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To change the configuration file, open the CHARON Virtual Machines Manager from its shortcut on Desktop / Start menu or from the tray menu item, select the target CHARON VM and press the "Edit Configuration" button:

Notepad will be used to edit the configuration file:

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Configuration name

The next configuration statement is the "Configuration name" option:

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It is possible to specify a configuration name containing spaces, in this case use quotation marks:

The configuration name is reported in the log file and is used to set the log file name for rotating log (see further: Rotating log (default) ).

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Log file parameters

The execution of a CHARON VM creates one log file or a set of log files reflecting the progress of its start-up and ongoing operation: start and end time of execution, system information, license and configuration details, warnings, reports on problems that may occur, etc. In case of problems with either the running CHARON VM or the emulated system configuration (such as the absence or malfunction of certain devices), the log file is the primary source to be analyzed for troubleshooting.

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20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000249:ethane.cxx(8343): Logging started.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003A5:ethane.cxx(9414): session: loading built-in configuration "MicroVAX_3100_Model_96"...
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003A6:ethane.cxx(9446): session: ... done loading built-in configuration "MicroVAX_3100_Model_96"
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003A7:ethane.cxx(9604): session: loading service configuration "My_MV3100_96"...
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003A8:ethane.cxx(9639): session: ... done loading service configuration "My_MV3100_96"
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003AA:ethane.cxx(9687): session: loading configuration file "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Virtual Machines\My_MV3600\My_MV3600\My_MV3100_96\mv3k196.cfg"...
The previous message has been repeated 2 times.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003AB:ethane.cxx( 540): session: ... done loading configuration file "configuration_name.icfg"
The previous message has been repeated 2 times.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003F2:sesmgr.cxx(1394): session: default log file size limit is 4194304 bytes
20161120:142250:INFO :0:0000032B:ethane.cxx(2581): Start request received.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003AC:ethane.cxx( 739): session: process affinity is 00000000000000FF, system affinity is 00000000000000FF
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003D1:ethane.cxx(1397): session: I/O domain affinity is 0000000000000003, CPU domain affinity is 00000000000000FC
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003BA:ll_sentine( 730): Looking for a license key ...
20161120:142250:INFO :0:000003DC:ll_sentine( 825): ... found license key 1422726238.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:0000024D:ethane.cxx(2712): STROMASYS SA, (C) 2009-2016
20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000408:ethane.cxx(2754): CHARON-VAX (MicroVAX 3100 Model 96), V 4.8 B 18302, Nov 11 2016 / 000.MSC.TEST.CENTER.KIRILL / 1422726238
20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000336:ethane.cxx(2795): The end user of this software has agreed to STROMASYS' Terms and Conditions for Software License and Limited Warranty, as described at: http://www.stromasys.com/pub/doc/30-17-033.pdf
20161120:142250:INFO :0:0000009D:ethane.cxx(2859): License info:
CHARON product code: "CHVAX-480xx-WI-LI".
Licensed to: "MSC".
License KEY driver is installed as hasplms and is running.
Executable "C:\Windows\system32\hasplms.exe", version 18.0.1.55505.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000097:ethane.cxx(2868): OS Environment: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit, Service Pack 1 (Build 7601).
20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000098:ethane.cxx(2873): Host CPU: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E31275 @ 3.40GHz x8.
20161120:142250:INFO :0:00000099:ethane.cxx(2878): Host Memory: 24320Mb
20161120:142251:INFO :0:00000001: tpool.cxx(1370): cpu: The ACE option is omitted; enable ACE as license default.
20161120:142251:INFO :0:00000401:ethdev.cxx( 384): eza: RX FIFO is disabled.
20161120:142251:INFO :0:00000133: tpool.cxx(1602): Advanced CPU Emulation (ACE) enabled.
20161120:142251:INFO :0:0000032C:ethane.cxx(2617): "My_MV3100_96" started.

The next group of parameters defines the name of the CHARON VM log file and how the CHARON VM will use it:

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If the path is not specified, the log file is created in the "Home directory" mentioned in the VM Configuration tab of the CHARON Virtual Machine Manager.

Single log

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titleBM MARKERAlternatively it is possible to use just a single log file. Uncomment the "set session log" line and specify the desired CHARON VM log file name. Optionally, a path can be added to the log file name.

If the path is not specified, the log file is created in the directory from where the guest (emulated machine) is started"Home directory" mentioned in the VM Configuration tab of the CHARON Virtual Machine Manager.

The log file can be extended (specifying "log_method = append" (*recommended for reporting issues*) or overwritten (, specifying "log_method = overwrite") by CHARON VM.

