VAXft Systems Owners Manual

This "VAXft Systems Owner’s Manual" (EK-VXFT1-OM.004), published by Digital Equipment Corporation in December 1991, provides comprehensive system and console reference information for VAXft fault-tolerant computer systems.

Intended Audience: System managers, users, and operators experienced with system management and VAXft systems.

Key Contents:

1. VAXft System Overview: Introduces the fault-tolerant design achieved through hardware redundancy and failover techniques, ensuring uninterrupted operation. It describes various system configurations, including Model 110 (pedestal/rackmount), Model 310/410, and Model 610/612 systems (base and expanded with additional cabinets), detailing their storage capabilities and system architecture with distinct "zones."
2. System Components: Details the modular hardware components, such as TK70 fixed tape drives, TF70 cannister tape drives, TF857 tape subsystems, various RF-series disk drives (fixed, cannister, carrier), power modules (AC input, DC supply, battery pack), logic modules (memory, processor, I/O controller, WAN adapters), and the cabinet cooling system.
3. Controls and Indicators: Explains the physical operating controls and visual indicators found on the cabinet summary panels, including those for cabinet access, disk drives, and system/expander cabinets.
4. Console Operations: Describes the VAXft console architecture (local and remote terminals), its three operating modes (Program I/O, Console I/O, Module I/O), console control characters, command language syntax, and the bootstrap procedures for system startup from various boot devices (tape, disk, Ethernet).
5. Console Commands (CIO and MIO Modes): Provides a detailed reference for commands available in Console I/O (CIO) mode (e.g., BOOT, CONTINUE, HALT, INITIALIZE, SET, SHOW, START, TEST) and Module I/O (MIO) mode (e.g., DIALOUT, ENABLE/DISABLE REMOTE, HANGUP, SET, SHOW, TEST, RBD for drive parameters).
6. System Drive and Module Management: Includes practical procedures for operating TF70/TK70 and TF857 tape drives (loading, unloading, handling), and for the removal and replacement of cannister and carrier disk drives and logic modules, emphasizing the importance of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) procedures and requiring qualified maintenance personnel.

The manual serves as a critical guide for understanding, operating, and performing basic maintenance on VAXft systems.