DECwindows is the implementation of X-Windows for OpenVMS. DECwindows includes both a client and a server component. The server displays windows on the graphic monitor of the host. The clients generate windows to be displayed by the server. When using a Microsoft Windows PC, an X-Windows server must be installed on the PC for OpenVMS clients to be able to display windows on it.

There are several X-Windows servers available for the PC. Most of these are based on the X.Org server and provide similar functionality.

Xming

Xming is a free, easy to install and use, X Window server for Microsoft Windows. Information and links to downloads are available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/xming/. Xming may be used in full-screen, windowed or multi-window mode. In all except multi-window mode, normal X-Windows managers, such as DECW$MWM or DECW$WINMGR may be used to manage the window placement and characteristics. Xming is based on the X.Org server.

Typical use includes using Telnet or SSH to gain access to the OpenVMS systems, creating the display, and starting the X applications. The display may be created with the command SET DISPLAY /CREATE /NODE=xx.xx.xx.xx /TRANSPORT=TCPIP.

Due to issues with the keyboard mapping, this may not be the best option for those making significant use of DECterm windows and editing of files. However, if the keypad mapping is not critical to the applications in use, this can be a very good X Windows server for use with OpenVMS clients.

Keyboard Mapping

Xming uses Alt/F1 - Alt/F10 to emulate the function keys F11 - F20. The editing keys for Insert, Previous and Next work as expected. The editing keys for Find, Select and Remove do not work as expected for VT-series terminals. The basic keypad keys work as expected as long as the NumLock key is enabled. However, the top row of the keypad does not work as expected. These are the PF1 - PF4 keys. Of these, only the minus key is mapped to the PF4 key.

Overview

• Public Domain Releases are available on SourceForge
• Simple installation
• Supports single window and multiwindow modes along with external window managers
• Supports XDMCP for starting a login session
• Typical keyboard mapping may not work well with some applications
• Additional X.Org tools have been built and included in a separate installation kit
• Typical use involves logging in through Telnet or SSH to launch applications
• Default configuration is missing some fonts typically expected by OpenVMS applications

Cygwin/X

Cygwin provides a Linux like environment for Microsoft Windows including the command shell, programming interface and many tools and utilities common on Linux. Cygwin/X is built on the Cygwin environment to proivde the X Windows server on Windows. Like Xming, Cygwin/X is based on the X.Org server and has many characteristics in common with it. If you are a current user of Cygwin, you may wish to use Cygwin/X to provide the X Windows server on your PC. If not, Xming is likely to be easier and faster to get running.

Cygwin/X is an open-source project using the GPL licensing and available at http://x.cygwin.com/. It is currently unsupported and the project is searching for a maintainer for the code.

Overview

• Linux-like environment may be friendly to those experienced with Linux
• Very customizable installation is flexible but may be harder for novice users
• Cygwin is licensed under a modified GNU General Public License
• Cygwin/X is licensed under an X style license
• Supports single window and multiwindow modes along with external window managers
• Supports XDMCP for starting a login session
• Typical keyboard mapping may not work well with some applications
• Many tools are available as part of the installation
• Typical use involves logging in through Telnet or SSH to launch applications
• Default configuration is missing some fonts typically expected by OpenVMS applications

eXcursion

Digital eXcursion is the X-Windows server provided as a part of Pathworks-32. For users of DECterm, the keyboard emulation makes this a good product for those doing much editing on OpenVMS.

Before using, copy pcx_serv.com from the PC directory in which eXcursion is installed into SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE]PCX$SERVER.COM on the OpenVMS system. This allows applications to be started from OpenVMS without a separate Telnet or SSH login.

Keyboard Mapping

Since eXcursion was provided by Digital, the emulation of the keyboard is nearly a perfect match with the Digital VT-series terminals. The editing keys are mapped based on functionality. Page up and page down are mapped to previous and next on the VT keyboard. Insert and delete are mapped to paste and cut. Home is mapped to find and end is mapped to select. Alt/F1 - Alt/F10 are mapped to F11 - F20 on the VT keyboard. F11 and F12 are mapped to F15 (HELP) and F16 (DO) respectively.

Overview

• Commercial application included as part of Pathworks-32
• Simple installation
• Supports single window and multiwindow modes along with external window managers
• Supports XDMCP for starting a login session
• Default keyboard mapping is compatible with DEC VT-series terminals
• Applications may be launched without the need to log in to remote system separately through RSH and REXEC protocols
• All fonts normally expected by OpenVMS applications are included

MI/X

MI/X is an inexpensive X server available from MicroImages at https://www.microimages.com/mix/. The default options causes the X server to exit when the last window is closed. There is a separate option to copy from the X section into the windows clipboard. This feature may be made automatic in the preferences.

Keyboard Mapping

MI/X uses Alt/F1 - Alt/F10 to emulate the function keys F11 - F20. The editing keys for Insert, Previous and Next work as expected. The editing keys for Find, Select and Remove do not work as expected for VT-series terminals. The basic keypad keys work as expected as long as the NumLock key is enabled. However, the top row of the keypad does not work as expected. These are the PF1 - PF4 keys. Of these, only the minus key is mapped to the PF4 key.

Overview

• Beta version was reviewed, the released version would not install on the test system running Vista
• Inexpensive (currently $25) with 15-day trial available
• Typical Windows application installation
• Supports X desktop mode or windows desktop mode
• Uses all windows TrueType fonts installed
• Typical keyboard mapping may not work well with some applications

Reflection X

Reflection X is a commercial X server for Microsoft Windows from Attachmate that includes Telnet and SSH terminal emulation.

Before using, copy startapp.com from the PC directory in which Reflection X is installed into SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE]STARTAPP.COM on the OpenVMS system. This allows applications to be started from OpenVMS without a separate Telnet or SSH login.

Keyboard Mapping

The default keyboard mapping for Reflection X uses Control/F1 - Control/F10 to emulate the function keys F11 - F20. The editing keys for Insert, Previous and Next work as expected. The editing keys for Find, Select and Remove do not work as expected for VT-series terminals. However, the top row of the keypad does not work as expected. These are the PF1 - PF4 keys. Of these, only the minus key is mapped to the PF4 key. This mapping is easily changed through configuration settings.

Overview

• Supports single window and multiwindow modes
• Supports XDMCP for starting a login session
• Keyboard mapping is easily configurable to match the needs of the environment
• Applications may be launched without the need to log in to remote system separately through RSH, REXEC, Telnet and other protocols