VAXcluster Maintenance Student Workbook Volume 3

This document, "VAXcluster Maintenance Student Workbook Volume 3," serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding, configuring, and maintaining VAXclusters. It details various VAXcluster types (homogeneous, heterogeneous, and combined), their configurations, and the critical quorum scheme designed to prevent partitioning and ensure cluster integrity, including specific considerations for two-node clusters.

The workbook outlines the system booting process for VAX systems within a cluster, covering procedures for booting from both local and HSC (Host Storage Controller) disks, as well as proper node shutdown. It explains device naming conventions for disk and tape devices, particularly for dual-pathed configurations, and provides instructions for mounting local and shared disks. Volume shadowing for data redundancy and methods for obtaining disk status are also discussed.

A substantial section is dedicated to the VAXcluster's system directory structure, clarifying the roles of node-specific and common system roots, logical names, and the placement of field service diagnostics. The document provides step-by-step guidance on building and installing VMS in a cluster environment, modifying SYSGEN parameters using AUTOGEN, and offers insights into performance considerations related to disk I/O, memory allocation, and synchronization.

Finally, the document introduces a suite of maintenance and troubleshooting tools, including VAXsim (VAX System Integrity Monitor), the ANALYZE/ERROR_LOG utility, Monitor Cluster, and Show Cluster commands, explaining their utility in diagnosing cluster problems. It also highlights the role of DECnet in facilitating communication and management within the VAXcluster and stresses the paramount importance of maintaining correct revision levels for all hardware and software components to ensure overall system stability.