CONS(4) OpenBSD Programmer's Manual (VAX) CONS(4)NAMEcons - VAX 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, a special command character puts the console in local
console mode. The character itself is dependent upon the model of VAX
and the type of console in use. The prompt in console mode is `>>>',
also called the `chevron' prompt.
The operation of the console in this mode varies among different VAX
models.
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.
VAX 4000, MicroVAX, VAXstation, others
If the console is a serial console, sending a break will likely cause the
machine to halt and enter console mode. The set of commands available at
the console varies from machine to machine, although there are several
commands which are common to most or all models.
c
continue Return to the currently executing program.
halt Halt the processor.
help Display a list of available console commands.
[e]xamine [/bwl] [/ins] [/pgiv] [/n:n] [addr]
Display the contents at address addr according to the
options specified.
The options are:
/bwl
/ins Size of data to examine. Your choices are examining
values as bytes (8 bits), words (16 bits), or
longwords (32 bits). On systems that support it,
you can use the /ins option to display the mnemonic
representation of the instruction located at addr.
/pvgi These options describe the meaning of addr. With
the /p option, addr will be treated as an address in
physical memory. With the /v option, addr will be
treated as a virtual address. The /g option will
let you examine the general registers. From 0 to F
(base 16), general registers are R0-R12(AP), FP, SP,
and PC. The /i option will let you view the
internal processor registers. These vary from
processor to processor, but a relatively complete
description may be found in /usr/include/vax/mtpr.h.
/n:count
The /n option specifies that the command will repeat
count times after executing once, automatically
incrementing addr while doing so.
[d]eposit [/bwl] [/pgiv] [/n:n] [addr] [value]
Insert the value value into the address addr according to
the options specified.
The options are:
/bwl Size of data to insert. Your choices are inserting
values as bytes (8 bits), words (16 bits), or
longwords (32 bits).
/pvgi These options describe the meaning of addr. Their
meanings are identical to their respective meanings
in the examine command.
/n:count
The /n option specifies that the command will repeat
count times after executing once, automatically
incrementing addr while doing so.
With the above provisos the console works like any other UNIX terminal.
FILES
/dev/console
SEE ALSOtty(4), reboot(8)
VAX Hardware Handbook.
HISTORY
The cons interface appeared in 4.0BSD.
OpenBSD 4.9 May 31, 2007 OpenBSD 4.9
