The use of a front-end minicomputer to provide varied remote terminal access to a large scale computer is considered. The problems of embedding telecommunications I/O within an operating system are discussed, and it is shown how the decentralization of intelligence acquired by front-end processing vastly simplifies the problem. A specific implementation is discussed with emphasis on the main processor-minicomputer link, the hardware-software implementation, the effect on the main processor operating system, and an assessment of the advantages over a hardwired line controller.
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