Finally got around to updating the Config Guide for Serial Comms.

[TheHighNibble]

Its been a long time coming...

(I'm a developer: documentation was never my thing. I always reckoned that's why 'Technical Writer' is a thing, am I wrong?)

But, I've finally updated the Config Guide section on Serial Communications to include all the details that were floating around on posts here in the forum.

See: https://thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/configure/#serial-communications-rs232-usb

I've read it a few times and I think I've managed to make it as-clear-as-mud. Any feedback will be appreciated.

Next will be a User's Guide for the Virtual 'AT' Hayes Modem.

[TheHighNibble]

Updated the sections on the boot.conf and system.conf files also as these were out-of-date too (and related to configuring serial comms.)

[Udo Munk]

Yes Technical Writer is a thing, there are a few with guru state.

One correction, in the CP/M 2 BIOS UC1 by default is assigned to the AT modem

and one can change the assign to the second serial port.

[TheHighNibble]

One correction, in the CP/M 2 BIOS UC1 by default is assigned to the AT modem

and one can change the assign to the second serial port.

Just to clarify, because I usually use qt-imasi.com so I don't need to think about UC1: ...

• In qt-imasi.com the default port is A on the second SIO board, and the key combination <ctrl>^ U B switches to port B on the same, second SIO board (<ctrl>^ U A switch again to port A)
• The two scripts porta.sub and portb.sub on cpm22b01.dsk patch the (in memory) BIOS for UC1: to map to port A and port B respectively.
• But the default, starting condition, is for UC1: to map to port B

Have I got this correct?

[John Kennedy]

Yay, docs! I always forget the serial port settings.

I’m trying to add some “scenario” type docs to

https://grantmestrength.github.io/RetroComputerInstructionManual/

That is, how do you use this kind of information to do specific things.

Everyone is welcome to contribute fixes and improvements.

[Udo Munk]

On Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 12:29:27 PM UTC+2, TheHighNibble wrote:

Have I got this correct?

Yes this is correct. 

[TheHighNibble]

Thanks Udo.

Hey John, just following your Kermit guide and found something really useful:

you can put c-kermit 'on the Mac' into server mode by typing 'server' once the IMSAI is connected.

Then in the IMSAI, once you return to the Kermit prompt, you can use all the REMOTE commands and GET/RECEIVE and SEND all the files you want without having to touch the server for each file. 

[John Kennedy]

Oh that REMOTE trick is interesting!

You can even trigger a command on the Mac, like REMOTE HOST LS or REMOTE HOST COWSAY

I initially made the mistake of trying REMOTE GET and REMOTE SEND, but of course, as the HELP says, you only need GET and SEND. So you would do a REMOTE LS and then a GET in order to copy over a file.

Very useful tip! Thanks! Updating the manual now.

[Udo Munk]

If you use

set host /server * 8080

the UNIX host goes right into server mode on connect without further interaction required.

[Mark H]

Hi, is there any documentation on serial port implementation on CP/M 3? 

Thanks

[udo....@freenet.de]

The CP/M 3 documentation includes all and any details:

https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/manuals/DRI/cpm-3/

The source for the CP/M 3 BIOS is available and is the ultimate documentation of the implementation for the IMSAI:

https://github.com/udo-munk/z80pack/tree/master/imsaisim/srccpm3

The communications disk includes some intro text to get you started.

[Mark H]

Cheers, managed to get going with the AUX: device from that info, all good.

[villa...@gmail.com]

Mark, are you using your AUX: setting to output to RS232-2? 

I can output to my serial terminal on RS232-2 in CP/M2  via UC1: without any problems (and go on to BBS)

CP/M3 shows secondary settings as TTY2  but no matter how I configure DEVICE I cannot get any output to the RS232-2  port and wondered how you got on.

Thanks

Colin

[udo....@freenet.de]

villa...@gmail.com schrieb am Montag, 12. Juli 2021 um 19:47:37 UTC+2:

Mark, are you using your AUX: setting to output to RS232-2? 

I can output to my serial terminal on RS232-2 in CP/M2  via UC1: without any problems (and go on to BBS)

CP/M3 shows secondary settings as TTY2  but no matter how I configure DEVICE I cannot get any output to the RS232-2  port and wondered how you got on.

Under CP/M 3 the second serial port by default is assigned to the AUX device, so you don't use the device command

to change the assignment. Just run kermit3 and connect, then I/O goes to/from the second tty. 

[villa...@gmail.com]

Many thanks Udo I will give that a try.