Digital Equipment VAX 6000 Series User manual

dt
OpenVMS Systems Operations Guide:
VAX 6000 Systems
EK–V6000–OG. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

February, 1993
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.
Copyright © Digital Equipment Corporation 1993
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may emit
radio frequency energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC
Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such radio frequency
interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area may cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense may
be required to take measures to correct the interference.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: CI, DEC, HSC, MSCP,
OpenVMS, VAX, VAX 6000, VAXBI, VAXcluster, VMS, VT300, and the DIGITAL logo.

Contents
About This Guide vii
1 System Overview
1.1 Introduction ...................................... 1–1
1.2 System Cabinet ................................... 1–2
1.3 Console Terminal . . . ............................... 1–3
1.4 Operator Control Panel ............................. 1–3
1.4.1 Keyswitches .................................... 1–4
1.4.2 Restart Button . . . ............................... 1–6
1.4.3 Status Indicators . ............................... 1–7
1.5 System Architecture . ............................... 1–8
1.5.1 Processor Nodes . . ............................... 1–8
1.5.2 Memory Nodes . . . ............................... 1–8
1.5.3 I/O Nodes ...................................... 1–8
2 System Operation
2.1 System Power-Up . . . ............................... 2–1
2.2 System Boot ...................................... 2–2
2.3 System Shut-Down. . ............................... 2–3
2.3.1 Emergency Shutdown with CRASH Commands . . . ...... 2–3
3 Console Commands
3.1 Console Modes .................................... 3–1
3.2 Control Characters . . ............................... 3–1
3.3 Command Language Syntax . . ....................... 3–2
3.4 Console Command Summary . . ....................... 3–4
3.5 BOOT Command Description . . ....................... 3–5
3.6 Sample Console Session ............................. 3–6
iii

iv Contents
4 System Boot Procedures
4.1 Booting from a Local Disk Drive ...................... 4–1
4.2 Booting from an HSC Disk Drive ...................... 4–2
4.3 Performing a Conversational Boot ..................... 4–4
4.4 Automatic Restart . . ............................... 4–5
4.4.1 Warm Start .................................... 4–6
4.4.2 Cold Start — Setting a Default Disk . . ............... 4–6
4.5 Booting from [SYSF] During an Upgrade. ............... 4–7
4.6 Booting from a Different Directory on the System Disk ..... 4–8
4.7 Using SET BOOT. . . ............................... 4–10
4.8 If the System does not Boot . . . ....................... 4–11
5 System Backup Procedures
5.1 Introduction ...................................... 5–1
5.2 Using Standalone BACKUP . . . ....................... 5–2
5.2.1 Installing Standalone BACKUP on the System Disk ..... 5–2
5.2.2 Booting Standalone BACKUP from the System Disk ..... 5–2
5.2.3 Installing Standalone BACKUP on a Tape Cartridge..... 5–4
5.2.4 Booting Standalone BACKUP from a Tape Cartridge .... 5–6
5.2.5 Booting Standalone BACKUP from a Remote Compact
Disc . . . ....................................... 5–8
Index
Figures
1–1 Typical System ................................... 1–2
1–2 Operator Control Panel ............................. 1–4

Contents v
Tables
1–1 Upper Keyswitch Settings ........................... 1–5
1–2 Lower Keyswitch Settings ........................... 1–5
1–3 Restart Button Functions............................ 1–6
1–4 Status Indicator Lights ............................. 1–7
2–1 H7206 Diagnostic LEDs ............................. 2–1
2–2 Boot Procedure ................................... 2–2
3–1 Console Control Characters . . . ....................... 3–2
3–2 Console Command Parameters ....................... 3–2
3–3 Console Command List ............................. 3–4
3–4 Commonly Used Console Commands ................... 3–4
4–1 Boot Command Qualifiers (Local Disks) . . ............... 4–1
4–2 Boot Command Qualifiers (HSC Disks) . . ............... 4–3

AboutThisGuide
This document is a quick reference guide to basic VAX 6000 systems
operations. It summarizes in one place basic information concerning such
system tasks as booting and console operation as they relate to VAX 6000
systems.
Intended Audience
This guide is designed primarily for the following:
• System software support personnel
• Digital Services personnel
• System managers
• Instructors and participants in certain OpenVMS operating system
courses:
Systems Troubleshooting
System and Network Management I, II, and III
Document Scope
This guide describes various aspects of VAX 6000 systems operations
including:
• System overview
• Operators control panel
• Console command language
• System power-up and power-down procedures
• System boot and backup procedures
vii

