Re: [Linux-decnet-user] Well, i think i need help :)

[Rob D. <rob...@in...>]

> Situation is as follow:
> We have old mashines:
> Iskra Delta 4850 / VAX/VMS v4.2 (ex yugoslav version on Digital VAX)
> Digital VAX 6000-310 / VAX/VMS v5.4-2
> Digital micro VAX 3100/310 /VAX/VMS v5.4-2
> Terminal servers Digital DSRVF-B ( 2 peaces for users)

These are DECserver300s ... LAT only I believe.

You might want to consider upgrading these to a newer type of terminal
server that supports both LAT (for connecting to the VAX) and telnet ...
something like a Cisco 2509 or 2511 for instance. That way you could
wire up remote access to the console ports of the VAXes using
reverse-telnet through the terminal server .... no more VT terminal
needed!

> all this equipment is networked in some old kind of network
> DECnet protokol, but there is no normal Eth. card (exept micro VAX)
> I think they call this netowk somthing like "fat" Ethernet. In tehnical
> manual for micro VAX is information about that computer have port for Thin
> Ehernet (like BNC port for 10Mbps networks). Also terminal servers have
> ethernet ports like that. (i do not have any addtional old network cables
> ecept used cables). 

Do the VAXes have a 15-pin D-type connection on the back with a label
icon that looks like '#' ? ... that's the Ethernet AUI port ... you
would connect this with a 15-pin cable with slide-lock connectors on the
end to something like a DELNI 'hub' to connect the devices together ...
you can also use an AUI-to-UTP converter module to be able to cable it
to your UTP network.

> There is no any version of MiniNET on that VAX-es. I can make serial
> connection with speed 1200 bps :(. But problem is there
> is no kermit on that mashines and there is no C compiler on that mashines,
> so i can not transfer source of cermit, and recompile it, and use kermit
> for binary transfer. I can only connect acros serial port and receive/send
> ASCII files. Ofcourse i don't have uuencode/decode. But dabases have almoust
> 1GB of data. How i can transfer that onto slow serial port !!!
> 
> Several days i try find on internet way how to connect those dinosaurs 
> on normal network for exchaning of files. 
> 
> Old IS is in function now, but maintenance is very expensive and one day
> that system must die. 
> 
> My idea is : put one linux server into room with that old mashines with
> instaled DECnet for linux, which will be used for commucations between
> old mashines and rest of world :)
> But the questions are :
> 
> 1. Can i install normal 10Mbps network card with BNC conector on linux
> server and with coax cable connect to micro VAX (with terminators
> ofcourse), install DECnet onto linux an be able to send and recive files ?
> between micro VAX and linux server.

Yes.

> 2. Or i need to find ( i do not now how and where ?) network interface
> card for that old Ethernet and install that card into linux mashine and
> driver for that card, and connect on to exist DECnet network, and send
> and recive files.

It's the same type of Ethernet ... it's just using AUI connectors
instead of UTP ... you need AUI-to-UTP converters for each interface.

Try http://www.blackbox.co.uk/ and search the catalog for LE2041A

I think the UK office of Black Box is probably the closest to you ...
they may be able to ship directly to you.

Black Box also do AUI-to-Thinwire converters ...

You may be able to find a local network equipment supplier that can get
you the converters, once you explain to them what you are looking for
... they should be readily available in most places.

> 3. I use suse linux 7.0 and kernel 2.2.14 it is prity hard (beacause my
> home is in bosnia ) to order new
> version of suse. Is DECnet work on my version of suse. On which
> distribution DECnet is work 100 %, how i can find that distribution ?

You can download new versions of the kernel from the Internet ... that
might solve your problem, as you would be able to upgrade to the 2.4
kernel without having to try ordering anything ...

> 4. Is that all what i need. Is that good idea at all ? Or i need somthing
> more and diferent ?

That should work.

> 5. My i use that linux mashine like some kind of gateway, for example if i
> need some users to have terminal session onto old VAX-es. My i use TELNET
> service to connect ont linux and from linux I_DO_NOT_KNOW_WHAT to connect
> ont VAX logging and work ? My i create for example VAX user on linux and
> write small script for connecting onto VAX/VMS ?

You could use LAT or sethost to connect to the VAX. I think you'll need
LAT anyway, as the terminal servers only talk LAT. I guess it depends on
what you use the terminal servers for ...

You can use DECnet copy to transfer the files you need from the VAX to
the Linux box.

> 6. I am able to write CON scripts on VAX sides, and shell scripts on
> linux side for transparent sihronization of folders VAX-linux. Do you
> think it is good idea ? Or i can find some exting tools for that ?
> 
> Thats all for first calling. Thanx to all good poeples who reads this
> message and who are ready for answer :)
> 
> regards,
> 
> Sasa Buric
> 

Regards,

Rob.