7 Apr
2006
7 Apr
'06
2:59 p.m.
Richard wrote...
What's the "hercules emulator"? Is this
emulating a Hercules graphics
card? (Doubtful, but I thought I'd ask!)
The hercules emulator is a program
that runs on either windows or unix and
emulates any one of a number of IBM System/370 and ESA/370 architecture
mainframe systems. Think mainframe OS's like VM/CMS, DOS/VSE, MVS, CICS,
MUSIC, etc. I may try MUSIC soon, what with the TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP, etc.
support it has :) But my heart is still fond of VM/CMS, as that's what I
used a lot in college.
> [...] Of course, it's just not the same unless
you're
> running a real IBM 3270 style terminal... so... the PC also has a token
> ring
> card that is connected to a 8223 MAU via type 1 cables.
Ug... I goofed... my
MAU is an 8228, not an 8223. My terminal is a 3179, not
a 3197.
Speaking of 3270 style terminals, I picked up a 3180
terminal. I like
the spring-loaded rising pedestal on it! However, I see that it
doesn't talk normal RS-232 like most terminals, it has a coax style
connector on the back.
No, it doesn't talk anything like RS-232 :) Nor can it
be converted to do
so. It's a whole different ball of wax. In the world of most mini's,
terminals were generally interchangeable. Not so in the ibm world. You can't
just hook a 3270 terminal up to a DEC or DG or HP. First, you must hook the
coax term to a controller like the 3174. I have recently dug in to the 3174
and that is one incredible box. Talk about massively over designed and full
of more options and features than one could barely dream up... wow. I think
your 3180 terminal is only useful if you have an IBM host to hook it up to.
That being said, I see some mention on the 3174 manual about setting the
terminal in to "cut" mode and then it might open multiple sessions to tcp/ip
hosts. I am not sure I'm reading about that capability correctly though.
Does this mean I need to get a token ring setup as you
describe above
in order to get it to talk?
You won't get it to talk to a non-ibm host ...
unless what I suggested above
is true. You'd need a 3174 at the least. You don't have to have token ring
set up. You can get a 3174 with the ethernet option for around $1500, or you
can get a 3174 with the token ring option for around $50. You decide :)
If yes, what would I need to get? Assume I know
nothing... because
that's accurate :).
Well, first, I need to see if it is possible to have a coax
terminal talk to
a non-3270 speaking host. I can define another station set in the 3174 that
goes to the standard telnet port and then connect from the 3179 and see if
it flys. No clue. If it does, then you could use that terminal. But
honestly, you have to go through a lot of gyrations and have a 3174 as well,
not sure it's worth it unless you have/want an IBM host.
Jay