1
SystemOverview
1.1 Introduction
VAX 6000 systems are designed for growth and can be configured for
many different applications. Each model in the VAX 6000 series:
• Supports multiple users in a time-sharing environment
• Supports a full range of VAX applications and operating systems
• Functions as a standalone system, a member of a VAXcluster system,
a boot node of a local area VAXcluster system, or as a VAX file server
for workstations
• Allows for expansion of processors, memory, and I/O
• Supports scalar processors
• Supports vector processors (models 400 and 500)
• Implements symmetric multiprocessing where all processors have
equal access to memory
• Incorporates a high-bandwidth system bus designed for
multiprocessing
• Performs automatic self-test on power-up, reset, reboot, or system
initialization
1–1

1–2 System Overview
1.2 System Cabinet
Figure 1–1 shows a typical VAX 6000 system cabinet configuration.
Figure 1–1 Typical System
System
Cabinet
Manuals
and Software
Optional
Storage
Device
LA75
Printer
VT300 Series
Terminal
GSF_000030_10_MPS
The system cabinet may house a console load device, an XMI card cage
(which contains the processors, memories, and I/O adapters), two optional
VAXBI card cages, optional disk drives, and the system control panel. The
console load device is used for installing operating systems, software, and
some diagnostics. The load device may be an Ethernet based compact
disk server or an in-cabinet tape drive. The console terminal is used for
booting and for system management operations.

System Overview 1–3
1.3 Console Terminal
The system console can be either a video or hardcopy terminal. The
console provides the operator with the means to control and monitor
system operations. You can also keep a record of an installation or
upgrade either by using a hardcopy console terminal or by attaching a
printer to the console video terminal (if it has that capability).
1.4 Operator Control Panel
The control panel is located in the upper left corner of the front of the
system cabinet.
See Figure 1–2. The control panel includes:
• An upper, 4-position keyswitch
• A lower, 3-position keyswitch
• Six lights that correspond to the settings of the keyswitches
• A Restart button
• Three status indicator lights

1–4 System Overview
Figure 1–2 Operator Control Panel
Standby
Enable
Secure
Update
Halt
Auto Start Restart
Run
Battery
Fault
0
GSF_000030_04_MPS
1.4.1 Keyswitches
The upper keyswitch of the control panel controls system power on and
power off operations. The lower keyswitch controls access to the console
terminal and enables or disables automatic restart after a power failure.
To change the keyswitch setting, insert the key and turn it to the desired
setting. After you select a switch setting, the corresponding light to the
right of the switch glows. There is no light for the Off (0) position.
Table 1–1 lists the settings for the upper keyswitches and Table 1–2 lists
the settings for the lower key switches.

System Overview 1–5
Table 1–1 Upper Keyswitch Settings
Position Effect Light Color
Off Shuts off all power except to the battery backup. No light
Standby Supplies power only to the power supply, blower,
and memory. Used for system maintenance. Red
Enable Supplies power to the whole system. You can
use the console terminal in console mode, or use
the Restart button.
Yellow
Secure Supplies power to the whole system. Used
for normal system operation. You cannot use
the Restart button or the console terminal in
console mode.
Green
Table 1–2 Lower Keyswitch Settings
Position Effect Light Color
Update Displays the console prompt at the console
terminal. Used to modify the Electrically
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
(EEPROM).
Red
Halt Causes the system to halt rather than restart
following a power failure or error halt. Yellow
Auto Start Allows the system to reboot automatically after
a power failure or error halt. Green

1–6 System Overview
1.4.2 Restart Button
Depending on the position of the keyswitches, pressing the Restart button
boots the system, runs self-tests, or does both. Table 1–3 describes various
keyswitch settings and the corresponding function of the Restart button.
NOTE
The upper keyswitch must be in the Enable position for the
Restart button to function.
Table 1–3 Restart Button Functions
Upper Keyswitch Lower Keyswitch Function
Enable Auto Start Runs self-tests. If the system
passes the self-test, it reboots.
Enable Update or Halt Runs self-tests, halts, and
displays the console prompt
(>>>).
Standby or Secure Any position None.

System Overview 1–7
1.4.3 Status Indicators
There are three status indicator lights on the control panel: Run, Battery,
and Fault. Table 1–4 describes the functions of these lights.
Table 1–4 Status Indicator Lights
Light Color State Meaning
Run Green On System is executing operating system
instructions.
Off System is in console mode or turned off.
Battery Green On Battery backup unit is fully charged.
Flashing
once per
second
Battery backup unit is charging.
Flashing
10 times
per second
Battery backup unit is supplying power
to the system.
Off System either does not have a battery
backup unit or is turned off.
Fault Red On Self-test in progress. If this light
remains on, there is a hardware fault
(see your computer-specific owner’s
manual).
Off Self-test is finished or the system is
turned off.

