feit@cs.odu.edu (Mark Alan Feit) (02/25/90)
Has anybody out there ported the X server to run under MS-DOS? A few people in the CS department have expressed an interest in being able to run X on our suns from home without having to use SLIP or sign up for an Internet number. What I have in mind is a system which will sit up at the port for some high display number (like 100), listen for connections, and handle communications to/from the remote user by way of a normal dial-up connection. The whole operation would look something like this: Client(s) <--Inet--> Dialup Interface <--Telco--> PC X Server <--> Display From what I have read in O'Reilly Volume 0 and what I've done in my own work, it looks quite possible to do... I just don't want to reinvent the wheel. Any thoughts? - Mark
jkenton@pinocchio.encore.com (Jeff Kenton) (02/25/90)
From article <FEIT.90Feb24115815@aethelbehrt.cs.odu.edu>, by feit@cs.odu.edu (Mark Alan Feit): > Has anybody out there ported the X server to run under MS-DOS? A few > people in the CS department have expressed an interest in being able > to run X on our suns from home without having to use SLIP or sign up > for an Internet number. > I recently asked a related question, and received the following useful reply: To: jkenton@pinocchio.encore.com (Jeff Kenton) Fm: tracey@md-b.prime.com (Tracey Tranen) Dt: Feb 22.1990 Sj: Re: You comp.windows.x/xpert posting --------------------------------------------------------- Graphic Software Systems (GSS) offers PC-Xview, an X Window server on a PC. PC-Xview interfaces with PC/TCP Plus networking software from FTP Software and Excelan's LAN WorkPlace for DOS. GSS is a distributor for the PC/TCP product and can offer you one stop shopping for all of your PC X Server needs. PC-Xview works with: a) 286, 386, 486 b) EGA, VGA, DGIS displays. DGIS displays are available from Compaq, Dell, HP, NEC, Imagraph, Control Systems, and others c) DOS 3.2 and above d) Microsoft, Logitech, Mouse Systems Mice e) 640k memory up to 16 MB memory f) Network cards from 3Com, WD, Interlan, Intel, Proteon, UB, Nat'l Semi, Tiara, and Excelan. Also SLIP. For more info, contact: Jim Thomassen (uunet!mntgfx!gssc!jimt) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VisionWare XVISION - The X Connection for Microsoft Windows ----------------------------------------------------------- XVision is a Microsoft Windows based X server which allows an IBM-compatible PC or PS/2 to display X clients running on a networked computer, at the same time as local DOS programs. The main features are: o A PC becomes an X Window System graphics terminal. o Microsoft Windows based X server. o X clients and DOS applications appear on the same screen. o Cut and paste between X clients and DOS applications using the Windows Clipboard. o Full support for X11 protocols. o Use a standard X Window manager, or let Microsoft Windows manage X clients. o Independent of specific PC graphics display system. X FOR WINDOWS XVision is a Microsoft Windows application, which means that you can run X Window System clients alongside DOS programs on a PC workstation. This provides a common user interface for DOS and X applications, and allows cut and paste operations to transfer information between them. Because the server runs under Microsoft Windows it can use any graphics display screen for which a Windows driver is available. This includes EGA and VGA, as well as large high resolution monitors. XVISION SERVER The XVision server is based on the sample server distributed by the X Consortium. It runs on a PC under Microsoft Windows and supports the standard X protocol between clients and the server over TCP/IP network links. This is the most efficient method of implementation since the X protocol is optimised to reduce the overheads involved in passing graphics requests to and receiving events from a workstation. XVision does not require any special software to be installed on a host system and it can accept requests from X clients running anywhere on the network. The interface between XVision and the PC network software is implemented as a DOS TSR program, which provides a flexible method of supporting different networks. XVision allows cut and paste operations between X clients to be carried out in the normal way using the X selection mechanism. It also enables the data associated with a text selection to be mirrored on the Windows Clipboard. This enables data to be copied between X clients and DOS applications. The server is capable of running a few simple clients on