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From: lionel@quark.zko.dec.com (Steve Lionel)
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms,comp.sys.dec,vmsnet.alpha,vmsnet.misc,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: OpenVMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Date: 27 Jun 1996 15:46:59 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Nashua NH
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Summary: This posting contains answers to frequently asked questions
about the OpenVMS operating system from Digital Equipment Corporation,
and the computer systems on which it runs.
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Archive-name: dec-faq/vms
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: June 27, 1996
Editor's Note
=============
If you received this through the INFO-VAX mailing list, please read and save
the instructions in sections INTRO4 and INTRO5.
Changes since last edition
==========================
Replace VAX3 (MicroVAX FAQ)
Remove reference to HTML manuals at www.openvms.digital.com in DOC1.
Add DECW10 on customizing DECwindows.
Update Mosaic info in SOFT1.
Overview
========
This is the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) posting for the comp.os.vms
and vmsnet.misc newsgroups. (comp.os.vms is bidirectionally-gatewayed to
the INFO-VAX mailing list - see below for further details.) It contains
answers to frequently asked questions about Digital's OpenVMS operating
system and the computer systems on which it runs.
This FAQ is archived in the following locations:
comp.answers and news.answers newsgroups
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/dec-faq/vms
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/dec-faq/vms
CompuServe VAXFORUM, Library 0, VMSFAQ.TXT
To make suggestions for changes or additions to this Frequently Asked
Questions list, send mail to the editor at lionel@quark.enet.dec.com.
Answers are especially appreciated.
Some general notes:
The term "VMS" is synonymous with "OpenVMS". "Alpha", "AlphaGeneration" or
"AXP" generally refers to any system or product based on or related to
Digital's Alpha processor architecture. OpenVMS manual names mentioned are
those as of V7.0 - names may be different in other editions of the
documentation set.
World-Wide Web Universal Resource Locator (URL) notation is used for FTP
addresses.
Many people have contributed to this list, directly or indirectly. In
some cases, an answer has been adapted from one or more postings on the
comp.os.vms newsgroup. Our thanks to all of those who post answers.
The name (or names) at the end of an entry indicate that the information
was taken from postings by those individuals; the text may have been
edited for this FAQ. These citations are only given to acknowledge the
contribution.
Although the editor of this FAQ is an employee of Digital Equipment
Corporation, this posting is not an official statement from Digital
Equipment Corporation.
AlphaGeneration, AlphaServer, AlphaStation, Alpha AXP, AXP, DEC, DECstation,
DECsystem, OpenVMS, ULTRIX, VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment
Corporation. OSF/1 is a registered trademark of the Open Software Foundation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries,
licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd. Other names are properties of
their respective owners.
Introduction
========================================
INTRO1. What is the scope of comp.os.vms?
INTRO2. What other newsgroups carry VMS-related information?
INTRO3. What is INFO-VAX?
INTRO4. How do I subscribe to or unsubscribe from INFO-VAX?
INTRO5. How do I submit a question or a response?
INTRO6. What is DECUS?
INTRO7. What archives of comp.os.vms/INFO-VAX are available?
General questions about OpenVMS
========================================
VMS1. What is OpenVMS? What is its history?
VMS2. What is the difference between VMS and OpenVMS?
VMS3. How do I port from VMS to OpenVMS?
VMS4. Which is better - OpenVMS or UNIX?
VMS5. Is Digital dropping support for OpenVMS?
VMS6. Does OpenVMS have a problem with the year 2000?
VMS7. What OpenVMS CD-ROM products are available?
Alpha and Alpha-based systems
========================================
ALPHA1. What do the letters AXP stand for?
ALPHA2. What are the OpenVMS differences between VAX and Alpha?
ALPHA3. Are there Alpha systems on the net I can try out?
ALPHA4. How do I join Digital's Association of Software & Application
Partners program?
ALPHA5. Where can I find performance information about Alpha systems?
ALPHA6. Where can I get updated console firmware for AlphaServer systems?
ALPHA7. How do I boot an AlphaStation without monitor or keyboard?
VAX and VAX-based systems
========================================
VAX1. Please explain the back panel of the MicroVAX II
VAX2. What is the layout of the VAX floating point format?
VAX3. Where can I find more info on MicroVAX systems?
Documentation and other resources
========================================
DOC1. Where can I find online copies of OpenVMS manuals?
DOC2. What online information is available from Digital?
DOC3. What books and publications are available?
