Re: Need help with ODT 2.0

From: Mike Brown (mike_at_tkg.ca)
Date: 02/15/04 

Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 23:42:11 -0500

Tony DeCarmine wrote:
>
> Actually, in this case, it may be needed. The individual instruments are
> treated as seperate tasks by the system and can run simultaneously, so,
> being able to have the serial board "keep the kids apart" is an asset,
> possibly a requirement. Any suggestions as to a replacement for this
> board would be appreciated.
>
> I hadn't thought of the eval CD as a source. I'd like as SCOish a free
> OS as possible, but I suppose paying for a recent copy of OpenServer is
> better than the $10k (min) to upgrade the PE setup.
>
> BTW - what is up with the sco.com site? I never seem to be able to get
> there. Caldera doesn't seem too much better. Bugs? Virii?
>
> T
>
> Mike Brown wrote:
>
> >Tony DeCarmine wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Guys - You are great!
> >>OK - the answers...
> >>
> >>As for the port occupants, I have the TAC7 interface units for the
> >>instruments. These are smart boxes that really run the tests - like the
> >>Consensys board, offloading the work from the CPU. There are two, at
> >>present. They seem to be attached as terminals - nothing special, I hope.
> >>
> >>As for the replacement system build, anything goes - if cheap. I'd guess
> >>I need a Linux or something that is SVRx compliant in some way.
> >>Thoughts? Guesses?
> >>
> >>The thermal instruments site is a gold mine! Thanks - another article
> >>about moving the HPGL output files off the unix partition will be a godsend.
> >>
> >>Pax,
> >>T
> >>
> >>Tony DeCarmine wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Greetings, all -
> >>>I have I'm not certain which version of SCO under ODT 2.0. My primary
> >>>application is the Perkin Elmer Series7 thermal analysis package. What
> >>>started out as a quest for printing may have degenerated into a full
> >>>tilt replacement system. What I see as the major problem is the
> >>>Consensys Powerports/128 board. I would like to build a whole second
> >>>system, running something a bit fresher than "day old SCO" but I have
> >>>no idea what to do about replacing the board. There are references to
> >>>installing the "driver" software from Consensys, but does this do
> >>>anything but reroute the various tty's? If someone could shine a light
> >>>onto what goes on with devices of this type, I'd be most thankful. T.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >The special features of the Consensys board mainly addressed running
> >multiple sessions on dumb terminals, with screen refresh being handled
> >by the onboard processor. Not a likely requirement for handling a
> >measurement peripheral.
> >
> >If you get a OpenServer media kit ( ie: the CD ) it comes with a trial
> >activation license. You could build a newer system and try the SW to
> >see if it runs correctly.
> >
> >Mike
> >
> >
> >

Usually each serial port gets connected to a different instrument, which is
how the kids are kept apart. In some circumstances multiple instruments
are connected to a single line, something like RS422, and each
unit is given a different address for polling. If you where to use the
telephone as an analogy, the first case is a normal central office
connecting out to many homes, each with a different phone number, and
any and all being able to operate independently. The second case is
like the old party ( rural ) line, where everyone shared one line
but had different ring patterns. Only one person could use the
phone at a time, but for short and infrequent calls it was fine.

The Consensys card and drivers are more like the modern distinctive ring,
where your one phone has multiple numbers. You can talk to one
person, flash him to hold, and get a new line in or out. The
Consensys driver would allow you to log in up to four times,
run four different jobs, and switch between them on one terminal.
( The number of login sessions depended on the amount of ram IIRC )
Sort of like having four terminals on your desk, with only one
turned on at a time.

How are the units wired up? Does each instrument have a single
serial cable running to a single port on the Consensys? If this
is the case then a multiport serial board that has a unique /dev
entry for each port will likely work, and that is the most
common configuration.

Mike
  

-- 
Michael Brown
The Kingsway Group

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