a PC with 640 kbytes of memory. It implements virtual memory to allow a greater number of clients and more complex clients to be run. The virtual memory mechanism will make use of expanded memory if it is available, and if there is insufficient expanded memory it will use the hard disk. Clients can be initiated from the PC, or may be started anywhere on the network. For a UNIX host, the X Display Manager can be set up to allow a user to log in and execute the first X client. Otherwise, TELNET or another terminal emulator facility can be used to initiate the X session. WINDOW MANAGEMENT There are two different ways of using XVision. The first way is for the whole X world to occupy one Microsoft Window, and all X clients appear within this window. The Microsoft Window may be positioned on the screen in relation to other DOS windows or iconised in the normal Windows manner. To manage individual X client windows within the single Microsoft Window, a standard X window manager such as UWM must be used. When used in this single window display mode you can specify that the "virtual display" should be larger than the size of the PC screen, and Microsoft Windows scroll bars can then be used to alter the visible area. The second way to use XVision is for each X client to run within its own Microsoft Window, and here individual X client window management may be achieved by using the standard Microsoft Windows management facilities. This method provides X applications with a Presentation Manager look and feel to their user interface. When a client opens a window it supplies "hints" such as size, title and icon which are mapped to equivalent features of a Microsoft Window. X FONTS SUPPLIED Compiled versions of the standard X fonts are distributed with XVision, and you have the option to install all of them or just a minimum set. A Microsoft Windows font file is associated with each X font file, and contains the character bitmaps. All the other properties of the X font remain in the X font file and many are used by the server when drawing text. XVISION AND VISIONWARE XVision is one of a range of VisionWare workstation integration products and services. Also available is PC-Connect, which allows IBM-compatible PC or PS/2 computers to act as multi-windowed workstations connected to one or more UNIX host systems without the need for the X Windows system. SQL-Connect enables workstation users to access information held in remote SQL databases. The VisionWare strategy is to combine PCs and multi-user systems into a unified operating environment, so that maximum benefits can be obtained from information processing technology. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS An IBM-compatible PC/AT or PS/2 computer with at least an 80286 processor. At least 640kbytes of memory. XVision will also use LIM/EMS 3.2 or 4.0 expanded memory if available. A hard disk. Either a 1.2Mbyte 5 1/4" disk drive, or a 1.44Mbyte 3 1/2" drive. Windows compatible graphics adapter and display. A mouse is strongly recommended. A three-button mouse is ideal, but a two-button mouse can be used together with the emulation facilities built into XVision. A local area network card and networking software. MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 3.0 or later. A run-time version of Microsoft Windows may be included with XVision (ask your supplier or call VisionWare). If you want to use full Windows then you need Windows/286 or Windows/386 version 2.0 or later. XVISION PACKAGES There are two XVision packages, one containing 5 1/4" disks (1.2 Mbyte) and the other containing 3 1/2" disks (1.44Mbyte). Choose the appropriate package for your disk drive. AVAILABILITY XVision is supplied with network communications interface programs for various TCP/IP networking software. These include Locus TCP/IP for DOS, FTP PC/TCP and Excelan LAN WorkPlace. More networks are being added continually, and you contact your supplier or VisionWare for exact details of availability. (C) VisionWare Limited, 1989. All Rights Reserved. The names of companies referred to herein, their corporate logos, the names of their hardware and software may be tradenames, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The policy of VisionWare Limited is to develop and enhance its products and services and it therefore reserves the right to alter without notice the specification and/or design thereof. VisionWare Limited, The Leeds Business Park, Morley, Leeds LS27 0JG, UK Tel +44-532-522020. Fax +44-532-526614. Telex 556283. Email: vware@vison.uucp VisionWare, PO Box 3991, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA Tel +1-612-377-3627 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For those interested in using X Windows Version 11 Release 3 on an IBM-AT (80286 or 80386) or compatible, Integrated Inference Machines is shipping a high performance X11 server called X11/AT which runs under MS-DOS using Microsoft Windows for $395. The server converts an IBM-AT into an X Windows terminal which can simultaneosuly run MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. FTP and TELNET are also supplied. X11/AT requires a system with 2Meg of extended memory. Because X11/AT runs under Microsoft Windows, a large variety of monochrome and color displays are supported including EGA, VGA, and special high resolution displays. For more information, contact: Charles Baecker Integrated Inference Machines 1468 E. Katella Avenue Anahiem, California 92805 Phone (714)978-6201 FAX (714)939-0746 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - jeff kenton --- temporarily at jkenton@pinocchio.encore.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
meo@stiatl.UUCP (Miles O'Neal) (03/01/90)
(Jeff Kenton) writes: |(Mark Alan Feit): |> Has anybody out there ported the X server to run under MS-DOS? | |I recently asked a related question, and received the following useful reply: |Graphic Software Systems (GSS) offers PC-Xview, an X Window server on a PC. | |VisionWare XVISION - The X Connection for Microsoft Windows | |Integrated Inference Machines is shipping ... X11/AT There is also PC-XSight by Locus. Someone here has it, says it works fine. They seem very technically competent (based on a a local Unix Users Group presentation they did, and Q&A afterwards). -Miles O'Neal meo@SalesTech.com
kempff@hppad.HP.COM (John Kempff) (03/02/90)
Here is one more for you Jeff.
The following data sheet was entered by one of the Engineers
working on the product. Sanitized by me for non-HP consumption.
John Kempff
--------------------------------------------------------------
This data sheet is for the release of AXDS/PC which support the
HP A1086A Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 Card.
The information has been manually entered from the data sheet with the best
of my ability. Diagrams and some stuff has been intentionally left out.
I have added some extra notes on topics being asked frequently.
The data sheet part number is 5953-3768.
Mohan Mistry John Kempff
Project leader for AXDS/PC Support Team Staff
Software - R&D AXDS/PC and X-Terminals
mistry@hppad.hp.com kempff@hppad.hp.com
Panacom Automation Division.
Hewlett Packard Canada Ltd.,
20 Lexington Road,
Waterloo, N2J 3Z3
Ontario CANADA
(519) 886 5320
----------------------------cut here----------------------------------
ACCELERATED X WINDOW DISPLAY SERVER
----------------------------------
FOR
---
THE HP VECTRA PC FAMILY
------------------------
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
====================
FEATURES
---------
o Network access to UNIX(TM) system based X Window applications
o X Window System Version 11, Release 3 Support.
o Supports up to 256 colors form a palette of 262,143
o Supports panning with root window of 1024x1024 on all monitors.
o X-Server graphics performance equivalent to an entry-level diskless
workstation
o Single keystroke access to the DOS operating system.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
--------------------
The HP Accelerated X Window Display Server (HP AXDS/PC) is a software package
that runs on a PC-AT bus compatible personal computers including the HP Vectra
PC family.
HP AXDS/PC is based on the X Window System Version 11, Release 3 industry-
standard graphical user interface. Together with the HP Intelligent Graphics
Controller card, it allows a PC to act as an X Window Terminal.
HP AXDS/PC gives a PC user access to a X Window applications running on
multivendor host computers over a local area network.
Applications such as mechanical and electrical design, industrial automation,
business UNIX, and computer-aided software engineering can be interactively
accesses and simultaneously displayed in multiple windows on a PC using
HP AXDS/PC.
HP AXDS/PC bridges the gap between DOS and UNIX environments by providing
a single keystoke (warm key) that enables access to the DOS operating
system while retaining the X Window environment.
HP AXDS/PC provides a cost effective means of upgrading and linking the PC
into a multivendor computing environment.
SUPPORTED PC CONFIGURATIONS.
