Document revision date: 9 May 2001
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OpenVMS Version 7.3 Release Notes

OpenVMS Version 7.3 Release Notes

Order Number: AA--QSBTD--TE


April 2001

This manual describes changes to the software; installation, upgrade, and compatibility information; new and existing software problems and restrictions; and software and documentation corrections.

Revision/Update Information: This is a new manual.

Software Version: OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3
OpenVMS VAX Version 7.3




Compaq Computer Corporation
Houston, Texas


© 2001 Compaq Computer Corporation

Compaq, AlphaServer, POLYCENTER, VAX, VMS, and the Compaq logo Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

OpenVMS and Tru64 are trademarks of Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the United States and other countries.

Motif, OSF1, and UNIX are trademarks of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.

All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Confidential computer software. Valid license from Compaq required for possession, use, or copying. Consistent with FAR 12.211 and 12.212, Commercial Computer Software, Computer Software Documentation, and Technical Data for Commercial Items are licensed to the U.S. Government under vendor's standard commercial license. Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

The information in this document is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq products are set forth in the express limited warranty statements accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty.

ZK6637

The Compaq OpenVMS documentation set is available on CD-ROM.

Contents Index


Preface

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for all OpenVMS operating system users. Read this manual before you install, upgrade, or use Version 7.3 of the operating system.

Document Structure

This manual contains the following chapters and appendixes:

In Chapters 2 through 8, notes are organized by facility or product name; facilities and products are listed alphabetically.

This manual contains release notes introduced in the current release and notes from previous OpenVMS versions that still apply to the new release. Margin notes for each release note indicate the version of origin (for example, V7.3).

Notes from previous releases are published when:

Related Documents

For a list of additional documents that are available in support of this version of the OpenVMS operating system, refer to the OpenVMS Version 7.3 New Features and Documentation Overview.

For additional information about OpenVMS products and services, access the following Compaq web site:

http://www.compaq.com/openvms/

Reader's Comments

Compaq welcomes your comments on this manual. Please send comments to either of the following addresses:
Internet openvmsdoc@compaq.com
Mail Compaq Computer Corporation
OSSG Documentation Group, ZKO3-4/U08
110 Spit Brook Rd.
Nashua, NH 03062-2698

How to Order Additional Documentation

Use the following World Wide Web address to order additional documentation:

http://www.compaq.com/openvms/

If you need help deciding which documentation best meets your needs, call 800-282-6672.

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:
Ctrl/ x A sequence such as Ctrl/ x indicates that you must hold down the key labeled Ctrl while you press another key or a pointing device button.
PF1 x A sequence such as PF1 x indicates that you must first press and release the key labeled PF1 and then press and release another key or a pointing device button.
[Return] In examples, a key name enclosed in a box indicates that you press a key on the keyboard. (In text, a key name is not enclosed in a box.)

In the HTML version of this document, this convention appears as brackets, rather than a box.

... A horizontal ellipsis in examples indicates one of the following possibilities:
  • Additional optional arguments in a statement have been omitted.
  • The preceding item or items can be repeated one or more times.
  • Additional parameters, values, or other information can be entered.
.
.
.
A vertical ellipsis indicates the omission of items from a code example or command format; the items are omitted because they are not important to the topic being discussed.
( ) In command format descriptions, parentheses indicate that you must enclose the choices in parentheses if you specify more than one.
[ ] In command format descriptions, brackets indicate optional choices. You can choose one or more items or no items. Do not type the brackets on the command line. However, you must include the brackets in the syntax for OpenVMS directory specifications and for a substring specification in an assignment statement.
| In command format descriptions, vertical bars separate choices within brackets or braces. Within brackets, the choices are optional; within braces, at least one choice is required. Do not type the vertical bars on the command line.
{ } In command format descriptions, braces indicate required choices; you must choose at least one of the items listed. Do not type the braces on the command line.
bold text This typeface represents the introduction of a new term. It also represents the name of an argument, an attribute, or a reason.
italic text Italic text indicates important information, complete titles of manuals, or variables. Variables include information that varies in system output (Internal error number), in command lines (/PRODUCER= name), and in command parameters in text (where dd represents the predefined code for the device type).
UPPERCASE TEXT Uppercase text indicates a command, the name of a routine, the name of a file, or the abbreviation for a system privilege.
Monospace text

Monospace type indicates code examples and interactive screen displays.