Below is a specification of a CHARON VM log file located in the "C:\My logs" directory which will be overwritten appended each time the CHARON VM starts:

set session log_method = overwriteappend set session log = "C:\My logs\my_vax.log"

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TOY, ROM and EEPROM containers

The next objects TOY, ROM and EEPROM containers have to be configured are TOY, ROM and EEPROM containers (their . Their presence depends on the VAX/PDP11 model). It is always recommended to enable them. If a container file of the given name does not exist, starting the CHARON VM will create it.

TOY means "Time of Year"; its . Its container records time, date and some console parameters while the CHARON VM is not running. To enable, uncomment the following line  It is highly recommended to define and activate this container:

The ROM container stores an intermediate state of the Flash ROM and some console parameters. So its container  It is also highly recommended to keep uncommenteddefine and activate this container:

EEPROM stores the NVRAM content, so its container is also recommended to keep uncommented. It is highly recommended to define and activate this container:

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Just uncomment Uncomment the line corresponding to the frequency used in the RSX11/RT11 systems to be migrated if needed.

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The next setting indicates whether the CHARON VM will use the Advanced CPU Emulation (ACE) mode:

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Uncomment the desired mode. ACE uses a significant amount of host memory for its normal operation. Check the host resources before enabling.

If the The "ace_mode" parameter mode is commented out, CHARON will set ACE mode according to your license settings. license dependent, the "Charon-xx/Plus" products have ACE mode enabled by default.

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The next parameter defines the amount of host memory the chosen CHARON VM model reserves for the emulation:

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The goal of this configuration step is to tell the CHARON VM what host device to use as the virtual system console. The following options are available:

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In case of When using the VAX 4000 and MicroVAX 3100 models, it is possible to configure up to 4 independent console lines: OPA0, TTA0, TTA1 and TTA2. The main one is OPA0.

Note there are a number of Note that additional parameters for the CHARON VM serial lines configuration can be added. Follow this link for details.

Exit on pressing F6 button

It is also recommended to set a hot key to stop the guest VM from the console in addition to the system tray icon(when the console is accessed remotely for example):

This line provides allows the CHARON VM the ability to exit by VM to be stopped by pressing the "F6" buttonkey.

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Disk subsystem

The next step is configuration of the disk subsystem and the mapping it to the system resources can be done using the samples given in the template configuration files.

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Below is a typical configuration sample for the MSCP disk controller RQDX3:

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• Mapping to the file representing a physical disk of the VAX/PDP11 system (disk image).

  • "<file-name>.vdisk"
    These files can be created from scratch with "MkDisk" utility. Data and OS disks backups are transferred from the original system via tapes or network and restored into these container files.

    Mapping may also include the full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My disks\my_boot_disk.vdisk" 

    Example:

    set DUA container[0]="my_bootable_disk.vdisk"

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    Warning
    Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported

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• Mapping to physical disk.

  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive<N>"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON VM by mistake. These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.  
    
    Example:
    

    set DUA container[1]="\\.\PhysicalDrive1"

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• Mapping to physical disk by its WWID.
  
  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID = <XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX>)"
    Be careful not to destroy all the information from the disk dedicated to CHARON VM by mistake. These disks must not be formatted by the host OS.
    

    DevID addresses the target physical disk by its WWID (hexadecimal 128-bit identifier assigned to the disk drive by its manufacturer/originator).

    Example:

    Div class small set DUA container[2]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID= 6008-05F3-0005-2950-BF8E-0B86-A0C7-0001)"

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• Mapping to iSCSI disks.

  • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget = <iSCSI target>, LUN = <LUN number>)"
    iScsiTarget addresses the disk by its iSCSI target name. LUN specifies LUN on connected iSCSI disk.

    Example:

    Div class small set DUA container[3]="\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget= iqn.2008-04:iscsi.charon-target-test1, LUN= 1)"

     

    Divclasspagebreak

• Mapping to CD-ROM device.

  • "\\.\CdRom<N>"

    Example:

    set DUA container[4]="\\.\CdRom0"

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• Mapping to an ISO file for reading distribution CD-ROM image.

  • "<file-name>.iso"

    Mapping may also include the full path (recommended), for example: "C:\My disks\vms_distributive.iso"

    Example:
    

    set DUA container[5]="vms_distributive.iso"

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• Mapping to Floppy drive. 
  

  • "\\.\A:"

    Example:
    

    set DUA container[6]="\\.\A:"

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•  Mapping to some other type of drive, for example magneto-optical drive.  

  • "\\.\<N>:"

    Example:
    

    set DUA container[6]="\\.\H:"

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Numbers The numbers in the square brackets represent the unit numbers associated with each container of the MSCP controller. For example, the 3rd "set DUA" line of the configuration sample above creates disk "DUA2". The maximum unit number allowed is 9999, significantly more than the original hardware provided.

