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MP/M

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"Network I/O System" redirects here. For the Network Basic Input/Output System, seeNetBIOS.

MP/M
DeveloperDigital Research, Inc./Tom Rolander,[1][2][3][4]Gary Kildall,Frank Holsworth[5][6]
OS familyCP/M
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelOriginallyclosed source,sinceopen sourced
Initial release1979;45 years ago(1979)[7][8]
Latest release2.1 / 1982;42 years ago(1982)
Available inEnglish
Platforms8080,8085,Z80,8086,80286
KerneltypeMonolithic kernel
Default
user interface		Command-line interface
LicenseOriginallyproprietary,nowBSD-like
Preceded byCP/M,CP/M-86
Succeeded byConcurrent CP/M,Concurrent CP/M-86
Official websitewww.cpm.z80.de

MP/M(Multi-Programming Monitor Control Program[8]) is a discontinued multi-user version of theCP/Moperating system,created byDigital ResearchdeveloperTom Rolanderin 1979.[1][7][8][9][2][3][4]It allowed multiple users to connect to a single computer, each using a separateterminal.

MP/M was a fairly advanced operating system for its era, at least onmicrocomputers.It included a priority-scheduledmultitaskingkernel(before such a name was used, the kernel was referred to as thenucleus) with memory protection, concurrentinput/output(XIOS) and support for spooling and queueing. It also allowed for each user to run multiple programs, and switch between them.

MP/M platforms

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MP/M-80

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The 8-bit system required a8080(orZ80) CPU and a minimum of 32KBofRAMto run, but this left little memory for user applications. In order to support reasonable setups, MP/M allowed for memory to be switched in and out of the machine's "real memory" area. So for instance a program might be loaded into a "bank" of RAM that was not addressable by theCPU,and when it was time for the program to run that bank of RAM would be "switched" to appear in low memory (typically the lower 32 or 48 KB) and thus become visible to the OS. This technique, known asbank switchingwas subsequently added to the single user version of CP/M with version 3.0.

One of the primary uses of MP/M, perhaps to the surprise of DRI, was as a "power user" version of CP/M for a single user. The ability to run several programs at the same time and address large amounts of memory made the system worth the extra price.

MP/M II 2.0added file sharing capabilities in 1981,[10][11][12]MP/M II 2.1came with extended file locking in January 1982.[10]

Versions:

  • MP/M 1.0 (1979)[13]
  • MP/M 1.1[10](January 1980)
  • MP/M II 2.0 (July 1981,[11][12]added: file sharing)[10]
  • MP/M II 2.1 (January 1982, added: extended file locking)[10]

MP/M-86

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Like CP/M, MP/M was eventually ported to the 16-bitIntel 8086,and appeared asMP/M-86 2.0in September 1981.[14][15][16]Main developers of the system include Francis "Frank" R. Holsworth,[5][6]later a director of marketing at Digital Research. Known revisions of MP/M-86 2.0 were dated 25 September 1981 and 5 October 1981. There also was anMP/M-86 2.1dated 20 July 1982.[17]

MP/M-86 2.1 absorbed some of the technology ofCP/M-86 1.1(BDOS 2.2) to becomeConcurrent CP/M-863.0[nb 1](BDOS 3.0) in late 1982,[18]which also added support for "virtual screens".[18]Kathryn Strutynski,the project manager for CP/M-86, continued as project manager for Concurrent CP/M-86. In December 1983,[19]a DOS emulator namedPC-MODEbecame available as an optional module for Concurrent CP/M-86 3.1 (BDOS 3.1), shipping on 21 February 1984,[20]and the system was further developed into theMS-DOScompatibleConcurrent DOS(BDOS 3.1 and higher).[21]This in turn continued to evolve intoFlexOSandMultiuser DOSand as such is still in use in some industrial applications.

See also:Concurrent CP/M-86andConcurrent DOS

MP/M 8-16

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MP/M 8-16(sometimes also referred to asMP/M-8/16[18]) wasCompuPro's name for a combination of the multi-user 16-bit MP/M-86 to perform single-user, single-stream CP/M functions, along with multi-user, multi-tasking 8-bit MP/M operations[18]running on themulti-processorCompuPro System 816[sr].[22]Later on, this system was also able to runConcurrent DOS 3.1.

See also:CP/M 8-16,CP/M-86/80,andConcurrent CP/M-86/80

MP/M-286

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In 1982, Digital Research announced plans to developMP/M-286to take advantage of the 16-bitIntel 80286's new memory management and protection features to run existing MP/M-86 and CP/M-86 applications.[23]This was apparently never published "as is", but was further developed intoConcurrent CP/M-286,[24]which seems to have formed the basis for the laterConcurrent DOS 286in 1985[24]andFlexOS 286in 1986.

