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X M I T
P R O T O C O L
M A N U A L
A proposal for implementation of the Xmit protocol for the
NCR network.
March 1986
By: Joe Deck
Xmit Protocol Manual Page 1
1. Introduction
The Xmit protocol is a tty line file transfer protocol. The protocol
was designed with the need to transfer files between two computers which
lack a more formal network connecting them. The protocol was designed
by Douglas H. Bigelow and was implemented by him on two DEC 2660s. The
next implementation was done by Joseph G. Deck for a Dec Vax 11/750.
The first two implementations were done in assemble language.
This proposal will outline the protocol and the subroutine functions
so that versions may be written for other systems possibly tying the NCR
network to the VAX or one of the 2060s.
The protocol specifies a hierarchy of subroutines as well as lays out
the construction of a data packet.
2. Packet Construction
There are six possible types of packets, as follows:
A Ack a packet (standard good response)
B Nak a packet (standard response to bad packet)
C Cancel transaction (no response appropriate)
D Data packet (requires A, B or C back)
E EOF packet (requires A, B or C back)
F File init packet (requires A, B or C back)
Proper packet format is:
[SOP] [CODE] [COUNT] [D1] .. [Dn] [CHK] [EOP]
Where
SOP == start of packet, ascii code 1 (^A)
CODE == type of packet, A through F
COUNT == number of data packets, 0 through MAXPKT-n
D1..Dn == data packet, numbered in sequence
CHK == seven bit checksum
EOP == end of packet, ascii code 2 (^B)
The COUNT and the CHK values are constrained to be 7 bits, from 0 -
177. To avoid problems with ascii codes 0-37, these values are
translated to the values 240-277. The count is added to the checksum
before this translation takes place, and the checksum includes all bytes
after SOP.
In data packets, values in the range 0-2 or 200-202 are quoted, with a
quote byte ("\") before and octal 40 added to the character itself,
coming after. A sequence "\\" gives a single "\".
March 1986 DRAFT
Xmit Protocol Manual Page 2
3. Routines
3.1. TTY Control
3.1.1. Init
Routine: init
Function: Program initialization
Arguments: Callers privileges
Program initialization is called once upon program startup. The
program checks should check to ensure that the person running the
program is authorized to do so. If the tty line to be used for
communication needs to be modified under software control it should be
done here. If a channel needs to be allocated to the tty line that also
should be done here.
3.1.2. Main
Routine: Main
Function: Provide duplex service
Arguments: None
The main subroutine calls the getpkt subroutine and calls the chkfil
subroutine. And repeats this loop .
3.2. Dispatch
3.2.1. Datpak
Routine: datpak
Function: Handle incoming data
Arguments: Packet, nakcnt
The datpak subroutine checks the current nakcnt against the maxnak
count (default 12). If the count are equal the ongoing file transfer is
aborted (jmp to p.can). If the counts are not equal inpack is called
with a dwait delay (default 20 seconds). The call returns with a
dispatch address and jumps to one of 7 possible locations.
The locations include:
1) datp.e <illegal send a nak>
2) datp.e <send a nak>
3) datp.e <send a nak>
4) return to main <received a can>
5) datp.b <process a data packet>
6) datp.d <send an end of file>
7) p.can2 <received a start of file expected data>
March 1986 DRAFT
Xmit Protocol Manual Page 3
3.2.2. Getpkt
Routine: getpkt
Function: Checks for incoming files
Arguments: None
The getpkt subroutine calls the subroutine inpack with a delay time
argument. The argument is used to determine how long to wait for an
incoming packet. The maximum (default) delay time is five minutes. The
call returns with a dispatch address and jumps to one of 7 possible
locations.
The locations include:
1) return to main loop <invalid packet>
2) p.can <ack packet>
3) p.can <nak packet>
4) return to main <cancel transfer>
5) p.can <data packet>
6) p.can <end of file>
7) p.sof <start offile>
3.3. TTY Transmission
3.3.1. Inpack
Routine: inpack
Function: check and validate incoming packets
Arguments: delay interval
The inpack routine first initializes the packet code and checksum
variables. Next, it reads incoming data from the tty line. It reads
for a period up to the delay interval, up to the maximum number of
characters, or until an eop character is detected
If no characters were read the routine returns to the main loop. If
some characters were read an eop character is added to the end of the
packet. The packet is then searched for an sop character. If an sop is
not found the routine returns to the main loop. If an sop is found the
next character is read into the code variable.
The next character is read into the packet size variable. The packet
size variable is checked for a too small (zero) or too large (greater
than maxpak) condition. In either case the routine returns to the main
loop.
Then the data is added and this total is compared to the checksum. If
the checksum and the sum of the data do not match the routine returns to
the main loop. Finally, the eop should follow the checksum. If it does
not the routine returns to the main loop. If it does the offset is
computed and the routine returns to inpack.
March 1986 DRAFT
Xmit Protocol Manual Page i
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Packet Construction 1
3. Routines 2
3.1. TTY Control 2
3.1.1. Init 2
3.1.2. Main 2
3.2. Dispatch 2
3.2.1. Datpak 2
3.2.2. Getpkt 3
3.3. TTY Transmission 3
3.3.1. Inpack 3
March 1986 DRAFT