VAX/VMS Device Driver Driver Incorporation

This document, an educational module from Digital Equipment Corporation, outlines the process of integrating a user-written device driver into a VAX/VMS system. It covers the crucial steps of assembling, linking, and loading a driver for testing and final operation.

The module's objectives are to enable users to assemble and link a driver at a terminal, and to use the SYSGEN commands LOAD, CONNECT, SHOW, and RELOAD to integrate it with the system. Key topics include creating an executable driver by detailing the MACRO (assembly) and LINK commands, explaining their formats, necessary system libraries, and the importance of listing and map files for debugging.

The core of the document focuses on integrating the driver using the SYSGEN utility. It describes:

• LOAD: To bring driver code into the system's nonpaged pool.
• CONNECT: To create essential I/O data structures like Unit Control Blocks (UCBs), Interrupt Dispatch Blocks (IDBs), and Device Data Blocks (DDBs), along with various qualifiers such as /Adapter, /CSR, and /Vector.
• RELOAD: To replace an existing driver, noting limitations if the driver is marked as non-unloadable.
• SHOW: To display system parameters and the I/O driver database, with qualifiers for detailed configuration or device information.

The document emphasizes the need for specific privileges (CMKRNL for loading/connecting/reloading, CMEXEC for showing) and provides practical examples of SYSGEN command usage.