VMS:KitsNet Standard

1 Prep for XXXVMS

• Start InfoServer software with @SYS$STARTUP:ESS$STARTUP DISK TAPE
• Bind to and mount XXXVMS volume

  $ MCR ESS$LADCP BIND /SYS XXXVMS
  %LADCP-I-BIND, service bound to logical unit DAD$XXXVMS (_DAD1:)
  $ MOUNT /SYSTEM DAD$XXXVMS XXXVMS
  %MOUNT-I-WRITELOCK, volume is write locked
  %MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, XXXVMS mounted on _DAD1:
  

• Decide devices for Cluster Common directory strucucture and local utilities. Use these as areguments to XXXVMS_PREP.COM. Default for each is SYS$SYSDEVICE

  $ @DAD$XXXVMS:[LOCAL_UTIL.XXXVMS]XXXVMS_PREP SYS$SYSDEVICE: SYS$SYSDEVICE:
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM.LOGFILES.VX2] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM.SYSMGR] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM.SYSMGR.VX2] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM.SYSEXE] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[XXXVMS_CLUCOM.SYSLIB] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[LOCAL_UTIL] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[LOCAL_UTIL.MISC] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[LOCAL_UTIL.SYS_MISC] created
  %CREATE-I-CREATED, _VX2$DUA0:[LOCAL_UTIL.XXXVMS] created
  

2 Bring in XXXVMS with LU_MISC and SYS_MISC

• BACKUP /LOG DAD$XXXVMS:[STARTUP.SYS$STARTUP]*.* SYS$COMMON:[SYS$STARTUP]*.* /NEW_VERSION
• Copy SYLOGICALS.COM from DAD$XXXVMS:[STARTUP.SYSMGR] to SYS$COMMON:[SYSMGR]. Tailor if necessary and execute (CLUCOM_XXXVMS and LU_DEVNAM will need to be checked at least)
• DEFINE DADLUR$ DAD$XXXVMS:[LOCAL_UTIL.] /TRANSLATION=(CONCEAL)
• BACKUP /LOG DADLUR$:[*...]*.*;* LU_ROOT_DEV:[*...]*.*;*

3 Startup and Initial Tests

• Add STARTUP_P2="DC" TO SYS$SYSTEM:MODPARAMS.DAT
• Use SYSGEN to USE CURRENT parameters to set STARTUP_P2 to "DC" and WRITE CURRENT
• Reboot to test
• Sanity check with @SYS_MISC:CHECK_BOOT and detailed review with TYPE /PAGE=SAVE SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP.LOG
• Add files to SYSMAN STARTUP

  $ MCR SYSMAN START ADD FILE /PHASE=LPBEGIN XXXVMS$CONSOLE_ENABLE.COM
  $ MCR SYSMAN START ADD FILE /PHASE=LPBEGIN XXXVMS_LAT$STARTUP.COM /MODE=SPAWN
  $ MCR SYSMAN START SHOW FILE
  %SYSMAN-I-COMFIL, contents of component database on node VX2
  Phase        Mode   File
  ------------ ------ ---------------------------------
  LPBEGIN      DIRECT XXXVMS$CONSOLE_ENABLE.COM
  LPBEGIN      SPAWN  XXXVMS_LAT$STARTUP.COM
  

• Reboot to test

4 Basic Redirects and Queue Manager

• Edit SYLOGICALS.COM and activate the following logical names. Execute and test.
  • ACCOUNTNG
  • LAN$NODE_DATABASE
  • NETNODE_REMOTE
  • NETNODE_UPDATE
  • NETOBJECT
  • NETPROXYdir dad$xxxvms
  • NET$PROXY
  • QMAN$MASTER
  • VMSMAIL_PROFILE
• Start the queue manager and intitiaize the queue database

  $ START /QUEUE /MANAGER /NEW_VERSION QMAN$MASTER
  %%%%%%%%%%%  OPCOM  12-APR-2025 00:44:20.29  %%%%%%%%%%%
  Message from user JOB_CONTROL on VX2
  %JBC-I-CREATED, XXXVMS_CLUCOM:[SYSEXE]QMAN$MASTER.DAT; created
  

• Initialize basic queues and start them

  $ @LU_ROOT_DEV:[XXXVMS]XXXVMS_INIT_QUEUE_BATCH
  $ SHOW QUEUE /BATCH
  Generic batch queue OPERATOR$BATCH, stopped
    <Operator tasks generic queue>
   
  Batch queue OPERATOR$VX2_BATCH, stopped, autostart inactive, on VX2::
    <Operator tasks execution queue on 'this_node'>
   
  Batch queue VX2_BATCH, stopped, autostart inactive, on VX2::
   
  Batch queue XXXVMS$STARTUP_SLOW_VX2, stopped, on VX2::
    <System startup tasks (slow)>
   
  Batch queue XXXVMS$STARTUP_VX2, stopped, on VX2::
    <System startup tasks (fast)>
  $ START /QUEUE OPERATOR$BATCH
  $ START /QUEUE OPERATOR$VX2_BATCH
  %JBC-I-AUTONOTSTART, queue is auto start active, but not started
  $ START /QUEUE VX2_BATCH
  %JBC-I-AUTONOTSTART, queue is auto start active, but not started
  $ START /QUEUE XXXVMS$STARTUP_SLOW_VX2
  $ START /QUEUE XXXVMS$STARTUP_VX2
  

