DECdfs for OpenVMS

This document is the Release Notes for DECdfs for OpenVMS Version 2.4, published in January 2005 by Hewlett-Packard Company.

It outlines new and changed features, problems corrected, and current restrictions for installing and using DECdfs. Key information includes:

• Required Hardware and Software: DECdfs V2.4 requires OpenVMS Alpha V8.2 or OpenVMS I64 V8.2, along with DECnet (Phase IV, V, or Plus).
• Product Authorization Key (PAK): A license PAK is required to run (though not install) DECdfs.
• New Features: The primary new features are support for OpenVMS Alpha Version 8.2 and OpenVMS I64 Version 8.2.
• Year 2000 Readiness: DECdfs is Y2K ready, but notes that some attributes (ATR$CEXPDAT, ATR$CASCDATES) return 2-digit years, suggesting compliant alternatives.
• Installation: Provides instructions for installation (HP-VMS-DECDFS024 kit), running the Installation Verification Procedure (IVP), post-installation setup, and detailed guidance on upgrading DECdfs software, emphasizing the need to reboot and disable old DECdfs drivers to prevent conflicts.
• Known Problems and Restrictions: This section details several limitations:
  • Unsupported BACKUP command qualifiers (/FAST, /IMAGE, /PHYSICAL).
  • Compatibility issues with older DECdfs versions (e.g., V1.3 clients cannot mount disks from Alpha DECnet servers; V2.4 clients cannot create directories on V2.1/earlier servers).
  • No ACL support on DECdfs mounted disks.
  • No shared write access (only one user can write to a file at a time).
  • DECnet Phase V Hidden Areas are not supported.
  • Crucially, when upgrading a DECdfs node from DECnet Phase IV to Phase V, all access points must be removed before shutdown due to changes in node naming syntax.
  • Recommendation to use SHUTDOWN COMMUNICATION instead of STOP COMMUNICATION to avoid system issues.
  • Requirements for DECdns in the DECnet Phase V search path for mounting access points.
  • Conditional support for Extended File Specifications (ODS-5 volumes) with specific OpenVMS and DECdfs version requirements.
  • Support for DECnet-over-TCP/IP connections via DECnet-Plus, requiring specific configurations and the use of the /NODE qualifier.