1ance ofyour DEC C.AU. 20-60%
With XYPLEX Advanced Network Management System

1od·s··n·
E t~·n~IC11bl~
Ol lletlYI" ub l~~··o · k

...., Preprocesses terminal 110 with block mode transfer.
...., Data scrambling
...., True load balancing
...., True printer sharing
...., Network Management Software Included
.... Distributed by LAAfCOAf
CORPORATION
22600-C Lambert Street Suite 908 · El Toro, CA 92630 (714) 380-8144
ENTER 289 ON READER CARD

XYPLEX

SECURE COVER

Locking steel panels prevent remov.al of disk drives and boards. Secured windows control access to on/off,
halt/restart and read/write controls. Available for:
BA123 ... ... ... ... .. .. .. ......... ....... .. .... .. ...$395 MV2000....... .....................................245 BA23 ..... .... ....... ... ........... .. ...... ... .. .. .. .195 BA23-R ... ....... ....... ..... .... .. ..... ... .. .. .... .145 H9642 ......... .... .. .... ... ... .. ... ... .. ..... ... .. .145

ORDER TODAY, CALL TOLL FREE:

1·800·832·l0CK

p

in MA call 1-617-326-7979

I

SECURE TECHNOLOGIES. INC . 297 HIGH STREET. DEDHAM. MA 02026

ENTER 287 ON READER CARD

SECURE YOUR DEC TERMINAL

WITH STATIONLOCK ACCESS CONTROn s .ONLY ;

·O}~g~ Ye;~~~a~~d
· Fits Rainbow.

~99.'~ ~1

DECMATE II . and PR0300
· Masterkeying

~ 2 · 5umfss$$4474.~~ !

........... available

-----.:::.._i

· Based on MEDECO · Lock and Key

· User installable; no wire cutting

· MasterCard and VISA accepted

· Lifetime warranty

· Over 2000 sold

ORDER TODAY; CALL TOLL FREE:

P 1-800-S32-LOCK IN MA (617) 326-7979
I SECURE TECHNOLOGIES. INC . 297 HIGH STREET. DEDHAM MA 02026

ENTER 288 ON READER CARD

NOTICE

SURPLUS DEC* EQUIPMENT OWNERS
Don't sell your unneeded DEC* Equipment . . . without first contacting our Procurement Division .

There are tre111e11do11s differences in the way others buy your equipment. Our cash purchases are completely lwssle free both before and after the sale , and we assume all resale liability.

Learn the facts. Call us today. ·~~Ws

1-800-328-7000 EXT. 556

";..;;..;..';;..;"...';..;";..;..;·...";...;..';..- - - - -
2eoo Southcross Onve We5t Burnsville MN 55337

*Trademark of Dig ital Equipment Corporation.

DEC PRO's Used Equipment classifieds give you more value for your equipment dollar.
Many buyers look at used equipment first because they know that performance is the real issue. In DEC PRO's Used Equipment classifieds, you'll reap the benefits of a rapidly changing DEC marketplace by getting the proven power and performance you want NOW - at the price you want to pay NOW!
Don't be a victim of vaporware. Go for the goods with a proven track record . Go for them in DEC PRO's Used Equipment classifieds!
Look for us in the DEC PROFESSIONAL , and online in our ARIS electronic bulletin board (215) 542-9458.
* * * * * * Advertisers: If you want to reach the largest number of computer
professionals working in the DEC environment, call:
Mary Browarek at (215) 542-7008.

