Altos ACS8600 User manual

(ALtm]
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Computer System
ACS8600
User Manual
Revision B March 22, 1982
DI6CLAIMER
THIS
IS A PRELIMINARY PUBLICATION OF THE ALTOS
ACS8600 COMPUTER SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION
AND IS PRE-
SENTED FOR INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY; IT WILL BE
CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE.
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN REPRESENTS THE
MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF
PRINTING, HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN
THROUGHLY REVIEWED NOR HAS
IT BEEN APPROVED IN ITS
PRESENT FORM. ALTOS COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSUMES NO
LIABILITY WHATEVER RELATED TO USE OF INFORMATION
PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION.
Part Number: 690-11392

•

PRELIMINARY 86SS OSER MAROAL FRONT MA'l'TER
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NOTICE
WARNING
This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions manual, may cause
interference to radio com.unications.
It has been tested and found to co.ply
with the limits for a_Class A co.puting
device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15
of FCC Rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against
such interference when operated in a
co.mercia1 environ.ent. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause interference in which
case the user, at his on ezpense, will
be required to take whatever measures
may be required to correct the
interference.
Revision B. March 5,1982
FILE: SlFRKAT2 3/19/82

PRELIMIRARY 86BB USER MAlIUAL
[AlIIm)
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
PRE LIM I N A R Y
ACS 861. COMPftER SYSTEM
USER MAllUAL
REVISION B
MARCH 22, 1982
DISCLAIMER
FRO~ MATTER
THIS IS A PR8LIMIDRY PUBLICATION OF mE
ALTOS ACS 861. COMPUTER SYSTEM
DOCUMENTATION ABD IS PRESENTED FOR
INFORMATION PURPOSES
ONLY1 IT WILL BE
CHARGED WITBOur NOTICE.
THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
RBPRESRmS THE MOST CURRElft' IllIFORIlATION
AVAILABLE AT THE TIRE OF PRINTING,
HOWEVER, "l'BE IlI!FORMATION BAS NOT BEEN
THOROUGHLY REVIEWED NOR HAS IT BEEN
APPROVED Ill! ITS PRESENT FORM. ALTOS
COMPUTER SYSTEBS ASSUMES NO LIABILITY
WHATEVER RELATED TO USE OF IlI!FORMATION
PRESENTED IN ~IS PUBLICATION.
Manual Part Number: 690-11392
Revision B. March 5,1982
FILE: B1FRKAT2 3/19/82

PRELIKDlARY 861111 USER IlAllUAL
COlftBIftS
CONTENTS
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
ACS 8600 COMPUTER SYSTEM PUBLICATION ORGANIZATION ••••••••••
Forms Accompanying this Manual
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
COVER LETTER •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
CHECKOFF SHEET ••••••••••••••••••••••• ~ •••••••••••••••
W.AR.RANTY CARD ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
QUAL ITY CONTROL REPORTS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
System Checkoff Sheet •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
System Checkout Sheet •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Burn-In Summary Sheet •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Quality Control Inspection Sheet ••••••••••••••••••
Basic User Manual Description •••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SCOPE AND PURPOSE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
ORGANIZATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THIS MANUAL
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Manual Supplement Descriptions ••••••••••••••••••••••••••
GENERAL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
System Functional Description •••• ~ ••••••••••••••••••••••
PRIMARY SYSTEM ENCLOSURE - PHYSICAL DETAILS ••••••••••
Size ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Weight ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Front Panel Controls ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Rear Panel Connectors •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SECONDARY SYSTEM ENCLOSURE - PHYSICAL DETAILS ••••••••
Size ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
weight
............................................
Front Panel Controls
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Rear Panel Connectors •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
FEATURES AND CAPABILITIES
SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Hardware Functional Description •••••••••••••••••••••••••
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SYSTEM MEMORY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
MEMORY CONTROLLER ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MEMORY MANAGEMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
EXTENDED MEMORY MANAGEMENT •••••••••••••••••••••••••••
PAGES IN MEMORy ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
ERASABLE-PROGRAMMABLE-READ-ONLY-MEMORY (EPROM) •••••••
FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
HARD DISK CONTROLLER •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
PARALLEL INTERFACE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SERIAL CHANNELS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
INTELLIGENT SERIAL CONCENTRATOR ••••••••••••••••••••••
MAGNETIC TAPE UNIT DRIVE CONTROLLER ••••••••••••••••••
MULTIBUS CARD CAGE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
CONVENTIONS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Revision B. March 22, 1982
PILB: 119~5 3/19/82 ToC-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-2
1-5
1-5
1-5
1-7
1-8
1-8
1-10
l-10
1-10
1-10
1-10
1-12
1-12
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1-19
1-19
1-19
1-19
1-20
1-20
1-20

