DECnet-Plus

This manual describes the DECnet-Plus FTAM (File Transfer, Access, and Management) Application Programming Interface (API), providing information on its syntax and programming codes.

Intended Audience: OSI application programmers familiar with Digital's FTAM product.

Key Information:

• Purpose: The FTAM API offers a low-level interface to the FTAM protocol machine, enabling file transfer and basic file management between open systems (based on the OSI Reference Model).
• Functionality: It supports various FTAM standard features, including functional units (Read, Write, File Access, Limited/Enhanced File Management, Grouping, FADU Locking), service classes (Unconstrained, Management, Transfer, Access), attribute groups (Storage, Security), and document types (FTAM-1, FTAM-2, FTAM-3, NBS-9).

• Core Components:

  • Function Calls: Key calls include osif_assign_port and osif_deassign_port for connection management, osif_give_buffer for providing buffers, and osif_send and osif_get_event for sending and receiving FTAM service primitives.
  • Data Structures: The central osifpb parameter block is used to specify and receive FTAM primitive parameters.

• Versions & Platforms: The manual covers FTAM API Versions 3.0 and 3.2, detailing differences in addressing capabilities. It provides instructions for building and running FTAM API programs on OpenVMS (VAX and Alpha) and Digital UNIX Version 4.0.

• Content Overview: The document describes FTAM file services and their operational sequences, various data structures used for parameter handling (e.g., string/binary descriptors, file names, diagnostics), and detailed explanations of the function calls, along with examples. It also includes comprehensive lists of error messages and diagnostic codes.