CTOS FAQ - December 1997

[Dale 'Cat' Robinson]

CTOS FAQ Version .03 (December 1997)
This article is an FAQ about CTOS.
CTOS is a client/server based OS.

The following topics are addressed:

1) What is CTOS?
1.1) Common software shipped with a CTOS system.
2) CTOS Future
3) The Default Boot Date
3.1) Year 2000 compliant?
4) Machine Types
5) Unix for CTOS?
6) Web Resources
7) To do (or things to be added)
8) Useful commands.
TAPE EJECT
ZIP ARCHIVE/UNZIP ARCHIVE
9) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1) What is CTOS?
CTOS (Convergent Terminal Operating System) is a character based,
multi-processing, preemptive multitasking, true message-based,
microkernal OS. multiuser operating system developed by Convergent and
now supplied by Unisys.
BTOS (Burroughs Terminal Operating System) was a licensed variant of
CTOS. With CTOS II 3.3, BTOS II 3.2, CTOS/XE 3.0 & CTOS/VM 2.4 were
merged to form CTOS as we now know it.
I will briefly mention the four versions of CTOS, CTOS I, XE, II &
III.

CTOS I
Real mode operating system which ran on 808x/80186 processors.
No longer supported.

CTOS/XE
Version of CTOS which runs on the XE range of processors.
Current released version is R3.4.2.

CTOS II
Protected mode operating system Ran on 286 and later chips (server
only runs on 386 or better). Could address all memory.
Current released version is R3.4.4. EMU release is s3.4.101.

CTOS III
Virtual memory OS. Demand paging. All memory is divided into 4k
pages, and each protected-mode program has an address space of
32(?)MB, of which each 4k page is either present or not. System
swapped in pages as needed, and tried to keep a few steps ahead of the
program, bringing in data or code before the program needed it. A
maintenance release for R1.3.1 is available and would be well worth
the effort to obtain.
Current released version is R1.3.1.

1.1) Common software shipped with a CTOS system.
Context Manager
Is the program which allows you to run many programs at once on your
desktop. And you are able to switch between them. It's a text based
task manager.
Current released version is R5.1.

Standard Software
Standard Software (STD-SW) are the command programs for CTOS. An
analogy would be to the MS-DOS commands. STD-SW contains programs
such as Path (change node/disk/directory), Files (list files in
directories), Edit (editor) & Zip (file archiving tool).
Current release version is R12.3.120.

Video Access Method (VAM)
VAM are the video drivers for CTOS equipment. It is a seperate
product but is included in standard software. The latest version
allows you use WYSIWYG on non-WYSIWYG screens, provided you are using
the correct video hardware.
Current release version is R4.4.

2) CTOS Future
Unisys is now only maintaining CTOS, no new product releases or major
upgrades are being planned.
CTOS Hardware production will cease at end of 1997.
CTOS Software Support ceases during 2000.
CTOS engineering software support has outsourced to Cybertech.
Unisys offers a migration solution based on a Windows NT server
running CTOS on an IOP board (486DX66 processor) (aka Integrated
Server).

3) The Default Boot Date.
Saturday March 1 1952 12:00am
Birthdate of Greg Walsh, CTOS architect
Incidentally the maximum date is November 16, 2041. The clock rolls
over to 1 March 1952.

3.1) Year 2000 compliant?
CTOS OS is Year 2000 compliant (Y2K). CTOS Software released by
Unisys is Y2K, with the exception of VPC, and a patch has been
released for it.
Applications which use their own date format (ie. Cobol & YY) may
require work. Given that the Cobol/2 product didn't have a four digit
year available in the standard package, it could be a large problem
for Cobol programs under CTOS. (four digit years are available by
linking a system call into the Cobol/2 runtime).
Further information may be found at:
http://www.unisys.com/marketplace/year2000/2krdy/ctosrdy.htm

4) Machine Types

B21: (IWS) Original model. 8086 or 8088. CPU/disk/floppy
and monitor mounted side-by-side on base. Monitor
swivels. Guts in box with copy holder. Maximum
memory 512K (8088) or 1 MB (8086). Cluster is RS422,
runs at 307 Kbps. Was able to use multibus cards.