PRELIIIIlIARY 8688 OSER IIAIIOAL COftBII'lS
CONTENTS
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION (continued)
TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
RELATED MANUALS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SECTION 2. UNPACKING AND SETTING UP ~HE COMPUTER SYSTEM
1-21
1-21
GENERAL INFORMATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-1
SELECTING A COMPUTER SITE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-1
UNPACKING THE SHIPPING CONTAINER ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-2
UNLOCKING THE HARD DISK DRIVES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-3
Removing the Bottom Cover Plate ••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-3
Unlocking the lB-Mbyte Hard Disk Drive •••••••••••••••• 2-4
Unlocking the 2B-Mbyte or 4B-Mbyte Hard Disk Drive •••• 2-5
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-7
CONNECTING PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-8
Console Terminal •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2-8
CONNECTING THE POWER SOURCE TO THE COMPUTER •••••••••••••••• 2-9
Section 3. RUNNING THE ALTOS DIGNOSTIC EXECUTIVE (ADX) PROGRAM
GENERAL INFORMATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3-1
Section 4. INSTALLING THE OPERATING SYSTEM
GENERAL INFORMAT ION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-1
CP/M-86 SINGLE USER OPERATING SYSTEM ••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-2
MP/M-86 MULTI-USER OPERATING SYSTEM •••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-2
OASIS OPERATING SYSTEM ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-3
XENIX (UNIX - VERSION 7) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-3
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES •••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-3
APPLICATION PROGRAMS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4-3
Section 5. ALTOS UTILITY PROGRAMS .
GENERAL INFORMATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5-1
Section 6.
UPGRADE KITS AND ADD KITS
GENERAL INFORMATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••• •.• • • • • •• • • • • • • • 6-1
Revision B. Karch 22, 1982
FILB: 89~5 3/19/82
ToC-2

PRELllllRARY 86"" USER IlAllUAL
COftEftS
CONTENTS
Section 7. HARDWARE OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Glossary
Index
INFORMATION
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
5-1
NOTE
The ACS System Specification has been
coapletely reprinted as Section 7 of this
manual. The Specification contains its own
Table of Contents, List of Figures and List
of Tables (see Section 7)
APPENDICES
A. SHIPPING
DAMAGE AND REPAIR PROCEDURES ••••••••• A-I
-
B.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING PROCEDURES ••••••••••••••••••• B-1
C.
COMMON CRT TERMINAL AND PRINTER INTERFACE
CONFIGURATIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• C-l
D.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PINNING CIRCUIT BOARDS ••••••• D-l
E.
MATRIX MAPS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• E-l
F.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• F-l
G.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ••••••••••••• G-l
Customer Response Sheet
Revision B. March 22, 1982 FILE: "9TOC5 3/19/82
ToC-3