See also:Concurrent CP/M-286andConcurrent DOS 286

Commands

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The following list ofcommandsare supported by the MP/M II Console Command Processor CCP:[25]

  • ABORT
  • ATTACH
  • ASM
  • CONSOLE
  • DDT
  • DIR
  • DSKRESET
  • DUMP
  • ED
  • ERA
  • ERAQ
  • GENHEX
  • GENMOD
  • GENSYS
  • LIB
  • LINK
  • LOAD
  • MPMLDR
  • MPMSTAT
  • PIP
  • PRINTER
  • PRLCOM
  • RDT
  • REN
  • RMAC
  • SCHED
  • SDIR
  • SET
  • SHOW
  • SPOOL
  • STAT
  • STOPSPL
  • SUBMIT
  • TOD
  • TYPE
  • USER
  • XREF

CP/NET, CP/NOS, MP/NET and MP/NOS

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In the early 1980s Digital Research also developed networking software named CP/NET used to connect an MP/M server with multiple CP/NET clients (named requesters) running CP/M.[26]It was originally developed by Tom Rolander.[2]

MP/NET was an MP/M system with networking allowing the MP/M system to function as both requester and server with CP/M requesters.[26]

The CP/NET clients could also be run in a diskless configuration with the system stored in ROM, then named CP/NOS (with NOS for Network Operating System). Similar, MP/NOS contained MP/M without local disk facilities. Like CP/NOS, MP/NOS performed the disk functions through the network.[26]

The system allowed to share files and printers and send electronic messages.

  • NIOS – Network I/O System[27]
  • SNIOS – Slave Network I/O System[27]
  • NDOS – Network Disk Operating System[27]

CP/NET existed in versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 in versions for 8080 and Z80 processors. CP/NET-86 for 8086 was available as well.

Later incarnations wereDR NetandFlexNet.

Legacy

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Calderapermitted the redistribution and modification of all original Digital Research files, including source code, related to the CP/M and MP/M families throughTim Olmstead's "The Unofficial CP/M Web site" since 1997.[28][29][30]After Olmstead's death on 12 September 2001,[31]the free distribution license was refreshed and expanded byLineo,who had meanwhile become the owner of those Digital Research assets, on 19 October 2001.[32][33][34][35]