----------------------------
The HP AXDS/PC software is downloaded to and executed by HP Intelligent
Graphics Controller 10 card. It operates on IBM PC-AT bus compatible
personal computers including the HP Vectra PC A,A+,A++ (with upgraded
ROM BIOS A.01.06),CS, ES, QS and RS family members.
HP AXDS/PC requires the PC to include the following minimum components:
--------
+ MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating system revision 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 or 4.01
+ 640 Kbytes of RAM
+ 5.25-inch (1.2MB high density) or 3.5 (low or high density) flexible
disk drive
+ 6 Mbytes of free hard disk space
(to load HP AXDS/PC driver and X11 R2/R3 fonts).
+ HP A1086A Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 and HP A1085A 0.5MB DRAM kit
+ LAN card and LAN software.
+ Color graphics monitor with 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768 resolution that
accepts RGB analog input (sync on green) using RS-343A voltages and display
frames per second non-interlaced.
+ Pointing device.
NOTE: HP AXDS/PC is also supported on the HP 82328A Intelligent Graphics
Controller. When using the HP 82328A, a 640x480 VGA or 800x600 monitor
is not supported. This IGC card gives you only 16 colors and no
panning.
PC MEMORY ALLOCATION
---------------------
80 Kbytes- DOS Operating system
105 Kbytes- Lan Software (TSR)
105 Kbytes- HP AXDS/PC software ( not a TSR)
350 Kbytes- DOS programs while in warm key mode.
When running DOS applications, extended and expanded memory and use of the
LAN by DOS applications, has been tested to operate with HP AXDS/PC.
( ie HP AXDS/PC does not make use of extended or expanded memory).
PERFORMANCE
-----------
HP AXDS/PC is designed to provide graphics performance equivalent to
an entry level diskless workstation (2 MIP rated) configured as an
X Window display server.
The HP AXDS/PC software is executed by the HP Intelligent Graphics
Controller 10 card. Performance is therefore not limited by the PC RAM or
the type of PC processor. By comparison, most other vendor solutions
implement the X Window System display server on a PC as a DOS application.
Performance is the limited by the amount of PC RAM available
and by the performance of the PC processor.
The actual peformance of the HP AXDS/PC will depend upon the number of
of active window sessions,volume of network traffic, and the processing power
of the host computer that executes the X Window applications.
ie Similar constraints that of a diskless workstation.
HP Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 card is optimized for high performance
2D graphics and provides for display of up to 256 colors form a palette
of 262,144 colors (when equipped for 8-plane grpahics).
For non-graphics applications ( eg xterm), the HP A1086A graphics card with
0.5MB of DRAM (A1085A) will normally be sufficient. If there is insufficient
RAM, HP AXDS/PC provides a limited virtual memory feature that uses hard
disk for additional data storage and retrieval.
For graphics applications (eg large pixel maps), the on-board DRAM on the
HP Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 card must be expanded to include 1.0
to 2.0MB of DRAM (expanded in 0.5MB increments up to a maximum of 3.5MB)
by ordering the HP A1085A DRAM Kit and the HP A1087A Extension Module.
|Not in the data sheet but will be in the release.
|HP AXDS/PC also supports panning in which case the X-Server is configured
|for a display area of 1024x1024 pixels. Although the user sees a
|window according to monitor resolution but rest of the offscreen area
|can be viewed by simply moving the cursor to edge of the screen. Since
|this is done locally on the HP Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 card
|the response is instantaneous and without any extra overhead on
|clients or PC. This is a big plus for VGA monitor configurations.
|
|If panning mode is not selected the offscreen VRAM memory is allocated
|for use by the server.
|Additional VRAM ( 0.5MB thru 1.0MB) cannot be be utilised by server when in
|16 Color mode.
ORDERDING INFORMATION
---------------------
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------------ -----------------------------------------
D2300B HP AXDS/PC Software and fonts on 5.25" and 3.5"
media including installation guide.