PRBLIIiDlARY 868. OSER IIAIIOAL
FIGURES
1-1. ACS 8688 Computer System - Publications Organization
Illustration ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-3
1-2. Forms Accompanying This Manual ••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-4
1-3. ACS 8688 Computer System
-Hard Disk/Floppy Disk Version ••••••••••••••••••••• 1-11
1-4. ACS 8688 Computer System
- Bard Disk /Magnetic Tape Unit Version ••••••••••••• 1-11
1-5. ACS 8688 Computer System Architecture
2-1.
2-2.
2-3.
- Block Diagram ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1-16
Unlocking the l8-Mbyte Bard Disk •••••••••••••••••••••
Unlocking the 28-, or 48-Mbyte Bard Disk •••••••••••••
ACS 8688 Computer System - Rear-Panel ••••••••••••••••
TABLES
2-5
2-6
2-11
1-1. ACS' 8688 -Mode1/St.orage Media Reference Table ••••••• 1-14
1-2. Add Kit/ Storage Media Reference Table ••••••••••••••• 1-14
6-1. ACS 8688 - Model/Storage Media Reference Table ••••••• 6-1
6-2. Add Kit/ Storage Media Refe~enc~ Table ••••••••••••••• 6-2
Revision B. March 22, 1982 PILB:
.9~5 3/19/82
ToC-4"

PRELIIIIlIARY 86"" USER IlAllUAL
SECTION 1. r.T.RODUCTION
ALTOS ACS 86'" COIlPUTER SYSTEM
USER IlAllUAL
SBCrION 1.
Ilft'RODUCTION
GENERAL DlPOlUIATION
This section describes the structure of the basic User
Manual and its supplements (see Figure 1-1), instructions for
using the basic manual, and ~ general description of the system.
ACS 86'" COMPUTER SYS~ PUBLICATION ORGANIZATION
Altos Computer Systems has designed a publication structure
that differs from most user manuals. The purpose of this
structure is fourfold:
(1) To provide accurate system information to the user as
quickly as possible.
(2) To permit updating of more dynamic areas of information
as design improvements and system enhancements are
achieved.
(3) To isolate and identify information blocks so that
referencing time is minimized.
(4) To present information in a general-to-specific manner,
thus meeting the needs of beginning users as well as
more experienced users.
Revision B. March 22,1982
FILB: lXRT.R07 3/19/81
1-1

PRBLIIIIIlARY 8611 USER IIAlIUAL
SBCrIOR 1. ~ODUC~IOR
The publications you receive with the computer are divided
Into three groups (see Figure 1-1):
1. Column 1 of Figure 1-1 illustrates the forms that
accompany the manual, and the Basic User Manual
sections and appendices which contain rela ti vely
unchanging information pertaining to all models in the
series.
2. Column 2 illustrates Altos Supplements 3, 4, 5 and 6,
which contain more dynamic information pertaining to
executing diagnostic programs, installing operating
systems, using Altos utilitiy programs, and installing
upgrade and add kits. The supplements are designed to
be inserted into the User Manual after the shipping
container is unpacked.
3. Column 3 illustrates Supporting Manuals, which include
pre-printed manuals produced by developers of related
software products that operate on the ACS 8699 Computer
System. This group may also include more informal
technical notes related to such systems, thus insuring
that you have the most current' information possible.
Porms Acca.panying this Ranua~
The following forms accompany this. manual. They are
valuable records and are provided separately so that they may be
taken from the manual and stored in a secure place where they
will be available if repairs happen to be needed.
COVER LETTER
(info to come)
CHECKOFF SHEET
(info to come)
WARRANTY CARD
(info to come)
QUALITY CONTROL REPORTS
(Info to come)
System Checkoff Sheet
(info to come)
System Checkout Sheet
(info to come)
Burn-In Summary Sheet
(info to come)
Quality Control Inspection Sheet
(info to come)
Revision B. Karch 22,1982
PILB: lr.r.R07 3/19/8~ 1-2

PRELIMIBARY 861111 USER MAllUAL
SECTION 1. IRTRODUCTION
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Revision B. March 22,1982
FILE: ID1TR01
3/19/81
1-3
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PRBLIIiIDRY 8688 OSER IIAIIOAL
SECTION 1. ~ODO~ION
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Figure 1-2. Forms Accompanying This Manual
Revision B. March 22,1982
PILB: lIRTR07 3/19/81
1-4
"
.
;

