[Info-vax] DEC3000->DECServer90TL->CMM comunication problem

[David Froble]

emilwp at gmail.com wrote:
> Hi All,
> I have a problem with communication between the DEC coomputer and our CMM (coordinate measuring machine: B&S PFx MicroXcel, to be specific) and I was hoping that someone could help me a little to test if the problem is in DEC3000 + DECServer90TL or is it inside the CMM control unit. I have to mention that I do not know much about the VMS, just very basic stuff.
> 
> The machine is operated by the software called Quindos. The CMM is connected to port 1 of the DECServer90TL and DECServer connects to the DEC3000 through CentreCOM MR122T Micro repeater.
> 
> When starting Quindos we get an error message that it can not connect to the CMM just like the CMM was not powered on - but it is.
> 
> I need to know if the DEC3000+DECServer configuration etc. is ok before we call for the CMM service because they are able to check only if the CMM comuter is ok, they do not know anything about DEC and OpenVMS 6. So if it's in DEC it will be money waste, and they are expensive.
> 
> Here is what I already was able to check:
> - I do not see any error messages during DEC start up on the screen,
> - the DECServer90TL device seems to download the necessary software from the DEC3000 correctly because the 3 diodes (on the left side) are lit as written in the manual which means that it communicates with the computer correctly, downloaded a software from DEC and is ready for operation (but none of the 8 port diodes is lit),
> - in VMS I was able to connect to the DecServer device (through the commands: mcr ncp) and check the parameters of the ports (I used the info given on this site: http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.rieck/docs/openvms_notes_decserver_lat.html)
> to which the CMM and the printer (LA75, port 5) is connected; and it seems that the parameters are set correctly as specified in the QDS_TERMSET.COM file, i.e. for the CMM port: 7bits, parity=even, speed = 4800 (in both directions) and for the printer port: 8bits, parity =none, speed = 9600 (both directions).
> - I tried to print something but without success. No mater from where I try to print (i.e. NCP - "test port 5" command, VMS - "print" command, QUINDOS) the printer (LA75) does not respond and the "DEC" diode blinks all the time on the printer (in Quindos: command "Connect printer" lits the port 5 diode on the DecServer device but nothing happens after calling print command).
> - I checked for the QUEUEs and there is one set: BATCH$LEITZ but it says it's "autostared but stoped" - I do not know about "queues" so do not know what that means, and I have no idea what could be wrong.
> - we tried to connect a PC with WinXP to the DECServer ports through RS232 and "listen" on the Hyperterminal software to the ports (setting appropriate transmission parameters) but without any success. On the other hand, we are not sure about the wiring between the RJ45 -> RS323 (9 pins).
> 
> I'm hoping that there is some setting in the VMS lost for "lighting up" the ports.
> 
> Does anyone have any ideas what can I check/test? 
> 
> I'd be grateful for any help
> regards
> 
> Wojtek
> 
> ps.
> I do not know if following could be connected with it but the problems
> occurred after a day when we received message "not enough free blocks on disk"
> during saving a programme in Quindos. what I did at that time was
> "purge" whole disk I think, could I delete some system files with that?
> And I could not print at that day also but again: I haven't try to print
> before that day neither.

Any environment can develop problems.  When such occur, it's usually 
necessary to be able to understand any diagnostics the system is issuing.

I'm guessing that at one time you had personnel that set up the system, 
or that your third party vendor had such personnel.  If such personnel 
are no longer available, then at some time you're going to end up 
without the system performing.

I'm guessing that you've been able to exist for some time without the 
availability of knowledgeable people being available.  If anything, this 
is a testament to the robustness of your system.  Perhaps it's not cost 
effective to have full time support personnel.

You didn't specify your location.  One possible solution to your long 
term requirements would be to find several consultants who know VMS and 
serial communications using terminal servers.  Pay some small amount to 
have these people / organizations to learn your environment, to perhaps 
do some tune-up on your VMS system, and therefore be available should 
you have need of them.  Such services are available, and local usually 
is better than remote.  Might someday have a need to get hands on the 
hardware.