We Have A Full DEC And We're Ready To Really Deal
....A .---
!I! ·Superior Service · High Quality · Systems CustomConfiguredTo Your Spec1t1cations
Call Us Today, And Discover The Security Computer Sales Difference For Yourself!
PHONE: (612) 227-5683 FAX: (612) 223-5524
Security Computer Sales, Inc. 622 Rossmor Building
500 North Robert Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
188

DATA COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Amdahl 983 TDSU-A DSU ... ........... .$ 250 Emulex CA12 16 CH Multiplexor.... .. ....1,000 Emulex CS11 16 CH Multiplexor........ .. ..800 Emulex CM22/E Port Con .. .. ...... .. .. ......850 Emulex EM820 12 CH Data Con .. .. .....1,500 Emulex EM820 8 CH Data Con ........ .. .1,000 Fuji 1925l Modem 14.4 kbps .. .. .... .. ...1,700 Halcyon Data Line Monitor ................3,800 Micom M922 2 CH Multi Con ........ .. ....400 Micom M968 8 CH Multi Con .... ........1,300

Micom Micro 8216 16 CH Data Con .. .. .2,300 Micom Micro V27+ Modem 4800 bps.....600 Micom M481/ERB T1 Multiplexor 32CH .. .1,500 Micom M481i 128CH T1MUX .. ...... ........ .700 Micom M481/EXP T1 Multiplexor Exp ...1,200 Micom Port Sel M600/2GR (unused) .. .. .7,500 NEC N4810 II Modem 208A/B ...... .. ...... ..500 Racon Full Duplex Microwave .. .. .... ..... 15,000 UDS 801 ACU Autocall ............ .. ...........200 UDS 9600 bps Modem .. .... ........ .... .......750

CALL GERRY HEUMANN AT ADCC (800) 426-5890 (Outside California)
(800) 345-2265 (California Only)

N:llv ~amaoma TM SYSTEMS MODULES · PERIPHERALS
VAX · Q-BUS · UNIBUS
CALL TODAY · COMPETITIVE PRICING 617-547-4005 · 800-892-9230 TELEX 374-8460 FAX (61n 354-1417 · ( j j : ) DEC DEALERS ASSOCIATION LET US QUOTE YOU ON ALL OF YOUR DEC NEEDS
ELI Ii EFFRON E.c Sons inc.
139 HAMPSHIRE STREET. CAMBRIDGE , MA 02139

euv.se11.Lease

NEW & USED

DEC*

EQ U

P MENT

Call Today for Price & Delivery Quotes.

QITTOO DIGITAL INC.
770 WATER STREET FRAMINGHAM . MA 01701
TELEPHONE:
(617) 877-9564
On !he Wes1Coast
(818) 767-8845
c::X:X::l ~.;::o-::._
·Oo.tC:C..·····c·..·."_':.l.".c"'.'",."r'o1'o_,...,..... ~

BUYS - SELLS - LEASES NEW & USED DEC® EQUIPMENT

VAX COMPUTER SYSTEMS, PERIPHERALS, DISK &TAPE DRIVES, MEMORY, MICRO VAX ii

1M:!o:: g:~r:RY
DEC ITEMS/

l~!'D~l!'DD~~D TM

SAVE UP JD 50%0FF MFG'S LIST PRICE

MULTITRONICS INC. 340 Manley Street
W. Bridgewater, MA 02179 TELEX 517030
FAX 617-584-8172

Call Today For a Quote WITHIN MA (617)584-2800 OUTSIDE MA 800-BUY-A-VAX

Registered trademarks of Digital Equipment Corpora!ion

DEC PROFESSION AL

INFORMATION
Rates: 1 time: $475 3 times: $430 6 times: $390 12 times: $350
Size: 11, page - 2V4" x 3"
Camera ready mechanical required.
Typesetting and composition available.
For more information call Mary Browarek at (215) 542-7008.

'o'J~o: .-4.~t,5ON

·~~·~T~roi
u rGRAPH220'"

generates business and

presentation graphics on your

VT220 and compatibles without

additional hardware!

· Pie charts ·Clustered · Also outputs to

· Line graphs bar charts'

file or printer

· Bar charts· · Stacked · Histograms· bar charts '

· Horizontally and Ve rtically

Micro-VAX® and VAX-11
$795.

VAX 8000 Series
$1495.

CALL (408) 734-9511
WILLIAM A. PEDERSEN AND ASSOCIATES 1037 N. FAIR OAKS AVE.· SUNNYVALE, CA 94089
VAX·is a registered trademarlt of Digital Equipment Corporation.