PRBLIIIIlIARY 8688 USER IIAIIOAL
SBCrION 1. ~ODUC~ION
Basic User Manual Description
SCOPE AND PURPOSE
This basic User Manual presents sufficient information so
that any user, whether familiar with microcomputers or not, can
become familiar with the ACS 8600 Computer syst"em, its component
parts, features, capabilities, architecture, and system
operation. The manual either presents the information in itself,
or provides easily-found references to other publications in
which such information can be found.
The manual instructs the user in all required operations
from unpacking the shipping container through installing the
Operating System and preparing the system to perform the jobs for
which the system was purchased.
ORGANIZATION
This User Manual is divided into seven sections, seven
appendices, a glossary, an index, and a Customer Response Sheet.
This section, INTRODUCTION introduces you to the basic User
Manual itself, and instructs you in its use. It also introduces
the manual supplements and other rela ted publica tions, and
introduces the ACS 8600 Computer System, including its features,
capabili ties, configurations, and component parts (both hardware
and software).
Section 2. SETTING UP THE COMPUTER SYSTEM provides
instructions for removing the computer and its components from
the shipping container, identifying the components, storing
related important papers, and physically assembling the system by
following step-by-step instructionL This section instructs you
in preparing the system for executing the Altos Diagnostic
Executive (APX) Program.
Section 3. THE ALTOS DIAGNOSTIC EXECUTIVE (ADX) PROGRAM
introduces Supplement 3. EXECUTING THE ALTOS DIAGNOSTIC EXECUTIVE
(ADX) PROGRAM which, in turn, provides step-by-step instructions
for executing diagnostic programs under supervision of the
diagnostic executive to verify operation of the system and its
components. ADX prepares the computer system for installation of
the selected Operating System.
Section 4. OPERATING SYSTEMS provides information related to
operating systems in general, and introduces one or more versions
of Supplement 4, which, in turn, provide specific, step-by-step
installation procedures for particular operating systems. One or
more of the Operating System Supplements will be provided with
the system. Each Supplement 4. contains all the information
necessary to install the selected operating system after the
diagnostic programs have been successfully executed.
Revision B. March 22,1982
FILB: 1~07 3/19/81 1-5

