Preface

Network InterProcess Communication (NetIPC) is a set of programmatic calls that can be used to exchange data between peer-to-peer processes on the same or different nodes in an Hewlett-Packard NS network. Any process can initiate communication, and any process can send or receive messages by means of common intrinsics. NetIPC 3000/XL is a version of NetIPC that can be used in programs written for MPE XL based computer systems.

NetIPC provides programmatic access to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which is the Transport-Layer protocol used by NS 3000/XL link products.

NetIPC 3000/XL is provided with the purchase of any NS 3000/XL link product. With the purchase of the X.25 XL System Access link product, NetIPC access to TCP (level 4) and X.25 (level 3) is provided.

Intended Audience of this Manual

In order for you to use NetIPC, you should be familiar with MPE XL, the operating system on which NetIPC 3000/XL can be used. You should also be familiar with the TCP protocol and a high-level language such as Pascal.

If you are using direct access to level 3 (X.25), you should be familiar with the X.25 protocol and the HP 3000 products that provide X.25 network communication.

Organization of the Manual

Following is a summary of how this manual is organized:

Chapter 1 “NetIPC Fundamentals” explains how to establish connections, send and receive data over connections, and shutdown connections between processes using NetIPC TCP access or X.25 level 3. This chapter also introduces some of the NetIPC calls.
Chapter 2 “Cross-System NetIPC” describes what NetIPC calls need to be considered for a cross-system application (using TCP access) between an HP 3000 Series 900 and either an HP 1000, HP 9000, or personal computer.
Chapter 3 “NetIPC Intrinsics” provides a detailed description of each NetIPC intrinsic, in alphabetical order. This chapter also explains programming considerations, syntax, and the structure and function of several parameters that are common to multiple NetIPC intrinsics.
Chapter 4 “NetIPC Examples” provides sample programs using NetIPC intrinsics for peer-to-peer process communication for both TCP access and X.25 level 3 access.
Appendix A “IPC Interpreter (IPCINT)” describes how to use the IPCINT software utility which provides an interactive interface to the NetIPC intrinsics used for programmatic access to X.25 level 3.
Appendix B “Cause and Diagnostic Codes” lists the possible cause and diagnostic codes generated by NS X.25 packets.
Appendix C “Error Messages” includes a list of SOCKERRs and the corresponding protocol module errors returned in the IPCCHECK intrinsic, and provides a table of NetIPC errors (SOCKERRs) returned in the result parameter of the NetIPC intrinsics.
Appendix D “Migration From PTOP to NetIPC and RPM” explains how to translate programs written in the Program-to-Program communication service to NetIPC and RPM.
Appendix E “C Program Language Considerations” describes program language differences that affect how NetIPC intrinsics are used in programs written in C programming language.

Related Publications

The following publications contain additional information that can assist you in using NetIPC.

NS 3000/XL

Using NS 3000/XL Network Services Manual
NS 3000/XL Error Messages Reference Manual
NS 3000/XL Configuration, Planning and Design Guide
NS 3000/XL NMMGR Screens Reference Manual
NS Cross-System NFT Reference Manual
NS Cross-System Network Manager Reference Manual

X.25 Networking

X.25 XL System Access Configuration Guide
Using the OpenView DTC Manager

MPE XL

MPE XL Commands Reference Manual
MPE XL Intrinsics Reference Manual
HP PASCAL Reference Manual
HP COBOL II/XL Reference Manual
FORTRAN 77/XL Reference Manual Supplement

Preface

Technical documentation

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