DOC4. How do I extract a HELP topic to a text file?
DOC5. Does OpenVMS Marketing have an e-mail address?
DOC6. What OpenVMS-related WWW sites are available?
DOC7. Where can I find patches for OpenVMS and Digital layered products?
DOC8. Where can I find info about undocumented OpenVMS features?
System Management
========================================
MGMT1. What is an installed image?
MGMT2. Are there any known viruses for OpenVMS?
MGMT3. How do I mount an ISO-9660 CD on OpenVMS?
MGMT4. How do I extract the contents of a PCSI kit?
MGMT5. I've forgotten the SYSTEM password - what can I do?
MAIL
========================================
MAIL1. How do I send Internet mail?
MAIL2. How do I get IN% or MX% added automatically to Internet addresses?
MAIL3. How do I automatically append a signature file to my mail messages?
MAIL4. Do I have to use VMS MAIL? I like my Unix mailer better.
MAIL5. How can I forward my mail? Can I forward it to an Internet address?
MAIL6. How can I forward my mail to a list of addresses?
MAIL7. MAIL keeps saying I have new messages, but I don't. What do I do?
MAIL8. How do I extract all of my mail messages to a file?
Other Utilities
========================================
UTIL1. How do I play an audio CD on my workstation?
UTIL2. How do I access a MS-DOS floppy disk from OpenVMS?
UTIL3. How do I play sound files on an AlphaStation? DECsound doesn't work
DCL and command usage
========================================
DCL1. How do I run a program with arguments?
DCL2. How can I redefine control keys in DCL?
DCL3. How can I clear the screen in DCL?
DCL4. How do I do a REPLY/LOG in a batch stream?
DCL5. How do I generate a random number in DCL?
DCL6. What does the MCR command do?
File System and RMS
========================================
FILE1. How can I undelete a file?
FILE2. Why does SHOW QUOTA give a different answer than DIR/SIZE?
FILE3. How do I make sure that my data is safely written to disk?
FILE4. What are the limits on file specifications and directories?
FILE5. What is the largest disk volume size OpenVMS can access?
Programming
========================================
PROG1. How do I call <routine_name> from <language_name>?
PROG2. How do I get the arguments from the command line?
PROG3. How do I get a formatted error message in a variable?
PROG4. How do I link against SYS$SYSTEM:SYS.STB on an Alpha system?
PROG5. How do I do a SET DEFAULT from inside a program?
PROG6. How do I create a shareable image transfer vector on an Alpha system?
PROG7. How do I turn my Fortran COMMON into a shareable image on Alpha?
PROG8. How do I convert between IEEE and VAX floating data?
PROG9. How do I get the argument count in a Fortran routine?
PROG10. How do I get a unique system ID for licensing purposes?
DECwindows
========================================
DECW1. How do I let someone else display something on my workstation?
DECW2. How do I create a display on another workstation?
DECW3. How can I get the information from SHOW DISPLAY into a symbol?
DECW4. How do I get a log of a DECterm session?
DECW5. Problem - the DELETE key deletes forward instead of backward!
DECW6. Problem - On a DEC2000-300, Motif doesn't start
DECW7. Problem - My LK401 keyboard unexpectedly autorepeats
DECW8. Problem - My LK411 sends the wrong keycodes or some keys are dead
DECW9. How do I set the title on a DECterm window?
DECW10. How do I customize DECwindows, including the login screen?
Miscellaneous
========================================
MISC1. What is the pinout for the DECconnect DEC-423 MMJ connector?
MISC2. What are the escape sequences for the VTxxx function keys?
Software
========================================
SOFT1. Where can I find lots of free software for OpenVMS?
SOFT2. Where can I find the UNIX <whatever> tool for OpenVMS?
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO1. What is the scope of comp.os.vms?
The comp.os.vms newsgroup is the primary newsgroup for discussion of
Digital's OpenVMS operating system and the computer systems on which it
runs. Questions about layered products which run on OpenVMS are also
welcome, though many of them (in particular, language compilers and
database systems) have more specific newsgroups. If a question has
some relationship to OpenVMS, it belongs here.
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO2. What other newsgroups carry VMS-related information?
The vmsnet.* hierarchy, run by DECUS, contains several newsgroups of
interest, including vmsnet.misc and vmsnet.alpha, the latter being mostly
devoted to Alpha topics. There's also vmsnet.sources (and
vmsnet.sources.d) to which sources for or pointers to freeware are posted.
