rl11

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page	RL11 Disk Controller	/devices/pdp11/rl11/

RL11 Disk Controller

The RL11 Disk Controller controls up to four RL01 or RL02 disk drives, which in turn read/write RL01K or RL02K disk cartridges, respectively.

RL01K disks are single-platter cartridges with 256 tracks per side, 40 sectors per track, and a sector size of 256 bytes, for a total capacity of 5Mb (5,242,880 bytes).

RL02K disks are single-platter cartridges with 512 tracks per side, 40 sectors per track, and a sector size of 256 bytes, for a total capacity of 10Mb (10,485,760 bytes).

Machines containing the RL11 Component include:

• PDP-11/70 with Front Panel (with Debugger)
• PDP-11/70 with VT100 Terminal (with Debugger)

PCjs has archived a selection of RL01K and RL02K disk images from Paul Nankervis for use by those machines, which are also listed in the following RL11 Device XML file:

• Default

which is typically referenced by a Machine XML file as:

<device ref="/devices/pdp11/rl11/default.xml"/>

Device XML files not only configure a device, but also list all the resource the device will use, and define UI elements used to control the device, such as choosing which disks should be "auto-mounted" by the RL11 device. For example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<device id="rl11" type="rl11" autoMount='{RL0:{path:"/disks-pdp11/dec/rl02k/RL02K-XXDP.json"}}' pos="left" width="35%" padLeft="8px" padBottom="8px">
    <name>Disk Drive Controls</name>
    <control type="container">
        <control type="list" binding="listDrives"/>
        <control type="list" binding="listDisks">
            <disk id="disk01" name="XXDP+ Diagnostics" path="/disks-pdp11/dec/rl02k/RL02K-XXDP.json"/>
        </control>
        <control type="button" binding="loadDisk">Load</control>
        <control type="button" binding="bootDisk">Boot</control>
        <control type="description" binding="descDisk" padRight="8px"/>
        <control type="file" binding="mountDisk"/>
    </control>
</device>

Loading the RL11 Bootstrap

From the RT-11 v4.0 Installation Manual (March 1981), p. E-6:

Deposit the basic RL01/RL02 disk bootstrap loader in memory as follows:

 1. Set the ENABLE/HALT switch to HALT.

 2. Set the first address, 001000, in the switch register (see Table E-7).

 3. Press the LOAD ADDR switch.

 4. Set the contents for the first address (from Table E-7) in the switch register.

 5. Lift the DEP switch. The computer automatically advances to the next address.

 6. Set the contents for the next address (from Table E-7) in the switch register.

 7. Lift the DEP switch.

 8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have deposited all the instructions.

Now verify that you deposited the bootstrap program properly.

 1. Set the first address, 001000, in the switch register.
 
 2. Press the LOAD ADDR switch.
 
 3. Press the EXAM switch to display the contents of that address in the data register.
 
 4. Compare the number in the data register with the value for that address in Table E-7.
 
 5. If the values are the same, press EXAM again to display the contents of the next address. If the values
    are not the same, repeat the entire

Table E-7: RL01/RL02 Bootstrap Loader

Location    Contents

001000		012701
001002      174400
001004		012761
001006		000013
001010		000004
001012		012711
001014		000004
001016		105711
001020		100376
001022		005061
001024		000002
001026		005061
001030		000004
001032		012761
001034		177400
001036		000006
001040		012711
001042		000014
001044		105711
001046		100376
001050		005007

Loading the RL11 Bootstrap Loader

Any PDP-11 machine using built-in PCjs Debugger makes it easy to enter the bootstrap code above. Paste the following commands into the Debugger's command buffer:

ew 1000 012701 174400 012761 000013 000004 012711 000004 105711 100376 005061;
ew 1024 000002 005061 000004 012761 177400 000006 012711 000014 105711 100376 005007;	
r pc 1000

You can then review (eg, disassemble) the bootstrap code:

>> u 1000 1052
001000: 012701 174400          MOV   #174400,R1
001004: 012761 000013 000004   MOV   #13,4(R1)
001012: 012711 000004          MOV   #4,@R1                 ;RLCS
001016: 105711                 TSTB  @R1                    ;RLCS
001020: 100376                 BPL   001016
001022: 005061 000002          CLR   2(R1)
001026: 005061 000004          CLR   4(R1)
001032: 012761 177400 000006   MOV   #177400,6(R1)
001040: 012711 000014          MOV   #14,@R1                ;RLCS
001044: 105711                 TSTB  @R1                    ;RLCS
001046: 100376                 BPL   001044
001050: 005007                 CLR   PC

Last but not least, make sure you have successfully loaded an RL01 or RL02 disk image into drive RL0. Then execute the bootstrap code with the Debugger's "g" command.

Of course, if the machine also includes the RL11 Boot control, then all you really need to is select an RL01 or RL02 disk, click "Load", wait for the diskette image to be successfully loaded (i.e., downloaded) and then click "Boot".