diff --git a/H316/tests/00readme.txt b/H316/tests/00readme.txt new file mode 100644 index 00000000..8d4987f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/H316/tests/00readme.txt @@ -0,0 +1,129 @@ +IMP DEMONSTRATION +----------------- + + This directory contains a version of the IMP firmware, ca 1973, and some simh +command files to help you run it. These command files define a three IMP +network consisting of IMP nodes #2, 3 and 4. + + * IMP 2 has a single virtual modem line which connects to IMP 3. + + * IMP 3 has two modem lines, one connects to IMP 2 and the other to IMP 4. + + * IMP 4 has a single modem line, connected to IMP 3. + + A picture is worth a thousand words - + + IMP 2 <-------> IMP 3 <-------> IMP 4 + modem modem + + The interesting thing to notice about this arrangement is that there is no +path between IMP 2 and IMP 4. Any messages between those two machines must +pass thru IMP 3. Sounds simple, but for that to work requires all IMPs to +discover their adjacent nodes, find out the neighbors of their neighbors, build +routing tables, and then figure out the path to a remote node. + + +SETUP +----- + + Assuming you've already built the H316 simulator with IMP support, open three +terminal windows and run on instance of H316 in each. + + Window #1 -> H316 imp2.cmd + + Window #2 -> H316 imp3.cmd + + Window #3 -> H316 imp4.cmd + + These command files will configure the hardware, load the IMP firmware, +set the IMP node numbers, and establish the modem connections. These command +files DO NOT actually start the simulation, however, so after you've loaded +all three IMPs, revisit each of the three windows and type "GO". + + Initially you should see a message like this in all three windows + + DBG(737742)> WDT LIGHTS: changed to 177400 + +This message refers to the status of the lights on the IMP's display panel - +177400 means all lights are on. After about 30 seconds (yes, 30 seconds!) +you'll see this message on IMP 2 and 4 + + DBG(19558711)> WDT LIGHTS: changed to 077400 + +and these on IMP 3 + + DBG(15492720)> WDT LIGHTS: changed to 077400 + DBG(17096499)> WDT LIGHTS: changed to 037400 + +This means IMP 2 and 3 have turned off the light corresponding to modem line 1. +The IMP designers used these lights to indicate problems or errors, so a light +off means that all is well. IMP 2 and 3 have just told you that their modem +line #1 is UP. Remember that IMP 3 has two modems, so we see two lights turn +off there. + + BTW, the time it takes for the IMP lines to come up is controlled by +intentional delays in the IMP firmware and is driven by the RTC. simh simulates +the RTC in real, wall clock, time, and the delay you see here is comparable to +the delay you'd see on real IMP hardware. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPEED +OF THE PC RUNNING THE SIMULATION! + + +NOW WHAT ? +---------- + + Now that you've got your three IMP network running, what can you do with it? +Well, the IMPs had a very simple DDT like command language. Typing "0/" will +display the contents of location 0 - + + 0/ 0 + + The "C" command was used to "cross patch" the terminal on your IMP to another +IMP. For example, typing "2C" on IMP 4 + + 2C + +will connect the console keyboard on IMP 4 to the console printer on IMP 2. +Anything you type on IMP 4 will now be echoed on IMP 2 - try it... In the +Olden Days ARPAnet sites would use this facility to communicate, operator to +operator. + + By adding 100 (octal) to the destination node, you can cross patch to DDT. +For example, typing "102C" on IMP 4 will cross patch that TTY to DDT, not the +operator, on IMP 2. This allowed guys at BBN and the NCC to debug IMP problems +remotely. + + +FILES INCLUDED +-------------- + + The files included in this software kit are - + + 00readme.txt - this file + impcode.cmd - simh script to load the IMP firmware + c-listing-ps.txt - assembly listing of the IMP firmware + impconfig.cmd - simh script for common IMP configuration + imp2.cmd - IMP node #2 specific configuration + imp3.cmd - IMP node #3 specific configuration + imp4.cmd - IMP node #4 specific configuration + imploop.cmd - IMP single line loopback test + imploop4.cmd - IMP 4 line loopback test + mdmtest1.cmd - simh modem simulation test, part 1 + mdmtest2.cmd - simh modem simulation test, part 2 + testrtc.cmd - simh RTC simulation test + + +MORE READING +------------ + + Dave Walden's website, + + http://www.walden-family.com/bbn/ + +has a wealth of BBN papers, proposals, reports, journals, and other material. +There is an entire section devoted to ARPAnet and IMP related content. + + +Bob Armstrong +bob@jfcl.com +30-Nov-2013 +