TOPS-10/TOPS-20 RSX-20F System Reference Manual

This document is a reference manual for the RSX-20F operating system, which serves as a front-end for PDP-11 processors communicating with TOPS-10 or TOPS-20 operating systems running on KL main processors.

Key areas covered include:

• System Overview: The role of the PDP-11 as a front-end processor for KL-based systems, including its responsibilities in booting, configuring, loading, and performing diagnostics.
• File System: Details on the Files-11 file structure, including file specifications, directory structures, and the usage of "known files" (Index, Storage Bitmap, Bad Block, Master File Directory, and Core Image).
• PARSER: A command language processor used by the system operator to communicate with the front-end, manage the KL processor, and access memory and diagnostic registers. The manual provides detailed command syntax and operational modes (Operator, Programmer, Maintenance).
• KLINIT: The initialization software for the KL processor, which automates booting and configuration processes. It includes instructions for running KLINIT in interactive dialog mode.

• RSX-20F Utilities: Descriptions and operating instructions for utility programs, including:

  • COP: Disk/floppy duplication.
  • INI: Initializing volumes.
  • MOU/DMO: Mounting and dismounting devices.
  • PIP: File management (copying, deleting, renaming).
  • RED: System device redirection.
  • SAV: Saving system task images.
  • UFD: Building user file directories.
  • ZAP: Patching task images.

• Monitor and DTE20: Technical details on the RSX-20F monitor, task scheduling, terminal service routines (including modem and terminal handling), and the DTE20 hardware interface (Communications Region, registers, and diagnostic functions).

• Error Detection and Logging: Procedures for handling system crashes, including the use of Keep-Alive counts, the KLERR diagnostic tool, and the LOGXFR task for transferring logs.
• Debugging: Guidelines for interpreting system dumps using the DDT11 tool.
• Appendixes: Include stop codes, I/O error codes, instructions for transferring files between the KL and the front-end (RSXT10/RSXFMT), a list of front-end tasks, technical details on the KLINIK access dialog for remote diagnostics, and EIA pin definitions.