TOPS-10/TOPS-20

The TOPS-10/TOPS-20 SPEAR Manual (V2.0) describes the Standard Package for Error Analysis and Reporting (SPEAR), a software library used to help field service engineers and system managers isolate system failures.

Key contents include: * System Event File: Explanation of how the operating system records events (hardware/software errors) and the record structure. * Fault Analysis: Techniques for isolating solid vs. intermittent failures and using error-checking schemes. * SPEAR Library Functions: Detailed user procedures for the five primary SPEAR functions: * INSTRUCT: Computer-aided instruction for using the library. * RETRIEVE: Extracts and translates binary event file data into readable ASCII reports. * KLERR: Translates front-end logs from KL10 crashes. * SUMMARIZE: Produces ASCII summary reports and error distribution tables. * COMPUTE: Calculates and reports on system availability, effectiveness, and reliability. * Reference Material: Detailed entry descriptions for various system errors, command file conventions, and error register codes for specific disk and tape subsystems.