The Multics System, 1975

Honeywell The Multics System O 1975,1976,Honeywell Information Systems Inc. File No.:lLll

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A Unique Business Problem-SolvingTool

Here is a computer techniques are available to system that enables data all users automatically processing users to control through the Multics operating and distribute easily accessi- supervisor. ble computer power. The Because it is a unique Honeywell Multics System combination of advanced represents an advanced computing theory and out- approach to making the com- standing computer hardware, puter an integral, thoroughly Multics can provide an infor- reliable part of a company's mation service system more operation. advanced than any other yet The Multics System available. replaces many of the proce- Honeywell offers, as dures limiting conventional part of its advanced Series 60 systems and sweeps away line, two models for Multics - many of the factors that have the Model 68/60 and the restricted the application of Model 68/80. computers to routine data While contributing sig- processing assignments. nificantly to the application Now-with Multics - diversity of the Series 60 the computer becomes a family, these Multics systems responsive tool for solving also enable Honeywell to challenging business accommodate more efficiently problems. the computing needs of The Multics System today's businesses. incorporates many of the most user-oriented programming and supervisory techniques yet devised. These Multics is Transaction Processing -and More

Although Multics is by Ease of accessibility, design a transaction oriented, featuring a simple and con- interactive information sys- sistent user interface for all tem, its functional capability types of services. There is no encompasses the full spec- job control or command trum of a general purpose language to learn and an computer. Multics provides interactive tutorial facility is you with: available when needed. A wide range of services System management including transaction process- and control by a decentral- ing, interactive program ized concept. This includes development, time sharing the delegation of capabilities and batch processing, both for establishing resource and local and remote. usage quotas dynamically High volume capacity and adjusting resources as via multiprogramming and necessary - all online. multiprocessing with large, Data and moaram real memory capacity and integrity, as one of the funda- practically limitless virtual mental features of Multics. memory Unique multiple level security Very high systems capabilities are provided. availability via the dynamic Access to all procedures reconfiguration of processors and data is controlled by and memories. Multics also permission lists, which are provides the capabilities for managed by software and online software updating, enforced by hardware. online accounting and management as well as automatic file backup facilities.

Computer Power That's Easy to Use

Multics is easily needs of both large and small accessed through a conven- users, within wide limits and ient remote terminal. Because on demand. Multics was designed as a Bills each user only for complete remote access the amount of service received. system, it allows interactive Enables the manager to access to all system facilities. reconf igure hardware without As a powerful and service interruption in order to easily accessible system, handle peak workloads and Multics: maintain the system. Provides vastly improved Provides a highly reliable application designs and pro- system that offers maximum grammer productivity via a availability. wide range of interactive Computer users and programming languages experts have long felt that including PLII, COBOL, just such a system would be FORTRAN, BASIC and APL. the only way that computers All have powerful interactive could adequately serve the debugging aids. growing needs of business, Brings its users advanced science, education, and capabilities without the need government. After many years to know the detailed and of development and refine- evolving technology that ment, this idea has been makes the advances possible. implemented in the Multics Provides the required System. degree of service to meet the Consider some additional benefits that make Multics as powerful as it is manageable, as accessible as it is secure, as advanced as it is operational. Security and Privacy

Today there is a growing concern about the privacy of computer-based information. The Multics System incorporates the most advanced security features (both hardware and software) available. A manager of Multics can control and specify the type of access for each user. With a simple command, a file is made available for read- ing only, for execution, or for full access. File access is then enforced by the Multics ring structure hardware,an advanced form of protection that enhances file access control. The ring structure protects against intentional access by unauthorized personnel-and from unin- tentional access during debugging periods. The structure allows both the system and users multiple levels of access control. A personnel depart- Clearly, more than one ment might, for example, level of access is needed create individual files for all here. An authorized member employees including informa- of the personnel department tion on educational back- uses an interactive terminal to ground, professional qualifi- set the various access privi- cations, job classification, job leges for potential users of the experience, salary. Personnel information. Direct read and realizes that the data for each write permissions can be employee is sensitive and granted to authorized per- wants to restrict access of sonnel, while others can any individual file to author- access the data only through ized employees only. special summarization pro- On the other hand, various grams that do not reveal administrative and personnel individual records. Further- development groups want more, these special programs access to information such can be used, but not altered, as the overall educational without additional authorization. level of company employees Individual privacy is or the total salary figure. protected by software and hardware implementation of the controls that were pre- selected, while general information still can be used effectively by various parts of the company.