PRBLIIIIJIARY 8611 USER IIAIIOAL
SBCTIOR 1. ~ODUCTIOR
only the Opera ting Sy stem Supplement r ela ted to the
Operating Syst,em(s) purchased (CP/M-86, MP/M-86, OASIS-16, or
XENIX) is provided with the system.
Section 4. also introduces you to the supporting manuals
and other publications related to the subject operating system.
-
Section 5 • ALTOS UTILITY PROGRAMS provides general
information related to utility programs and introduces you to
SUPPLEMENT 5. ALTOS UTILITY PROGRAMS - USER INSTRUCT IONS which
describes Altos Utility Programs available for use with the
system, and instructs you in their use.
Section 6. ADD KITS AND UPGRADE KITS provides general
information regarding kits available for increasing system
capabilities. This section introduces Supplement 6. UPGRADE KITS
AND ADD KITS - INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. Purchasers of Add Kits
and Upgrade Kits receive simply written installation procedures
written specifically for those kits.
Section 7. HARDWARE OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS spec if ically
and extensively describes system architecture and functional
opera tion, including port assignments, controllers, interfaces,
buffer use, and memory management.
Appendix A. ALTOS WARRANTY DESC&IPTION AND SHIPPING DAMAGE
REPAIR PROCEDURES describe the Altos Warranty and provide
instructions for filing the End-User Registration Card and the
Dealer Registration Card. Instructions are also provided for
inspecting for shipping damage, and obtaining repairs and/or
service if such damage occurs. This appendix also br iefly
describes Altos factory repair and shipping procedures.
Appendix B. TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES provides basic
instructions for isolating and correcting troublesome conditions
and determining whether or not a true malfunction actually exists.
Appendix C. COMMON CRT TERMINAL AND PRINTER INTERFACE
CONFIGURATIONS provides instructions for connecting and setting
most-commonly-used terminals and printers. I
Appendix D. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PINNING PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
(PCB) provides instructions for setting pinning blocks on the
various circuit boards to achieve the operating configuration
desired.
Appendix F. 'MATRIX MAPS includes all matrix maps in the form
current at time the current revision of the manual is printed.
(Early revisions may not have this appendix.)
Appendix G. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS includes all schema tic
diagrams in the form current at the time the current revision of
the manual is printed. (Early revisions may not have this
appendix. )
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GLOSSARY contains definitions of terms used in the manual
that may be unfamilia~ to the user. (Early revisions may not have
a Glossary.)
INDEX is designed to assist you in referencing desired
information. (Early revisions may not have an Index.)
CUSTOMER RESPONSE FORM is a pre-printed form provided to
facilitate forwarding of comments and requests to Altos Computer
Systems.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USrBG THIS MABUAL
This manual (and its supplements) guides you through the
complete installation process for the computer system from
unpacking the shipping container through calling in and executing
application programs.
To use this manual most effectively, perform the following steps:
1. Read Section 1 to become familiar with the publications
structure and the system design.
2. Refer to Section 2 and follow the instructions for
unpacking the system and_physically connecting the
system components.
3. Assemble the publications and verify that all are
present. When the shipping container is unpacked,
insert the supplements into their proper place in the
manual.
3. Refer to Section 3 for general information regarding
Altos Diagnostic Executive (ADX) program.
Follow the instructions in Supplement 3 to configure
the system, execute the diagnostic programs, and
initialize the system. The diagnostic progr ams verify
correct operation of the system and its components.
Supplement 3 also instructs you in making backup copies
of the diagnostic program and operating system
diskettes as required.
5. Refer to Section 4 for information regarding operating
systems in general and to the applicable Supplement 4.
Refer to Supplement 4 for information regarding the
specific operating system to be used. This section
tells you how to install that operating system and how
to load and execute application programs.
One of four Operating Systems w ill be installed. Each
of these systems has its own loading procedures and
operating characteristics. Some operating systems also
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have their own set of diagnostic programs.
6. Refer to Section 5. for information regarding available
Altos utility Programs developed for the system.
Supplement 5 provides specific information regarding
individual utility programs.
7. Refer to Section 6. for information regarding
increasing system capabili ties through the use of Add
Kits and Upgrade Kits.
Supplement 6 provides specific procedures for
installing individual Upgrade Kits or Add Kits.
8. Refer to Section 7 and the appendices for more specific
information regarding the specifics of system operation.
The setup procedure (described in Section 2, and diagnostic
procedures (described in Section 3) are generally similar for all
ACS 8699 computer models. They will vary somewhat, depending
upon the configuration of the model and the peripherals included
with the system.
Kanoal Soppleaent Descriptions
A description of SUPPLEMENT 3. EXECUTING THE DIGNOSTIC
EXECUTIVE (ADX) PROGRAM is provided in Section 3.
A description of four Operating System Supplements ( Control
Program Monitor - CP/M-86, Multi~Program Monitor - MP/M-86,