In the C programming language, monospace type in text identifies the following elements: keywords, the names of independently compiled external functions and files, syntax summaries, and references to variables or identifiers introduced in an example.

- A hyphen at the end of a command format description, command line, or code line indicates that the command or statement continues on the following line.
numbers All numbers in text are assumed to be decimal unless otherwise noted. Nondecimal radixes---binary, octal, or hexadecimal---are explicitly indicated.


Chapter 1
Introduction

This chapter contains information about the following topics:

1.1 OpenVMS Releases

The following sections describe the differences in OpenVMS releases. Full upward compatibility of user-mode code is part of any OpenVMS release.

1.1.1 OpenVMS Major Release

The purpose of a major release is to identify to our customers and application providers that we are providing significant new features, particularly changes to kernel interfaces and kernel-mode data structures. These changes may require the recoding or recompilation of applications that use these privileged-mode interfaces. Full upward compatibility of user-mode code is expected.

An example of a major release is OpenVMS Alpha Version 6.0 or OpenVMS Version 7.0. Major releases are sometimes referred to as point-zero releases.

Major releases are shipped to all customers with the appropriate software service contracts.

1.1.2 OpenVMS New Feature Release

The purpose of a new feature release is to provide new features, as well as enhancements to existing features and maintenance updates. These changes do not generally require recoding or recompiling of privileged-mode applications. Full upward compatibility of user-mode code is expected.

An example of a new feature release is OpenVMS VAX Version 6.2 or OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3. New feature releases are sometimes referred to as point releases.

New feature releases are shipped to all customers with the appropriate software service contracts.

1.1.3 OpenVMS Minor Release

The purpose of a minor release is to provide some new features, enhancements to existing features, new hardware and option support, and maintenance for the previous release. Minor releases are not expected to have any impact on applications. Full upward compatibility of user-mode code is expected.

An example of a minor release is OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2-1 or OpenVMS VAX Version 5.5-2. Minor releases are sometimes referred to as dash releases.

Minor releases are shipped to all customers with the appropriate software service contracts.

1.1.4 OpenVMS Limited Hardware Release

Limited hardware releases are specific to, tested for, and targeted at new systems, new option support, and new hardware configurations.

These releases may include specific remedial fixes that are required to support the new hardware, but they do not include enhancements or general maintenance. No application impact is expected. Full upward compatibility of user-mode code is expected.

Limited hardware releases are ordered explicitly by customers and are not automatically shipped to customers with software service contracts. A customer receives the limited hardware release when they acquire new systems, new options, or new configurations.

An example of a limited hardware release is OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2-1H1 or OpenVMS VAX Version 5.5-2H4.

1.2 Upgrade Paths

The following figures show the upgrade and rolling upgrade paths for OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS VAX.

During a cluster rolling upgrade, you upgrade each system disk individually, allowing old and new versions of the operating system to run together in the same cluster. You must have more than one system disk. The systems that are not being upgraded remain available.

During a concurrent upgrade, you must shut down the entire cluster and upgrade each system disk. No one can use the cluster until you upgrade and reboot each computer. Once you reboot, each computer will be running the upgraded version of the operating system.

The bold lines in Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2 indicate direct supported upgrade paths to Version 7.3. All other lines indicate supported upgrade paths, some for prior versions. Cluster rolling upgrade paths from Version 7.1 and Version 7.2 to Version 7.3 are supported for both Alpha and VAX.

OpenVMS Alpha

Figure 1-1 illustrates the OpenVMS Alpha upgrade paths.

Figure 1-1 OpenVMS Alpha Upgrade Paths


For OpenVMS Alpha, you can upgrade directly to Version 7.3 from Version 6.2x, Version 7.0, Version 7.1x, and 7.2x. Cluster rolling upgrades are supported from Version 7.1 and Version 7.2.

For complete instructions on installing or upgrading to OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3, refer to the OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3 Upgrade and Installation Manual.

OpenVMS VAX

Figure 1-2 illustrates the OpenVMS VAX upgrade paths.

Figure 1-2 OpenVMS VAX Upgrade Paths


For OpenVMS VAX, you can upgrade directly to Version 7.3 from Version 6.1, Version 6.2, Version 7.0, Version 7.1, and Version 7.2.

