Digital Equipment VAXft User manual

dt
VAXft Systems Owner’s Manual
EK–VXFT1–OM.004
Digital Equipment Corporation

December, 1991
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not
be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment
Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
Possession, use, duplication, or dissemination of the software described in this
documentation is authorized only pursuant to a valid written license from Digital or
the third-party owner of the software copyright.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not
supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation 1991
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: CompacTape, DEC, DSSI,
MicroVAX, RT, ThinWire, TK, VAX, VAXcluster, VAXft, VMS, and the DIGITAL logo.
FCC NOTICE: This equipment generates, uses, and may emit radio frequency energy.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device
pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules for operation in a commercial environment.
This equipment, when operated in a residential area, may cause interference to radio/TV
communications. In such event the user (owner), at his own expense, may be required to
take corrective measures.

VAXft Systems Documentation Road Map
Customer Letter
Owner’s Manual
Guide
Device Drivers
VAX Wide Area Network
Overview
Information
(VAXft Systems)
Software
Information
(VAXft System Services)
Operating System
(VMS)
Hardware
Information
(VAXft Systems)
Software Product
Description
Site Prep and
Installation Guide VMS Upgrade and
Installation Manual
VMS Upgrade and
Installation Supplement:
VAXft Systems
Release Notes
VMS Volume
Shadowing Manual
VAXft Systems
Configuration Guide
Using Factory−Installed Software
with VAXft Systems
Installation
Guide
Manager’s
Guide
Release Notes
MR−5490−RA
Online Help
Master Index
Reference
Manual
Error Message
Manual
Bookreader
Online
Book
Tape
Mini−Reference
=
=
=
=

Contents
About This Manual xi
1 VAXft System
1.1 Fault-Tolerant Operation ............................ 1–2
1.2 System Offerings . . . ............................... 1–4
1.3 Model 110 System Description . ....................... 1–5
1.3.1 Model 110 Base System ........................... 1–5
1.4 Model 310 and 410 System Descriptions . ............... 1–11
1.4.1 Model 310 and 410 Base System .................... 1–11
1.4.2 Model 310 and 410 System with Expansion ............ 1–17
1.5 Model 610 and 612 System Descriptions . ............... 1–20
1.5.1 Model 610 Base System ........................... 1–20
1.5.2 Model 610 System with One Expander Cabinet . . . ...... 1–22
1.5.3 Model 610 System with Two Expander Cabinets . . ...... 1–25
1.5.4 Model 612 Base System ........................... 1–28
1.5.5 Model 612 System with Expansion . . . ............... 1–31
1.6 System Architecture ............................... 1–34
2 System Components
2.1 TK70 Fixed Tape Drive ............................. 2–2
2.2 TF70 Cannister Tape Drive . . . ....................... 2–4
2.3 TF857 Tape Subsystem ............................. 2–6
2.4 RF-Series Fixed Disk Drive . . . ....................... 2–8
2.5 RF-Series Cannister Disk Drive ...................... 2–10
2.6 RF-Series Carrier Disk Drive . ....................... 2–12
2.7 Power Modules ................................... 2–13
2.8 Logic Modules and Connectors ....................... 2–18
2.9 Cabinet Cooling System ............................. 2–21
iii

iv Contents
3 Controls and Indicators
3.1 Cabinet Access ................................... 3–1
3.1.1 Model 110 System ............................... 3–1
3.1.2 Model 310 and 410 Systems . ....................... 3–3
3.1.3 Model 610 and 612 Systems . ....................... 3–5
3.2 RF-Series Disk Drives .............................. 3–6
3.3 System Cabinet Summary Panel ...................... 3–9
3.4 Expander Cabinet Summary Panel .................... 3–11
4 Console Operations
4.1 Console Description ............................... 4–2
4.2 Console Operating Modes ........................... 4–4
4.3 Console Control Characters . . ....................... 4–6
4.4 Console Command Language Syntax . . . ............... 4–8
4.5 Bootstrap Procedures .............................. 4–10
4.6 BOOT Command Syntax ............................ 4–12
4.7 Boot Devices and Module Expansion ................... 4–13
5 CIO Mode Console Commands
5.1 Entering CIO Mode . ............................... 5–2
5.2 BOOT . . . ....................................... 5–4
5.3 CONTINUE ..................................... 5–7
5.4 DEPOSIT and EXAMINE ........................... 5–8
5.5 HALT .......................................... 5–11
5.6 INITIALIZE ...................................... 5–11
5.7 MIO ........................................... 5–12
5.8 NEWCPU....................................... 5–12
5.9 PIO ............................................ 5–13
5.10 REPEAT . ....................................... 5–13
5.11 SET ............................................ 5–14
5.11.1 SET BOOT ..................................... 5–15
5.11.2 SET PORT ..................................... 5–16
5.11.3 SET TERMINAL PROGRAM ....................... 5–18
5.11.4 SET ZONE .................................... 5–19
5.12 SHOW . . . ....................................... 5–20