Notes

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  1. ^Since there was apparently no 8-bit version of Concurrent CP/M, the 16-bit version Concurrent CP/M-86 was also referred to simply as Concurrent CP/M.[clarification needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ab"Catalog Search | Computer History Museum".Information Technology Corporate Histories Collection.Computer History Museum.
  2. ^abc"IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Computing - CP/M - Microcomputer Operating System, 1974"(PDF).Computer History Museum.2014-04-25.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2019-04-03.Retrieved2019-04-03.
  3. ^abShustek, Len (2016-08-02)."In His Own Words: Gary Kildall".Remarkable People.Computer History Museum.
  4. ^abKildall, Gary Arlen(2016-08-02) [1993].Kildall, Scott;Kildall, Kristin (eds.).Computer Connections: People, Places, and Events in the Evolution of the Personal Computer Industry(Manuscript, part 1). Kildall Family.Retrieved2016-11-17.
  5. ^abWein, Josef "Joe" (2002)."Gary Kildall in England".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-04-03.Retrieved2019-04-03.
  6. ^abHolsworth, Francis "Frank" R. (2006-02-01)."Video: Frank Holsworth, developer"(interview). Information Technology Corporate Histories Collection.Computer History Museum.CHM Catalog Number102770341.ITCHP 44403c1a3fd53. Lot Number X7847.2017.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-04-03.Retrieved2019-04-04.
  7. ^abDigital Research(July 1981) [1979].MP/M - Multi-Programming Monitor Control Program - User's Guide(PDF)(4 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  8. ^abcDigital Research(1979-08-09)."MP/M 1.0 - A Multi-Programming Monitor Control Program for Microcomputer System Development - FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION"(PDF)(internal specification).Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  9. ^Evans, Harold;Buckland, Gail;Lefer, David(2004).They Made America: From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine: Two Centuries of Innovators.Little, Brown and Co.ISBN978-0-316-27766-2.
  10. ^abcdeDigital Research(January 1982),MP/M II Operating System Release 2.1 Release Notes,Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research,retrieved2017-01-04[1][2]
  11. ^abDigital Research(August 1981).MP/M II Operating System - User's Guide(PDF)(1 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  12. ^abDigital Research(1981).MP/M II Operating System - Programmer's Guide(PDF)(1 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  13. ^Digital Research(March 1981) [1979].MP/M - Multi-Programming Monitor Control Program - User's Guide(PDF)(3 ed.).Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  14. ^Digital Research(October 1981) [September 1981].MP/M-86 Operating System - System Guide(PDF)(corrected 1st ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  15. ^Digital Research(1981-09-25).MP/M-86 Operating System - User's Guide(PDF)(1 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  16. ^Digital Research(September 1981).MP/M-86 Operating System - Programmer's Guide(PDF)(1 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  17. ^"MP/M-86 2.1 disk contents".Retrieved2020-01-07.
  18. ^abcdKildall, Gary Arlen(1982-09-16)."Running 8-bit software on dual-processor computers"(PDF).Electronic Design:157.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-08-19.Retrieved2017-08-19.
  19. ^Digital Research(1984)."PC-Mode bridges CP/M and PC DOS".Digital Dialogue - Employee Newsletter of Digital Research Inc.3(1): 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-03.
  20. ^Digital Research(1984)."Concurrent CP/M ships early in response to team effort".Digital Dialogue - Employee Newsletter of Digital Research Inc.3(1): 1.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-01-04.Retrieved2017-01-04.
  21. ^Digital Research(May 1984). "Concurrent DOS bridges PC DOS, CP/M".Digital Research News - for Digital Research Users Everywhere.4(2): 3.[…] "Concurrent DOS Release 3.1 is rapidly gaining momentum and support from a wide range of microcomputer manufacturers," Wandryk said. "Some 60 hardware companies have licensed the product since it was released in early March." […]
  22. ^"Compupro 8/16".oldcomputers.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-01-03.Retrieved2011-07-13.
  23. ^Swaine, Michael(1982-04-05)."Homebrew Computer Club views Intel's superchip".InfoWorld.4(13). Palo Alto, CA, USA: 4.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-01-07.Retrieved2020-01-07.[…]Digital Researchis producing an operating system for the286.MP/M-286 will take advantage of the processor's memory management and protection and virtual memory support. Digital Research is promising "complete" compatibility with its MP/M-86 andCP/M-86for the8086processor.Intelis supplying Digital Research with the hardware to develop and test MP/M-286. […]
  24. ^abBidmead, Christopher H.(2006-05-09) [1985-03-25]."Surviving Big Blue".Doctor Who.Which Computer?.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-01-07.Retrieved2020-01-07.[…] Paul Bailey ofDigital Researchkeenly promotes this approach; it is his company that is supplyingICLand others withConcurrent Dos-286.This chameleon operating system allows ICL and other80286manufacturers to build machines that will be able to cope with all the existing body of IBM-PC software -- and at the same time promise multi-tasking, windowing and true concurrency, three features that together allow a single micro to do several things at once. […] Although no firm announcements have been made, it seems certain that by the end of the yearACTwill be offering aConcurrent CP/M 286machine to fuel its drive into the corporate market. But by this time it will have to contend withIBM's own 80286 office micro, the PC/AT. […] IBM also have a software product in the offing that could pull the rug out from under the Concurrent contenders. Some 180K in size,TopViewis a program for IBM PC's and AT's that beefs up the operating system to provide windowing facilities for existing 'well behaved' standard packages. […]
  25. ^Digital Research(August 1982).MP/M II Operating System - User's Guide(PDF)(2 ed.). Pacific Grove, CA, USA:Digital Research.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2019-10-20.Retrieved2020-01-02.
  26. ^abcKildall, Gary Arlen(June 1981)."CP/M: A Family of 8-and 16-Bit Operating Systems".BYTE.Retrieved2018-09-09.
  27. ^abcCP/NET - Network Operating System - Reference Manual(5 ed.).Digital Research.November 1982 [1980].Archivedfrom the original on 2016-11-24.Retrieved2016-11-25.
  28. ^Olmstead, Tim(1997-08-10)."CP/M Web site needs a host".Newsgroup:comp.os.cpm.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-09-01.Retrieved2018-09-09.
  29. ^Olmstead, Tim(1997-08-29)."ANNOUNCE: Caldera CP/M site is now up".Newsgroup:comp.os.cpm.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-09-01.Retrieved2018-09-09.[3]
  30. ^"License Agreement".Caldera, Inc.1997-08-28. Archived from the original on 2018-09-08.Retrieved2018-09-09.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)[4][permanent dead link][5][permanent dead link]
  31. ^Allison (2001-09-12)."Tim Olmstead".Newsgroup:comp.os.cpm.
  32. ^Sparks, Bryan Wayne(2001-10-19). Chaudry, Gabriele "Gaby" (ed.)."License agreement for the CP/M material presented on this site".Lineo, Inc.Archived from the original on 2018-09-08.Retrieved2018-09-09.[…] Let this email represent a right to use, distribute, modify, enhance and otherwise make available in a nonexclusive manner the CP/M technology as part of the "Unofficial CP/M Web Site" with its maintainers, developers and community. I further state that as Chairman and CEO ofLineo, Inc.that I have the right to do offer such a license. […]Bryan Sparks[…]{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  33. ^Chaudry, Gabriele "Gaby" (ed.)."The Unofficial CP/M Web Site".Archivedfrom the original on 2016-02-03.
  34. ^Gasperson, Tina (2001-11-26)."CP/M collection is back online with an Open Source licence - Walk down memory lane".The Register.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-09-01.
  35. ^Swaine, Michael(2004-06-01)."CP/M and DRM".Dr. Dobb's Journal.29(6).CMP Media LLC:71–73. #361. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-09-09.Retrieved2018-09-09.[6]
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