5 Startup Files

• Add more

  $ MCR SYSMAN START ADD FILE /PHASE=LPMAIN /MODE=BATCH DECW$STARTUP.COM
  $ MCR SYSMAN START ADD FILE /PHASE=LPMAIN /MODE=BATCH XXXVMS$START_QUEUES.COM
  $ MCR SYSMAN START SHOW FILE
  %SYSMAN-I-COMFIL, contents of component database on node VX2
  Phase        Mode   File
  ------------ ------ ---------------------------------
  LPBEGIN      DIRECT XXXVMS$CONSOLE_ENABLE.COM
  LPBEGIN      SPAWN  XXXVMS_LAT$STARTUP.COM
  LPMAIN       BATCH  DECW$STARTUP.COM
  LPMAIN       BATCH  XXXVMS$START_QUEUES.COM
  

• Create XXXVMS$END_NOWAIT.COM to submit ESS$STARTUP.COM and add it to startup in the END phase as a SPAWN
• Copy DAD$XXXVMS:[STARTUP.VAX]SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM to SYS$COMMON:[SYSMGR]
• Reboot and test

6 More Databases

• DECnet proxy database

  $ SET DEFAULT SYS$SYSTEM
  $ MCR AUTHORIZE CREATE /PROXY
  

7 Install DECwindows

DECwindows is installed with the OS for ALpha systems. For VAX, if it was not installed during OS install, now is a good time

$ MCR ESS$LADCP BIND VMS073LP
%LADCP-I-BIND, service bound to logical unit DAD$VMS073LP (_DAD2:)
$ MOUNT DAD$VMS073LP VMS073LP
%MOUNT-I-WRITELOCK, volume is write locked
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, VMS073LP mounted on _DAD2:
$ DIR DAD$VMS073LP:[DWMOTIF_VAX124.KIT]
 
Directory DAD$VMS073LP:[DWMOTIF_VAX124.KIT]
 
DEC-VAXVMS-DWMOTIF-V0102-4-1.PCSI;1     DWMOTIFVAXU4012.A;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.B;1
DWMOTIFVAXU4012.C;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.D;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.E;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.F;1
DWMOTIFVAXU4012.G;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.H;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.I;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.J;1
DWMOTIFVAXU4012.K;1 DWMOTIFVAXU4012.L;1 PCSI_INSTALLATION.COM;1
VAXMOTF02_U4012.A;1
 
Total of 15 files.
$ PRODUCT INSTALL DWMOTIF /SOURCE=DAD$VMS073LP:[DWMOTIF_VAX124.KIT]
 
The following product has been selected:
    DEC VAXVMS DWMOTIF V1.2-4              Layered Product
 
Do you want to continue? [YES]
 
Configuration phase starting ...
 
You will be asked to choose options, if any, for each selected product and for
any products that may be installed to satisfy software dependency requirements.
 
DEC VAXVMS DWMOTIF V1.2-4: DECwindows Motif
 
    Copyright Digital Equipment Corporation 1988, 1996. All rights reserved.
 
    Digital Equipment Corporation
 
    This product uses the PAK: DW-MOTIF
 
Do you want the defaults for all options? [YES]
 
Do you want to review the options? [NO]
 
Execution phase starting ...
 
The following product will be installed to destination:
    DEC VAXVMS DWMOTIF V1.2-4              DISK$VX2_SYS:[VMS$COMMON.]
 
Portion done: 0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100%
 
The following product has been installed:
    DEC VAXVMS DWMOTIF V1.2-4              Layered Product

• Customize DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.COM
  • Copy SYS$MANGER:DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.TEMPLATE to SYS$COMMON:[SYSMGR]*.COM
  • Add TCPIP to the supported transports: decw$server_transports == "DECNET,LOCAL,TCPIP"
  • Set the display density to an appropriate value: decw$server_density == "110"
  • To get all the fonts, you really need a font server. If there is no other one on the network that can be used, add these lines:

    $ DECW$START_FONT_SERVER == "TRUE"
    $ DECW$FONT_SERVERS == "tcp/127.0.0.1:7100"  ! Or use your specific node/port mapping
    

• For VAX systems, add additional fonts

  $ copy DECW$EXAMPLES:DECW$FONT_ALIAS_CHARTER.DAT  SYS$COMMON:[SYSFONT.DECW.USER_75DPI] /log
  $ copy DECW$EXAMPLES:DECW$FONT_ALIAS_LUCIDA.DAT SYS$COMMON:[SYSFONT.DECW.USER_75DPI] /log
  $!
  $ copy DECW$EXAMPLES:DECW$FONT_ALIAS_CHARTER_100DPI.DAT SYS$COMMON:[SYSFONT.DECW.USER_100DPI] /log
  $ copy DECW$EXAMPLES:DECW$FONT_ALIAS_LUCIDA_100DPI.DAT SYS$COMMON:[SYSFONT.DECW.USER_100DPI] /log
  

• Add DECwindows startup to system startup in phase LPMAIN. Be sure to force P1 and P2 to “”
• Copy SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$XDM]XACCESS.TEMPLATE to SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$XDM]XACCESS.TXT. By default, this will enable all systems to get a login prompt.
• Enable XDM in TCP/IP Services with SYS$MANAGER:TCPIP$CONFIG.COM

7.1 DECwindows and display on PC

On PC, Xming can be used to provide a display environment for X-Windows. It supports single-window and multi-window mode suitable for running the full DECwindows session manager (Motif or CDE) and for running individual applications.

AnX-Windows does not do security very well, so some things are best run in this day and age only on trusted networks (e.g. XDMCP broadcast). Thus the secure approach is simply to run X-Windows through an SSH tunnel.

Note that draco has a very good keyboard map that is loaded through LU_MISC:LOGIN.PSMODE

7.1.1 XDMCP Broadcast

There is no special setup on the VMS side beyond the standard steps above. On the PC side, the Xming program Xlaunch is send to construct a session profile with characteristics:

• Single window
• XDMCP Broadcast
• blah, blah