> That generates an interrupt in the host, and then the host issues a
read.
> 
> This kind of approach, where the terminal generates an interrupt for
> each key-press, wouldn't be so expensive. 

I beg to differ. I/O interrupts on a 390 are *unbelievably* expensive if
the amount of data transferred is one byte. A LOT of stuff happens --
everything in the architecture is designed to minimize that happening.
You'd have to have a continuously running channel program to make this
only painful rather than impossibly so. Cf the history of the original
BusTech network adapter and the Lippke driver for it -- the same
physical hardware was literally almost 5 times faster if you didn't use
the 8232 I/O model but a continuous channel program. 

> This would require a local controller; perhaps a channel-attached
> netvista would do,

We'd need a inexpensive channel adapter first. Not simple or easy. We
also can do it in software, which would be much more attractive. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions,
send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit
http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390

Reply via email to