See the separate "What is VMSNET" monthly posting for further details.
The comp.sys.dec newsgroup carries discussions about all Digital systems
as well as about Digital itself.
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO3. What is INFO-VAX?
INFO-VAX is a mailing list which is bidirectionally gatewayed to the
comp.os.vms newsgroup. This means that postings to comp.os.vms get
automatically sent to INFO-VAX subscribers and messages sent to the INFO-VAX
list are automatically posted to comp.os.vms. INFO-VAX can be a useful way
to participate in the newsgroup if you can't access the group directly
through a news reader.
An important point to keep in mind is that propagation delays vary, both
within the newsgroup and with INFO-VAX mailings. It's possible that
postings may not be delivered for several days and some may appear out of
order.
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO4. How do I subscribe to or unsubscribe from INFO-VAX?
The address for subscription requests, as well as notes intended for the
moderator, is Info-VAX-Request@Mvb.Saic.Com. Subscription requests are handled
automatically by a mail server. This mail server ignores the subject line and
processes each line of the message as a command. The syntax for subscribing
and unsubscribing and setting digest or non-digest modes is:
SUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX (ADD is a valid synonym)
UNSUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX (REMOVE, SIGNOFF, and SIGN-OFF are valid synonyms)
SET INFO-VAX DIGEST (to receive in Digest format)
SET INFO-VAX NODIGEST (to receive each message individually)
Case is irrelevant and attempts to fetch a copy of the mailing list will be
rejected (I consider the information to be confidential). Any message not
understood by the mailserver will be forwarded to a human (allegedly) for
manual processing.
[Mark.Berryman@Mvb.Saic.Com]
If you are on Bitnet, send a mail message containing the text
"SUBSCRIBE INFO-VAX" to LISTSERV@(nearest listserv system). To unsubscribe,
send a message containing the text "SIGNOFF INFO-VAX" to the *SAME* listserv
address.
If you are on the Internet in the UK, send a message containing the
word SUBSCRIBE (or UNSUBSCRIBE) to info-vax-request@ncdlab.ulcc.ac.uk.
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO5. How do I submit a question or a response?
If you are using a news reader, post your question to comp.os.vms. If you
want to submit through INFO-VAX, send the message to Info-VAX@mvb.saic.com.
Before posting, please use available local resources, such as the manuals,
HELP and this FAQ first. Also make a point of reading the release notes for
the product you're using, generally placed in SYS$HELP. Often you'll find
the answer and will save time and effort for all concerned.
When posting, please consider the following suggestions:
1. Include a valid e-mail address in the text of your posting or
in a "signature" appended to the end. Reply-to addresses in
headers often get garbled.
2. If you are submitting a question, please be as specific as you
can. Include relevant information such as processor type, product
versions (OpenVMS and layered products that apply) and a short,
reproducible example of problems. Say what you've tried so far,
so that effort isn't duplicated. Keep in mind that there's not yet
a telepathy protocol for the Internet - the more detailed your
description, the better people can help you.
3. If responding to a posting, include in your reply only as much of
the original posting as is necessary to establish context. As
a guideline, consider that if you've included more text than you've
added, you've possibly included too much. Never include signatures
and other irrelevant material.
4. Be polite. If the question isn't worded the way you think is
correct or doesn't include the information you want, try to
imagine what the problem might be if viewed from the poster's
perspective. Requests for additional information are often
better sent through mail rather than posted to the newsgroup.
5. If you have a problem with Digital (or any vendor's) product,
use the appropriate support channel. Don't assume that
newsgroup postings will get read or responded to by the appropriate
developers.
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO6. What is DECUS?
DECUS, the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society, is a World Wide
organization of Information Technology professionals interested in the
products, services, and technologies of Digital Equipment Corporation and
related vendors.
Membership in the Chapter is free and provides participants with the means
to enhance their professional development, forums for technical training,
mechanisms for obtaining up-to-date information, advocacy programs, and
opportunities for informal disclosure and interaction with professional
colleagues of like interest.
For further information, see the separate monthly "What is DECUS" posting, or
refer to the US DECUS WWW server at http://www.decus.org or the Canadian
DECUS WWW server at http://www.decus.ca .
------------------------------------------------------------
INTRO7. What archives of comp.os.vms/INFO-VAX are available?
Everything posted since 1990 is archived and available at:
ftp://crvax.sri.com/info-vax/
The last few months posts can be searched and retrieved via the UGA
LISTSERV.
