Document revision date: 30 March 2001
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OpenVMS System Manager's Manual


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D.3 Starting the OpenVMS Registry

You can control how the OpenVMS Registry will start as follows:

Use the OpenVMS Registry Configuration utility described in Section D.2 to control how the OpenVMS Registry starts.

D.3.1 Starting the OpenVMS Registry Manually

Under some conditions, you might want to start the OpenVMS Registry server manually.

Compaq recommends that you use the SYS$STARTUP:REG$STARTUP.COM command procedure. The following command procedure ensures that the server process quotas are set to the required minimum values:


 
$ @SYS$STARTUP:REG$STARTUP.COM 

Alternately, you can use the following command to start the OpenVMS Registry manually:


$ SET SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER/START 

D.4 Shutting Down the OpenVMS Registry

The OpenVMS Registry server is shut down automatically as part of a system shutdown.

If you want to shut down the OpenVMS Registry manually, use the following command:


$ SET SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER/EXIT 

D.5 OpenVMS Registry Server Commands

The OpenVMS Registry server commands allow you to display (SHOW) and change (SET) the state of the OpenVMS Registry server. The following sections list and describe the OpenVMS Registry server commands.


SHOW SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER

Show the current status of the OpenVMS Registry on a specified node.

This command requires the SYSPRV privilege.


Format

SHOW SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER

[/MASTER | /CLUSTER | /NODE=(node ,...)]

[/PAGE]


Qualifiers

/MASTER

Displays the node and process ID (PID) of the current OpenVMS Registry master server in the cluster. This command does not communicate with the OpenVMS Registry servers in the cluster. Requires SYSLCK privilege as well as the SYSPRV privilege.

/CLUSTER

Returns the show output from each OpenVMS Registry server in the cluster, listing the OpenVMS Registry master server information first.

/NODE=(node,...)]

Returns OpenVMS Registry server information about the servers on the specified nodes, listed in the order in which you enter the node names. The node names you specify must be in the current cluster.

/PAGE

Displays the returned show output in a scrollable page display.

SET SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER

Change the state of the OpenVMS Registry.

This command requires the SYSPRV privilege.


Format

SET SERVER REGISTRY_SERVER

[/MASTER | /CLUSTER | /NODE=(node ,...)]

[/START | /RESTART | /EXIT | /ABORT ]

[/[NO]LOG ]


Qualifiers

/MASTER

Issues the specified command to the OpenVMS Registry master server only. Requires the SYSLCK privilege as well as the SYSPRV privilege.

/CLUSTER

Issues the SET command to each OpenVMS Registry server in the cluster, setting the OpenVMS Registry master server last.

/NODE=(node,...)

Issues the SET command to the OpenVMS Registry servers on the specified nodes, in the order in which you enter the node names. The node names must be in the current cluster.

/START[=(node,...)]

Starts the OpenVMS Registry server on the specified node or nodes in the cluster.

/EXIT[=(node,...)]

Stops the OpenVMS Registry server on the specified node or nodes in the cluster.

/ABORT[=(node,...)]

Aborts the OpenVMS Registry server on the specified node or nodes in the cluster.

/[NO]LOG

Creates a new OpenVMS Registry log file in SYS$REGISTRY. NOLOG is the default.

D.6 OpenVMS Registry Failover in a Cluster

To increase the availability and reliability of the OpenVMS Registry, you can run multiple OpenVMS Registry servers in a cluster, up to one per node. No matter how many OpenVMS Registry servers you run, you have only one OpenVMS Registry database.

When you run more than one OpenVMS Registry server in a cluster, only one OpenVMS Registry server process is active and writing to the OpenVMS Registry database. The other OpenVMS Registry server processes are standing by.

By default, the first OpenVMS Registry server process that is active in the cluster remains active until either the process no longer exists or the priority among OpenVMS Registry server processes changes.

D.6.1 Changing the Priority of OpenVMS Registry Server Processes

You can change the priority of OpenVMS Registry server processes by creating and modifying the priority value of each node in the cluster that will run the OpenVMS Registry server process: the higher the value, the higher the priority.

Example D-1 shows priority values being assigned so that NODENAME1 will be the active OpenVMS Registry server process in the cluster.

