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From: DavidKruse.ES@XEROX.COM.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.computers.vax
Subject: Booting VS-II from TS type tape
Message-ID: <870225-111634-1392@Xerox>
Date: Wed, 25-Feb-87 14:16:26 EST
Article-I.D.: Xerox.870225-111634-1392
Posted: Wed Feb 25 14:16:26 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Feb-87 23:06:09 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Distribution: world
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Approved: info-vax@sri-kl.arpa

I am involved in a project which will lead to marketing
specially configured VaxStation-II's with a (VMS based) application
package as a turnkey system.

As part of this project, I am trying to investigate the feasability of
configuring a VaxStation-II with no TK50 and no floppy drives, but
with a 9 track (reel to reel, TS compatable) tape drive instead.

The major problem seems to be how to bootstrap a new (no data on the
fixed drive) system.  A DECNET boot is not available.

There appear to be two approaches.

1. Somehow convince the VS-II to boot from the 9 track tape.  This
seems almost possible, as the VS-II will boot from TK50, and the data
structure on DEC's bootable TK50's looks like an ANSI labeled tape.
The problem is that you can't convince the VS-II console routine to
read from MSA0:.

2. Boot from an MRV11, which contains code to boot the 9 track tape.
An MRV11 is a Q-bus card containing code in PROM's.  This is described
as a supported boot device in the KA630 User's Guide.


My questions are: Has anyone found a way to accomplish #1.  Can anyone
recommend vendors for #2; especially vendors who may have the
necessary code already generated.

Thanks in advance,
Dave Kruse                 DavidKruse.ES@Xerox.COM