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AE-D624B-TE

May 1978

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Document:	25.03.01 7809 DECnet-VAX V1
Order Number:	AE-D624B-TE
Revision:
Pages:	4
Original Filename:	http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/spd/25.03.01_7809_DECnet-VAX_V1.pdf

OCR Text

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Software Product Description
PRODUCT NAME: DECnet-VAX, Version 1

SPD 25.3.1

DESCRIPTION:
DEC net-VAX allows a suitably configured VAX/VMS
system to participate as a Phase II DEC net node in
pOint-to-point computer networks. DECnet--:-VAX is a
Phase II network product and is warranted for use
only with Phase II" DECnet, products supplied by
DIGITAL.

Network File Management
Using the VAX/VMS COpy command, a user can
transfer sequential files between Phase II DEenet
nodes. ,Files can be .transferred in both directi,ons
between, a locally supported VAX/VMS devic~ and ,a
device on an adjacent DECnet node that supports the
Data Access Protocol.
'

DECnet-VAX offers task~to-task communicati'ons, network file transfer, and network resburce sharing capabilities using the DIGITAL Network Architecture
(DNA) protocols. DECnet-VAX communicates with adjacent nodes over synchronous communication lines.

DECnet-VAX supports sequential file transfer for RMS
supported devices. In addition, other types of files
may b~ transferred where formats between the Phase
II DEC net nodes are compatible. Between two
VAX/VMS systems, for instance, sequential or relative
files with fixed length, variable length, or variable
length with-fixed-control-field records can be transferred.

VAX/VMS programs written in VAX~ 11 MACRO and
VAX-11 FORTRAN-lV-PLUS can use DECnet-VAX capabBities, but programs executing in PDP-11 compatibility mode cannot use DECnet-VAX. The network
functions available to a DECnet-VAX user depend, in
part, on the configuration of the rest of the network.
Each DECnet product offers its own functions and its
own set of features to the user. Networks consisting
entirely of DECnet-VAX nodes have all the functions
described in this SPD. Networks that mix DECnetVAX nodes with other DECnet products may limit the
functions available to the DECnet-VAX user because
some DECnet-VAX features may not be supported by
all DECnet products.

Additional facilities allow system command fi'les to be
submitted to a remote node, where the list of commands must be in the format expected by the node
responsible for their execution. Also, DECnet-VAX allows VAX/VMS comma.nd files to be received from
other systems and executed.
DECnet-VAX does not support network file spooling.
A user can request only one file transfer at a time,
and only single files can be transferred with each
command. Wild card specifications are not permitted
nor are directory listing commands supported.

The Phase II products and functions available to
users on mixed networks can be determined by comparison of the SPDs for the appropriate products. The
DECnet Phase II Products SPD (10.78) contains a description of DECnet functions and identifies the common functions available with mixed networks.

Network Resource Access
File Access - File access is supported to and from
remote DECnet systems transparent to VAX-11
MACRO and FORTRAN IV-PLUS programs using
RMS.

Task-to- Task Communication
Using DECnet-VAX, a VAX/VMS program written in
VAX-11 MACRO or FORTRAN~IV-PLUS (either by
transparent operation using RMS or non-transparent
operation using the Queue 110 Request system service) can exchange messages with other user programs using Phase II DECnet DNA protocols. The two
user programs can be on the same or adjacent DECnet nodes. (Adjacent nodes control opposite ends of
a point-to-point communication line.) If one program
is on an adjacent node, that node can be using any
Phase II DECnet product that supports synchronous
communication lines.

Read, write, open and close, and delete operations
can be initiated by local FORTRAN and MACRO programs for files residing at remote DECnet systems.
Other nodes supporting file access can exercise this
capability for files located on the VAX/VMS node. Sequential and random-by-record-number accesses are
supported for incoming and outgoing file accessfti!quests.

The DECnet messages sent and received by the two
user programs can be in any data format.

September 1978

Down-Line System Loading - Initial memory images
for DECnet-11 S nodes in the network can be stored
on VAX/VMS file system devices and loaded into adjacent nodes. Load requests can come from the local
VAX/VMS operator or from the remote node. Initial
memory images for DECnet-11 S systems to be downline loaded can be generated on a VAX/VMS system
that includes an RSX-11 M or RSX-11 S license.

AE-D624B-TE

DECnet-VAX, Version 1

SPD 25.3.1
-2-

Network Control Program
The Network Control Program (NCP) performs three
primary functions: display statistics, control network
components, and test network components.

