DECnet-11S, Version 4.3

DECnet-11S is a Phase IV network product enabling RSX-11S systems to act as routing or nonrouting (end) nodes in DECnet computer networks. It facilitates task-to-task communications, network file operations (READ, WRITE, OPEN, CLOSE, DELETE on remote files), homogeneous network command terminal support (CTERM), and resource sharing, all based on DIGITAL Network Architecture (DNA) protocols.

The product supports adaptive routing, allowing nodes to forward messages across the network, and area routing for organizing networks into up to 63 areas, each with up to 1023 nodes. Communication can occur over synchronous and asynchronous lines, Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs), and parallel interfaces. It supports RSX-11S tasks written in MACRO-11, FORTRAN IV, and FORTRAN-77.

Key features include down-line system and task loading from host systems, up-line dumping for diagnostics, and network management via the Network Control Program (NCP) for monitoring, control, and testing network components. DECnet-11S uses DIGITAL Data Communications Message Protocol (DDCMP) for serial links, providing error detection/correction, and offers Direct Line Access (DLX) for user-written MACRO-11 tasks to directly control communication lines.

System configuration and performance depend on various factors such as CPU type, memory, communication line characteristics, and network traffic. The document provides detailed tables of "load costs" for different communication interfaces across various PDP-11 processor types to aid in system design.

Minimum hardware requirements include specific PDP-11 processors, additional memory (20KW for an end node, 22KW for a routing node, plus 6KW for Ethernet), and disk space (4200-4700 blocks). The prerequisite software is RSX-11S Operating System (Version 4.2 or later), with FORTRAN-77/RSX and FORTRAN IV as optional. Licensing is on a single-use per-CPU basis, with separate options for distribution, documentation, and various installation and support services.