ENTER 285 ON READER CARD

········ IBM PC/VT220

EM220 $169

· V7220. VT/02 emulation · File Transfer · 132 Column modes · Color Suppo rt · HotKer

1111 TEK 4010/4014

EM4010 · Tektronix 4010 emulation

$249

· VT220. VT/02 emulation · Picture fi les

· Hi~h resolutirm hare/copy

· Supports IBM. IBM Enhanced.

Hercules. Tecmaral/l/ AT&T.

I

~;;,is Al'e. . Suire IB
Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 447-9251

Tm1/1·mar~1 VTIOO - D1g1tal F.q1111m11·m. IBM PC. XT - IBM Cm7J.

ENTER 290 ON READER CARD

SPECTRA DISK
Offers your application the data transfer rates of your CPU without the costly seek and 1/0 timing required with disk transfers.
Imagine your applications approaching 200 MB/sec transfer rates on a VAX 780 or 8600 and completing 14% iaster. That adds savings to you and your customers.
PRICED FOR VAX SYSTEMS AT $495.00
· 24-hr support and consulting · Transfer rates above 160 MB/sec · Reduce 1/0 bound application
transfers · Applications process at CPU speed
SPECTRUM SYSTEMS
41 Summer St., Natick, MA 01760 (617) 653-9407
ENTER 291 ON READER CARD

We need to buy your excess DEC equipment now!
VAX & PDP-11
Turn your unwanted computer equipment
into cash!
v Large inventory v Immediate availability v Super Prices
617-777-4666 ct:b=-=··-
FAX-617-m-8433 800-DEC-DLER
ENTER 282 ON READER CARD

Training and Implementation
Information Systems Implementation and Assistance
Manufacturing Applications Assistance
All-In-One Implementation Site Management Assistance
On-Site Training
For information cal l:
(206) 485-0125 (206) 462-6820
·CONTINUUM"
Continuum Consulting, Limited
ENTER 293 ON READER CARD

When buying used DEC equipment ask the sellers . . .

It's your assura nce of a reputable dea ler.
d d o OIGITAL DEALERS ASSOCIATION For more information: (313) 475-8333
107 S. Main St.. Su ite 202 Che lsea , Ml 48118
ENTER 293 ON READER CARD

CONVERSIONS
16 YEARS EXPERIENCE

IBM

- VAX

DOS · MVS · VM · CICS · VSAM

HP
HP 1000

HP 2000

VAX
HP 3000

PDP

VAX

.,.. BASIC .,.. COBOL .,.. FORTRAN

For more info rm ati on ca ll : (206) 485-0125 (206) 462-6820
·CONTINUUM"
Continuum Consultin g, Limited

ENTER 292 ON READER CARD

This publication .
\:t is available in
microform from University~ : Microfilms International.
D Please send informa tion about these titles:

Cornpany/lnslilulion - - - - - - -
Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ State _ _ _ _ _ Zip._ _ _ __
Phone , _ ( - - ' - - - - - - - - - Call loll-free 800-521-3044. Or mail inquiry lo: University Microfilms lnterna tional. 300 North Zeeb Road . Ann Arbor. Ml 48106.

LASER PRINTERS
With our color toners and cartridges can now
print in full color.
COME ALIVE
WITH COLOR
Colors; SuperBlack, Red, Green, Blue, Brown, etc. Printers; Ricoh, Canon, Dec, HP, Apple, IBM, Okidata, Kyocera, Oasys, others.
(We also recharge cartridges.)
Toner Research Inc.
(619) 744-2404
Oealershi p Available
ENTER 284 ON READER CARD

VAX TIME
· 8600, 785 and 780 Computers · Rates from $5.00/Hour · Timeshared or Dedicated · Tymnet Access Available · Hotsite Backup Services
A\IERIC\\' DI\l :RSIHED Costa Mesa, California
CONTACT: KEN CHARLTON (800) 426-5890 Outside Calif. (800) 345-2265 Calif. Only