Using the DECnet-VAX NCP utility, an operator can
display the status of DECnet activity at the local node.
The user can choose to display statistics related to
the local node, other DEC net-VAX nodes, and communication lines, including information on traffic and
errors.
Using the DEC net-VAX NCP utility, the locat operator
can also perform many network control functions
such as reconfiguring the local node's network parameters, starting and stopping lines, activating the local node, and down-line loading DECnet-11S systems.
NCP allows the user to perform a series of tests that
aid in isolating problems. NCP can be used to send
and receive test messages over individual lines either
between nodes or through other controlled loopback
arrangements. The messages can then be compared.
Communications
DECnet-VAX uses DMC11 communication controt/ers
to interface with other network nodes. The DMC11 is
a DMA UNIBUS peripheral that implements line control and error recovery procedures in microcode. The
DMC11 uses DIGITAL Data Communications Message
Protocol (DDCMP) to provide fut!- or half-duplex
communication over point-to-point synchronous -Jines.
DECnet- VAX Operation
DECnet-VAX is implemented as an Ancillary Control
Process (ACP) under VAX/VMS with DIGITAL-supplied executive-level components and user-level programs.

The normal VAX/VMS protection has been incorporated in the operation of DECnet-VAX. For example,
all incoming connects including file access and file
transfer requests are protected by the normal
VAX/VMS login and file protection mechanisms. Outgoing connects including file access and file transfer
requests may include user password information
which is implicitly specified via NCP, or explicitly
specified by the user.
DECnet- VAX Configuration and Performance
Cost, performance, and function selection must be
considered when deciding where nodes should be located and how they should be interconnected with
communication lines. Dial-up telephone circuits are
often best for networks with low message traffic. Other applications require higher-speed communication
lines. DECnet-VAX supports both types of network
traffic over pOint-to-point communication lines, but
each application must be analyzed separately by the
user and/or a DIGITAL Software Specialist.

Each DECnet-VAX node must be analyzed individually
to determine its performance in a given network application. Network throughput and responsiveness depend on many factors, including:
• network topology
• CPU power and system loading

• communication line characteristics
• swapping overhead and scheduling priorities
• size and distribution of network messages
The maximum number of DMC11 lines that can be
connected to a single DECnet-VAX node can be determined from the Communications Devices Section
of the VAX/VMS SPD. The aggregate line speeds
supported are burst rates, achievable during buffered
data transfers. Sustained rates to transfer user data
will be /-ess than the line speed of the device(s) used
because of network protocol overhead and other factors listed above. At higher speeds, message processing time will limit total throughput.
MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIRED:
Any valid VAX/VMS system configuration with one of
the foUowing communications devices supporting one
fine:
• DMC11-AR, -DA synchronous EIA interface
• DMC11-AL, -MD high speed local synchronous interface
• DMC 11-AL, -MA high speed local synchronous interface
OPTIONAL HARDWARE:
None
PREREQUISITE SOFTWARE:
VAX/VMS operating system, Version 1.0
OPTIONAL SOFTWARE:
None
TRAINING CREDITS:
None
SUPPORT CATEGORY:
A - Software Support will be provided as stated in
the Software Support Categories Addendum to this
SPD.

Installation under Category A support will convert the
VAX/VMS system into a node with connection
potential to a DECnet Phase " network. This installation does not include a demonstration of network
connection.
The Customer may purchase DEC net-VAX licenses
with options that do not include support services. The
category of support applicable to such software is
Category C. While a DECnet-VAX product option that
does not include support services is connected to a
DECnet network, the category of support applicable
to all DECnet products in that network is Category C.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Before installation of the Software, the Customer
must:
1. Install or have installed all hardware, including
terminals, to be used on the system.
2. Make available to DIGITAL personnel all hardware, including terminals, to be used during installation for a reasonable period of time each
day, as mutually agreed upon by DIGITAL and
the Customer, until installation is complete.

SPD 25.3.1

DECnet-VAX, Version 1
-3-

Delays caused by any failure to meet these responsibilities will be charged at the then prevailing rate for
ti me and materials.

Source and/or listing options are only available after
the purchase of at least one binary license and after a
source license agreement is in effect.

PREREQUISITE SUPPORT:
A Network Profile and QECnet Customer Support
Plan covering all intended network nodes and their
support must be prepared jointly by the customer
and DIGITAL.

The following key (M, R, Y, Z) represents the distribution media for the product and must be specified at
the end of the order number, e.g., QED01-AY = binaries on floppy disk.

