If you have a spare LK201 or LK401 keyboard lying around you can hook
it up to your Intel based Linux box via its' serial port and through
the magic of the modular linux kernel input implementation you can use
it to access remote OpenVMS servers and workstations. The translation
of specialised keys such as Help, DO, PF1-4 is handled.
Here is an example (1920x1200 JPG image)
where I am accessing my DS10L via a VPN connection and displaying
remote DECterms on my Linux laptop. The laptop has an LK201 connected
and with the appropriate customization I am able to use all the
LK-specific keys within the remote DECterms. Makes using TPU a breeze!
*under construction (but everything is here that you need) * note: you can also connect a DEC mouse to your Linux box.
In order to connect your LK201/LK401 you will need to build a small
adapter. The instructions are included in the kernel module detailed
below. The converter requires no electronics - it is simply to convert
mechanically from the RJ11 attached to the keyboard and a serial PC
port (or serial USB adapter). Note that the keyboard requires 9-12V DC,
this can either be supplied from the host computer or an external power
adapter.
The keyboard will be available with the Find/Insert/Remove/Select keys mapped to Home/Insert/Delete/End respectively
If you are accessing remote DECterms, run xmodmap .xmodmap-lk201
or .xmodmap-lk461 to remap these keys and the Help/Do/F11-F20 keys to
their appropriate OpenVMS equivalents. They will send the correct
keycodes to your remote DECterms.
Enjoy the experience..
Acknowledgements: with great thanks to Jan-Benedict Glaw <jbglaw@lug-owl.de> the linux lkkbd kernel module maintainer.