README.md
FINGER/RSX system: Network and Local Server Page 1



Author: T. R. Wyant III, E. I. DuPont de Nemours, Richmond,
VA.

Operating System: RSX11M+ V3.0 forward, RSX-11M V4.0 forward
(with restricted functionality)

Language: Fortran-77

Memory Required: 28KW

Other Hardware Required: None

Keywords: RSX-11; Networking

Abstract:

This program is an RSX implimentation of and interface to the
Columbia Finger System (DECUS Library V-SP-14), and provides
similar functionality. In particular, it:

o Identifies current users of the system, when and where
logged in, and so on. The search is on last name,
with support for the wild card characters "*" and "%".

o Finds a specific user and displays the above informa-
tion plus the contents of the user's FINGER.PLN file.

o Serves as an in-bound DECnet server to allow searching
for users on other nodes. Explicit route-through is
supported to allow use in an internet environment.


No command line switches are supported. Switches will be
preserved in a route-through operation, and ignored in a re-
quest to the local node.

The various pieces of FINGER/RSX functionality require
system support as follows:

o The display of FINGER.PLN and last login time requires
multiuser protection;

o The display of current system users and the use of "."
to finger yourself requires accounting (and therefore
RSX-11M+);

o The display of information to or from remote systems
requires DECnet.