XENIX, and OASIS-16 Operating Sy_stems is provided in Section 4.
OPERATING SYSTEMS. This section also provides a descr iption of
supporting publications.
A description of SUPPLEMENT 5. ALTOS UTILITY PROGRAMS - USER
INSTRUCTIONS is provided in Sect.ion 5.
A descr ipti on of SUPPLEMENT 6. UPGRADE KI TS AND ADD KITS -
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES is provided in Section 6.
GENERAL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The Altos ACS 8699 Computer System is a multi-user system
designed to fit many commercial, technical, industrial,
scienti f ic, and educa tional applica tions, as well as many
personal, home-computer applications.
This system is designed to perform larger, more complex
tasks for more users than other microprocessors. Larger word size
allows the use of more powerful instructions and direct
addreSSing of more memory. The system requires fewer
instructions and fewer computer cycles to accomplish the same
job. It can handle complex' rna thema tical problems, larger da ta
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base searches and other demanding applications in far less time.
More powerful processing capability, larger memory, and
special memory man~gement techniques extend multi-user
capabilities and allows multi-tasking without long waits for
service.
Al though the ACS 8600 Computer System is particularly
designed to meet mul ti-user and mul ti-tasking requirements, it
may also be configured as a powerful single-user system. The
enhanced computing power of the system is achieved not only
through the use of the Intel 8086 sixteen-bit microprocessor chip
technology, but also through the use of a separate Intel 8089
Direct Memory Addressing (DMA) I/O processsor, and a unique
hardware memory management scheme that greatly increases
efficient use of main memory.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the proven 8086 16-bit
HMOS microprocessor. It operates at a fast 5 Mhz and can address
I-Mbyte of memory. The CPU uses assembly language compa tible
with the 8080 and 8085 processors, and performs 8- and 16-bit
signed and unsigned arithmetic functions in binary or decimal,
including multiplication and division operations.
The ACS 8600 family uses more than one processor. While the
8086 serves as the master CPU, other-processors are dedicated to
special tasks. For example, a second processor, one 8089 DMA,
handles direct memory accessing for I/O processing. The optional
mathematical processor (8087 Floating Point Processor) handles
mathematical functions. Although each processor is optimized for
its own special task, they all wor k toge ther to shar e the
workload for faster execution and decreased response time.
While many mid-sized minicomputer memories lack Error
Correction Code (ECC), the ACS 8600 improves operational
reliability with its own ECC. The memory has full error
detection for single-bit and double-bit errors, and automatic
correction of single-bit errors, thus reducing system errors and
increasing the already-high system dependability.
The design of the ACS 8600 family of computers includes
500,000 bytes (500-Kbytes) of random access main memory. Main
memory is expandable to one- million bytes (l-Mbyte) with full
error detection and correction. It also includes I/O controllers
for supporting a variety of peripherals such as an additional
hard disk, CRT terminals, printers, magnetic tape units and
floppy disk uni ts. Full communica tions suppor t, including
asynchronous, bisynchronous and networking capabilities are also
provided.
ACS 8600 proprietary memory management system assigns a
logical-to-physical address translation and various attributes to
each 4-Kbyte block of memory so that the non-contiguous physical
memory can be assigned to any given task. This capability reduces
the need for swapping users or tasks out to disk. The result is
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that data base sorting, and other tasks requiring large memory
are performed faster. The system also provides write and access
protection to increase reliability and performance.
Altos Computer Systems supports and distributes four of the
most popular operating systems, Control Program Monitor (CP/M-
86), Multiple Program Monitor (MP/M-86), OASIS-16, and XENIX
(UNIX,
Version 7). More than 300,000 current users of CP/M, MP/M
and OASIS can easily upgrade their systems to the ACS 8600
Computer System knowing that their application software is
compatible with the ACS 8600 computer.
BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL, and FORTRAN languages are also
distributed and supported by Altos Computer Systems.
Although Altos does not generally distribute application
program packages, it does provide a list of such compatible
program packages, developed by leading software houses, on
request.
Syste. Functional Description
The ACS8600 Computer System is an advanced-design, 16-bit,
general-purpose computer manufactured by Altos Computer Systems.
System design supports up to I-Mbyte of Random Access Memory
(RAM) with full error detection and correction, and a wide
variety of mass storage peripherals. Unique memory management
hardware increases efficiency of main memory use. The system can
be easily extended to meet the requirements of a wide variety of
applications.
The ACS 8600 System is based on the Intel 8086
microprocessor family. While the system is primarily designed to
meet multi-user and multi-tasking requirements it may easily be
configured for large single-user applications. The following
list summarizes the main features and capabilities:
PRIMARY SYSTEM ENCLOSURE -PHYSICAL DETAILS
Size
19 inches wide, 23 inches deep, 7 inches high
Weight
Free-standing weight - 60 pounds
Shipping weight - 80 pounds
Front Panel Controls
AC ON/OFF Switch (upper right hand corner)
RESET Switch (to left of ON/OFF switch)
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