11/70 Front Panel

From: Bill/Carolyn Pechter <pechter_at_shell.monmouth.com>
Date: Sun Oct 25 06:10:21 1998

> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 18:33:48 +0100 (BST)
> From: ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell)
> To: classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: 11/70 front panel
> Message-ID: <m0zX7ZY-000IyNC_at_p850ug1>
> Content-Type: text
>
> > The "programmer's" front panel doesn't exist for the PDP11/70.
>
> I would guess he's refering to the original 11/70 front panel. It looks
> just like an 11/45 panel, except that it has 22 address indicators and 22
> switches.
>
> > What you probably have is the 11/70 Remote Diagnostic Console
> > which allowed DEC to remotely diagnose the 11/70 (even when hung
> > in a microcode loop or power fail routine) from Colorado.
> >
> > The front panel hooks to a microprocessor controlled card which interfaced
>
> The original 11/70 panel connects directly into the CPU logic AFAIK. I don't
> think there's a microprocessor in there.

I don't believe so... I do think the Remote Diag Console used a microprocessor
(Looked kind of like a modified DMC/KMC-11 to allow it to grab Unibus
state snapshots and stuff like that from a machine which was completely
hung.

I only wished they kept working front panel switches and lights with
the RDC.

>
> -tony
>

You could do a lot of good diagnostic stuff remotely with just the
RDC and a console DL11 hooked to a modem...

The board was supposed to be DEC proprietary and removed from the machine
(like the 11/750 RDC board) when it went off service contact.
In the late 80's DEC started getting a bit lax on removing them.

If I find the pocket guide for it -- I'll post the commands.

Bill
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Bill and/or Carolyn Pechter | pechter_at_shell.monmouth.com |
 | Bill Gates is a Persian cat and a monocle away from being a villain in |
 | a James Bond movie -- Dennis Miller |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Received on Sun Oct 25 1998 - 06:10:21 GMT