-< Version 2.1 release >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 2.1 of the RPC software is now available for VMS. The files
for installation on VAXes other than VXCERN are in the save set

	VXCERN::DISK$D1:[RPC.DISTRIBUTION_KIT]RPC_VMS021.A

which includes the compiler, runtime library for VMS, help files
and release notes. The file SETUP.COM (also in the save set) should
be run at login time by users wishing to use the RPC system.

On VXCERN, users with @disk$d1:[rpc]rpc in their login files will
automatically be switched to V2.1 shortly.

A copy of the release notes for V2.1 follows.
_____________________________________________________________________________

	Release 2.1 of CERN/DD's Remote Procedure Call system
	-----------------------------------------------------

These release notes accompany a VMS distribution of the RPC system from
CERN/DD Online Group. This installation kit covers the RPC compiler
(RPCC) and the VAX/VMS Run Time Support system.  The Run Time Support systems
for other environments, and utilities provided for managing distributed
systems, are available separately.

The software is not currently completely self-installing with VMS-install, as
there are some symbols which need to be defined at login time.  The file
SETUP.COM should therefore be run at login time. This will work even if the
software has not been INSTALled, but the files have simply been copied. It may
be run from the system or the user login command file. 

Version 2.1 is a minor upgrade over version 2.0.  A summary of the principal
changes follows: details are in the user manual. (Differences between version
2.0 and earlier versions are listed in the VAX/NOTES scheme VXCERN::RPC). 

		--------   Differences from Version 2.0 -------

VAX/VMS Interface

1.	Using ethernet now requires less BYTLIM quota for the process

2.	The FIRST error reported (by rpc_report_error) causes an image
	to $EXIT (supressing further consequential errors, which have
	been known to confuse people).

3.	The error of making an RPC address too long (more than 40 chars)
	used not to be properly caught. The error is now caught, the
	the message being "%SYSTEM-E-BUFFEROVF, output buffer overflow."
	A suitable cure is discussed in the VAX/NOTES conference, and
	described in the manual.

4.	The RPCC command now no longer requires spaces separating the
	qualifiers under VMS


5.	The Code (written by I.Martinez/Delphi) for operation over
	ISO Transport protocols has been incorporated (but not fully
	tested). This makes the library significantly larger than before,
	but should not affect operation over other communications protocols.

Protocol over Raw Ethernet/Cheapernet
 
	Operation over raw ethernet now includes a simple protocol for recovery
	from lost or corrupted packets. The first request of a session is
	performed at least once, and further requests are performed exactly
	once.  (The protocol uses retry on timeout and packet sequence
	numbering. The initial retry time is 100ms, with exponential backoff
	to an eventual retry time of 10s, which is kept up indefinitely
	or until a user-specified total timeout has elapsed).

	Version 2.1 systems will interwork with earlier versions, but without
	the benefit of the protocol.

Use with C language 
 
	The RPC system has been extended to operate in C langauge.
	This includes generation of stubs in C, and the compiler 
	options /BYVALUE and /GENERICC. The additions to the compiler
	command are described in Chapter 4 of the user manual. 

	The include file rpcheader.h for the compilation of stubs in C is
	provided in this release. 

Extra parameter in RPC_Accept 
 
	Programs that use RPC_Accept should be modified to include a 
	final parameter TIMEOUT. A value of -1 will reproduce the previous
	behavior.

Stub Version Numbers 
 
	The run-time system checks that compatable stubs are being
	used. 
 
		------------    More Information     -----------

	The details of how to use the RPC system are in the RPC User 
	Manual.	At CERN, if you have an account on the CERNVM machine,
	you can get a copy with the the command (under VM/CMS) 

		DOCPRINT RPC USER RPCUSER (XSCRIPT

	The text is available on DECNET in flat form as 

		CERNVM::CMS:[ONLINE.210]RPCUSER.HELPMANU

	or in script form as 
 
		CERNVM::CMS:[ONLINE.210]RPCUSER.SCRIPT 
 
	On-line help:
 
		VMS help files are included in this release. (HELP RPC)
 
	VAX/NOTES Conference:
 
		For up to date release information, bug reports and user
		feedback, see the VAX/NOTES conference VXCERN::RPC.

	Electronic Mail:
 
		Please send any suggestions, comments or problems by mail to 
 		VXCERN::TIMBL (or put them into the NOTES conference 
		if they may be of general interest)
 
	Internals:

		An Implementation Guide is available to those 
		interested in porting the system to new environments. Mail 
		VXCERN::TIMBL if you would like a copy.