Date   : Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:09:28 +0100
From   : rick@... (Rick Murray)
Subject: L3 server versions

Andy Ford wrote:

> Basically just interested to know what was fixed / changed really ? :)

Ditto for the FileStore firmware!

All I've determined, apart from slightly differing NFS code, is that the 
latest I've seen (v1.40.00):
   * Starts up a *LOT* faster, I think it doesn't spend so long
     waiting for discs to spin up (or maybe it doesn't wait if
     it doesn't see a harddisc?).

   * Fails when my FSUtil pokes code into some space marked as
     being unused, thus it obviously no longer is...

   * When running on my emulator, the older versions get to a point where
     the front MODE light blinks. This is when the MOS crashes (and I
     suspect an issue in the 6502 emulation). With the v1.40 firmware,
     the hardware access report looks almost as if it just keeps
     restarting itself over and over.

Asides from that, I cannot say. Apparently the E01 read its NetID from 
the VIA and it used the VIA to tell if the door was open or closed. This 
going by the description and schematic in the service guide. Only... 
um... I know of two E01 servers that are E01S-like inside (other VIA 
port unused, and door read by memory-addressed latch). Not only that, 
there's apparently another 'switch' inside, no idea what it is for. It's 
not present on the E01S, but could explain why the front door status is 
on bit *SIX*.
Additionally, I've yet to see a version of the E01 firmware with the 
original Level3-like commands. I thought, and the docs imply, that only 
the E01S used commands with FS prefixes (*FSUser, *FSStation, 
*FSWhatever...), but this does not appear to be so.

You can see a list of FileStore firmware I know about at:
   http://www.heyrick.co.uk/econet/fs/emulator.html#img
It's not a very big list.

If you can add to it, please mail me EPROM dumps asap!

Also, like Andy asked, if you know what changed...?


Best wishes,

Rick.


PS: Just musing - I wonder if various Level3 and FileStore versions 
worked in tandem, like if a bug was fixed in L3, the FS would be updated 
likewise? Sadly in those days all we got was a version number and a 
year, no 'better' date!

-- 
Rick Murray, eeePC901 & ADSL WiFI'd into it, all ETLAs!
BBC B: DNFS, 2 x 5.25" floppies, EPROM prog, Acorn TTX
E01S FileStore, A3000/A5000/RiscPC/various PCs/blahblah...