Newsgroup: it.comp.retrocomputing
Titolo: system integration? networking ante litteram? frankenputer? All hail our robot overlords!

https://books.google.it/books?id=TgGty5HMPj0C&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=xerox+sigma+9&source=bl&ots=9huaXSwFmi&sig=rlOhcvm6nEdxEY9ksvvVPRlAd-E&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=xerox%20sigma%209&f=true
 
 
Motorola interfaccia bidirezionalmente uno Xerox Sigma 9 con un IBM 370/168
 
Anno 1975
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_Sigma_9
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/370_Model_168
 
 
CYA

Fatto trenta, facciamo trent1: eccovi la trascrizione dell'articolo (eventuali
errori sono miei).
 
 
Computerworld – June 25, 1975 – Page 21
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SYSTEM&PERIPHERALS
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~Terminals Access Either CPU~
**Sigma 9, IBM 370 Pairing Benefits Firm**
 
                             *By Walter R. Welch*
                         Special to Computerworld
 
 By placing a Xerox Sigma 9 alongside an IBM 370/168, Motorola, Inc. has been 
able to improve service to batch terminal users ad avoid duplication of hardware
costs.
 The company has linked the Xerox CP-V operating system and IBM’s Hasp so batch
terminal users linked to an IBM mainframe can receive output from the Sigma and
vice-versa.
 The Sigma 9 was initially brought in to handle time-sharing tasks, but Motorola
decided to exploit the opportunity afforded by sitting it next to the 370/168.
 The “cohabitation” was motivated by several objectives:
- Eliminate redundant communications costs. Without some centralized terminus 
for remote job entry (RJE) lines, any RJE user wishing to access both systems 
would be required tp either dial up or set up an operator-activated modem switch
or provide dual communications. Motorola’s users don’t have to do that.
- Eliminate presence of any unnecessary peripherals, particularly unit record
equipment.
- Allow users of both systems to easily transport data between systems.
 Since Motorola is not generally in the business of operating system 
development, we assiduously avoided any extensive modifications to either 
software system. We sought to exploit currently available software to its 
practical limitations.
 Currently, in the Motorola Midwest Area Computer Center at Schaumburg, 
Illinois, is an IBM 370/168 with 3M bytes of core.
 The production operating system is VS2 and Release 1.6. Hasp controls 12 
synchronous RJE ports, which terminate in a Memorex 1270 communications 
controller.
 Applications running on the 168 are Tso, IMS, batch and various on-line 
applications using Tcam as a communication interface supporting order entry, 
purchasing, receiving, inventory control and part departments.
 The Motorola Midwest Sigma 9 configuration includes 160K words of core, four 
7605 communications controllers and 88 lines. We are currently running the B00
version of the CP-V operating system.
 
                        *IBM Compatibility Enhanced*
 
 There are several areas in which Xerox has released software vith the objective
of enhancing compatibility with IBM systems. First, the American National 
Standards (ANS) tape facility allows an additional IBM mode of labeled tape 
creation or input.
 A second major area of Xerox/IBM interconnection is the 7605 bisynchronous 
communications controller and Hasp-compatible Intelligent Remote Batch Terminal
(IRBT) software.
 At Motorola, ANS tape is the preferred medium for the transfer of large amounts
of data between systems. ANS tapes are also the preferred medium when data from 
one system (usually the Sigma 9) is used as input to a batch job.
 ANS tapes pose no difficulties at alla for CP-V when it is called upon to read
a tape created by the 168. The job control language (JCL) is straight-forward 
and the accessibility of ANS tapes from the peripheral control language (PCL) 
is particularly handy.
 Tapes generated by CP-V show some oversight, namely the unchangeable default of
800 bit/in. when a 1,600 bit/in. tape has, in fact, been generated; also, CP-V 
fails to set a block flag. Both of these major problems were patched locally.
 A final and significant weakness in this link is the lack availability of 6,250
bit/in. tape drives on the Sigma 9.
 Relatively high-speed Ebcdic communication between Xerox and IBM is made 
available through the Xerox IRBT package. Under this scheme, the CP-V machine 
appears as a remote workstation to the Hasp host system. At Motorola, a “modem 
eliminator” is used to interconnect the two synchronous communications ports, 
enabling a 9.600 bit/sec link. Another 7605 port is assigned to a second IBM 
computer (a 360/65) in Weisbaden, Germany.
 The first benefit of sych a connection, which is available without programming,
is the addition of the Sigma line printer to the 168. During peak printer usage 
conditions, output may easily be routed to the Sigma, where it is once again 
queued for output. The spool-to-spool transfer, although time-consuming, does 
effectively increase the print capacity of the 168.
 A second benefit of the slave IRBT package is derived with the aid of some 
programming. On CP-V, a program was written, called Route, which takes as input 
CP-V files, attaches the appropriate VS JCL and submits the completed result to 
the 168.
 Using this technique, we have effectively provided high-speed output from CP-V
to all RJE users of the 168 throughout the corporation. Another 7605 port is 
assigned to the 360/65 in Weisbaden, allowing CP-V to deliver high-speed output
to time-sharing users who have RJE terminals in the Motorola European network.
 In summary, standard IRBT software allows CP-V to perform in an impressively 
cost-effective manner within an existing RJE network.
 
                            *Not Without Problems*
 
 The installation and operation of the CP-V slave mode was not without problems,
some o which linger on. In most cases, technical problems encountered can be 
characterized as IRBT mode overtaxing symbiont capabilities.
 The next step in establishing a truly corporatewide RJE network involves a 
major enhancement of IBM’s JES2, the successor to Hasp. Under the upcoming 
Motorola JES network, any RJE user can submit a job to be executed on any host 
machine (IBM or Xerox) and direct output to any other remote or host.
 There are presently no applications which would require channel-to-channel or 
on-line interface between CP-V and VS.
 But, for the foreseeable future, the combination of JES network/CP-V slave and
CP-V ANS tapes will nicely handle the expected amount and kind of user traffic 
between systems.
 
 ~Welch is supervisor of systems programming for Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, 
Ill.~
 
CYA