Send a mail with the content:
DATABASE SEARCH DD=RULES
//RULES DD *
SEARCH sometopic IN INFO-VAX
PRINT
/*
to the address LISTSERV@UGA.BITNET (the syntax is due to UGA being
an IBM mainframe!)
[ARNE@KO.HHS.DK]
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS1. What is OpenVMS? What is its history?
OpenVMS, originally called VMS (Virtual Memory System), was first conceived in
1976 as a new operating system for Digital's new, 32-bit, virtual memory line
of computers, eventually named VAX (Virtual Address eXtension). The first VAX
model, the 11/780, was code-named "Star", hence the code name for the VMS
operating system, "Starlet", a name that remains to this day the name for the
system library files (STARLET.OLB, etc.). VMS version X0.5 was the first
released to customers, in support of the hardware beta test of the VAX-11/780,
in 1977. VAX/VMS Version V1.0 shipped in 1978, along with the first
revenue-ship 11/780s.
OpenVMS was designed entirely within Digital Equipment Corporation. The
principal designers were Dave Cutler and Dick Hustvedt. OpenVMS was conceived
as a 32-bit, virtual memory successor to Digital's RSX-11M operating system
for the PDP-11. Many of the original designers and programmers of OpenVMS
had worked previously on RSX-11M, and many concepts from RSX-11M were carried
over to OpenVMS.
OpenVMS is a 32-bit, multitasking, multiprocessing virtual memory operating
system. Current implementations run on Digital's VAX and Alpha computer
systems.
[winalski@gemgrp.enet.dec.com]
For more details on OpenVMS and its features, read the OpenVMS Software
Product Description at:
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/info/SPD/25-01-XX.txt
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS2. What is the difference between VMS and OpenVMS?
VMS and OpenVMS are two names for the same operating system. Originally,
the operating system was called VAX-11/VMS; it changed to VAX/VMS at
around VAX/VMS V2.0. When the VMS operating system was ported to the
Alpha platform, it was renamed OpenVMS, for both VAX and Alpha, in part
to signify the high degree of support for industry standards such as
POSIX, which provides many features of UNIX systems. An OpenVMS license
allows you to install and run POSIX for OpenVMS at no additional charge;
all you need is the media and documentation which can be found on the
Consolidated Distribution and On-Line Documentation CD-ROMs. For more
information on POSIX for VMS see question SOFT2 and:
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/info/pr-news/92060311FS.txt
What became confusing is that the OpenVMS name was introduced first
for OpenVMS AXP V1.0 causing the widespread misimpression that OpenVMS
was for Alpha AXP only, while "regular VMS" was for VAX. In fact, Digital
officially changed the name of the VAX operating system as of V5.5,
though the name did not start to be actually used in the product until
V6.0.
The proper names for OpenVMS on the two platforms are now "OpenVMS VAX"
and "OpenVMS Alpha", the latter having superseded "OpenVMS AXP".
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS3. How do I port from VMS to OpenVMS?
You already did. Wasn't that easy? (See question VMS2.)
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS4. Which is better - OpenVMS or UNIX?
This question comes up periodically, usually asked by new subscribers who are
long-time UNIX users. Sometimes, it is ignored totally; other times, it leads
to a long series of repetitive messages that convince no one and usually carry
little if any new information. Please do everyone a favor and avoid
re-starting this perpetual, fruitless debate.
[leichter@lrw.com]
Seriously, OpenVMS and the better implementations of UNIX are all fine
operating systems, each with its strengths and weaknesses. If you're
in a position where you need to choose, select the one that best fits
your own requirements, considering, for example, whether or not the
layered products or specific OS features you want are available.
See also questions VMS2 and SOFT2 for information on POSIX for OpenVMS which
provides significant UNIX functionality on OpenVMS.
[lionel@quark.enet.dec.com]
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS5. Is Digital dropping support for OpenVMS?
People who ask this question, most recently, have read about the May 1995
announcement of an association between Digital and Microsoft to provide
greater affinity between OpenVMS and Windows NT. Some trade publications
interpreted this announcement as signalling that Digital was going to drop
OpenVMS and move its customers onto Windows NT. Nothing could be further from
the truth.
For more information, see:
http://www.openvms.digital.com/
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS6. Does OpenVMS have a problem with the year 2000?