~DEC~
(eROOKVALE ASSOCIATES)

Quality Used Systems Integration You Can Depend On
~

Member d:tl Digital Dealers Association RENT · BUY · TRADE · SELL Our 13th Year Serving the DEC· Commu nity

W. COAST: IOG-2521200 E. COAST: I00-&'5·1167

206·392-9171

51i-27J.7777

FU· :IOi-391-231-4 · TELEX : 4973133 · FU · 516-273·7641

ENTER 275 ON READER CARD

ENTER 276 O.N READER CARD

C LANGUAGE CONSULTING AND EDUCATION by noted DEC PROFESSIONAL columnist. Also other languages and packages on RSX, VMS, RSTS and MS-DOS, including DBMS and DECnet. Applications experience includes real-time, process control, engineering, scientific and commercial systems. Rex Jaeschke. (703) 860-0091 .
DEVICE DRIVER CONSULTING: VMS, UNIX, RSX. New Drivers, Upgrades, Conversions. Globetrotter Software Inc. (408) 980-7153.

WANTED: Cache memory for PDP 11/45. Able Cache/45 model 10006 or equivalent. Andy Jerison, (513) 701-7975.
DEC SUPPORT- VAX and PDP-11 Specialists. We offer a full range of Applications and Operating System support for: VMS, RSTS, RSX, RT-11, MACRO, C-language, BASIC, COBOL, and DIBOL. Including: new application development and installations, existing application maintenance, and system tuning, on-site or remote via telephone. Contact: West Bay Consulting, 2618 Elliot Street, Santa Clara, CA 95051 . (408) 246-6279.

VAX
SYSTEMS & OPTIONS
C. D. SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC. 12605 E. Freeway, Suite 318 · Houston, TX 77015
(713) 451-3112

~DIGITM

COMPUTER

EXCHl\NGE INC

27773 lndustnal Blvd , Hayward. CA 94545

Cletl~.-=:·~.-

CALL-(415) 887-3100
FAX (415) 887·5590 TLX 709536

·PRO 350/380 MEMORY BOARDS
·DISK DRIVES - BIG g. FAST FOR PRO
· RAM- DISK Software for Micro/RSX,* 11 M ( +) g. P/OS *
Call 415- 420- 9579
Proto Systems 1236 Josephine St. Berkeley, CA 94703

*DEC

BUY · SELL · TRADE - LEASE

NEW/USED

SYSTEMS

PERIPHERALS

69 ~2 ~

7c#ee ~. 'JHC.
MA 617-3424210 OH 614·764·2224
FAX. 343-8525

EQUINOX DS·5
Cabinet (Rackmount) Processor Set 1 24-RS 3 24-CS
List > $12,500
Best Offer
Over > $8,500
Call Kevin 215-542-7008