B22: (AWS) Original model, large disk in stand. 8086.
Had bitmapped monochrome video option. The disk
drive used an SMD interface. Up to 40 MB (!) per unit.
Cluster is RS422, runs at 307 Kbps. Used multibus card.

B24: Actually, came out after the B38. Cluster-only machine
(mostly used as bank teller workstations), no disk (an
option to use AT-bus based hard cards never made it to
market), no cooling fan. 80186 at 8mhz. 512K standard,
1M max. 1.8 Mbps cluster.

B26: (CP-001) First NGEN model. 6mhz clock. X-bus (some kind
of 16-bit wide Multibus with MCA characteristics, like
auto-identification protocol, etc.). 80186. 256KB base
memory expandable to 1MB with 256K cartridges. Video
options included: standard monochrome, 720x350; color
graphics. something like 800x600x16. Cluster runs now at
1.8 Mbps but is still RS422.

B27: (CM-002) First and only F-Bus model. 80186. Up to 1MB
memory. Burroughs made these at its Flemington, NJ plant
under license from Convergent. There is a module which
allows F-Bus and X-Bus modules to be used with each other.
Cluster speed is 1.8 Mbps, RS422.

B28-CPU: (CP-002) First 80286. 8mhz clock. 1MB base memory.
Memory upgrade slices were similar to B26's, but were
1MB in size. Maximum memory was 4MB.
Cluster speed was 1.8Mbps. Revision Levels AA-AK were
RS422, while AJ onwards was RS485.

B28-EXP: (CP-0E2) 80286, 8mhz. 2MB memory standard, expandable
to 14MB. The memory expansion boards (2MB in size) fitted
into a carrier board. Cluster speed is 3.7Mbps, RS485.

B28-MCP: B28 with a maths coprocessor???

286I: Convergent B39-like unit.

B38-CPU: (CP-003) 80386, 16MHz. 1MB base memory, extra memory
in same 1MB cards as B28-CPU (hence 4MB total). Uses
standard X-Bus modules. 1.8 Mbps cluster, RS422.
Revision Levels AA-AK were RS422, while AJ onwards was
RS485. Later, B38-EXP/GXP/GXL accepted up to 14MB of
memory.

B38-EXP: Similar to a B28-EXP but with a 80386 processor(?).

B38-GXP: 20Mhz 80386. In-built graphics board. Required a
B25-VKA to drive a VGA monitor and keyboard.
Graphics could be expanded to GXL standard by adding
video memory (GC-004) board.
Cluster speed is 3.7Mbps, RS485.

B38-GXL:
25Mhz 80386 NGEN module with SVGA graphics, 3.68Mbps cluster
speed, and a slot for X-Bus expansion. Direct connection of
VGA monitors is supported without need of B25-VKA.
Built-in serialized bootrom for unique identification of
each processor. Keyboard connection via monitor or by
built-in mini-DIN. 2MB base memory expandable to 14MB.

B39: 80386. (Convergent: 386i) Started at 16mhz, later models are
25 or 33. Designed as server with extra memory and CPU
performance. Up to 32MB memory. Has base module with CPU,
memory, SCSI controller, floppy drive, and SCSI hard drive.
Has both X-Bus and SCSI connections, so can attach SCSI
expansion, SCSI upgrade, and X-Bus modules (SCSI upgrade
modules have their own controller, and can be used on B39 as
well as earlier X-Bus models).
Cluster speed is 3.7Mbps, RS485.

SuperGen:
SG5000: This is the X-Bus+ model. It has a base module with CPU
(486), memory, floppy, and hard disk, and slots where extra
hardware can be inserted and removed. It also has an X-Bus
so standard X-Bus modules can be used with it. One option
is a card envelope where AT-style cards can be enclosed,
then mounted on the X-Bus+. Basic video adapter combines
VGA/SVGA modes with native CTOS modes. Cluster (RS485)
runs at 4 Mbps.

SG2000: Follow-up on the B24. No-bus machine (no expansions),
25mhz 80386, up to 16Mb. Same video as SG5000. Same
cluster.