If you are running Version 5.5-2, you can upgrade to Version 6.1 and then to Version 7.3.

Caution

Install the following remedial kit before upgrading from Version 6.1 to Version 7.3.


VAXBACK04_061 

Remedial kits can be accessed at the following World Wide Web (WWW) address:

http://www.compaq.com/support/

If you have a service contract and cannot download software from the Internet, call your Compaq support representative to receive the remedial kit on media appropriate for your system.

Cluster rolling upgrades are supported from Version 7.1 and Version 7.2.

For complete instructions on installing or upgrading to OpenVMS VAX Version 7.3, refer to the OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3 Upgrade and Installation Manual.

1.3 Compaq's Support Policy

V7.3

Compaq provides support for the current version and the previous version (for up to 12 months) of the OpenVMS operating system. For earlier software versions, a Prior Version Support contract may be available.

A software release is considered a current version when it is the most recent release and for the twelve months following the release of a subsequent version. A subsequent version is defined as a Major or New Feature release. Major releases contain substantial new functionality. The version number increases to the next integer (for example, 6.2 to 7.0). New Feature releases contain some additional functionality. The version number increases to the next decimal fraction (for example, 7.2 to 7.3). Thereafter, Prior Version Support may be available.

For information about all levels of support, contact your Compaq support representative or access the following Compaq web site:

http://www.compaq.com/support/

For information about Prior Version Support services, access the following Compaq web sites:

http://www.compaq.com/services/software/ss_mature.html

http://www.compaq.com/services/software/ss_pvs.html


Chapter 2
OpenVMS Software Installation Release Notes

This chapter contains information that applies to installations and upgrades of the OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS VAX operating systems.

The installation and upgrade notes in this chapter are organized into the following categories:

For information about layered product installation and support, see Chapter 3.

For hardware and firmware release notes, see Appendix B.

2.1 Installation and Upgrade Information Common to Alpha and VAX

The following release notes document installation and upgrade information common to both OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS VAX platforms.

For Alpha-specific notes, see Section 2.2.

For VAX-specific installation and upgrade notes, see Section 2.3.

2.1.1 Compatibility Kits Required in Some OpenVMS Cluster Systems

V7.3

If you are planning to install OpenVMS Version 7.3 in an OpenVMS Cluster system, in either a mixed-version cluster or a mixed-architecture cluster, you need to install certain remedial kits (if you have not already installed them). For more information, see Section 5.9.5.

2.1.2 Networking Options

V7.3

OpenVMS provides customers with the flexibility to choose the network protocol of their choice. Whether you require DECnet or TCP/IP, OpenVMS allows you to choose the protocol or combination of protocols that works best for your network. OpenVMS supports both Compaq and third-party networking products.

During the main installation procedure for OpenVMS Version 7.3, you have the option of installing the following Compaq networking software:

Or, after you install OpenVMS, you can install a supported third-party networking product of your choice.

For information about how to configure and manage your Compaq networking software after installation, see the manuals listed in Table 2-1. The manuals in online format are available on the OpenVMS Documentation CD-ROM and can be ordered in printed format through Compaq (800-282-6672).

Table 2-1 Documentation: Configuring and Managing Networks
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Installation and Configuration AA--LU49M--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Management AA--LU50L--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Management Commands Reference AA--PQQGH--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Sockets API and System Services Programming AA--LU51L--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Tuning and Troubleshooting AA--RN1VA--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Guide to IPv6 AA--RNJ3A--TE 1
Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS SNMP Programming and Reference AA--R04BC--TE 1
DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS (Phase V)
DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS Installation and Basic Configuration AA--QPSUB--TE
DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS Applications Installation and Advanced Configuration AA--QPSVB--TE
DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS Network Management AA--R1UHA--TE
DECnet for OpenVMS (Phase IV)
DECnet for OpenVMS Guide to Networking AA--PV5ZA--TK
DECnet for OpenVMS Networking Manual AA--PV60A--TK
DECnet for OpenVMS Network Management Utilities AA--PV61A--TK


1These manuals have been updated for TCP/IP Services Version 5.1 and are available to customers on the OpenVMS layered products documentation CD-ROM. Look for PDF format, as well as HTML and PostScript.


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