190

DEC PROFESSIONAL

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Reader

Service

Number

Page

249 Advanced Technology

International ........... ... ............. 121

192 American Digital Systems ...... ..... 67

229 American Digital Systems ...........69

102 Applied Digital Data Systems ..... 51

103 Aquidneck Systems

International ........................... 115

104 AT&T Training ............................85

237 Avalon Computer Systems ... ..... ...9

105 BLAST/Communications

Research ............. ................... 109

230 C.P. International.. ...... ............ .... 17

106 Cabletron Systems.............. ..... ..167

193 Calcomp ......... ..... ... ..... ... .... ....... 117

California Computer &

Graphics Show ...... ...... .. ... ... ..140

228 Chrislin Industries, Inc............. 153

107 Clearpoint, Inc.. ..... ... .......... .. ..... ...3

108 Coefficient Systems Corp...........23

109 Cognos Corporation..... ... ....... ....27

110 Collier-Jackson, Inc................. ..157

111 Computer Information Systems.. 141

112 Computer Technology Group ... 146

210 Control Data........................ ...... .53

113 Data Processing Design .......... ....83

246 Data Race, Inc.. .... ......... .I.B. Cover

114 Datability Software

Systems, Inc................... .B.Cover

DECUS .......... ..... ........ ... ..... ..166

115 Demac Software ....... .... ............... ..8

DEXP0 ....... ..... .......... ... ........ 179

194 Digi Data Corp......................... 130

200 Digital Data Systems ........ ..... ... 120

116 DynService Network ................. 119

214 Edison Software ... ...... ...... ......... 104

117 EEC Systems, Inc. ........ .... I.F.Cover

118 EMC Corporation ........... .... .... .... 57

119 Equinox Systems .......................... .4

120 Exceptional Business Solutions .139

122 FTG Data Systems .. .. ................ 144

175 Gejac, Inc............................. .......97

123 Grafpoint ...... ........... .......... .... ..... 95

124 GrayMatter Software &

Consulting ..... .. ........ ....... .. ..... 178

211 HCR Corp....................... .... ..... 169

Hewlett-Packard ........supplement

127 Human Designed Systems ... ..... ....7

IBM Corporation................... 143

231 ICEX ... .... ... ....... ....... ..... ... .... ..... .16

129 Information Builders, Inc. ... ..... ...29

130 Interactive Technology .............. 173

232 Interactive Technology ....... ..... ..175

131 Jager Computer Systems .............91

132 James McGlinchey ..... ....... ..... ... 167

244 Kea Systems Ltd .............. ........ .183

216 Keyword Office Technologies .....59

134 Liberty Electronics ...... .. .. ..... ..... 133

135 Logicraft, Inc......................... ....177

136 MCBA, Inc.. ................... .......... 107

224 MDB Systems... ...... ..... .. ... ..........39

238 MBD Systems .... ...... .... ... ...... ....131

137 MDBS .... ........... .... ...................... 73

138 MegaTape Corp. ... ..... ................ 123

Reader

Service

Number

Page

234 MegaTape Corp....................... .. 125

178 MicroTek Systems International .. 72

236 MicroTek Systems

International ................... .. ......132

239 MicroTek ... ....... .. ........................ .47

140 Mitchell Management

Systems........ ..... .. ............... .42-43

215 Mod-Tap System ............... .. .. .... 124

223 MRI Computers ... ... ... ... ... ... ....... 79

221 Mutliware ........................... ....... 142

222 Multiware .......... .... .... .. ... .... .. .. ....20

219 National Information Systems ... 145

235 National Support Group .......... .168

202 Networking Dynamics Corp. ... 178

233 Networx Data Products .......... ....41

142 Networx Data Products ..... .. .. ... 181

207 Nissho Electronics .................... 136

143 Park Software..................... .. ... .. 122

144 Perceptics Corp. .. .. .................... 127

145 Perceptics Corp................ ...... ... 129

500 Persoft, Inc....... ..... .... ... .......... 10-11

146 Polygon, Inc.... ... .. ... .. ... .... .... .... ...75

147 Precision Visuals Inc. ..................25

148 Process Software ... .. ......... ......... 122

Professional Press ... .... ..... 147,184

185 Pulizzi Engineering ................... 183

204 QMS, Inc........................... .. .. 14-15

209 RAD Data Communications ......77

Raima Corp........................ ....... 103

186 Raxco ......... .. ...... ... .. .. .. ... ....... ......62

