OpenVMS Version 7.3 Release Notes

This document, the "OpenVMS Version 7.3 Release Notes" (Order Number AA–QSBTD–TE), published in June 2001 by Compaq Computer Corporation, is a comprehensive guide for all OpenVMS operating system users.

Its primary purpose is to describe:

• Changes to the software.
• Installation, upgrade, and compatibility information.
• New and existing software problems and restrictions.
• Software and documentation corrections.

The manual specifically covers OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3 and OpenVMS VAX Version 7.3.

Key areas addressed include:

• OpenVMS Releases & Upgrade Paths: Details on major, new feature, minor, and limited hardware releases, along with supported upgrade paths and Compaq's support policy.
• Software Installation: Common and platform-specific notes for Alpha and VAX systems, including compatibility kits, networking options, and issues with layered products like PATHWORKS and Advanced Server.
• Associated Products: Release notes for various products such as C/C++, COBOL, DECdfs, DECram, LDAP, DECwindows Motif, MultiNet, Open3D, Pascal, PL/I, Reliable Transaction Router (RTR), and TCP/IP Services.
• General User Information: Notes concerning AlphaServer GS Series systems, IDE controller booting, COM for OpenVMS, online help updates, OpenVMS Alpha firmware, and freeware CD-ROMs.
• System Management: Topics on ECP Data Collector, Extended File Specifications, External Authentication, OpenVMS Galaxy, Lock Manager, OPCOM, OpenVMS Cluster Systems, OpenVMS Registry, RMS Journaling, and System Parameters.
• Programming: Details on Backup API, Batch and Print Queues, Ada and C Run-Time Libraries, Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), Debugger features, Hypersort, Linker Utility, POSIX Threads Library, and privileged interfaces.
• Device Support: Information on SCSI device drivers, I/O functions, Fibre Channel configurations, and specific AlphaStation hardware.
• Interlocked Memory Instructions (Alpha Only): Guidance on identifying and correcting noncompliant code sequences for the Alpha 21264 (EV6) processor.
• Product Retirement Notices: Announcements for products and manuals that are no longer supported or slated for retirement, such as Adobe Display PostScript and Netscape Navigator.
• Hardware Release Notes: Specific notes for various AlphaServer, ALPHAbook, and DSSI disk devices.

Users are instructed to read this manual before installing, upgrading, or using OpenVMS Version 7.3.