1–8 System Overview
1.5 System Architecture
1.5.1 Processor Nodes
A processor node is a single-board scalar processor or a scalar/vector
processor pair. The central processor unit (CPU) is comprised of two chips,
one of which is a floating-point accelerator. A write-back cache subsystem
improves system performance. In a multiprocessing system one scalar
processor becomes the boot processor during power-up, and that boot
processor loads the operating system and handles communication with
the operator console. The other processors become secondary processors
and receive system information from the boot processor.
1.5.2 Memory Nodes
A memory node is one memory module. Memory is a global resource
equally accessible by all processors on the XMI. Each memory module may
have 32, 64, or 128 Mbytes of memory consisting of ECC and control logic.
The memories are automatically interleaved. An optional battery backup
unit protects memory in case of power failure. The system supports up to
eight memories.
1.5.3 I/O Nodes
VAX 6000 systems support the following I/O adapter nodes: CIXCD, DEC
LANcontroller 400 (DEMNA), DWMBB, and the KDM70.

2
SystemOperation
2.1 System Power-Up
Power up the system by pushing in the handle on the H405 power
controller. Then monitor the LED indications on the H7206 power and
logic unit. The nine LEDs visible through the slot on the H7206 panel
provide fault indications for the power regulators and for certain other
faults such as overtemperature.
LEDs 2 through 6 are latching and therefore detect momentary faults.
These LEDs are reset to Off by cycling the keyswitch to Off then back
to Standby or Enable. These LEDs can also be reset by pressing and
releasing the reset switch located beneath the LED indicators.
If an LED does not turn off after one of these reset procedures, then you
have not corrected the problem that is causing the LED to light.
Table 2–1 H7206 Diagnostic LEDs
LED Condition Color Meaning
1 On Green +14V bias is okay
2 On Red XMI — H7215 fault
3 On Red XMI — H7214 fault
4 On Red XMI — H7242 fault
5 On Red VAXBI — H7215 fault
6 On Red VAXBI — H7214 fault
2–1

2–2 System Operation
Table 2–1 (Continued) H7206 Diagnostic LEDs
LED Condition Color Meaning
7 On Red H7214 or H7242 installed incorrectly
8 On Red XMI-1 module in the XMI-2 card cage
9 On Red Fault (airflow, interlock, overtemperature)
2.2 System Boot
The boot program reads the virtual memory boot program (VMB) from the
boot device. VMB in turn boots the operating system.
Table 2–2 Boot Procedure
Step Procedure
1 You enter BOOT command from the console terminal in console mode.
The BOOT command specifies the boot device and the path needed to
reach it.
2 System reinitializes and performs self-test.
3 Boot primitive is invoked from console ROM on the boot processor.
Boot primitive reads the bootblock from the specified boot device and
transfers control to the bootblock.
4 The bootblock contains code and a pointer to VMB. The bootblock loads
VMB into the first 256-Kbyte block of available memory.
5 Once VMB is loaded into memory, the bootblock transfers control to
VMB, which in turn starts the operating system.

System Operation 2–3
2.3 System Shut-Down
To halt the system after the procedure completes, press Ctrl/P.
2.3.1 Emergency Shutdown with CRASH Commands
NOTE
Use this emergency shutdown procedure only if the system is
hung and you cannot log in to SYSTEM to use SHUTDOWN or
OPCCRASH.
To force your VAX computer to fail, do the following:
1. Set the upper keyswitch to Enable.
2. Press Ctrl/P to put the system in console mode.
3. Enter the following commands. The system displays a value in
response to each of the EXAMINE commands. For example:
>>> E/I 0 I 00000000 7FFE7CE0
>>> E/I 1 I 00000001 7FFE9D88
>>> E/I 2 I 00000002 7FFED04E
>>> E/I 3 I 00000003 0001FACB
>>> E/I 4 I 00000004 80631200
>>> E PSL
04030004
>>> D PSL 041F0000
>>> D PC FFFFFFFF
Depositing these values in the program counter (PC) and the processor
status longword (PSL) causes an exception condition that sends the
contents of memory to a dump file on the system disk.
4. Enter the following command and press Return:
>>> C

2–4 System Operation
5. The system displays a fatal bugcheck message, and other messages,
similar to the following:
**** FATAL BUG CHECK, VERSION = 5.4 INVEXCEPTN, Exception while above ASTDEL
or on interrupt stack
CRASH CPU: 02 PRIMARY CPU: 02
ACTIVE/AVAILABLE CUP MASKS: 00000016/00000016
CURRENT PROCESS = NULL
REGISTER DUMP
R0 = 0000001F
.
.
.
**** MEMORY DUMP COMPLETE....
>>>
6. If the system does not reboot automatically, reboot it.
7. After the system reboots, you can examine the dump file. Log in to
the SYSTEM account.
8. Enter the following commands. Press Return after each one.
$ ANALYZE/CRASH SYS$SYSTEM:SYSDUMP.DMP
SDA> SHOW CRASH
For more information about the System Dump Analyzer (SDA), see
the VMS System Dump Analyzer Utility Manual.