OpenVMS Technical Journal V12, January 2009

This OpenVMS Technical Journal from January 2009 features several articles on enhancing and managing OpenVMS environments.

The first article, "Intelligent Scheduling using fuzzy logic in applications," proposes using fuzzy logic to create automated, intelligent schedulers. This method aims to optimize system performance by scheduling resource-intensive tasks (like defragmentation) during periods of low system load, overcoming the limitations of traditional rule-based schedulers by handling ambiguous inputs.

"Utilizing /RETAIN=ERROR to make life easier" details a valuable OpenVMS qualifier for proactively identifying and troubleshooting failed batch and print jobs. It explains how to configure /RETAIN=ERROR at the queue and job levels, retain essential log files, and monitor problematic jobs, thereby improving system maintenance and reducing data corruption risks.

"Access Restrictions in FTP" addresses the need for better security in OpenVMS FTP services. It introduces "FTP Anonymous Light" and other parameters (e.g., TCPIP$FTPD_NOLIST, _NOWRITE) that allow system administrators to restrict user access to specific directories and control FTP operations, offering a simpler alternative to ACLs for enhanced security.

"Alternatives to HP SNA Server for OpenVMS HP Integrity servers" discusses communication options for OpenVMS Integrity servers to integrate with IBM SNA networks, as the original HP SNA Server is not ported to these platforms. It presents four alternatives: HP SNA Access Server for Windows, HP DECnet SNA Gateway for Synchronous Transport (ST), HP DECnet SNA Gateway for Channel Transport (CT), and the Mainframe Gateway for OpenVMS (MGO). MGO, an IP-based, software-only solution running on the IBM mainframe, is highlighted as a flexible and cost-effective choice.

"Calling OpenVMS native routines from Java" describes how to simplify the development of Java applications that interact with native OpenVMS routines. It demonstrates using PL/I SDL, SDL tools, and the J2VMS package to generate Java definitions and handle native data structures, eliminating the need for complex Java Native Interface (JNI) layer development.

Finally, "LAN troubleshooting techniques" provides a comprehensive guide for diagnosing and resolving LAN issues on OpenVMS systems. It covers identifying LAN device configurations and applications, interpreting LAN counters and trace data, managing LAN buffers to prevent packet loss, and troubleshooting common Ethernet setup problems, particularly those involving auto-negotiation and duplex mode mismatches with network devices.