TOPS-10/TOPS-20 RSX-20F System Reference Manual

This document is a comprehensive reference manual for the RSX-20F front-end operating system. RSX-20F operates on PDP-11/40 front-end processors of KL-based computers, managing essential functions such as loading KL microcode, configuring main and cache memory, booting the system, and executing diagnostics. It also provides device handling for unit record equipment on TOPS-20 (and 1091/1095) systems.

The manual targets Software Support Specialists, Field Service personnel, system programmers, and operators familiar with PDP-11 hardware, RSX-11, and TOPS-10/TOPS-20. It covers fundamental concepts like PDP-11 hardware, the RSX-11-based operating system, and the Files-II file structure, alongside a glossary of terms. Key components and utilities detailed include the PARSER command processor, KLINIT (for KL initialization), and various front-end utility programs such as COP, INI, MOU, DMO, PIP, RED, SAV, UFD, and ZAP. Further sections describe the resident RSX-20F monitor, system tasks, communication protocols between the KL and PDP-11 via DTE20, and terminal service routines. The document concludes with information on error detection, logging, and debugging procedures, including details on file transfers and KLINIK remote diagnostics.