187 Raxco ............................ ... ..... .. ... .63

150 Relational Technology Inc. ... .. .....87

151 Rhodnius Inc....................... .. .... 149

SAS Institute Inc... .... ....... .. ... ...99

SAS Institute Inc. ....... ... .. .. ... ..101

218 Saturn Systems, Inc. ........... 170-171

173 Scherers .... .............. .. .. ...... .. ... .. ..152

154 Software AG ...... ..... ...... .............. 19

241 Software AG .. ............................ 151

227 Stone Mountain Computing ... ..168

156 T&B Computing .. ... ........ ... .. .. ...135

157 Tektronix/Information Display

Group ........... ... ... .. ..............30-31

158 TeleVideo Systems .. .. .... .. .... 158-159

245 Teltone Corp............................. 121

159 Texas Instruments Inc...... .. .. .. ......13

226 Trimm Industries ................. ...... .93

248 Unbound .... ..... ... .. ........... .. .. .... ...35

162 Unisys Corp./CUSTOMCARE

Service.... .... ........ ... .. ............. ..185

USR/Group ........................... .174

164 Vermont Creative Software.........21

165 Versatec .... ... ... ...... .. ... ... ........ .. ...193

217 Visitech Graphic Resources .... ...137

167 Visual Technology .. .. .............88-89

220 Walker Richer & Quinn ......... .....81

168 Whitesmiths Ltd.................. ... .....37

181 Windjammer Cruises ... .. ..... ...... .191

242 Wollongong ... .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... .112

243 Wollongong ............................. ..113

169 Wyse Technology ... .... ........ ...... .155

225 Zoltech Corp................... ......... 105

185 Z-Line .................. .. ... ........ ........ 183

More i11fon11atio11 about many of tliese advertisers is available electro11ically 011 our Automated Reader lufo rmation Service (A RIS). Dial (2 15) 542-9458.

SALES OFFICES
Professional Press, Inc. 921 Bethlehem Pike Spring House, PA 19477 (215) 542-7008
VICE PRESIDENT Helen Marbach NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeffrey Berman ADVERTISING MANAGER Connie Mahon ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Lori Goodson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Dan Mainieri CLASSIFIED ADS & USED EQUIPMENT Mary Browarek
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
MID-ATLANTIC Connie Mahon INTERNATIONAL Helen B . Marbach MIDWEST, SOUTHEAST Peter Senft
NEW ENGLAND
Cynthia Davis Regional Sales Manager Trish McCauley Account Executive Professional Press, Inc. 238 Bedford St., Suite 3 Lexington, MA 02173 (6 17) 861-1994
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA and NORTHWEST
A.G. Germano Regional Sales Manager Alonna Doucette Account Executive Professional Press, Inc. 715 El Camino Real, Suite 206 San Bruno, CA 94066 (415) 873- 3368
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and SOUTHWEST
David Beardslee Regional Sales Manager Professional Press, Inc. 10635 Riverside Drive Toluca Lake, CA 91602 (818) 985-7008
DEC PROFESSIONAL

Get mare out at your war"lfsta.tian.
Give your workstation the
powerful output it deseNes. Versatec
electrostatic and thermal plotters deliver your drawings. maps, and charts faster. more reliably than any pen plotter.
Draw big. beautiful plots with high speed monochrome or color plotters in plot widths from 11 to 44 inches. Print as you plot using hardware character generators. Present your work on high quality paper and film media.
The right connection. Link your Sun. Apollo, MicroVAX or IBM PC/ ATworkstation directly with any Versatec plotter via fast parallel interfaces and optimized plotting software. or simultaneously receive plots from six nodes on your Ethernet®TCP/ IP
network with aVersatec Plot SeNer.
Versatec delivers more support. More interfaces. More standalone and embedded rasterizers. More experienced electrostatic and
thermal plotter seNice.And more
spares at more locations.
Circle our readers· seNice num-
ber or call toll-free 800/ 538-6477 * for your copy of "How to get more out of your workstation:·
Move up ta Versatec.

*In Californ ia. call toll-free 800/341 -6060
Sun is a IIademark or Sun Microsystems. Apollo is a trademark or Apollo Computer. MicroVAX is a trademark or D1g1tal Equipment Corporation. IBM PC/ AT is a tradeffi:1rk of International Business Machines Corporation.
Versatec and Versatec Plot Server are 11ademarks of Versatec. Inc. Xerox is a trademark of Xerox Corporation.
Plot data courtesy or Xerox. !Ml and Zeh Graphic Systems.

