RSX/IAS SIG Tape Copy Infomation - Fall 1983


          These  are the instructions for copying the Fall 1983 RSX/IAS Sig
     Tape, and for processing the tapes through the Copy Tree.  

                              TAPE COPY INFORMATION

          The tape contains over 2000 files requiring 60,000 blocks of disk
     space.  Since this will fit on a single 2400 foot tape only in BRU  at
     1600  bpi, it is being distributed as such.  Because it is larger than
     an RK07 disk, it has been split into 2 BRU container files,  with  the
     1st  (/BAC:RSX83B) as an RK07 image (of around 45,000 blocks), and the
     2nd (/BAC:LBLTOOL) as an RL02 image.  image containing a collection of
     printer pictures (22,000 blocks).  

          In  addition  to  the  two container files, the tape also has the
     following files in ANSI-PIP format at the end of the tape:  
     TPC.EXE for use on VAX's
     TPC.TSK for use on RSX systems
     BEGIN83B.DOC to describe how to start to use the tape.
     RSX83BTPE.DOC for a summary of the tape contents.

          Because  of  this  tape structure, the only practical way to make
     copies of the tape is via  TPC  or  some  other  structure-insensitive
     program.   If  you  attempt to copy the tape with BRU you will have to
     copy the 2 backup sets individually, and will still lose the  trailing
     files,  unless you then copy them with PIP.  Don't make copies without
     ALL of the files, or someone below you on the tree will  have  a  hard
     time doing their job.  

          There  are  two ways to extract a copy of TPC from the tape.  The
     first is to extract a copy of the task image from the 1st backup  set,
     using BRU.  The command lines are as follows:  
     >UFD SY:[300,2]
     >BRU /NOINI/DENS:1600 MM:[300,2]TPC.TSK SY:

     If  you  cannot run BRU, then you must use the second method, which is
     to get either the .TSK or .EXE file from the end of the tape.   To  do
     that the commands are [or their VAX equivalents]:  
     >MOU MM:BACKUP/NOWRITE/DENS=1600 [MOU/NOWRITE MTA0: BACKUP]
     >PIP =MM:TPC.TSK                 [COPY MTA0:TPC.EXE *]

          To  use  TPC  with the distribution you need a disk with at least
     60,000 blocks of free space, not  necessarily  contiguous.   Otherwise
     you  need  at least a free RK07, and will have to copy the backup sets
     and following ANSI files individually, as discussed above.  

          To  read  in  a  copy  of the master tape onto your disk, use the
     following commands:  
     >RUN TPC
     TPC>DB:RSX83A=MM:/HD/BL:30000./SA:1024./VE

     NOTE:   The  /HD  switch  is for High Density (1600 bpi).  Use the /HE
     switch to TPC for further information on  the  optional  /BL:nnnn  and
     /SA:mmmm   switches,   which   provide   much  better  performance  in
     transferring to disk.  Note the use of the /VErify switch,  to  better
     guarantee  that  your  copy is valid.  Also, TPC now supports the TU78
     (MF:), and the buffer size in the .EXE version is large enough to copy
     such  things  as  VMS  BACKUP  tapes.   The  source code for TPC is in
     [312,315] on the tape.  



          To  make  a  copy  of  the  tape  for  someone, use the following
     commands:  
     >RUN [300,2]TPC
     TPC>MM:=DB:RSX83A.TPC/HD/VE

     Again, don't forget the /HD switch, or you'll be generating an 800 bpi
     copy, which WON'T FIT.  And no, TPC doesn't have the vaguest idea  how
     to do a two-volume copy.  

          If  you  don't  have  1600 bpi capability yourself, PLEASE locate
     someone in your area who can make  the  necessary  copy(s),  at  least
     enough  to  continue  the  distribution  tree.  It will make life very
     difficult indeed otherwise, particularly trying to preserve the  stuff
     at the end of the tape.  

          If  you  need  to  make LOCAL copies at 800 bpi, you will have to
     copy the container files to disk via BRU.  In generating the  800  bpi
     output tapes, you should use the BRU /LENGTH:2000. switch, so that the
     output tapes can be copied (very hard to do if your original goes  all
     the  way  to  the  EOT  marker).  You can then use TPC to make further
     copies of your 800 bpi tapes.  

                                 TREE PROCEDURES

          The Tape Copy tree has been mailed in advance to all nodes, along
     with instructions to contact the person above them on the tree.  Don't
     forget,  YOU  need to contact your parent on the tree, not vice versa.
     And you, not he, should send off the blank tape, unless  you  mutually
     agree on other arrangements.  

          With  each master tape sent, there will be included postcards and
     copies of these instructions for all lower child nodes.  Be sure  that
     you  also  send  along the appropriate cards and documentation for all
     lower nodes that each of your children will  handle.   We  are  trying
     this  approach  in  the  hope that everyone will be reminded to return
     their postcard as soon as they have the tape.  If you fail  to  return
     the  tape  I am likely to assume that you are either not interested in
     or not able to particpate in future Tape Copy projects.   I  say  this
     because  in  the  past only about 50% of those on the tree EVER return
     their postcards.  


                                        Glenn C. Everhart
                                        RSX/IAS SIG Tape Copy Coordinator
                                        RCA G.S.D. Engineering MS 206-1
                                        Rt. 38
                                        Cherry Hill, N.J. 08358
                                        (609)-338-6022