Contents v
5.13 START . . ....................................... 5–21
5.14 TEST . . . ....................................... 5–22
5.15 Z .............................................. 5–24
6 MIO Mode Console Commands
6.1 Entering MIO Mode ............................... 6–2
6.2 CIO ............................................ 6–4
6.3 DIALOUT ....................................... 6–5
6.4 DISABLE REMOTE ............................... 6–6
6.5 ENABLE REMOTE . ............................... 6–7
6.6 HANGUP ....................................... 6–8
6.7 PIO ............................................ 6–9
6.8 RBD ........................................... 6–10
6.8.1 Setting System Drive Parameters ................... 6–10
6.8.1.1 Base System . . ............................... 6–11
6.8.1.2 System with Expansion . . ....................... 6–12
6.8.2 The SHOW_DSSI Command ....................... 6–13
6.8.3 DUP PARAMS Commands . ....................... 6–14
6.9 SET ............................................ 6–18
6.9.1 SET LANGUAGE ............................... 6–19
6.9.2 SET LOCAL ................................... 6–20
6.9.3 SET MODEM_TYPE ............................. 6–22
6.9.4 SET NOTIFICATION ............................ 6–23
6.9.5 SET PORT .................................... 6–26
6.9.6 SET REMOTE . . ............................... 6–28
6.9.7 SET RESTART_ACTION . . ....................... 6–31
6.9.8 SET TERMINAL PROGRAM ....................... 6–32
6.10 SHOW . . . ....................................... 6–33
6.11 TEST . . . ....................................... 6–34

vi Contents
A TF70 Tape Drive Operation
A.1 Controls and Indicators ............................. A–2
A.2 TK Tape Cartridge . ............................... A–6
A.3 Loading a Tape Cartridge ........................... A–7
A.4 Unloading a Tape Cartridge . . ....................... A–8
A.5 Handling and Storing Tape Cartridges . . ............... A–8
A.6 Inspecting the Tape Leader . . . ....................... A–9
A.7 Inspecting the Drive Takeup Leader ................... A–10
A.8 If There is a Problem .............................. A–12
B TF857 Subsystem Operation
B.1 Power-On Process . . ............................... B–1
B.2 Mode Select Key................................... B–2
B.2.1 Operating Modes . ............................... B–2
B.2.2 Service Mode ................................... B–4
B.3 Operator Control Panel ............................. B–5
B.4 Slot Select, Load/Unload, and Eject Button Functions...... B–7
B.4.1 Selecting a Cartridge ............................. B–7
B.4.2 Loading the Cartridge ............................ B–7
B.4.3 Unloading the Cartridge . . . ....................... B–8
B.4.4 Opening the Receiver ............................. B–8
B.5 Magazine ....................................... B–9
B.5.1 Inserting a Cartridge into the Front of the Magazine .... B–9
B.5.2 Removing a Cartridge from the Magazine ............. B–11
B.5.3 Removing the Magazine from the Receiver ............ B–11
B.5.4 Installing the Magazine into the Receiver ............. B–11
C System Drive Removal and Replacement
C.1 Removing/Replacing a Cannister Drive . . ............... C–1
C.1.1 Removing a Cannister Drive ....................... C–2
C.1.2 Replacing a Cannister Drive ....................... C–5
C.2 Removing and Replacing a Carrier Drive ............... C–6
C.2.1 Removing a Carrier Drive . . ....................... C–7
C.2.2 Replacing a Carrier Drive . . ....................... C–8
C.3 Using the Server Setup Switch ....................... C–9

