plato:cybisr2:changing_sid_and_rid

Changing System and Routing ID

Abstract

In the article 2 - New System Installation Procedures, the RID (Routing Identifier) and SID (System Identifier) are provided by CDC. In the hobbyist configurations, there is no such central authority so Retro1.Org has created its own registry of known RID and SID records and catalogs them in the Reserved RID List. Contact a Retro1.Org consultant to register your own Identifiers.

This guide is a living document and will change as new information is verified over time.

The SID and RID may be found in one of two places:

  • The text file configx under user number o25.
  • The text file config loaded onto the deadstart tape.

Note

There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these locations. The installation will need to decide which is best for their particular needs. Because the behavior of the PLATO system is tightly coupled to these identifiers, these articles assume that the SID and RID are contained within the deadstart file config.

The Routing IDentifier is relevant when PLATO is networked to other systems. It may seem irrelevant to the hobbyist with a stand alone system (and for the most part, is irrelevant) but as hobbyists learn about the networking capabilities, greater interest has arisen in “how to do networking” as a component of conservation.

The installation manual advises against changing the RID once a system has been installed, but because it's necessary to change the RID for networked systems, we outline the considerations and requirements for making the change to your own system.

The RID is embedded in many places within the PLATO filesystem. The following is a list of the known locations in which the RID plays a significant role:

  • The network system table (configured by system lesson s0netsys)
    • the common manipulated by this lesson is located in system lesson sysfile, common block link.
    • throughout the system lesson code, the RID may be retrieved using the system function sys(homenam) and the SID may be retrieved using the system variable zsystem.
  • Various types of access list type blocks.
  • Various other system (and some application) common type blocks.
  • Lesson 0cacom common cacw (Courseware Access Controls)
  • authors / authorsys Namesets B0rid[a-z] in account s0files

The System IDentifier is relevant in a variety of locations as it is the “friendly” name of the system. Lesson PLATO (and MANY other system and non-system lessons) uses it to deliver a site-specific experience. As with the RID it may seem irrelevant to the hobbyist with a stand alone system (and for the most part, is irrelevant) but as hobbyists learn about the system lessons, the deeper understanding is needed.

The installation manual advises against changing the SID once a system has been installed, but because it's necessary to change the SID for networked systems, we outline the considerations and requirements for making the change to your own system.

The SID is embedded in many places within the PLATO filesystem. The following is a list of the known locations in which the SID plays a significant role:

  • Lesson PLATO (the signon system)
    • conditional code is executed based on the SID.
    • throughout the system lesson code, the RID may be retrieved using the system function sys(homenam) and the SID may be retrieved using the system variable zsystem.

BACKUP!

Failing to perform these steps accurately can render the system unusable.

Tip

All of the following steps are performed on a running CYBIS system and there must be NO other users active during this process to reduce the risk of interruption or loss of their work.

  1. Execute lesson s0netsys:

    Network System Table Management a. Display the system table. b. Add a new system to the table. c. Delete a system from the table. d. Inspect or change a table entry. e. Update the EM copy of the system table. (Note: this must be done to put any changes you make into immediate use). Press the key for the desired option. Press BACK to leave

  2. Choose option b. Add a new system to the table.:

    Enter the system name to add ⪢ If you are using charge numbers to record link usage, you must add a project number for this new system. The project number is the same as the routing ID you specify. See the installation guide for more details. Press BACK for the index

  3. Enter the SID for the new system:

    a. Directly connected by PCN link b. Indirectly connected through a PCN link c. Directly connected by 2550 link d. Indirectly connected through a 2550 link e. Directly connected by Internet f. Indirectly connected through Internet g. Not linked to this system. Press a key for the correct link path to this system HELP available

  4. For this first step, we are only adding the system to the system table. Choose option g. Not linked to this system.
  5. In the System Information Editor:

    System Information Editor System: retro1z 1. Routing Identifier 2. Network type: Not linked * These options can be set only on linked systems. * a. Status of link with this system off * b. Send files to this system off * c. Receive files from this system off * d. Send pnotes to this system off * e. Receive pnotes from this system off * f. Send gnotes to this system off * g. Receive gnotes from this system off h. "authors" database availability off SHIFT-NEXT for next system -- SHIFT-BACK for previous system

    select option 1. Routing Identifier
    and enter the routing identifier for the system as assigned to you.

    In this case we will use the developer RID of r1z.
    Then choose option h. “authors” database availability and toggle the value to on.

  6. Commit the changes to the running system by pressing BACK to return to the Network System Table Management display.

    Select option e. Update the EM copy of the system table..

    You will then be presented with a confirmation display:

    Press SHIFT-HELP to copy the system table to extended memory.

    Press SHIFT-HELP.

  7. Select option a. Display the system table.:

    CYBIS Network System List System RID Network path cerl ill Not linked cybdev oka Directly connected by PCN dpfo flk Not linked fsu fsu Not linked hawaii haa Not linked huachuc aza Not linked huntsvl ala Not linked kth swc Not linked nova big Not linked pca pca Not linked pdev a02 Not linked retro1z r1z Not linked Note: New System! unidel dl1 Not linked vab vab Not linked Press NEXT for the index

Success

You have completed the first step and may now proceed to System Lessons

  • plato/cybisr2/changing_sid_and_rid.txt
  • Last modified: 2026/02/15 12:46
  • by 127.0.0.1