What is the Year 2000 Problem? It stems from the common practice of using two
digits instead of four when writing dates and having multiple internal time
formats. When this practice is extended into computer hardware and software,
it causes arithmetic operations, comparisons, and data sorting procedures to
yield incorrect results when working with years beyond 1999.
As Digital's customers begin to consider the readiness of their computing
systems for the transition to the year 2000, many have begun asking what
impact it will have on their OpenVMS systems.
We are happy to answer that, because of insightful development by the
engineers who created it, OpenVMS was born ready. The OpenVMS operating
system base date uses a four digit format that is totally unaffected by the
transition to the year 2000.
Customers who have consistently used the system base date and the associated
system services that provide the ability to input and retrieve four digit
ASCII year strings, will make a seamless transition into the year 2000 when
accessing their data.
We are currently researching other "date sensitive" areas of the operating
system where additional enhancements would provide more robust support and
readiness. Our partner software groups, inside and outside of Digital are
also looking into the "year 2000 compliance" of layered products, to ensure
that they are tested and to provide consistent support for the turn of the
century.
In the coming months ahead, Digital Equipment will periodically provide all
the information that needed regarding how the OpenVMS operating environment
and other products deal with the transition to the year 2000.
OpenVMS' overall position on the issue can be summarized as follows:
* OpenVMS system base date will continue to be operational after the
date changes from calendar year 1999 to 2000 to 2001. We are currently
evaluating additional enhancements in specific "date sensitive" areas of
the operating system. These enhancements will be included in upcoming
releases of OpenVMS, available for use well in advance of the start of
the year 2000.
* While we know of no systematic way to ensure that all customer
code will also continue to work across the year 2000 boundary, we do allow
the clocks of our system to be set to times in the future to allow
customer testing of their software (a reboot is suggested to ensure
application time consistency).
* We are evaluating the possibility of engaging in system integration
contracts to support individual customers in reviewing their software for
problems of this sort.
* If we become aware of tools that seem generally applicable, we will work
with the suppliers to offer them on our platforms.
Customers can continue to depend on OpenVMS in the knowledge that it has been
proven in the most demanding environments. We will continue to bring them
enterprise system dependability, 24x365 availability, disaster tolerance,
scalability and the best cluster technology in the industry for many years to
come.
Vittorio Mezzano
OpenVMS Product Management
------------------------------------------------------------
VMS7. What OpenVMS CD-ROM products are available?
The following OpenVMS CD-ROM products are available from Digital:
Package VAX Alpha
----------------------------------------------------------------
Software Products Library QA-VWJ8A-A8 QA-4KL8A-A8
(Binaries of layered products -
usually includes courtesy copy
of latest OpenVMS distribution,
but this is not the same as
ordering an OpenVMS kit - see
below.)
Online Documentation Library QA-VYR8A-G8 QA-4KM8A-G8
(Bookreader documentation for
OpenVMS and layered products)
Software Library Package QA-YL48A-H8 QA-03XAA-H8
(Combines above two)
Engineering Change Order Dist.
(ECOs - "patch kits") QA-3CRAA-W8 QA-3CQAA-W8
OpenVMS binaries and documentation QA-XULAA-H8 QA-MT1AA-H8
(Includes Freeware CD)
Combined OpenVMS VAX and Alpha QA-MT3AA-H8
Listings kit with license QB-001AB-E8 QB-MT1AB-E8
Many of these are available as a subscription service.
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA1. What do the letters AXP stand for?
While there are many fanciful "definitions" which have circulated widely,
the truth is that AXP is not an abbreviation nor an acronym; the letters
do not mean anything. They are just three letters chosen to form a
trademark.
When it came time to chose a "marketing name" for the Alpha AXP line,
Digital was in a quandary. The internal "code name" for the project,
Alpha, was widely known and would seem the ideal choice, but it was already
in common use by a number of other companies and could not be trademarked.
A well-known "name search" firm was hired and was asked to come up with
two lists of possible names. The first list was intended to evoke the
feeling of "extension to VAX", while the second list was to suggest
"not a VAX". Unfortunately, none of the choices offered were any good;
for example, "VAX 2000" was found on the first list while the second list
contained "MONDO" (later to be used for a kids' soft drink).
Shortly before announcement, a decision was made to name the new line ARA,
for Advanced RISC Architecture. However, a Digital employee in Israel
quickly pointed out that this name, if pronounced in the "obvious" manner,
sounded very much like an Arabic word with decidely unfortunate connotations.