Example D-1 Setting Priority Values

$ mcr reg$cp 
REG> CREATE VALUE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\REGISTRY\PRIORITY - 
_REG> /NAME=NODENAME1/DATA=15/TYPE=DWORD 
REG> CREATE VALUE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\REGISTRY\PRIORITY - 
_REG> /NAME=NODENAME2/DATA=10/TYPE=DWORD 
REG> CREATE VALUE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\REGISTRY\PRIORITY - 
_REG> /NAME=NODENAME3/DATA=5/TYPE=DWORD 

In Example D-1, if NODENAME1 shuts down, control of the OpenVMS Registry database passes to the server process on NODENAME2 .

Example D-2 shows the system manager increasing the priority value of NODENAME3 to 20.

Example D-2 Changing Priority Values

$ mcr reg$cp 
REG> MODIFY VALUE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\REGISTRY\PRIORITY - 
_REG> /NAME=NODENAME3/DATA=20/TYPE=DWORD 

In Example D-2, the OpenVMS Registry server process on NODENAME1 goes into standby mode and the OpenVMS Registry server process on NODENAME3 becomes active.

D.7 Connecting to the OpenVMS Registry from a Windows NT System

To connect to the OpenVMS Registry from a Windows NT system, you must do the following:

When you access the OpenVMS Registry database from a Windows system, you will have all the privileges granted on your Windows NT system. For example, if you are logged on to the Windows NT system as an Administrator, you will be able to read and write to all keys and values in the OpenVMS Registry. Access to OpenVMS Registry keys is based on your Windows NT user profile ( username and Group membership). Connect to the OpenVMS Registry through Advanced Server for OpenVMS; use the Windows Regedt32 application to view and change keys, values, and security settings.

Caution

Be careful when you modify OpenVMS Registry database keys and values. If you damage the OpenVMS Registry database, you can affect all applications and users on the entire OpenVMS system or cluster.

D.8 OpenVMS Registry Quotas

A quota mechanism limits the size of the OpenVMS Registry database. The system assigns a quota to the root key datafile for every OpenVMS Registry file. By default, these root keys are the USERS key ( REGISTRY$USERS.REG ) and the LOCAL_MACHINE key ( REGISTRY$LOCAL_MACHINE.REG ).

The quota limits the size of the information contained within the file but does not include the size of information stored in other files, even if the files are part of the subtree.

The default quota and file-specific quotas are stored in the OpenVMS Registry under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Registry key.

D.9 OpenVMS Registry Security

A user can access (read and modify) the OpenVMS Registry directly in the following ways:

You can change a key's security attributes only from a Windows NT system---you cannot change a key's security attributes from an OpenVMS system. OpenVMS does not create or manage Windows NT security attributes.

D.10 Backing Up and Restoring the OpenVMS Registry Database

The OpenVMS Registry includes a server management utility that allows you to back up and restore the entire OpenVMS Registry database to or from a file from the OpenVMS DCL prompt as long as you have the required system privileges.

For more information about backing up and restoring the OpenVMS Registry database,

D.11 Using the OpenVMS Registry in an OpenVMS Alpha Mixed-Version Cluster

The OpenVMS Registry Server can run in an OpenVMS Alpha mixed-version cluster. That is, the OpenVMS Registry can run in a cluster that includes OpenVMS versions other than OpenVMS Version 7.2-1; but the OpenVMS Registry server must be running on the node that is running OpenVMS Version 7.2-1.

D.12 Internationalization and Unicode Support

To integrate with Windows NT, the OpenVMS Registry is Unicode compliant. For more information about Unicode, see the OpenVMS Version 7.2 New Features Manual.


Glossary

An alphabetical list of terms used in the OpenVMS System Manager's Manual and their definitions follow.

access control list (ACL): A protection mechanism using a more refined level of protection than that available with UIC-based protection. ACLs can be used to grant or deny access to individual users or groups of users.

access mode: Any of the four processor access modes in which software executes. Processor access modes prevent system software from inadvertently performing operations that might damage the system. Processor access modes are in order from most to least privileged and protected: kernel, executive, supervisor, and user. When the processor is in any mode other than kernel mode, the processor is inhibited from executing privileged instructions.

account: Each system user has an account. When you log in, you log in under a particular account name and number. This number informs the system where your files are and what kind of access to other files and system facilities you should be given.

accounting files: Files where the system stores information about resource use. Compare with current accounting file.

active set: In a multiprocessing system, the subset of processors that have successfully run power-on diagnostics and are actively participating in system operations. Compare with available set.

active values: With system parameters, the set of values that is stored in memory and is used by the active system. When the system boots, it reads into memory the current values stored in a parameter file on disk.

adjacent node: In a network, a node that is connected to your node by a single physical line.

