DECnet-RSX Network Management Concepts and Procedures Oct87

This document, "DECnet-RSX Network Management Concepts and Procedures" (October 1987), is a comprehensive manual for network managers overseeing DECnet-RSX nodes within a Digital Network Architecture (DNA) network. It specifically addresses DECnet software implementations for RSX-11M, RSX-11S, RSX-11M-PLUS, and Micro/RSX operating systems, as well as the RSX-11 Packetnet System Interface (PSI), which conforms to DNA and supports the CCITT X.25 protocol for Packet Switching Data Networks (PSDN).

The manual covers essential aspects of network management, organized into key areas:

1. Network Management Overview: Introduces the DECnet-RSX product, the responsibilities of a network manager (defining, configuring, controlling, monitoring, testing, and down-line loading nodes), and the primary utilities used: the Configuration File Editor (CFE) for modifying the permanent database, the Network Control Program (NCP) for the volatile database and real-time operations, and the Virtual Network Processor (VNP) for altering the system image file.

2. Network Management Components: Details the configurable elements of the network, including nodes (identification, access control, parameters), routing components (areas, node types, routing parameters), objects (types, parameters), lines (devices, identification, parameters), circuits (types, identification, parameters, states, ownership), event logging, counters, and various processes.

3. Operating DECnet-RSX/PSI Nodes: Provides procedures for starting up and shutting down local and remote DECnet-RSX/PSI nodes using NETINS.CMD files, NCP commands, and VNP commands. It also covers monitoring network activity through display commands (NCP SHOW), event logging, and the Network Display Program (NTD).

4. Testing the Network: Describes various loopback tests (node level, circuit level, X.25 line level) to aid in fault isolation and verify software and hardware operation. It also introduces the RSX-11 PSI Trace utility and KMX/KMY/KMV Microcode Dump Analyzer Task (KDA) for diagnostics.

5. DECnet-RSX Host Services: Explains how a DECnet-RSX node can function as a host, including down-line loading operating system images and tasks to remote nodes, up-line dumping memory from remote nodes (for crash analysis), and providing remote console facilities (CCR).

6. Choosing Network Buffer Parameters: Offers guidelines for allocating memory for different types of network buffers (large data buffers, small data buffers, communications control buffers) to optimize performance and resource utilization.

7. Area Routing Guidelines: Discusses the concepts and guidelines for configuring large Phase IV multi-area networks, distinguishing between different node types (level 1/2 routers, end nodes), and addressing potential configuration problems like partitioned areas and area leakage.

8. A Component View of DECnet-RSX/PSI: Provides an in-depth look at the internal software components of the DECnet-RSX/PSI system, including the Communications Executive (CEX), DECnet communications components, and various support and utility components, explaining how they interact.

The document also includes several appendices that serve as detailed references for CFE, NCP, and VNP command summaries, object type codes, event classes and types for event logging, network counter summaries, and RSX-11 PSI component states and state transitions.