NAME

cons — VAX-11 console interface

DESCRIPTION

The console is available to the processor through the console registers. It acts like a normal terminal, except that when the local functions are not disabled, ^P (control-P) puts the console in local console mode (where the prompt is ‘>>>’). The operation of the console in this mode varies slightly per-processor.

VAX-11/780 or 785

On either the VAX-11/780 or 785 the following commands may be used after placing the console in local mode with ^P.

c
continue: Re-enter conversational mode if the processor was halted.
h
halt: Halt the CPU. On an 11/780 or 785 the processor is not stopped by entering local console mode.
set t p: (set terminal program) Re-enter conversational mode if the processor is still running.
P: (proceed) Get out of ODT mode.
<break>: If you hit the break key on the console, then the console LSI-11 will go into ODT (console debugger mode).

VAX-11/750 or 11/730

On an 11/750 or an 11/730 the processor is halted whenever the console is not in conversational mode.

C: Return to conversational mode.
ret: Return from remote diagnosis mode to local console mode.
^D: (11/750 only) When in console mode on an 11/750 which has a remote diagnosis module, a ^D will put you in remote diagnosis mode, where the prompt will be ‘RDM>’.

VAX-8600 or 8650

The VAX-8600 (8650) console normally works in the same way as the 11/750, except that there are many additional modes and commands.

c
continue: Return to conversational mode.
halt: Halt the processor if HEX debug enabled.
p: Halt the processor if in normal mode.

With the above proviso's the console works like any other UNIX terminal.

FILES

/dev/console

HISTORY

The cons interface appeared in 4.0BSD.