CONS(4) | Device Drivers Manual (vax) | CONS(4)

# NAME

`cons` —
VAX-11 console interface

# DESCRIPTION

The console is available to the processor through the console registers. It acts like a normal terminal, except that when the local functions are not disabled, `^P` (control-P) puts the console in local console mode (where the prompt is ‘`>>>`’). The operation of the console in this mode varies slightly per-processor.

## VAX-11/780 or 785

On either the VAX-11/780 or 785 the following commands may be used after placing the console in local mode with `^P`.

`c`
`continue`
  Re-enter conversational mode if the processor was halted.

`h`
`halt`
  Halt the CPU. On an 11/780 or 785 the processor is not stopped by entering local console mode.

`set t p`
  (set terminal program) Re-enter conversational mode if the processor is still running.

`P`
  (proceed) Get out of ODT mode.

`<break>`
  If you hit the break key on the console, then the console LSI-11 will go into ODT (console debugger mode).

## VAX-11/750 or 11/730

On an 11/750 or an 11/730 the processor is halted whenever the console is not in conversational mode.

`C`
  Return to conversational mode.

`ret`
  Return from remote diagnosis mode to local console mode.

`^D`
  (11/750 only) When in console mode on an 11/750 which has a remote diagnosis module, a `^D` will put you in remote diagnosis mode, where the prompt will be ‘`RDM>`’.

## VAX-8600 or 8650

The VAX-8600 (8650) console normally works in the same way as the 11/750, except that there are many additional modes and commands.

`c`
`continue`
  Return to conversational mode.

`halt`
  Halt the processor if HEX debug enabled.

`p`
  Halt the processor if in normal mode.

With the above proviso's the console works like any other UNIX terminal.

# FILES

/dev/console

# SEE ALSO

tty(4), reboot(8)

VAX Hardware Handbook.

# HISTORY

The `cons` interface appeared in 4.0BSD.

June 5, 1993 | NetBSD 10.0