From: gezelter@rlgsc.com
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Subject: Re: HELP! Tape transfer from PDP to VAX
Date: 13 Oct 92 14:25:57 GMT
Organization: Robert Gezelter Software Consultant, Flushing, NY

In article <10OCT199214545986@xrd.chee.uh.edu>, sys_jpf@xrd.chee.uh.edu (Joseph Formica) writes:
> 
> I have a MicroPDP 11/73 running RSX11M and having a TK50 drive.
> I know very little about RSX, quite a bit more about VMS.
> I was hoping to simply BACKUP my files to TK50 on the PDP and restore 
>   them on the VAX. Success has eluded me.
> BACKUP on the PDP-side seems to work OK (everything verifies, no errors).
> I cannot get the saveset off of tape on the VAX-side, however.
> 
> I've tried MOUNTing the tape FILE11 and COPYing the saveset--no luck.
> It goes out and creates a file as large as my hard disk, then dies.
> I've tried MOUNTing the tape FOREIGN and using BACKUP--no luck.
> I get an error about the tape not being standard ANSI.
> I've tried my luck with EXCHANGE, and its been all bad.
> 
> When I had the tape mounted FILES11, I did a
> 
> $ dump/header/block=count:0 mka500:[000000]*.
> 
> Dump of file MKA500:[]"DU0RAW.BCK".;1 on 10-OCT-1992 13:49:44.68
> 
> 
> Well, DU0RAW.BCK IS THE NAME I GAVE THE SAVESET ON THE PDP.
> I'M A LITTLE UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE "" IN MKA500:[]"DU0RAW.BCK".;1
> Is there any hope for what I am trying to do?
> Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. 
> 
> Joe Formica
> FORMICA@UH.EDU
-- 
Joe,
 
Good question! The RSX BRU utility (which implements the RSX DCL verb 
BACKUP), and the VMS BACKUP utility have only three things in 
common 8-)> 1) they both use the DCL verb "BACKUP"; 2) they copies of 
files; and 3) they read/write disks and tapes. But, that doesn't 
help you much!
 
There are four solutions:
 
1.  Use RSX BACKUP to produce a tape (which you have already 
done). Then use RSX BRU under the VAX-11 RSX emulation product 
(which, if your institution has a CSLG, is included in the CSLG 
license) to restore the files to disk. I can assure you that this 
works, having spent the other day moving a client's files from 
his PDP-11 to his VAX.
 
2.  There is a program in the DECUS library (it may also be on 
the DECUS CDROMs) which reads  BRU formatted tapes on VMS and 
restores the files. I have not had recent personal experience 
with this program, but if you cannot do (1), it is worth trying.
 
3.  Use a communications method of moving the files. Laborious, 
but you don't need to do it on a daily basis (KERMIT, DECnet, 
etc.)
 
There are some other ways in which this problem can be resolved, 
but they are more involved. 
 
I hope that the above is helpful. If I can be of further 
assistance, please feel free to drop me an email or give me a 
call.
 
- Bob
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