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EK-7000B-OP-002

November 1992

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Document:	DEC 7000 AXP, VAX 7000 Operations Manual
Order Number:	EK-7000B-OP
Revision:	002
Pages:	127
Original Filename:

OCR Text

DEC 7000 AXP System
VAX 7000
Operations Manual
Order Number EK–7000B–OP.002

This manual is intended for the system manager or system operator and
covers the basic operations of a DEC 7000 AXP system or VAX 7000
system.

digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts

First Printing, November 1992
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should
not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this document.
The software, if any, described in this document is furnished under a license and
may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software or equipment that is
not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Copyright © 1992 by Digital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
Alpha AXP
AXP
DEC
DECchip
DEC LANcontroller
DECnet

DECUS
DWMVA
OpenVMS
ULTRIX
UNIBUS
VAX

VAXBI
VAXELN
VMScluster
XMI
The AXP logo

OSF/1 is a registered trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc.

FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may
emit radio frequency energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of
Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such radio frequency interference when operated in a commercial environment.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause interference, in which
case the user at his own expense may be required to take measures to correct the
interference.

Contents
Preface ..................................................................................................... vii
Chapter 1 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000
System
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5

System Characteristics .......................................................... 1-2
System Architecture .............................................................. 1-4
Sample System ....................................................................... 1-6
System Front View ................................................................. 1-8
System Rear View ................................................................ 1-10

Chapter 2 System Components
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7

Console Load Devices ............................................................. 2-2
In-Cabinet Tape Drives ......................................................... 2-4
Power System ......................................................................... 2-6
LSB Card Cage ....................................................................... 2-8
Control/Status and I/O Connections ................................... 2-10
Cooling System ..................................................................... 2-12
System Options .................................................................... 2-14

Chapter 3 Controls and Indicators
3.1
3.2
3.3

Control Panel Keyswitch ...................................................... 3-2
Control Panel Indicator Lights .............................................. 3-4
Circuit Breaker and AC Power Indicators ............................ 3-6

Chapter 4 Booting
4.1

Boot Devices ........................................................................... 4-2

iii

4.2
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.5
4.5.1
4.5.2
4.5.3
4.5.4
4.6
4.6.1
4.6.2
4.6.3
4.7
4.7.1
4.7.2
4.7.3
4.7.4
4.7.5
4.7.6

Booting Overview ................................................................... 4-4
Boot Command Syntax .......................................................... 4-6
Console Environment Variables ................................... 4-10
Set Commands for Booting .......................................... 4-12
Booting Concepts .................................................................. 4-14
How Bootblock Booting Works ...................................... 4-14
Boot Processor Selection ............................................... 4-16
Booting from a Local Device ................................................ 4-18
Local Device Booting Concepts ..................................... 4-18
CD-ROM OpenVMS Alpha AXP Booting..................... 4-20
CD-ROM OSF/1 Booting .............................................. 4-22
Local Device Booting Examples .................................... 4-24
Booting from an InfoServer ................................................. 4-26
InfoServer Concepts ...................................................... 4-26
InfoServer OpenVMS VAX Booting ............................. 4-28
Selecting an Ethernet Service ....................................... 4-30
Booting from a VMScluster ................................................. 4-32
VMScluster Concepts .................................................... 4-32
CI OpenVMS Alpha AXP Booting ................................. 4-34
CI OSF/1 Booting .......................................................... 4-36
CI OpenVMS VAX Booting ........................................... 4-38
Shadow Set OpenVMS VAX Booting ........................... 4-40
DSSI OpenVMS VAX Booting ..................................... 4-42

Appendix A Console Commands
Appendix B Boot Options
Appendix C Updating Firmware
C.1
C.2
C.3
C.4
C.5
C.6
C.7

Booting LFU on a DEC 7000 System .................................... C-2
Booting LFU on a VAX 7000 System .................................... C-4
Show ....................................................................................... C-6
List .......................................................................................... C-8
Update .................................................................................. C-10
Exit ....................................................................................... C-12
Display and Verify Commands ............................................ C-14

Glossary
Examples
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-5
C-6
C-7

