VAXClusterSysRevF1 Jul86

This document, titled "VAXCLUSTER SYSTEM REVISION F1" and dated July 1986, is an internal memo from Larry S. Goelz, the Customer Services VAXcluster Program Manager. It announces the upgrade of the VAXcluster system from revision E4 to F1, outlining the significant changes, requirements, and benefits for customers.

The primary purpose of Revision F1 is to expand VAXcluster support, enhance system reliability, and improve serviceability by integrating new products and updating existing ones.

Key aspects of the revision include:

• New VAX System Support: Full support is added for VAX 8200, VAX 8300, VAX 8500, and VAX 8800 systems, as well as the CIBCI (Computer Interconnect for BI-bus machines), providing a broader processing and storage capacity range.
• VMS V4.4 Integration: VMS Version 4.4 is a mandatory requirement for all CPU nodes, introducing multiprocessing enhancements, new device support, and VAXcluster-specific features like clusterwide DECnet naming, shared node databases, clusterwide MONITOR utility, and Access Control Lists (ACLs). The document details the upgrade procedure, including considerations for mixed VMS V4.3/V4.4 environments (which are temporary and have restrictions).
• Volume Shadowing V1.0: This new VMS product is introduced, designed to eliminate single-disk dependencies by maintaining identical data copies across multiple drives. While offering benefits like continuous operation during disk repair and reduced backup downtime, it has limitations (e.g., maximum two members per shadow set, four shadow sets per HSC). The document lists known problems in VMS V4.4 shadowing (many fixed in V4.5 field test software) and provides troubleshooting guidance.
• Microcode Updates: Specifies the mandatory V7.0 CI microcode for CI7x0/CIBCI, which fixes several critical errors and introduces a "Variable Sanity Timer." Additionally, VAX-11/750 CPU microcode version "099" is updated to address various instruction-related issues.
• Tape Subsystem Fixes: Addresses four identified problems with DSA type tape subsystems (TA78/81), with fixes implemented in TS78 microcode, HSC code, and the VMS BACKUP utility.

The document emphasizes a "rolling upgrade policy," recommending that customers upgrade to the latest revision as soon as possible, as new functionality is not supported in mixed-revision environments. It also provides information on registering VAXcluster systems with the Colorado Customer Support Center for remote assistance and introduces a VAXcluster Wall Chart Kit for system management and planning.

For further assistance, individuals are directed to Larry S. Goelz and regional VAXcluster Core Group members.