Later machines are ISA/EISA PC-based. Can use CTOS keyboards
provided a keyboard adapter is fitted.

SG1200: "Open Notebook" laptop. 80486SL. 4MB standard,
expandable to 16MB under CTOS. Colour VGA screen.
Built-in trackball.

SG2400: 80486SX. 4MB standard, expandable to 16MB. 1 spare ISA
slot. 2 drive bays. VGA/SVGA graphics.

SG3400: 80486DX or DX2. 4MB, expandable to 16MB. 2 spare ISA
slots. 3 drive bays. VGA/SVGA graphics.

SG6000: 80486DX2. Upgradable to Pentium processor. 8MB to 128MB.
7 spare EISA slots. 7 drive bays. SCSI II controller.
VGA/SVGA graphics.

SG7000: Pentium. Similar specs to SG6000.

SG4000: 80486DX or DX2. 4MB to 128MB. 5 spare EISA slots.
3 spare drive bays.

SG6100: 60Mhz Pentium with 256Kb cache. 8MB Memory standard,
expandable to 128MB memory using TIN-PLATED SIMMS.
Eight EISA/ISA bus master slots (CTOS is only able to
use the first 7 EISA as bus masters).
Onboard SVGA video controller. Adaptec AIC-7770
dual channel SCSI controller (CTOS uses channel A).
Eight internal device bays, and three bays "visible"
(ie. F0, QIC, CDROM).

SG7100: 90Mhz Pentium (P54C style) with 512kb cache.
Similar to SG6100. Some models are able to become
Integrated Servers.

SG4200: 133Mhz Pentium. 8MB standard, expandable to 256MB
DRAM. 8 Expansion slots (5 EISA/ISA, 2 PCI,
1 shared EISA/PCI). Onboard SVGA video controller
(Cirrus Logic CL-5430 chipset) with 512Kb memory.
Expandable to 1Mb. Onboard Adaptec AIC-7870 SCSI
controller. Six internal bays & 3 "visible" bays.

SG4250: 166Mhz Pentium. Similar to SG4200.
Performance testing indicates that a
SG4250 Server is over 20 times faster than a
similarly configured B38-GXL.

Integrated Server:
More a software solution than a pure hardware product.
Windows NT 3.51/4 server running CTOS III on a IOP
(486DX66 based). The hardware is "owned" by Win NT, and
CTOS requests the use.
Performance is not as quick as a native CTOS server.

Multiprocessor systems:

SRP, a.k.a. XE520:
Released 1982. Floor-standing, monitor-less machine. Up
to 16 specialised processors, all of them 80186. Some
dedicated to disk IO, some to data communications, etc.
Outstanding switch or cluster master. Processors are
linked through a Multibus-based backplane.

XE550: Released 1983. Hybrid machine, ran CTOS as does the
XE520, but has up to 4 UNIX processors (Motorola 68K).
Same structure as XE520, made a lot funnier to the
hardware people by the need to accomodate Intel and
Motorola processors side-by-side. Good batch performance,
abysmal responsiveness for an UNIX machine. The version
of UNIX was called CTIX.

XE530: Released 1991. Intel 80386-based version of the XE520.
Can accept most processor boards of the XE520. Adds a
20mhz 80386 board. Each board has up to 128MB of ECC
memory, two DMA-driven serial ports, two SCSI ports, two
independent Cluster comms at 4Mbps each. An option
daughterboard allows for more options -- V.35, X.21, etc.
Up to 30 processors (!!), only 8 of which can have their
SCSI channels enabled.
Cluster speed is 3.7Mbps, RS485.

SG's with IOP boards.
CTOS I/O Processors (IOP) are processor boards which may
be fitted to later SG equipment to provide Cluster,
Communications, Ethernet or ISDN support. I would
describe them as an X-Bus module on a board, almost.
(well in concept anyway :-) )
ie. an EN3 -> Ethernet IOP
DCX -> Communications IOP
DN1 -> ISDN IOP

The idea is for the IOP to take some of the processor load
off the main CPU. And by all accounts, this works well.
Processing power of an IOP is approximate to a B28.