Contents vii
D Module Handling, Removal, and
Installation/Replacement Procedures
D.1 Module Handling and ESD Procedures . . ............... D–2
D.2 Removing a Module ............................... D–4
D.3 Installing/Replacing a Module . ....................... D–5
Index
Figures
1–1 Model 110 Zones/Modules............................ 1–3
1–2 Model 110 Base System ............................. 1–6
1–3 Model 110 Pedestal System . . . ....................... 1–7
1–4 Model 110 Rackmount System . ....................... 1–8
1–5 Model 110 Logic Module Placement .................... 1–10
1–6 Model 310 and 410 Base System ...................... 1–12
1–7 Layout of Model 310 and 410 Base System .............. 1–13
1–8 Model 310, 410, 610, and 612 Logic Module Placement ..... 1–15
1–9 Model 310 and 410 System with Expansion .............. 1–17
1–10 Layout of Model 310 and 410 System with Expansion ...... 1–18
1–11 Model 610 Base System ............................. 1–20
1–12 Layout of Model 610 Base System ..................... 1–21
1–13 Model 610 System with One Expander Cabinet ........... 1–23
1–14 Layout of Model 610 System with One Expander Cabinet . . . 1–24
1–15 Model 610 System with Two Expander Cabinets .......... 1–26
1–16 Layout of Model 610 System with Two Expander Cabinets . . 1–27
1–17 Model 612 Base System ............................. 1–29
1–18 Layout of Model 612 Base System ..................... 1–30
1–19 Model 612 System with Expansion .................... 1–32
1–20 Layout of Model 612 System with Expansion............. 1–33
1–21 VAXft System Architecture . . . ....................... 1–34
2–1 TK70 Tape Drive . . . ............................... 2–3
2–2 TF70 Cannister Tape Drive . . . ....................... 2–4
2–3 TF857 Tape Subsystem ............................. 2–7
2–4 RF-Series Fixed Disk Drive Controls and Indicators . ...... 2–9
2–5 RF-Series Cannister Disk Drive ...................... 2–10

viii Contents
2–6 RF-Series Carrier Disk Drive . ....................... 2–12
2–7 Model 110 Power Modules ........................... 2–14
2–8 Model 310 and 410 Power Modules .................... 2–15
2–9 Model 610 and 612 Power Modules .................... 2–16
2–10 Logic Modules and Connectors in a Five-Slot Backplane .... 2–19
2–11 Logic Modules and Connectors in a Seven-Slot Backplane . . . 2–20
2–12 Model 110 Cabinet Airflow Pattern .................... 2–22
2–13 Model 310 and 410 Cabinet Airflow Pattern ............. 2–23
2–14 Model 610 and 612 Cabinet Airflow Pattern ............. 2–24
3–1 Model 110 System Cabinet, Front View . . ............... 3–2
3–2 Model 310 or 410 System Cabinet, Front View ........... 3–3
3–3 Model 610 or 612 System Cabinet, Front View ........... 3–5
3–4 RF-Series Disk Drive Summary Panel . . . ............... 3–7
3–5 System Cabinet Summary Panel ...................... 3–9
3–6 Expander Cabinet Summary Panel .................... 3–12
4–1 VAXft Console Architecture . . . ....................... 4–2
4–2 Console Operating Modes ........................... 4–4
4–3 Boot Procedure ................................... 4–10
4–4 BOOT Command Syntax ............................ 4–12
4–5 Primary System I/O Controller Module Zone/Slot Specifiers
for Model 110 System ............................... 4–14
4–6 Primary System I/O Controller Module Zone/Slot Specifiers
and Module Expansion Sequence for Model 310, 410, 610,
and 612 Systems . . . ............................... 4–15
A–1 TF70 Cannister Tape Drive . . . ....................... A–2
A–2 TK70 Fixed Tape Drive ............................. A–3
A–3 CompacTape II Tape Cartridge ....................... A–6
A–4 Inserting a Tape Cartridge . . . ....................... A–7
A–5 Inspecting the Tape Leader . . . ....................... A–9
A–6 Inspecting the Drive Takeup Leader ................... A–10
A–7 Drive Takeup Leader Components .................... A–11
B–1 TF857 Operator Control Panel . ....................... B–3
B–2 Write-Protect Switch on a Cartridge ................... B–9
B–3 Inserting a Cartridge into the Magazine . ............... B–10
B–4 Removing a Cartridge from the Front of the Magazine ..... B–12
B–5 Receiver Opened . . . ............................... B–13
C–1 Model 310/410 Cannister Drive Controls and Latch . ...... C–3

