ULTRIX-32 Guide to IBM Terminal Emulation

This document, the "ULTRIX-32 Guide to IBM Terminal Emulation (Order No. AA-MF04A-TE)", is a technical manual for Digital Equipment Corporation's ULTRIX-32 Operating System, Version 3.0.

Its primary purpose is to provide introductory, setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting information for the 2780/3780 IBM Terminal Emulator. This software package enables an ULTRIX system to emulate an IBM 2780 or 3780 terminal, using the Binary Synchronous Communications (BSC) protocol to send and receive files with IBM systems.

Key features of the emulator include multiuser support, automatic ASCII/EBCDIC translation, transparent and non-transparent data transfer modes, and mail notification for file transactions. The main software components are the 2780e/3780e programs (for file preparation and initiation) and the 2780d daemon (for actual file transmission and reception).

The guide details specific hardware requirements for both the IBM and ULTRIX/VAX processor sides of the communication line, along with essential ULTRIX software components and directories like /usr/spool/rje and log files.

The target audience is primarily system or network managers responsible for maintaining networks on an ULTRIX operating system, who are assumed to be familiar with ULTRIX commands, system configuration, naming conventions, editors, and network addresses.

The manual covers setting up the emulator by modifying system configuration and startup files, as well as practical usage steps such as preparing and sending files (including various job options like space compression, mail messages, priority, and transparent transfer), and receiving incoming files. It also provides comprehensive guidance on maintaining the emulator, including creating default sign-on cards, disabling the emulator, reestablishing connections, obtaining file transfer records, and periodically cleaning spool directories. A significant portion is dedicated to interpreting and resolving error messages encountered during file preparation and transmission.