allocation class: In an OpenVMS Cluster environment, for devices that are dual-ported between two computers, a numeric value used to create a unique, path-independent device name.

answer file: A file in the form SYS$UPDATE:product.ANS. The file is created when you install a product initially, and you specify the Auto-Answer option. The file contains a record of the answers you entered when you ran VMSINSTAL.COM to install that product initially.

application service: A LAT service in which LAN users can access only a specific program. Contrast with general timesharing service.

area router: In a network, a node that performs routing operations between areas and within its own area. Also called a level 2 router. Compare with level 1 router.

autoconfiguration: Autoconfiguration is the process of discovering the hardware devices on a system and loading the appropriate device drivers.

autostart feature: A feature that simplifies startup and ensures high availability of execution queues in an OpenVMS Cluster environment. It lets you perform the following actions:


autostart queue: An execution queue that takes advantage of the autostart feature. When you create a queue, you can designate it as an autostart queue.

available set: In a multiprocessing system, those processors that have successfully completed the system's power-on hardware diagnostics and may or may not be actively involved in the system. Compare with active set.

backlink: In Files--11 disk structure, a pointer to the directory in which a file resides.

banner page: A specially formatted page that prints at the beginning and end of print jobs and files within print jobs. These pages are helpful in identifying and separating output jobs, and the files within those jobs, when they are printed.

base process priority: A base priority value that the system uses to schedule a process. Priorities range from a low of 0 to a high of 31; 0 through 15 are timesharing priorities and 16 through 31 are real-time priorities. Compare with job scheduling priority.

batch execution queue: An execution queue that can accept only batch jobs.

batch job: A detached process that sequentially runs one or more command procedures. The user defines the list of command procedures when submitting the job to a batch queue.

batch mode: An execution mode in which you can execute a command procedure by submitting the procedure to a batch queue. When resources are available, the system creates a detached process to execute the commands in the procedure. Usually, processes running in batch mode execute at a lower process priority, to avoid competing with interactive users for system resources.

beginning-of-tape (BOT) marker: A piece of photoreflective tape that delimits the beginning of the writable area on a tape volume.

binding: On an InfoServer system, a function that creates a virtual device unit on a local OpenVMS system.

block: On Files--11 disks, the basic unit by which disk space is allocated (512 8-bit bytes). On magnetic tape, the size of a block is determined by the user.

boot block: Virtual block 1 of the index file. The boot (or bootstrap) block is almost always mapped to the logical block 0 of the volume. The book block contains the location and size of the primary bootstrap image, which is used to boot the system. Certain processors, in order to boot, must read the boot block to obtain the location of the primary bootstrap image.

booting: Also called bootstrapping, the process of loading system software from the system disk into processor memory. You must install the operating system before you boot the system for the first time. See also conversational boot and nonstop boot.

bootstrapping: See booting.

bpi: Bits per inch; a measure used for characters of data on tape. Also called density.

caching: A performance enhancement in which the system stores information in memory; this includes information about a disk volume's free space, file identifications, quota file entries, and file headers.

capability: On VAX systems, software that makes the services of the vector processor available to system users.

cathedral windows: Segmented windows created from mapping windows; useful for reducing the overhead required to read large files. The Buffered I/O Byte Count Limit (BITLM) limits the number of cathedral windows a user can create.

circuit: In a network, a communications data path that connects adjacent nodes. A circuit is not a physical data path but, rather, a logical connection that operates over a physical connection (a line). All input and output (I/O) between nodes takes place over circuits.

cluster: On Files--11 media, a logical grouping of blocks; the basic unit by which disk space is allocated.

See also OpenVMS Cluster system.

CMIP: See Common Management Information Protocol.

command procedure: A file containing DCL commands and, optionally, data used by those commands. When you execute a command procedure, the system reads the file and executes the commands it contains. This eliminates the need for you to enter each command separately. You can use command procedures to efficiently perform routine tasks. A command procedure can also be executed in batch mode.

command string: The complete specification of a command, including the command name, command qualifiers, parameters, and parameter qualifiers. Because a command can be continued on more than one line, the term is used to define the entire command.

Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP): Draft standard for network management operations on which DECnet-Plus network management protocol is based. CMIP is used for encoding network management operations that can be performed on an entity. CMIP permits the exchange of information between a director and an agent. CMIP supersedes the Phase IV Network Information and Control Exchange (NICE) protocol.

Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM): Computer discs similar to the CD-ROMs used for audio applications. The major difference is that CD-ROM computer disc players have a digital (rather than an audio) interface.

configuration database: In a network, each node has a configuration database that includes information about the node and other nodes with which it can communicate. The configuration database is made up of a permanent database and volatile database.

connection manager: In an OpenVMS Cluster environment, the component that dynamically defines the OpenVMS Cluster system and coordinates participation of computers in the cluster.

conversational boot: A booting operation in which you stop to perform special operations---for example, to change system parameter values---before booting. Contrast with nonstop boot.

Conversational boot operations are common in programming research and development environments where you must alter operating conditions for experimentation, testing, and debugging.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): International standard for measuring time of day.

crash dump: When the operating system detects an unrecoverable error or an inconsistency within itself that causes the system to fail, it writes the contents of the error log buffers, processor registers, and memory into the system dump file.

crash history file: A file storing information about system crashes. Use the Crash Log Utility Extractor (CLUE) to display the contents of the crash history file to understand and resolve the issues responsible for crashes, and to obtain other useful data.

current accounting file: In an OpenVMS Cluster environment, an accounting file for a particular node. By default, the current accounting file is SYS$MANAGER:ACCOUNTNG.DAT.

current values: With system parameters, the set of values that is stored in the default parameter file on disk and are used to boot the system. When the system boots, it reads the current parameter values into memory to create active values.

cylinder: On a disk, consists of all tracks at the same radius on all recording surfaces of the disk.

data area: One of two divisions of CD-ROM volume space; includes the remaining volume space, beginning with logical sector 16.

data record storage: Within tape files, data records are stored in variable-size data blocks. Each block contains one or more records. RMS provides management of records.

DECevent: On Alpha systems, the event management utility that provides an interface between a system user and the operating system's event log files.

DECnet: Generic name for the software and hardware products that allow various Compaq operating systems to participate in a network. DECnet allows a system to function as a node in a network. See also DECnet Phase IV, DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS, and Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS.

DECnet Phase IV: Older version of DECnet; available for separate installation as a layered product.

DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS: The version of DECnet that is available with the installation procedure for the OpenVMS operating system. DECnet-Plus is Compaq's implementation of the Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Phase V.

default values: With system parameters, the set of values provided on your distribution kit and stored in the default list. These values allow you to boot any supported configuration.

density: A measurement, in bits per inch, used for characters of data on tape.

device: Hardware that allows access to storage media; also called drive.

device control library: A text library that contains user-written modules consisting of text or escape sequences. See also device control module.

device control library module: A user-written module in a device control library. Device control library modules can be used for the following purposes:

See also page setup module, reset module, and setup module.

device driver: A system component that controls I/O operations for a particular device type. For a device to function on a system, the device must be connected and the device driver must be loaded into memory.

Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS: Compaq implementation of the TCP/IP protocol suite and Internet services for OpenVMS Alpha and VAX operating systems.)

disk: Physical media on which files reside.

disk quota: A method for maintaining and enforcing limits on the amount of disk space available to users on a public volume. See also quota file.

drive: Hardware that allows access to storage media; also called device.

end node: In a network, a node that does not perform routing operations.

end-of-tape (EOT) marker: A piece of photoreflective tape that delimits the end of the writable area on a tape volume.

ERRFMT process: System process that periodically empties the error log buffers, transforms the descriptions of the errors into standard formats, and stores the formatted information in the error log file on the system disk.

error log dump file: On Alpha systems, file to which the contents of error log buffers are written (in addition to the system dump file). The error log dump file is provided so that the system can be updated on reboot to include error log entries that were created but not written at the time of a system crash.

error log file: The operating system automatically records device and CPU error messages in this file. The Error Log utility invokes the Error Log Report Formatter (ERF) to selectively report the contents of an error log file.

Error Log Report Formatter (ERF): A system component invoked by the Error Log utility to selectively report the contents of the error log file.

Ethernet: A single shared network channel, with all nodes having equal access to the channel. Ethernet offers local and remote connections as one integral network.

event classes: Categories of security-relevant events. The system always audits several event classes.

executable image: An image that can be run in a process. It is linked with the /EXECUTABLE qualifier (or without the /SHAREABLE qualifier) of the Linker utility.

execution queue: A queue that accepts batch or print jobs for processing. Compare with generic queue.

executive: A set of programs in the operating system that controls the running of routines that perform I/O, resource allocation, and program execution. See also executive routines.

executive mode: The second most privileged processor access mode. OpenVMS Record Management Services (RMS) and many system service procedures execute in executive mode.

executive routines: System routines that detect errors and events and write relevant information into error log buffers in memory. See also executive.


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