UPDATE POLICY:
Software Updates, if any, released by DIGITAL during
the one (1) year period following installation, will be
provided to the customer for a media charge (includes no installation). After the first year, updates, if
any, will be made available according to then prevailing DIGITAL policies.
ORDERING INFORMATION:
All binary licen~ed software, including any subsequent updates, is furnished under the licensing provisions of DIGITAL's Standard Terms and Conditions of
Sale, which provide in part that the software and any
part thereof may be used on only the single CPU on
which the software is first installed, and may be
copied, in whole or in part (with the proper inclusion
of the DIGITAL copyright notice and any DIGITAL
proprietary notices on the software) only for use on
such CPU. All source licensed software is furnished
only under the terms and conditions of a separate
Software Program Sources Agreement between Purchaser and DIGITAL.

Standard options with no support services are only
available after the purchase of one supported license.
When a software license is ordered without support
services, the category of support applicable to such
software is Category C.
A single-use license only option is a license to copy
the software previously obtained under license, and
use such software in accordance with DIGITAL's
Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale. The category
of support applicable to such copied software is Category C.

M
R
Y
Z

1600 bpi 9-track MagnetiC Tape
Microfiche
RX01 Floppy Diskette
No hardware dependency

Standard Options
QED01 -A- Single-use license, binaries, documentation, support services (media: Y)
QED01 -C- Single-use license, binaries,
documentation, no support services
(media: Y)
QED01 -0- Single-use license only, no binaries~ no
documentation, no support servIces
(media: Z)
Source/Listing Options
QED01 -F- Microfiche listing's only (media: R)
QED01 -M- All sources plus listings on microfiche
(media: M)
Miscellaneous Options:
QED01 -G- Pre-delivery kit (media: Z)
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
QS680 -S- DECnet Levell Services (media: Z)

Level II services are also available. Consult the DECnet Phase II Products SPO (10.78) for a description of
Level I and Level II services.

SPO 25.3.1

DEenet-VAX, Version 1
-4-

ADDENDUM.
SOFTWARE SUPPORT CATEGORIES
Each software product (hereinaffer 'SOFTWARE') with a designated Support Category A or B in the applicable Software Product
Description (SPD) existing at the time of order will be the current release at the time of delivery and will conform to the SPD.
DIGITAL's sole obligation shall be to correct defects (nonconformance of the SOFTWARE to the SPD) as described below. Any
SOFTWARE with a deSignated Support Category C will be furnished on an 'as IS' basis.
For SOFTWARE with a deSignated Support Category A or B, DIGITAL will provide the services set forth below without add.itional
charge..
. .
.
CATEGORY A
1. Upon notification by customer to the nearest DIGITAL office that the computer system, including all required prerequisite
hardware and software, is ready for the installation of the SOFTWARE, DIGITAL will install such SOFTWARE in any location
within the contiguous forty-eight (48) United States, the District of Columbia, or a country in w~ich DIGnAL o(a subsidiary
of DIGITAL has a software service facility. The notification must be received by DIGITAL and the system must be ready for
installation within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the SOFTWARE to customer or DIGITAL will have no obligation to
instalL Installation will consist of: (1) verification that all components of the SOFTWARE have been received by customer, (2)
loading the SOFTWARE, and (3) executing a DIGITAL sample procedure.
2. During the ninety (90) day period after installation, if the customer encounters a problem with the current unaltered release
of the SOFTWARE which DIGITAL determines to be a defect in the SOFTWARE, DIGITAL will provide the following remedial
service (on site where necessary): (1) rf the SOFTWARE is inoperable, apply a temporary correction (TC) or make a
reasonable attempt to develop-an emergen~y by-pass, and (2) assist the customer to prepare ,a Software Performance
Report (SPR) and submit it to DI~~T AL.
3. During the one (1) year period following installation, if the customer encounters a problem with the SOFTWARE which his
diagnosis indicates is caused by a SOFTWARE defect, the customer may submit an SPR to DIGITAL. DIGITAL will respond
to problems reported in SPRs which are caused by defects in the current unaltered release of the SOFTWARE via the
Maintenance Periodical for the SOFTWARE, which reports SPRs received, code corrections, temporary corrections, generally
useful emergency by-passes and/or notice of the availability of corrected code. Software Updates, if any, released by
DIGITAL during the one (1) year period, will be provided to the customer on DIGITAL's standard distribution media as
specified in the applicable SPD. The customer will be charged only for the media on which such updates are provided,
unless otherwise stated in the applicable SPD, at DIGITAL's then current media prices.
CATEGORY B
During the one (1) year period following delivery, the services provided to the customer will be the same as set forth in 3 above.
CATEGORY C
SOFTWARE is provided on an 'as is' basis. Any software services, if available, will be provided at the then current charges.
DIGITAL shall have the right to make additional charges for any additional effort required to provide services resulting from
customer use of other than current unaltered release of the SOFTWARE operated in accordance with the SPO.