Set Boot Commands ............................................................. 4-12
CD-ROM OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot ................................ 4-20
CD-ROM OSF/1 Boot .......................................................... 4-22
Sample Local Device Boots .................................................. 4-24
InfoServer OpenVMS VAX Boot ......................................... 4-28
Selecting an Ethernet Service ............................................. 4-30
CI OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot ............................................ 4-34
CI OSF/1 Boot ...................................................................... 4-36
CI OpenVMS VAX Boot ...................................................... 4-38
DSSI OpenVMS VAX Boot .................................................. 4-42
RRD42 LFU Booting .............................................................. C-2
Booting LFU .......................................................................... C-4
Show Command ...................................................................... C-6
List Command ........................................................................ C-8
Update Command ................................................................ C-10
Exit Command ...................................................................... C-12
Display and Verify Commands ............................................ C-14

Figures
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
3-1
3-2
3-3
4-1
4-2
4-3

Sample System Footprint ...................................................... 1-2
Sample System Architecture ................................................. 1-4
Sample System ....................................................................... 1-6
System Front View ................................................................. 1-8
System Rear View ................................................................ 1-10
Accessing the Console Load Device ....................................... 2-2
Accessing the In-Cabinet Tape Drive.................................... 2-4
Power System ......................................................................... 2-6
LSB Card Cage ....................................................................... 2-8
Control/Status and I/O Connections ................................... 2-10
Airflow .................................................................................. 2-12
System Options .................................................................... 2-14
Control Panel Keyswitch ....................................................... 3-2
Control Panel Indicator Lights .............................................. 3-4
Circuit Breaker and AC Power Indicators ............................ 3-6
Boot Devices ........................................................................... 4-2
Device Boot Commands ......................................................... 4-4
Boot Command ....................................................................... 4-6

4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10

Boot Procedure ..................................................................... 4-14
Determining the Boot Processor .......................................... 4-16
Local Device Booting ............................................................ 4-18
InfoServer Selection Flowchart ........................................... 4-26
InfoServer Configuration ..................................................... 4-27
Booting from CI and DSSI VMSclusters ............................. 4-32
Shadow Set Open VMS VAX Booting ................................. 4-40

Tables
1
2
1-1
1-2
3-1
3-2
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
A-1
B-1
B-2
B-3

DEC 7000/VAX 7000 Documentation ..................................... ix
Related Documents .................................................................. xi
Electrical Characteristics ...................................................... 1-3
Environmental Characteristics ............................................. 1-3
Keyswitch Positions ............................................................... 3-3
Control Panel Indicator Lights .............................................. 3-5
Boot Devices ........................................................................... 4-3
Sample Boot Commands ........................................................ 4-5
Device Names ......................................................................... 4-7
Environment Variables ........................................................ 4-10
Console Commands ................................................................ A-1
OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot Options ..................................... B-2
OSF/1 Boot Options ................................................................ B-3
VMB Boot Options ................................................................. B-4

Preface
Intended Audience
This manual is written for the system manager or system operator who
has training in systems management and is running a DEC 7000 AXP system or a VAX 7000 system.

Document Structure
This manual uses a structured documentation design. Topics are organized
into small sections for efficient on-line and printed reference. Each topic
begins with an abstract. You can quickly gain a comprehensive overview
by reading only the abstracts. Next is an illustration or example, which
also provides quick reference. Last in the structure are descriptive text
and syntax definitions.
This manual has four chapters and three appendixes, as follows:
•

Chapter 1, DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 Systems, and
Chapter 2, System Components, give a basic introduction to your
system and its parts.

•

Chapter 3, Controls and Indicators, describes how the system presents information and how you use the switches.

•

Chapter 4, Booting, explains how you turn on the system and get it
running.

•

Appendix A, Console Commands, lists the console commands with
a brief explanation of each command.

•

Appendix B, Boot Options, lists options used with the boot command to control various phases of booting.

•

Appendix C, Updating Firmware, explains how to run the Loadable
Firmware Update (LFU) Utility.

•

A Glossary and Index provide additional reference support.

vii

Conventions Used in This Document
Terminology. Unless specified otherwise, the use of "system" refers to
either a DEC 7000 AXP or VAX 7000 system. The DEC 7000 AXP systems
use the Alpha AXP architecture. References in text use DEC 7000 to refer
to DEC 7000 AXP systems.
When a discussion applies to only one system, an icon is used to highlight
that system. Otherwise, the discussion applies to both systems. Thus, the
abstract for a module that applies only to DEC 7000 systems would look
like this:
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS Alpha AXP
DEC from the RRD42 CD drive for DEC 7000 systems. The first
7000
step is issuing the show device command to determine the
location of the RRD42.
Book titles. In text, if a book is cited without a product name, that book is
part of the hardware documentation. It is listed in Table 1 along with its
order number.
Icons. The icons shown below are used in illustrations for designating part
placement in the system described. A shaded area in the icon shows the
location of the component or part being discussed.

