Ethernet Router Server Information Document

This document serves as a comprehensive guide for specialists supporting the Digital Ethernet Communications Server (DECSA), specifically focusing on the DECnet Router Server software product. It details the product's features, concepts, installation, and troubleshooting within Local Area Network (LAN) environments.

The guide covers Ethernet concepts, including advantages like simplified design, easy installation, and high speed, along with descriptions of various node types (Host, Router, End) and addressing schemes. It breaks down the Ethernet architecture into Client, Data Link, and Physical layers, explaining their functions and communication protocols.

Detailed sections address the DECSA hardware components, such as the PDP-11/24 processor, memory, Ethernet to Unibus Adapter (DEUNA), Protocol Assist Modules (PAM), and various line cards. The server software architecture is outlined, comprising a common Server Base (RSX 11-S operating system and generic DECnet capabilities) and product-specific software, which enables functions like routing to remote DECnet nodes and connecting to other Ethernet networks.

Installation and checkout procedures are meticulously described for VMS and RSX hosts, covering file preparation, configuration editing, software loading (down-line loading via NCP commands or boot button), and up-line dumping for crash recovery.

A significant portion of the document is dedicated to troubleshooting. It introduces diagnostic tools (Self Tests, Loadable Diagnostic Image), network management utilities (NCP functions for loopback tests, error counters, event logging, remote console), and the Pluto On-Line Debugger (POD). The POD is presented as a crucial tool for examining server memory, analyzing crash dumps, tracing data flow through internal structures, and inserting debug code, with detailed command syntax and usage examples. Appendices provide extensive definitions of data structures and sample debugging sessions.