[comp.unix.wizards] Sun console driver questions

bjp@mbunix.mitre.org (07/21/89)

I'm wondering if any of you guys on this mailing list can help out on a
couple of questions.  I'm looking through cons.c source for version 3.2.
Sun Unix, and I noticed in some of the routines (eg. cnselect(), cnread()) a
check is done on a flag, consdev, to determing if it is the console device
or a pseudo-console.  Why is such a distinction made? What would be the
purpose in using a terminal other than the one installed as the console
device?  My other question concerns device driver entry points.  What
is the difference between ttyselect() and d_select?  Please send replys
to me at bjp@mbunix.mitre.org.

In case anyone is wondering why the old version of Sun Unix, a contractor
modified it, and locked our customer into this version, simply because
they charge too much to upgrade the customized parts.  We are trying to get
them out of this mess.  I've looked at a lot of the networking code and have
figured out most of what was done.  I'm simply unfamiliar with terminal
drivers and need some help here.

                                       Live long and prosper,
                                       bj Pease
                                       bjp@mbunix.mitre.org

jlo@elan.elan.com (Jeff Lo) (07/22/89)

In article <20305@adm.BRL.MIL> bjp@mbunix.mitre.org writes:
>couple of questions.  I'm looking through cons.c source for version 3.2.
>a check is done on a flag, consdev, to determing if it is the console device
>or a pseudo-console.  Why is such a distinction made? What would be the
>purpose in using a terminal other than the one installed as the console
>device?

On most Sun systems, the console is a bit-mapped display used for windows,
not a serial line type device.  The various window systems (X, NeWS,
SunView, etc.) allow you a terminal window which acts as your console.
This way, rather than having console messages mess up your windowed
display, they go into a window.  I imagine this is what the pseudo-console
is referring to.
-- 
Jeff Lo, Elan Computer Group, Inc.
jlo@elan.com, ..!{ames,uunet}!elan!jlo
888 Villa Street, Third Floor, Mountain View, CA 94041, 415-964-2200