MSCP Boot Block Code Size for PDP-11 (Was: Defining Disk Image Dump Standard)

Jerome Fine replies: I am not sure if we are considering the same thing, but the single block (512 bytes) of code for the secondary MSCP boot program on a PDP-11 (the primary MSCP boot program being the code in the BOOT ROM which is much less than 256 bytes - actually one that can be entered by hand using ODT is only 110 bytes) which is on block zero on the hard disk drive of a PDP-11 for RT-11 is also a squeeze. And while including the mapping table for eight RT-11 partitions made life difficult (only a 16 word table was used), I challenge anyone to manage to add the other 56 available partitions and make all 64 RT-11 partitions allowable for boot purposes since it would seem that a 128 word mapping table would be required. I don't think it is possible to fit the rest of the code, data and buffers into just the remaining 128 words even when just one controller or host adapter is allowed and still manage to utilize many hard disk drives each with a maximum total of 8 GBytes - obviously not all physical partitions could be booted from one 64 entry mapping table since even just one 8 GByte drive has 256 physical partitions (as mentioned by Tim Shoppa - how do you even keep track of what is on all 256 partitions, let alone use them all? - envy!!!). But at least with a 64 entry mapping table in the boot block, all 64 partitions mapped for data use can also be booted those partitions. The problem is to squeeze an extra 56 entries into the mapping table so that DUP can boot all 64 possible partitions (D00: => D77:). possible to do the rest using just the other 128 words for code and data (buffers can occupy the same space as the mapping table). Sincerely yours, Jerome Fine