A1086A HP Intelligent Graphics Controller 10
(16 colors from a palette of 262,144 Standard)
A1085A 0.5MB DRAM
A1087A Extension module
Required if you need >0.5MB DRAM or 256 Colors.
A1084A 0.5MB VRAM. Support 256 Colors.
So if you want 256 colors and 2.0 MB DRAM order.
1 A1086A, 4 A1085A, 1 A1087A, 1 A1084A
LAN SOFTWARE
3COM-503 3COM Etherlink II Lan Card ( from 3COM or PC Dealer).
PC-220 (V2.03) PL3 PC/TCP LAN Software
(V2.04) PL1
from:
FTP Software Inc,
26 Princess Street, Wakefield, MA USA 01880-3004
Phone (617) 246 0900
or from a PC dealer.
COLOR MONITORS (choose one)
D1182A HP 14-inch with 640x480 (Not supported with HP82328A IGC).
D1188A HP 16-inch with 1024x768
98785A HP 16-inch with 1024x768 Resolution (No VGA mode).
98751A HP 19-inch with 1024x768 Resolution (No VGA mode).
D1187A HP 20-inch with 1024x768 Resoloution
POINTING DEVICE
46060A HP_HIL 2 button mouse
or
Microsoft and Logitech serial and bus mouses (200dpi)
have been tested as an alternative pointing devices.
************************************************************************
Additional notes which may be helpful.
DOS/X_WINDOW DISPLAY CONFIGURATION
----------------------------------
i) MONITOR
+------- D1182A
+-----------------------+ / | D1188A
| |--------->------/ | D1187A
| IGC10 CARD | \________|
| |----<--+
+-----------------------+ | DOS and X-WINDOWS
|
+---------------+ |
| | |
| VGA CARD |-------+
+---------------+
The IGC10 card is in a pass thru mode for VGA at powerup
and running DOS and other applications.
When X-Window Server mode the AXDS/PC switches the output
from IGC10 to be passed to the monitor.
ii)
MONITOR
+------- D1182A
+-----------------------+ / | D1188A
| |--------->------/ | D1187A
| IGC10 CARD | \________| 98785A
| | 98751A
+-----------------------+
+---------------+
| CGA,EGA,MGA | +-------+
| or | / | DOS Screen
| VGA CARD |------->--------/ |
+---------------+ \_________|
The IGC10 card is used when X Server is running.
Notes:
IGC10 comes with DGIS, WIN386 and TIGA drivers.
AXDS/PC does not use these drivers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP 82328A IGC card
===================
Initial versions of AXDS/PC ie D2300A supported only the HP 82328A card.
New versions ie D2300B also supports the HP 82328A although no new features
such as 256 colors and Panning are applicable due to h/w limitations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMORY USUAGE IN AXDS/PC BY TYPICAL X CLIENT
The following memory usuage numbers are approx and depends
a number of factors eg color allocation, fonts and Xdefaults.
CLIENT Memory needed in Server (KBytes) in 256 colors modes
--------------------------------------------------------------------
XSERVER 310
MWM 41
HPWM 52
UWM 11
HPTERM 22
XTERM 11
DATEBOOK 365
XPHOON 813
XPHOON (16 Colors) 408
FRAMEMAKER 50
(2 docs, & tool Window)
XHPCALC 48
XCALC 68
XBIFF 8
XCLOCK 8
XLOAD 16
The above numbers may vary according to .Xdefaults file, fonts, and colors
which are already present in the server.
The amount of free memory available at any time is displayed
on the DOS screen when <SHIFT>+<CTRL>+<ALT>+<ESC> is pressed.
(yes all four keys to-gether).
The amount of PC memory usage depends upon number of font files
specified in font.dir file in each font path directory.
When operating in VGA mode and screen size of 640x480x8planes,
a 710K of offscreen memory is freed up for the server. Helpful if you
are $$$ constraint.
...............................................................................
UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T in the USA and other countries
X Window System is a trademark of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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