Eventually, AXP was selected; the architecture would be referred to as
"Alpha AXP" whereas products themselves would use just "AXP".
Despite all this, everyone went on calling the new line "Alpha". Digital
has recognized this by coining a new "AlphaGeneration" trademark to apply
to all products (hardware, software and services) related to the Alpha AXP
line.
Digital has phased out the use of the AXP name, using Alpha instead.
For example, OpenVMS AXP is now called called "OpenVMS Alpha".
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA2. What are the OpenVMS differences between VAX and Alpha?
Very few. As of OpenVMS V6.1, the VAX and Alpha platforms are very close
to "feature parity". Most applications can just be recompiled and
run. Some differences to be aware of:
- The default double-precision floating type on OpenVMS Alpha
is VAX G_float, whereas on VAX it is usually D_float. D_float
is available on Alpha, but D_float values are converted to
G_float for computations and then converted back to D_float
when stored. Because the G_float type has three fewer fraction
bits than D_float, some applications may get different results.
IEEE float types are also available on OpenVMS Alpha.
- Data alignment is extremely important for best performance on
Alpha. This means that data items should be allocated at
addresses which are exact multiples of their sizes. Quadword
alignment will offer the best performance, especially for
character values and those smaller than 32 bits. Compilers
will naturally align variables where they can and will issue
warnings if they detect unaligned data items.
- DEC C is the only C compiler Digital offers on OpenVMS Alpha.
It is compatible with DEC C on OpenVMS VAX, but is somewhat
different from the older VAX C compiler most people are familiar with.
Read up on the /EXTERN_MODEL and /STANDARD qualifiers to avoid
the most common problems.
- The page size on Alpha systems is variable, but is at least 8K bytes.
This can have some effect on applications which use the $CRMPSC
system service as well as on the display of available memory
pages. The page size is available from $GETSYI(SYI$_PAGE_SIZE).
There are also a number of manuals which discuss migration to Alpha.
- "A Comparison of System Management on OpenVMS AXP and OpenVMS VAX"
- "Migrating to an OpenVMS AXP System: Planning for Migration"
- "Migrating to an OpenVMS AXP System: Porting VAX MACRO Code"
- "Migrating to an OpenVMS AXP System: Recompiling and Relinking"
These are part of the "AXP Migration Kit" (which is part of the "Programming
Kit" - which in turn is part of the "Standard Set" if ordering documentation.)
Check out the "Overview of OpenVMS Documentation" book on the Bookreader-based
doc set included on the OpenVMS AXP V6.1 distribution CD for part numbers of
both assorted "kits" and/or individual manuals.
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA3. Are there Alpha systems on the net I can try out?
As of November 1, 1995, Digital's service of Internet-accessible Alpha
"test drive" systems was suspended. A revised service may appear in the
future. For more information, write to Jack Lucier at
lucier@kacie.enet.dec.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA4. How do I join Digital's Association of Software & Application
Partners program?
The Association of Software & Application (ASAP) Partners is a Digital program
designed to provide members with a broad base of development support,
promotional tools, and services. The ASAP program is open to software partners
throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and selected countries in Asia Pacific.
For more information about the Software Developer Kits and the Association of
Software Application Partners (ASAP) Program, contact the ASAP Program Office as
follows:
Via phone: 1-800-332-4786 in the U.S.
+353 91 754 299 in Europe
Via E-Mail: alpha-developer@digital.com
Via WWW: http://www.partner.digital.com/www-swdev/
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA5. Where can I find performance information about Alpha systems?
Digital makes a wide range of performance documents available through
its FTP and WWW Internet servers (see DOC2). The specific WWW subject page
is http://www.digital.com/info/performance.html, for FTP look in
ftp://ftp.digital.com/info/performance. Documents with "flash" in their
names are short summaries with performance charts, those with "brief" are
longer documents with more detail on the specific tests and configurations.
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA6. Where can I get updated console firmware for Alpha systems?
Firmware updates for Digital Alpha systems are available from:
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/
http://www.service.digital.com/alpha/server/firmware/
The files are structured similiar to those on the firmware CD, and are
separated by CD release. For example, the contents of the V3.3
firmware CD are located at:
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/v3.3/
The latest and greatest firmware (if released since the last firmware
CD) is located at:
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/interim/
Please send your comments and feedback to alpha_server@service.digital.com
------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA7. How do I boot an AlphaStation without monitor or keyboard?
