Conference csc32::consolemanager

673.0. "Console VIEW Overwrites Screen Data" by CTUADM::COOKE (Vern Cooke @CTU (Western Canada CNS)) Tue Apr 11 1995 05:03

Hello:

I came across an interesting, though not serious, problem with VAX PCM, version
1.5-006, running on a VAXstation 4000vlc with VMS 6.1.

This configuration is a little out of the ordinary and appears as follows:

   ------- Network #1 -------                ------- Network #2 -------
   VAX---- Enet ----DECserver.... Serial ....DECserver---- Enet ----PCM

Basically, we have to isolate network 1 from network 2. The VAX on network 1 is
in a remote location while the DECserver is close to the network 2 DECserver.
We wired these DECservers "back-to-back" with some patch cables. Finally, the
network 2 DECserver ports are defined in PCM.

We intend to issue REPLYs from the network 1 VAX to an LTA port that points to
a port on the network 1 DECserver. The back-to-back arrangements then allow PCM
to pick up the text as usual.

Okay, now down to business:

We added a new system to our PCM configuration and reconfigged PCM as usual. So
far so good. Next, we issued a "VIEW system" command in PCM. This command
brought up a screen with a blank console data area: new system = blank area. So
far so good. Next I issue the REPLY command on the network 1 VAX. The text
successfully appears on the screen but does not seem to process any line feeds:
the two lines from the REPLY appear on top of each other.

I issue the reply command again, and the new text also arrives and overwrites
the previous text. Additional REPLYs have the same result: all the text appears
minus any line feeds.

At this point I view another system, then view this system again. All the text
is now properly formatted! I issue a REPLY and it appears normally, on multiple
lines. Now the display functions as expected

From my experiments I have found that:
	- The REPLYs will overwrite themselves if you start with a fresh (in my
	  case, newly added) system (I am not sure what happens if the data is
	  archived which also results in a blank screen).
	- The REPLYs will continue to overwrite themselves until enough have
	  been recieved to reach the bottom of the screen.
	- Leaving the screen then returning to it will cause PCM to behave
	  normally, provided enough text has been recieved to fill up one
	  screen.

This behaviour is puzzling. It appears to only occur when REPLYs are recieved;
I haven't noticed anything wrong when I have connected new console ports up to
PCM.

This is not a serious problem since all seems to function normally after the
first screen fills up. Also, all action routines are executed regardless of
screen appearance. Just thought you may want to know about it, though.
							....... Vern.

Vern,

  This is a known problem, we have it on our list of things to fix. Thanks
  for reminding us.

Cheers,
Phil