HP OpenVMS Version 8.4 Release Notes

This document is the HP OpenVMS Version 8.4 Release Notes, published in June 2010, with order number BA322-90089.

Intended Audience: All users of HP OpenVMS Version 8.4 on both Integrity servers and Alpha systems.

Purpose: The manual describes:

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

Key Topics Covered (organized by chapter):

• OpenVMS Software Installation and Upgrade: Covers prerequisites, policy, obtaining remedial kits, pre-enablement for Intel Itanium 9300 servers, DECprint Supervisor restrictions, networking options, disk incompatibility, DECwindows Motif support, and upgrade paths for Alpha and Integrity servers.
• OpenVMS Associated Products: Provides support information and release notes for products like HP BASIC, HP TCP/IP Services, NetBeans, DECdfs, HP DCE, XML-C, CMAP Files, COBOL, FMS Kits, HP DECram, HP DECwindows Motif, HP Secure Web Server, HP Pascal, and WEBES/SEA.
• General User Notes: Includes information on issues with AEST-translated images, system service declarations, F$GETSYI("RAD_CPUS") problem, HP Code Signing Service, SHOW FORWARD/USER truncation, symbolic links changes, audit alarms, SHOW SYSTEM/STATE=MUTEX, Secure Web Browser installation warnings, Ctrl/P console issues, serial port enumeration, old firmware messages, TZ Function in C RTL, InfoServer Utility, new SET PASSWORD qualifier, OpenVMS Freeware, DCL command restrictions (SHUTDOWN.COM, MOUNT, SHOW LICENSE), DIAGNOSE command, DECmigrate, and documentation corrections.
• System Management: Details system maintenance, performance enhancements (e.g., Write Bitmaps, exception handling, image activation, global section management, dedicated CPU lock manager), error/warning messages during boot, large device name support, new system parameters (PAGED_LAL_SIZE), 2 TiB disk volume restrictions, SAS tape drives, external SAS disk device naming, external authentication, Itanium Primary Bootstrap issues, SHUTDOWN.COM changes, OpenVMS Cluster systems (Cluster over IP, Integrity VM support), mixed-version cluster compatibility, WBEM services, Monitor utility changes, and cluster compatibility patch kits.
• Programming: Contains release notes related to application and system programming, including incorrect prototypes, Symbolic Debugger, C++ Run-Time Library, process/application hangs, AST delivery, RMS $PARSE validation, Fibre Channel Port Drivers, C++ Compiler, Building DCE IDL C++ Applications, privileged data structures updates, 64-Bit Logical Block Number (LBN), dynamic spinlock forking, UCB/DDB updates, PCB$T_TERMINAL size increase, per-thread security impact on privileged code/device drivers, floating-point data applications, Ada event support, Ada Compiler, Backup API, C Programs compilation, C Run-Time Library changes, Calling Standard and Rotating Registers, Common Data Security Architecture (CDSA) considerations, debugging modes (CPUSPINWAIT, Delta/XDelta), File Applications corrections, HP BLISS Compiler warnings, RMS error for FAB, COBOL Run-Time Library, HP Fortran for Integrity servers, HP MACRO for OpenVMS, Hypersort Utility, Intel Assembler, Librarian Utility, Linker Utility (Alpha & Integrity), LTDRIVER restriction, Mail Utility, OpenVMS System Dump Analyzer (SDA), POSIX Threads Library, Timer Queue Entries (TQEs), Watchpoint Utility, and Whole Program Floating-Point Mode.
• Hardware: Information on USB Device Support, MP and BMC Console Restrictions, AlphaServer 2100/8200/8400/ES47/ES80/GS1280/GS Series/AlphaStation 200/400/255 systems, ATI RADEON graphics, DECwindows X11 Display Server, DIGITAL Modular Computing Components (DMCC), Digital Personal Workstation, Dual-Controller HSGnn, Open3D Graphics, PowerStorm 300/350 PCI Graphics, RFnn DSSI Disk Devices, RZnn Disk Drives, sx1000 Integrity Superdome, and ZLX Graphics Boards.
• Appendix A (Alpha Only): Describes interlocked memory instructions, required code checks, and the use of the Code Analysis Tool (SRM_CHECK).

The manual also includes release notes from previous OpenVMS versions that remain pertinent, with indicators for their version of origin or last update.