The AlphaStation series will boot without a keyboard attached. To use a
serial terminal as the console, issue the console command SET CONSOLE SERIAL -
after that, it will use the terminal. Older Alpha workstations generally
can't be booted without a keyboard.
------------------------------------------------------------
VAX1. Please explain the back panel of the MicroVAX II
The MicroVAX-series console bulkhead was used with the KA630, KA650, KA655
processors.
There are three controls on the console bulkhead of these systems:
Triangle-in-circle-paddle: halt enable.
dot-in-circle: halt (<break>) is enabled,
and auto-boot is disabled.
dot-not-in-circle: halt (<break>) is disabled,
and auto-boot is enabled.
Three-position-rotary: power-up bootstrap behaviour
arrow: normal operation.
face: language inquiry mode.
t-in-circle: infinite self-test loop.
Eight-position-rotary: console baud rate selection
select the required baud rate; read at power-up.
Those versions of the console bulkhead that do not have an MMJ have a 9-pin
submini connector, and the pinout of this connector predates the PC 9-pin
pinout -- the console pinout is consistent with the EIA232 pinout. For those
bulkheads not equipped with an MMJ, use the H8575-B adapter to convert the
console connector to MMJ. See MISC1 for further details.
Also present on the bulkhead is a self-test indicator: a single digit. This
matches the final part of the countdown displayed on the console or
workstation, and can be used by a service organization to determine the nature
of a processor problem. The particular countdown sequence varies by processor
type, consult the hardware or owner's manual for the processor, or contact the
local hardware service organization for information the self-test sequence for
a particular processor module. Note that self-tests 2, 1 and 0 are associated
with the transfer of control from the console program to the booting operating
system.
[hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com]
------------------------------------------------------------
VAX2. What is the layout of the VAX floating point format?
The VAX floating point format is derived from one of the PDP-11 FP formats,
which helps explain its strange layout. There are four formats defined:
F 32-bit single-precision, D and G 64-bit double-precision and H 128-bit
quadruple precision. For all formats, the lowest addressed 16-bit "word"
contains the sign and exponent (and for other than H, some of the most
significant fraction bits). Each successive higher-addressed word contains
the next 16 lesser-significant fraction bits. Bit 15 of the first word is the
sign, 1 for negative, 0 for positive. Zero is represented by a biased
exponent value of zero and a sign of zero; the fraction bits are ignored (but
on Alpha, non-zero fraction bits in a zero value cause an error.) A value
with biased exponent zero and sign bit 1 is a "reserved operand" - touching
it causes an error - fraction bits are ignored. There are no minus zero,
infinity, denormalized or NaN values.
For all formats, the fraction is normalized and the radix point assumed to be
to the left of the MSB, hence 0.5 <= f < 1.0. The MSB, always being 1, is
not stored. The binary exponent is stored with a bias varying with type in
bits 14:n of the lowest-addressed word.
Type Exponent bits Exponent bias Fraction bits (including hidden)
==========================================================================
F 8 128 24
D 8 128 56
G 11 1024 53
H 15 16384 113
The layout for D is identical to that for F except for 32 additional
fraction bits.
Example: +1.5 in F float is hex 000040C0 (fraction of .11[base 2], biased
exponent of 129)
[lionel@quark.enet.dec.com]
------------------------------------------------------------
VAX3. Where can I find more info about MicroVAX systems?
Jim Agnew maintains a MicroVAX/VAXstation FAQ at:
http://anacin.nsc.vcu.edu/~jim/mvax/mvax_faq.html
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC1. Where can I find online copies of OpenVMS manuals?
Digital's OpenVMS documentation is copyrighted and is not freely
available on the net. Documentation is offered in CD-ROM form
through a subscription to the Consolidated On-Line Documentation (ConOLD)
product (see VMS7.) ConOLD manuals are readable with Bookreader, a viewer
that is supplied with DECwindows Motif. MGBOOK, a viewer for Bookreader
documents which is usable from character-cell terminals (eg. VTxxx) is
available from the WKU VMS Freeware file server - see question SOFT1 for
details.
[lionel@quark.enet.dec.com]
We are allowing interactive viewing of the Consolidated Distribution
Documentation CDROMs (NOT copying, just reading). Currently available
by:
telnet://vtbook@condist.acornsw.com/
We're planning to leave this on the network indefinitely, but we MAY
limit access in some way depending upon load.
[munroe@dmc.com]
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC2. What online information is available from Digital?