[Integrated Server uses another type of IOP, which I
don't it's name yet...]

5) LAN Networking.
CTOS is a versitile product, supporting it's own LAN network protocol
(Cluster Lan), and having support for Ethernet and Token Ring.

CTOS workstations (slaves) are connected to a server (master) via
cluster cabling. This can be done either by Daisy-chain, Spur or
Telecluster cabling.

Daisy-chain cabling is, simply put, a network cable running from
workstation to workstation, in a chain. Each workstation acts as a
link in the chain. Because of this, all workstations in the
chain(except the last one) must be powered on for the chain to be held
up.

Spur cabling uses a backbone cable and each workstation taps into the
cable, by plugging into a Spur Box. The maximum supported speed is
1.8Mbps, unless you are using "TeleGartner Y Switch Boxes".

Telecluster cabling relies on a telecluster hub. Each workstation,
and the server plugs into the hub. The advantages are the cheapness
of the cabling (telephone cable) and the reliablity. One workstation
shouldn't cause the cluster network to hang. The downside is that
older equipment requires a Telecluster Adapter (B25-TA3), and even
older equipment may require a power supply for each Telecluster
adapter.

For more details on networking, and Ethernet/Token Ring connections, I
recommend the Unisys CTOS Cluster and Network Hardware Installation
Guide, stock number 4358 6940-xxx. It is invaluable when working with
CTOS equipment and cabling.

5) Unix for CTOS?.
In the early days there was a product called Ctix, it wasn't popular
apparently.

6) Web Resources
Unisys CTOS Homepage
http://www.pc.unisys.com/CTOS/index.html

Unisys CTOS Freeware
http://www.pc.unisys.com/Support/CTOS/freeware.htm
The freeware archive contains tools such as:
CTOS Support Tools v2, which contains many useful tools.
Flip Floppies - allows you to swap [F0] with [F1]
Display Hardware - tool which displays what hardware CTOS thinks you
have.
SuperZip - A file archiving/unarchiving tool
(similar in concept to PKZIP/PKUNZIP)

EPS - Makers of PC Cluster
http://www.eps.net/
EPS did maintain an online archive of "The Ctosian", but sadly this is
no longer available.

Cybertech
http://www.cyberintl.com/ctos.htm
As well as provide CTOS engineering support to Unisys, Cybertech offer
migration and support assistance.

Unilink (reseller)
http://www.unilinkinc.com/

Sirius
http://www.dogstar.com
Produces networking software (Internet-CT/ARPA & S-Net) for CTOS.

7) To Do
Where do I get a printer driver for?
Pictures of different models for a web page.

8) Useful commands
TAPE EJECT
Ejects the tape in the tape drive (if drive supports eject). It's
handy to use with automated backups, as you could set your batch job
to only eject the tape if your backup is successful. Included in
Standard Software R12.3.100

ZIP Archive/UNZIP Archive
A utility which allows you to compress many files into one file (much
reduced in size). I was able to ZIP 100MB of ISAM data into 12MB.
ZIP/UNZIP was included in the Standard Software R12.3.100 release.
R12.3.120 includes an undocumented parameter for disk spanning. Disk
spanning allows you to place one archive over many disks. It is
parameter 8, and valid entries are Y N .

9) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank the message writers of comp.sys.unisys, who's
names I've misplaced. If you know who you are, and would like your
name here, please write.
Many people (Balaji Srinivasa, Tom Herbertson, Bert Roseberry)
mentioned that Unix under CTOS was called Ctix, not Distrix.
Larry Glamb, Tim McCaffrey, Randall Gellens (who posted the basis for
section 4 back in Oct 1995).
Scott Emmons, Arthur Thorsen

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
- Sir Isaac Newton (amongst others)

-----------------------------------
Dale Robinson - c...@taunet.net.au
8 December 1997

[John Boyd]

Hi,
I work for CPS in Atlanta, GA. We manufacture the largest selection of CTOS
connection products in the world. If would like to our products go to
www.cpscom.com.
John
CPS

Dale 'Cat' Robinson <c...@taunet.net.au> wrote in article
<34915d3f...@news.taunet.net.au>...