DCE IGUIDE.PDF

This "Digital DCE for OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS Alpha Installation and Configuration Guide Version 1.3 (February 1995)" provides comprehensive instructions for deploying Digital's Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) on OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS Alpha systems.

The document outlines:

1. DCE Components: It introduces DCE as an enabling technology for distributed applications, comprising services like Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Cell Directory Service (CDS), DCE Security Service, Distributed Time Service (DTS), Threads service, and an Interface Definition Language (IDL) compiler.
2. Product Kits: Four kits are available: Runtime Services Kit, Application Developer's Kit, CDS Server Kit, and Security Server Kit, with varying components and licensing requirements.
3. Pre-Installation Requirements: Detailed prerequisites include specific OpenVMS versions (VAX 5.5-2+, Alpha 1.5/6.1+), required software (e.g., DEC C/C++ Run-Time Components, DECnet, DEC TCP/IP Services), sufficient disk space, global pages/sections, user privileges, and appropriate licenses (PAK activation for non-Runtime kits). A system backup is strongly recommended.
4. Installation Procedure: The guide describes using the VMSINSTAL.COM utility, handling kit-specific details (e.g., DCEVAX013, DCEAXP013), creating a DCE$SERVER account with specific privileges, and notes on reboot requirements (mandatory for older VAX systems, optional for others). For VMSclusters, installation is done once, but configuration is per node.
5. Post-Installation Tasks: Steps include adding DCE startup and shutdown procedures to system startup files, defining foreign commands for DCE utilities, and manually initiating configuration if skipped during installation.
6. Configuration Process: DCE must be configured post-installation using the DCE$SETUP utility. This interactive utility guides users through setting up the DCE environment, allowing choices for:
   • Cell Type: Configuring the host as an RPC-only node, a DCE client (joining an existing cell), a full DCE server (hosting security and CDS master services for a new or existing cell), or a custom configuration.
   • Cell Definition: Specifying hostname, cellname, security registry, CDS master server, and time services (DCE DTS vs. DECnet/DTSS).
   • Advanced Options: Support for multiple LAN cells, Integrated Login, and setting up split server cells (security registry and CDS master on different hosts).
   • Verification: Includes a Configuration Verification Procedure (CVP) to test DCE RPC interfaces.
7. Error Recovery: Provides common installation and configuration error scenarios and their troubleshooting steps, emphasizing reviewing log files and retrying operations.
8. POSIX Integration: Details how DCE integrates with a POSIX environment, including symbolic links and shell script definitions.

The guide is intended for managers of distributed computing environments and installers, aiming to ensure proper setup and functionality of Digital DCE.