On your OpenVMS system, the HELP command can provide a wealth of information,
not only on DCL commands but on system services (HELP System_Services) and
Run-Time Library routines (HELP RTL_Routines). The introduction displayed
when you type the HELP command with no additional keywords provides further
pointers.
In SYS$COMMON:[SYSHLP.VMSDOC] (OpenVMS V6.0 or later) you'll find the
following three files:
VMSDOC_GLOSSARY.TXT - Glossary of OpenVMS terminology
VMSDOC_OVERVIEW.TXT - Overview of OpenVMS documentation
VMSDOC_MASTER_INDEX.TXT - Master index of OpenVMS documentation
These files are optionally installed; some system managers may have selected
not to install them or to put them in another location. If you cannot
locate them, ask your system manager.
OpenVMS Marketing runs a WWW server at http://www.openvms.digital.com/
Here you'll find product information, strategy documents,
the contents of the latest OpenVMS Freeware CD-ROM and much more.
Product information for just about everything Digital sells is available
from Digital's Internet servers. If you're using a World-Wide-Web (WWW)
browser, use http://www.digital.com/info.html For anonymous FTP access,
log in to ftp.digital.com. Software Product Descriptions, performance
data, product infosheets, release notes and much more are available.
Digital's Multivendor Customer Services organization also hosts an
Internet server. If you have a software support contract you can obtain
patches from here - even without a contract you can browse through the
"readme" files for correction kits. The WWW URL is
http://www.service.digital.com/
For ftp access use
ftp://ftp.service.digital.com/
A WWW version of the DECdirect catalog is also available at
http://www.service.digital.com/ddi/html/ddhome.html
Digital's Electronic Connection, also called "E-store", provides product
information, prices and even lets you order online. For free access,
TELNET to order.sales.digital.com or connect via modem at 800-234-1998.
If you're on TYMNET, connect to ECONN. If you need to get pricing for
Digital software licenses for your configuration, this is the place to get
them.
Information on Digital and on Digital hardware, software, products
and services is available through various telephone numbers:
1-800-DIGITAL : voice : DECdirect products, books and services
1-800-PCBYDEC : voice : Digital PC hardware and software
1-800-DECINFO : voice : General Corporate Information
1-603-884-0924 : voice : (alternate number for above)
1-800-234-1998 : modem : The Digital Electronic Connection
1-800-DEC-2717 : voice : The DECchip Hotline
1-508-568-6868 : voice : (alternate number for above)
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC3. What books and publications are available?
DEC Professional is alive and well. It's a monthly magazine
that helps you manage your Digital systems in a multivendor environment.
Subscriptions are free to qualified Digital sites.
Digital Systems Journal is a bimonthly magazine that contains more
in-depth, hands-on, how-to information. Subscriptions are paid.
If you're interested in acquiring a subscription to DEC Professional or
Digital Systems Journal, contact Omeda Communications:
800-306-6332
708-564-1385
They'll send you everything you need.
[morrison@elvis.cardinal.com]
Digital Press, an imprint of Butterworth-Heinemann, has a web site at:
US & Canada URL http://www.bh.com/bh/dp
UK & Europe URL http://www.butterworth.heinemann.co.uk
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC4. How do I extract the contents of a HELP topic to a text file?
To extract all the text of a HELP topic (and its subtopics) to a text file
for perusal with a text editor, printing out, etc., use the following
command:
$ HELP/OUT=filename.txt help-topic [help-subtopic]
If the help text you want is not in the standard help library (for
example, it's help for a utility such as MAIL that has its own help
library), add /LIBRARY=libname after the HELP verb. To see the names
of help library files, do a directory of SYS$HELP:*.HLB.
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC5. Does OpenVMS Marketing have an e-mail address?
Yes - if you can't get the answers to questions elsewhere, if you have
comments or complaints about OpenVMS, send mail to openvms-info@digital.com.
This is NOT a support channel, but an informal method to communicate
with OpenVMS Marketing. Please be courteous and careful using this
address so that it may continue to be of benefit to all.
The OpenVMS web page (http://www.openvms.digital.com) has a new "Ask the
Wizard" page which allows you to submit technical questions to be answered by
OpenVMS engineers.
------------------------------------------------------------
DOC6. What OpenVMS-related WWW sites are available?
http://www.openvms.digital.com/ (Sponsored by OpenVMS Marketing)
http://www.montagar.com/ (Sponsored by DECUS - DFWLUG)