Contents ix
C–2 Model 610/612 Cannister Drive Controls and Latch . ...... C–4
C–3 Carrier Drive Controls and Captive Thumb Screw . . ...... C–6
Tables
1–1 Model 110 Logic Modules and Adapters . . ............... 1–11
1–2 Model 310, 410, 610, and 612 Logic Modules and Adapters . . 1–16
2–1 VAXft System DC Power Characteristics ............... 2–18
3–1 RF-Series Disk Drive Summary Panel Elements .......... 3–8
3–2 System Cabinet Summary Panel Elements .............. 3–10
3–3 Expander Cabinet Summary Panel Elements ............ 3–13
4–1 VAXft Console Parts ............................... 4–3
4–2 Console Control Characters and Function Keys ........... 4–6
4–3 Console Command Language Syntax . . . ............... 4–8
4–4 Boot Procedure ................................... 4–11
5–1 BOOT Command Qualifier . . . ....................... 5–6
5–2 VMB Program Control Flags for /R5:n . . ............... 5–6
5–3 DEPOSIT and EXAMINE Command Data Size Qualifiers . . 5–9
5–4 DEPOSIT and EXAMINE Command Address Space
Qualifiers ....................................... 5–9
5–5 SET PORT Command Qualifiers ...................... 5–17
5–6 Terminal Mode Change Commands .................... 5–18
5–7 SHOW Command Options ........................... 5–20
6–1 SET LANGUAGE Command Options . . . ............... 6–19
6–2 SET LOCAL Command Qualifiers .................... 6–21
6–3 SET MODEM_TYPE Command Options . ............... 6–22
6–4 SET NOTIFICATION Command Options ............... 6–23
6–5 Dialout Countries . . . ............................... 6–25
6–6 SET PORT Command Qualifiers ...................... 6–27
6–7 SET REMOTE Command Options .................... 6–29
6–8 SET REMOTE Command Qualifiers ................... 6–30
6–9 SET RESTART_ACTION Command Options ............ 6–31
6–10 Terminal Mode Change Commands .................... 6–32
A–1 TK70 Tape Drive Controls ........................... A–4
A–2 TK70 Tape Drive Indicators . . . ....................... A–5
B–1 TF857 Operator Control Panel . ....................... B–5

AboutThisManual
Intended Audience
This manual is intended for system managers, users, and operators who
have system management experience and fault-tolerant VAXft system
training.
Document Structure
This manual provides system and console reference information. It is
made up of the following chapters and appendixes:
•Chapter 1, VAXft System — Introduces the base system and system
with expansion, and the system architecture.
•Chapter 2, System Components — Describes the modular
components inside the VAXft cabinets.
•Chapter 3, Controls and Indicators — Explains the use of the
cabinet operating controls.
•Chapter 4, Console Operations — Describes the system console
and the I/O operating modes. Provides several variations of the boot
command syntax.
•Chapter 5, CIO Mode Console Commands — Describes the console
commands available in the console I/O mode (CIO mode).
•Chapter 6, MIO Mode Console Commands — Describes the
console commands available in the module I/O mode (MIO mode).
•Appendix A, TF70 Tape Drive Operation — Describes how to
operate the TF70 cannister tape drive, TK70 fixed tape drvie, and TK
tape cartridges.
•Appendix B, TF857 Subsystem Operation — Describes how to
operate the TF857 tape subsystem and TK tape cartridges.
•Appendix C, System Drive Removal and Replacement —
Describes how to remove and replace cannister and carrier drives.
Explains the use of the server setup switch.
•Appendix D, Module Handling, Removal, and Installation
/Replacement Procedures — Describes how to remove, replace, or
install a logic module in the system backplane.
xi

xii About This Manual
Related Documentation
The VAXft documentation set includes the following manuals:
•VAXft Systems Site Preparation and Installation Guide (EK-
VXFT1-IN) — Provides site preparation guidelines and the system
specifications. Describes how to install, boot, and verify the system.
Provides procedures for removing, handling, and replacing the logic
modules, and for removing and replacing the system drives.
•VAXft Systems Owner’s Manual (EK-VXFT1-OM) — Provides a
functional description of the VAXft system. Describes the system
controls and indicators, console commands, bootstrap functions, and
tape drive operation. Provides procedures for removing and replacing
the system drives and for removing, handling, and replacing the logic
modules.
•VAXft Systems Mini-Reference Guide (EK-VXFT1-HR) — Provides
summaries of the system controls and indicators, console operation,
console commands, bootstrap functions, and system registers.
Additional Documentation
Other documents related to the VAXft system include:
•VAXft Systems Configuration Guide — Describes the VAXft system
and describes fault-tolerant computing.
•VAX Wide Area Network Device Drivers — Describes the software
utilities used in wide area network communications.
•VAXft System Services Installation Guide — Provides step-by-step
procedures for installing the VAXft system services software on your
VAXft system.
•TF857 Magazine Tape Subsystem Owner’s Manual — Provides a
functional description of the TF857 magazine tape subsystem.
Describes operation, local programs and utilities, error conditions
and problem resolutions, head cleaning procedures, and operating
commands.
•VAXft System Services Manager’s Guide — Describes the VAXft
system and the VAXft system services software. Provides information
on managing a fault tolerant system that is running VAXft system
services software.
•VAXft System Services Release Notes — Provides information related
to the current version of VAXft system services. Provides additional
information for installing and maintaining your VAXft system.

