26 Jul
2000
26 Jul
'00
1:11 a.m.
Ok, I'm completely baffled.
Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot to not discuss how the DEC remote
services console works or is used? I know that there are ex-DEC field
service types here and certainly ex-Digits who should know the basics. And
yet at least three times over the last 2 years theses questions have come
up and been left hanging with absolutely no information. Whazzup wit' dat?
The protocol used by the RDC (as far as I know) was very closely held.
I couldn't get any docs on it in Field Service (I wanted to write a
CP/M program so my VT180 or Zorba could be a remote console and diag
loader on the 11/70's.
I was told they were doing ascii bit flips on at least one bit on each byte
but I never got the datascope on the line to see what the protocol
looked like.
I happen to have a use for mine that is exactly what was intended, I've got
a VAX 4000/300 sitting at my office that I'd like to be able to dial into
the console and reset and reboot. I don't have a spare serial port on a PC
to use and it would be "cool" to do it with this piece of vintage gear that
was designed to do this.
Yes, I know these things were originally DEC proprietary and secret stuff
but heck DEC is dead. We've got to keep this information alive, not let
Compaq take it to the grave with them.
--Chuck
Anyone else know anything?
Bill