Multi8 System Manual

This manual provides technical documentation for the MULTI8 system, a timesharing environment for OS/8. The document covers the following key areas:

• System Generation and Configuration: Explains the two-phase process for creating a MULTI8 system, which involves generating parameter files (using the M8GEN program) and executing batch files to assemble and build components.
• System Parameters: Provides a detailed list of configuration symbols (e.g., FIELDS, BGMAX, SY..., HWTICK) used to define the hardware environment, virtual memory, and system disk drivers.
• Device and Interface Specifications: Details how to include and configure various peripherals, such as terminals, line printers, storage devices, and clocks, including skipchain priority ordering.
• OS/8 Interaction: Describes how MULTI8 interfaces with the underlying OS/8 system, specifically addressing the "fakehandler" mechanism for managing I/O requests.

• Utility Programs: Details supplemental tools:

  • MONDUM: A monitor dump generator used for system debugging and crash analysis.
  • SHSAVE: A utility to create short savefiles, allowing system programs to be used within limited disk space.
  • GLOBL: A tool for translating symbol tables.
  • XCL (Extended Command Language): An extension to CCL providing login/logout procedures, terminal messaging (TALK), and disk access management.

• Error Troubleshooting: Includes a comprehensive list of system startup error messages (e.g., ?NO ROOM, ?CHECKSUM?) and assembly-time error codes to assist in diagnosing system configuration or installation issues.