- Multics User Dynamic I- Interface Reconf iguration of Hardware Modules

The command lan- Dynamic reconfigura- guage that converses with tion lets the manager of the the computer is simple and Multics System add hardware easy to use. Tasks are modules to the system to described in straight-forward meet peak workloads, and terms. If the system needs remove modules for preven- more information, a compu- tive maintenance while provid- ter routine asks for it in ing uninterrupted service. ordinary English. The Multics System is For advanced pro- designed to evolve with the grammers, Multics provides needs of its users. Additional language processors for PLII, hardware modules can be FORTRAN, BASIC, COBOL, added to the system as user and APL, for maximum effi- demand increases. Multics ciency no matter what the can support one or more application. processors, memory modules, Simple as well as and secondary storage units sophisticated text editors without change to the system provide for efficient, conver- software. sational correction and modi- Hardware modularity fication of online data. also encourages technologi- Most important, users cal advancement. When don't have to be experts to improvements are made to use the system effectively any of the modules, the new and profitably. module may be substituted for the old without replacing the entire system or converting user programs.

Multics Virtual Memory

Multics virtual memory The actual movement allows the controlled sharing of this information from the of information among the main memory back and forth system's users and provides to secondary storage is com- for more efficient use of the pletely automatic. Programs resources available. and data are transferred The virtual memory and (or "paged") through main access control mechanisms of memory. Only the currently Multics make it possible to active "pages1'need to be in share programs and data by main memory, with the Multics organizing information into System fetching additional segments. "pages" as required. The segment is the The majority of seg- basic unit of information ments on the system (for sharing; it can contain pro- example, the operating super- grams or data, or it can be a visor, compilers, library directory cataloging other routines, and user procedure segments. Segments and segments) are pure pro- their directories are organized cedure (instructions and into a single tree-structured constants). Only one copy of hierarchy, which stores the a pure procedure segment system software, the adminis- is needed in main memory, trative and accounting infor- no matter how many users mation, and user data and are executing it. With only one programs. copy required, the amount of data transfer is greatly reduced and main memory is more efficiently utilized. User Multics- Productivity Is It for You?

The easy access of the The Honeywell Multics Multics System is designed to System can help you improve increase productivity. The information management and system makes advanced pro- apply new and advanced gramming and supervisory techniques to your business. techniques available to all Multics makes online trans- users automatically through action processing practical the Multics operating for a wide variety of industries supervisor. and applications. Relieved of the tradi- When your business tional burdens of extensive requires quick response with inputJoutput programming, up-to-the-minute data, Multics memory overlays, chaining, is the most efficient system to etc., the user is free to con- meet that requirement. centrate on problem-solving Many executives are rather than on learning com- already convinced. You can puter procedures. Thus the learn more by calling your user decreases problem-to- Honeywell representative solution time and increases today. creative time.

central central processor processor

system system system contry 1 1 control control unit unit unit 1

DATANET console IOM 6600 FNP

terminals

magnetic unit , tape ZZge record 1 processor 1 1 processor 1 processor

A typical Multics configuration

Honeywell

Honeywell Information Systems In the U.S.A.: 200 Smith Street, MS 486, Waltham, Massachusetts 021 54 In Canada: 2025 Sheppard Avenue East, Willowdale, Ontario M2J 1W5 In Mexico: Avenida Nuevo Leon 250, Mexico 11, D.F. 14843,2276, Pr~ntedm U.S.A.