v·-VERSATEC A XEROX COMPANY ENTER 165 ON READER CARD

The Great American
Trade Show Quiz

What's your trade show IQ? Some people enjoy trade shows. Others hate them. In the computer industry there are a slew of trade shows scattered around the country throughout the year. We're in Atlanta one week, Los Angeles the next. After a while we become more expert on the subject of trade shows than on the subject of computers. Most people take trade shows too seriously. Here's a valuable trade show IQ guiz that I worked up so you can see how you rate as a trade show attendee: 1. Before attending the trade show, you must plan ahead. Which of the following best applies to your planning? a. Find out who else might be there and make appointments to sec them in advance. b. Wait for people to call you for appointments. c. Wait until the last minute to make appointments. d. 1ell everyone that your calendar is full and make no appointments. 2. You have to stay someplace. Wh e11 deciding how much to spend 011 a hotel, you: a. Find a high-quality inexpensive hotel and book months in advance. b. Get a cheap room in a luxury hotel and book months in advance. c. Get what you can at the last minute. d. Find a suite and tell the bookkeepers that's all that was available. 3. Which of the following best describes your typical morning while attending a trade show? a. Arise at 7. Shower. Read the ni.orning paper. Go to an 8 a.m . sales meeting or product introduction breakfast. b. Arise at 7. Shower. Order room service and have a big breakfast. Review prev10us day 's notes and today's schedule.
194

c. Get up at 8. Shower. Have a continental breakfast. Read the paper and go straight to the show. d. Sleep in until 11. Tell the boss you had appointments all morning. 4. How do you like to approach yourfirst encounter with the exhibit halls? a. Sit down with the guide to the show and your Day-Timer to map out the day's activities carefully. b. Go straight onto the show floor to see what seems important and new. c. Go onto the floor and ask people if they've seen anything interesting, then go there. d. Look for the booths with the cutest hostesses and go there. 5. When in a booth 01· exhibit area, you: a. Find a company representative and have him show you what's important. b. Wander around the area and read each blurb on the walls near the products. c. Pick up some literature and leave a card. d. Hit on the hostesses and try to get a date for the night. 6. After the show closes for the day, yo1.1: a. Return to the hotel, review what you did that day and make preliminary plans for tomorrow. b. Discuss the show with a colleague. c. Return to the hotel and watch TV. d. Go directly to the hotel events board, find out where the hospitality suites arc and go get free drinks. 7. What best describes yo111· attitude toward drinking at a hospitality st.tite? a. Order Calisoga water or Perrier with a twist and make it known that you have to be clearheaded. After all , tomorrow is a busy day. b. Have one beer, then leave. c. Have a few glasses of wine. d. Scan the bar and order the most expensive Cognac. If they don't have a decent V.S.O.P., complain to the party giver. 8. When a hospitality suite has food, yot.t:

a. Munch a few pieces of the healthiest foods, like the celery and dip. b. Eat only cheese. c. Eat some lean roast beef. d. Pig out on lobster and crab. 9. When invited to a big evening event, like a rock 'n' roll party, what do yo11 do? a. Decline the invitation because there are better ways to spend your time. b. Go to the party hoping that you can make a few business contacts. c. Go to the party to unwind. d . Sec if you can get more invitations and hand them out to people as though you 're a big shot. 10. When a big trade show is over and you ret1.1m home, yo14: a. Review the show with associates. File the brochures and make notes on who to call for follow-up. b. Go back to work, write a short memo about the show and brief other employees. c. Put the show out of your mind for a few days and place the literature in a basket to be read later. d. Moan and groan about how tough the show was and how you need a vacation.
Scoring
For each A answer, give yourself 10 points. B scores 6, C scores 4 and D scores 0.
If you scored 100 points, then you 're one fabulous employee. You must be bored stiff.
A score in the 80-100 range means at least you think about something other than business once in a while.
Tallying 50-80 points is the normal range for the modern show attendee.
Scoring 4-50 means you try your best to mix business with pleasure.
A total of O indicates that you 're a true party animal. Congratulations! If anyone has fun at a .trade show, it's you.
DEC PROFESSIONAL

At speeds from 9,600to19,200 bps. Data Race is offering VARs increased profits in data communications. Use our high-speed dial up and leased line modems and multiplexers and successfully link Wang, Hewlett-Packard, Data General, DEC, or NCR terminals to their computers. We have an unbeatable support team and an R&D staff which has been taking the post position for years.

