DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS

This document, "DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS Introduction and User's Guide," dated November 1996, serves as an introductory and conceptual guide for the DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS product.

Key aspects covered include:

• Introduction to DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS: It outlines the product as a family of hardware and software from Digital Equipment Corporation that enables communication between Digital operating systems and those from other vendors. It supports remote system communication, resource sharing, distributed processing, and offers full DECnet Phase IV functionality with enhancements, TCP/IP compatibility, and OSI functionality. This version implements Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Phase V, which integrates OSI and DNA layers, and is backward compatible with Phase IV.
• Migration Considerations: The manual addresses migrating from DECnet Phase IV to DECnet-Plus Phase V, mentioning automated tools and simplified configuration procedures, and noting that complexity varies with network size. It introduces new features like global naming/directory services, expanded network management (via Network Control Language - NCL), an improved link state routing algorithm, host-based routing, increased addressing using OSI standard format, address autoconfiguration, and a single installation/configuration for OSI components (X.25, WANDD, FTAM, VT).
• Dependencies and Licenses: It details the required software licenses for using DECnet-Plus or DECnet Phase IV, and outlines dependencies on name services (Local namespace, DECdns, DNS/BIND), DECdts Time Server, and X.25 software for OpenVMS VAX and Alpha systems.
• OSI and IETF Standards Support: The document lists the specific OSI (International Organization for Standardization) and IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standards implemented by DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS across various layers, from Physical to Application.
• Product Components: It elaborates on the OpenVMS software components, including the base system, optional software like the DECdts server, WAN device drivers, X.25, Open System Application Kernel (OSAK) software, File Transfer, Access, and Management (FTAM) software, and Virtual Terminal (VT).
• Base System Features: The DECnet-Plus base system allows an OpenVMS system to function as both a DECnet end node and an OSI end system, supporting various communication protocols (ISO 8802-3, 8802-5, DDCMP, HDLC). It includes features like host-based routing, Application, Presentation, and Session layers with specific applications (FTAM, VT), DNA Session Control layer with programming interfaces ($IPC, $QIO, CMISE), Transport layer supporting OSI and NSP protocols, and various lower layer (Network, Data Link, Physical) functionalities.
• DECnet Over TCP/IP: Explains how to run standard DECnet applications in an IP routing environment, allowing connections using IP addresses or Phase IV-style synonyms.
• Management Tools and Utilities: Introduces Network Control Language (NCL), Network Management Graphical User Interface (NET$MGMT), Network Control Program (NCP) for remote Phase IV node management, Common Trace Facility (CTF) for troubleshooting, CMISE API for OSI network management application development, decnet_register and decnet_migrate tools for namespace and network management, and the Event Dispatcher (EVD) for logging network events.
• Conceptual Information (OSI Reference Model and X.25): Provides an overview of the OSI 7-layer model, its terminology (protocols, stacks, dialogues, entities, services), and how these concepts relate to DECnet-Plus. It also details X.25 networking concepts, including Packet Switching Data Networks (PSDNs), PADs, and the three protocol levels (Packet, Frame, Physical) of X.25.
• User Utilities: Information on common end-user tasks, such as using remote file, remote login (SET HOST), and mail utilities (MAIL, PHONE) with DECnet-Plus, and performing file operations to/from other DECnet and DECnet-Plus nodes (OpenVMS, Digital UNIX/ULTRIX, MS-DOS, RSX). It highlights restrictions and differences in file system operations across heterogeneous networks.
• Glossary: A comprehensive glossary of DECnet-Plus terminology, covering OSI, DECnet-Plus, X.25, WAN device drivers, Ethernet, CSMA-CD LANs, DECdns, DECdts, FTAM, VT, and related gateways.

This manual is intended for network planners, managers, OpenVMS system managers, installers, and those managing specific OSI features or developing OSI applications. It supersedes the "DECnet/OSI for OpenVMS Introduction and User’s Guide" and supports OpenVMS VAX Version 7.1 and OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.1 with DECnet-Plus for OpenVMS Version 7.1 software.