Getting Started

All the files you need are  HERE. The LASTC.UB file is for your console machine and the LASTN1.UB and LASTN2.UB files are for nodes 1 and 2 respectively.

FINDPORT.EXE is to help you determine the 3 digit decimal code for the parallel port of  each of your machines. Type that number into line 50 of the program for that machine. Example:    50   Base%=888  FINDPORT will also give you the codes for LPT2 and LPT3 if needed.

 

From DOS install and run UBASIC in both machines:

a:\>ubibm32 [enter]

Load the program files LASTC, LASTN1, LASTN2 on the machines you chose for console node 1, and node 2.

A few notes on the program are in order:

    Line 20.  16 is for console, 17 for node 1, 18 for node 2 etc.

    Line 50.  Decimal 888 is used by most PCs, but 956 is for my Thinkpads. 632 is the third possibility for port 1.

Connect the cable to the parallel port of each machine. Tell the nodes to "RUN". At the top of the screen you should see:  Node 1 online

Tell the console to "RUN". You should see  

Testing ring...
Ring continuity and wiring bit test OK.

Press any key to continue.

If you made a wiring error when you built your cable, it will tell you. 

If one or more machines has a malfuntioning port, it will tell you.

 

Press a key. You should see:

Roll call

Node 1 is on line
Node 2 is on line

There are two nodes on line.

Press any key to process.

A node about numbering the nodes is. Nodes can be in any order, numbers can be skipped, but there can NOT be two nodes with the same number.

Press a key. The nodes will briefly say Working then Node 1 finished.

The console will print.

From console: 2+2=4
From node 1: 1.23456789
From node 2: 9.87654321

OK

 

Congratulations! It works.

OOPS!: check line 50 to make sure that is has the decimal code for the port on that machine. Most PCs use 888.

Double check your wiring on the connection cable.

If you have a newer machine with an "enhanced port" the code I have supplied may not work on that machine.

This is the absolute simplest of clustering examples. Much more could be done to increase functionality.