Unlock your profit potential. Call Data Race at (512) 692-3909 and ask us about our aggressive Authorized VAR Starter Kit.
Your winning streak is about to begin.
ENTER 246 ON READER CARD
R·ACE ,r .n.....i..!·T··i!· ..#1
12758 Cimarron Path, San Antonio, TX 78249 (512) 692-3909 FAX: (512) 692-7632

Data Race is a trademark of Data Race, lnc. Wang, Hewlett-Packard, Data General, DEC, and NCR are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

THE EASIEST, FASTEST, MOST COMPLETE WAY TO TAP DEC MAINFRAME POWER AT YOUR PC.
RAF is a PC-to-host communications system designed to integrate your PC with all the data and power ofaVAX or DECSYSTEM-20. RAF does thejob transparently, seamlessly and faster than any other PC-to-DEC host software. But read on. because RAF offers a lot more!
EASY ACCESS TO REMOTE DATA
RAF fools the PC into "'thinking"' that remote files are local. So you can utilize your regular PC software to access data stored on a remote system. It's as if the data were stored locally on your PC! Use WordPerfect. MASS-11 and other PC editors to create or edit files stored on a remote VAX. And use PC spreadsheet programs like Lotus 1-2-3 to manipulate remotely stored spreadsheets.
SHARE REMOTE SYSTEM PRINTERS
Why dedicate a printer to a PC when RAF allows PCs to share remote system printers transparently? With RAF. PC software thinks your PC is equipped with its own local printer! And RAF lets you define all remote printer options. With RAF. you decide which remote printer to use or which forms to utilize.

COMPLETE ACCESS OF REMOTE COMPUTERS
RAF delivers automatic access to remote computers through a scripting mechanism that allows you to define each step of an automatic login. Or complete Vf100 and Vf220 terminal emulators unlike any other software system. RAF's Vf100 and Vf220 support allows for instant switching between PC and VAX applications.
ASYNCHRONOUS AND ETHERNET SUPPORT
You can use RAF to communicate ~ asynchronously or over Ethernet. A single copy supports both. so you can install RAF asynchronously now and
ENTER 114 ON READER CARD

switch to Ethernet if it's available In thit Also. RAF allows some users to operate asyn.-

chronousl

ers utilize Ethernet. RAF

supports a

ommunications <Mir

modems. n

· connections-at

speeds from 300bp

Over Ethernet.

RAF transfers data up to 1

characters

per second (800 kbps)-that's abOutten times

faster than any other comparable communica-

tions product! And RAF allows Ethernet users

to maintain multiple connections with remote

systems-as if they're connected through a DEC

terminal server.

TRAINING, SUPPORT AND UPDATES

In order to make sure you put every out-

standing RAF capability to your fullest advan-

tage. we have prepared a comprehensive RAF

videocassette trainer. This two hour cassette

-$29.95 if purchased separately-is yours free

with the purchase of a RAF host master license.

For on-going and immediate technical

support. eligible RAF users can call our special

hotline. 1-800-DIAL-DSS. And as new RAF ver-

sions are made available. eligible users can

update their PC software automatically through

the RAF electronic distribution system. In so

many ways. RAF is your main line to the DEC

DiTAB"ILiT!I

1-800-DIAL-DSS In NewYoO., 212-807-7800 In Canada: 1-800-267-9205
Oatability Software Systems. Inc. 322 Eighth Avenue New York. NY 10001
DrvEgCl,srVeAreXd. DtrEaCdSeYmSaToEoMo2r0D, iVgiTtaIlOEOqaunipdmVeTn2t2C0oarpre.:
~orLodtu~s&;C·~o~r~p~.: Maessd· ll l3sa_ =.=.
.,_,,.,.of~Enga""""!ICotp.; £
IS aregtSten!d trademar1( of Xerox Corp.