It is possible to load several RQDX3 controllers DUB, DUC, etc. (see lines 6-7, above) by configuring specific addresses for them on the Qbus. Use the "CONFIGURE" utility available on the VAX console to determine the addresses. Please refer to specific HP documentation for further information.

Please also refer to the HP documentation for information on placement of additional KDM70 controllers on an XMI bus (VAX 6000 models) and additional KDB50 controllers on a BI bus (VAX 6310).

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Follow this link for details of (T)MSCP controllers configuration.

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SCSI controller NCR53C94

The VAX 4000 and MicroVAX 3100 models have an NCR53C94 SCSI controller onboard on board for the support of different types of SCSI devices including disks and tapes. Optionally a second controller can be added.

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In the example above the "pkb_0" virtual SCSI device uses "PKB" controller by specifying a parameter "scsi_bus=pkb"

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Some MSCP and SCSI controllers support tape devices. CHARON also emulates specific MSCP tape devices such as TQK50 and TUK50.

Follow this link for more details of (T)MSCP controllers configuration.

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Example statements to configure a TQK50 controller are shown below:

The first line ("load TQK50 MUA") loads a tape controller TQK50 with a name of and names it MUA. The following 2 lines demonstrate different ways of mapping to host resources:

Numbers in the square brackets represent unit numbers associated with each container of the TQK50 controller. For example, the 2nd "set MUA" line of the configuration sample above creates tape drive the "MUA1" tape drive. The maximum unit number allowed is 9999, significantly more than the original hardware provided

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The first line loads a UNIBUS BI adapter "DWBUA". Then configure Configure then the "TUK50" tape controller the same way as the TQK50.

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The first 5 lines of the example above demonstrate above are example given for loading serial line controllers of different types. The name of the controller (in this example) will be "TXA".

Once the controller is loaded it can be mapped to system resources (lines 6-11). The following options are available:

Look at the line "set TXA line[0]=TXA0" in the example. This one and the following lines of similar syntax map the loaded virtual controller ("TXA") to instances of the host serial lines ("TXA<N>").

The number of possible serial lines possible for each controller depends on its type and corresponds to the HP specification on for a given controller.

It is possible to load several CXA16, CXB16, CXY08, DHQ11, DHV11, DZV11, DZQ11, DL11, DLV11 and DZ11 controllers (see the lines 12-16) by configuring specific addresses for them on the Qbus. Use the "CONFIGURE" utility available on the VAX/PDP11 console to determine the addresses. Please refer to specific HP documentation for further information.

The VAX 4000 and MicroVAX3100 models support DHW42-AA, DHW42-BA and DHW42-CA serial lines adapters:

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Note that additional parameters exist for CHARON VM serial lines configuration , follow can be added. Follow this link for details.

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In the example above the first line loads DELQA virtual adapter with a name "XQA"; the following 2 lines map it to host network interface having a name "Charon" ("connection" is a key word). Note that the

The mapping is performed in 2 steps:

1. A mapping object "packet_port" with a name "XQA0" is loaded and connected to host interface having a name "Charon" , so the CHARON VM will use this interface for its networking
2. The loaded DELQA virtual adapter "XQA" is connected to the "packet_port" object "XQA0"

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Some network adapters available in the CHARON VM are preloaded (for example, the SGEC controller for the MicroVAX 3100 with the predefined name "EZA"), so their configuration is even more simple:

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After few seconds the chosen interface will be assigned to CHARON:

Follow this link for more details of CHARON VM network controllers configuration.

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CHARON can be configured to automatically boot an operating system at start up.

The MicroVAX 3100, VAX/PDP11 6310 and VAX/PDP11 4000 models boot automatically if the correct boot flags are set with at the VAX/PDP11 console level:

Please check that the TOY, EEPROM and ROM containers (see above) are enabled so console command changes the updated parameters are saved between rebootsupon reboot.

The ROM of certain VAXes VAX models (MicroVAX II, MicroVAX 3600, MicroVAX 3900, VAXserver 3600 and VAXserver 3900) does not allow the SRM console to accept the commands to enable auto booting. In this case, some parameters a specific parameter can be defined in the configuration file can be used insteadas a workaround:

The CHARON-VAX 6000 models have a similar configuration setting:

The CHARON-PDP models have the following setting:

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These configuration lines are typically specified in the template configuration files ( in commented out form). In case of absence please add the corresponding line according to the examples above.

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Host load balance for SMP systems

The VAX 6620 through VAX6660 models emulate 2-6 CPUs respectively. In this situation, loading of the host system can be tuned with the following configuration file settings:

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