About This Manual xiii
•VAXft System Services Reference Manual — Provides reference
information on VAXft system services operation. Describes the DCL
commands used on a VAXft system.
•VAXft System Services Online Help — Provides information about
using the VAXft system services specific information and the DCL
commands used on a VAXft system.
•VAXft System Services Error Message Manual — Provides descriptions
of error messages that may be encountered in using VAXft system
services. Provides a reference for fault tolerant and system error
messages.
•VAXft System Services Master Index — Provides a complete index for
the software documentation set.
•VMS Upgrade and Installation Manual — Describes the installation
and upgrade procedures for the current release of the VMS operating
system. Provides information on the user environmental test package
(UETP).
•VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement: VAXft Systems —
Supplements the VMS Upgrade and Installation Manual with
information specific to the VAXft computer including startup,
shutdown, and backup procedures.
•VMS Release Notes — Provides notes on various aspects of the VMS
operating system.
•VMS Volume Shadowing Manual — Provides an in-depth discussion
of volume shadowing (phase II), shadow sets, the mount utility, and
DCL commands used to mount, monitor, and dismount volume shadow
sets.

1
VAXftSystem
The VAXft system is a fault-tolerant VAX computer that provides high
levels of availability and reliability for a variety of applications. Hardware
redundancy and failover techniques ensure uninterrupted operation in
the event of a single point of failure anywhere in the system. Modular
components simplify repair and maintenance procedures, reducing the
time required to bring components back into service.
The VAXft system:
• Operates as a stand-alone system or as the boot or satellite node for a
local area VAXcluster configuration.
• Has expansion capabilities in the areas of main memory, input/output
(I/O) devices, synchronous communications adapters, and disk storage.
This chapter introduces the VAXft system and includes:
• Fault-tolerant operation
• System offerings
• Model 110 system descriptions
• Model 310 and 410 system descriptions
• Model 610 and 612 system descriptions
• System architecture
1–1

1–2 VAXft System
1.1 Fault-Tolerant Operation
The VAXft system achieves fault tolerance through a combination of
redundancy and failover techniques. All critical functions of the VAXft
hardware are duplicated.
The VAXft system has two zones. Each of the zones contains the
hardware required to execute an application. The two zones are identical
in configuration, except in cases where the customer chooses not to have
hardware redundancy. The zones are physically and logically connected,
and simultaneously process the same instructions. When both zones
operate in this synchronous manner, they perform as a single, fault-
tolerant system. If a single hardware fault occurs in a component in
either zone, the problem is communicated to the other zone.
Once the fault is ‘‘known’’ within the system, the system takes action to
isolate the faulty component. This action can be:
• Disabling an I/O path
• Removing an element from service (for example, a memory module)
• Removing an entire zone from service
Despite the nature of the failure and recovery action, the system is able
to remain in full operation.
A simplified representation of the two zones is shown in Figure 1–1.

VAXft System 1–3
Figure 1–1 Model 110 Zones/Modules

1–4 VAXft System
1.2 System Offerings
The VAXft systems vary in processing power and storage capability. The
configurations include:
• Model 110 system
• Model 310 and 410 base systems
• Model 310 and 410 systems with expansion
• Model 610 and 612 base systems
• Model 610 and 612 systems with expansion
The VAXft model 110, 310 and 410 systems are configured as pedestal or
rackmount systems.
NOTE
The system cabinet is the pedestal package.
Each pedestal is 68.6 cm (27.0 in) high by 53.3 cm (21.0 in) wide. The
VAXft 110 system has two zones enclosed in one cabinet, which is similar
to a BA213 cabinet.
A model 310 or 410 base system has two system cabinets. Each system
cabinet includes power supplies, cooling, logic modules, and two storage
slots. Thus, a model 310 or 410 base system has four storage slots. One
of the four storage slots may house a TF70 tape drive.
The tape drive can be used for loading software. It can also be used as a
backup device. The other three storage slots can be used for disks, or if
desired, each zone can house one disk and one tape. RF-series disks are
used.
A model 310 and 410 system with expansion has two system cabinets
and two expander cabinets. Each system cabinet is connected to both
expander cabinets.
An expander cabinet has seven storage slots, six of which can be used.
One expander cabinet may house a TF70 tape drive in one of the storage
slots. Each expander cabinet can house up to six fixed disk drives or five
fixed disk drives and a removable tape drive or a removable disk drive.