Front

Rear

Documentation Titles
Table 1 lists the books in the DEC 7000 and VAX 7000 documentation set.
Table 2 lists other documents that you may find useful.

viii

Table 1

DEC 7000/VAX 7000 Documentation

Title

Order Number

Installation Kit

EK–7000B–DK

Site Preparation Guide

EK–7000B–SP

Installation Guide

EK–700EB–IN

Hardware User Information Kit

EK–7001B–DK

Operations Manual

EK–7000B–OP

Basic Troubleshooting

EK–7000B–TS

Service Information Kit—VAX 7000

EK–7002A–DK

Platform Service Manual

EK–7000A–SV

System Service Manual

EK–7002A–SV

Pocket Service Guide

EK–7000A–PG

Advanced Troubleshooting

EK–7001A–TS

Service Information Kit—DEC 7000

EK–7002B–DK

Platform Service Manual

EK–7000A–SV

System Service Manual

EK–7002B–SV

Pocket Service Guide

EK–7700A–PG

Advanced Troubleshooting

EK–7701A–TS

Table 1 DEC 7000/VAX 7000 Documentation (Continued)
Title

Order Number

Reference Manuals
Console Reference Manual

EK–70C0B–TM

KA7AA CPU Technical Manual

EK–KA7AA–TM

KN7AA CPU Technical Manual

EK–KN7AA–TM

MS7AA Memory Technical Manual

EK–MS7AA–TM

I/O System Technical Manual

EK–70I0A–TM

Platform Technical Manual

EK–7000A–TM

Upgrade Manuals

KA7AA CPU Installation Guide

EK–KA7AA–IN

KN7AA CPU Installation Guide

EK–KN7AA–IN

MS7AA Memory Installation Guide

EK–MS7AA–IN

KZMSA Adapter Installation Guide

EK–KXMSX–IN

DWLMA XMI PIU Installation Guide

EK–DWLMA–IN

DWMBB VAXBI PIU Installation Guide

EK–DWMBB–IN

H7237 Battery PIU Installation Guide

EK–H7237–IN

H7263 Power Regulator Installation Guide

EK–H7263–IN

BA654 DSSI Disk PIU Installation Guide

EK–BA654–IN

BA655 SCSI Disk and Tape PIU
Installation Guide

EK–BA655–IN

Removable Media Installation Guide

EK–TFRRD–IN

Table 2 Related Documents
Title

Order Number

General Site Preparation
Site Environmental Preparation Guide

EK–CSEPG–MA

System I/O Options
BA350 DECstor/me Modular Storage Shelf
Subsystem Configuration Guide

EK–BA350–CG

BA350 DECstor/me Modular Storage Shelf
Subsystem User’s Guide

EK–BA350–UG

BA350-LA DECstor/me Modular Storage Shelf
User’s Guide

EK–350LA–UG

CIXCD Interface User Guide

EK–CIXCD–UG

DEC FDDIcontroller 400 Installation/Problem
Solving

EK–DEMFA–IP

DEC LANcontroller 400 Installation Guide

EK–DEMNA–IN

DEC LANcontroller 400 Technical Manual

EK–DEMNA–TM

DSSI VAXcluster Installation and Troubleshooting
Manual

EK–410AA–MG

InfoServer 150 Installation and Owner’s Guide

EK–INFSV–OM

KDM70 Controller User Guide

EK–KDM70–UG

KFMSA Module Installation and User Manual

EK–KFMSA–IM

KFMSA Module Service Guide

EK–KFMSA–SV

RRD42 Disc Drive Owner’s Manual

EK–RRD42–OM

RF Series Integrated Storage Element User Guide

EK–RF72D–UG

TF85 Cartridge Tape Subsystem Owner’s Manual

EK–OTF85–OM

TLZ06 Cassette Tape Drive Owner’s Manual

EK–TLZ06–OM

Table 2 Related Documents (Continued)
Title

Order Number

Operating System Manuals
Alpha Architecture Reference Manual

EY–L520E–DP

DEC OSF/1 Guide to System Administration

AA–PJU7A–TE

DECnet for OpenVMS Network Management Utilities

AA–PQYAA–TK

Guide to Installing DEC OSF/1

AA–PS2DA–TE

OpenVMS Alpha Version 1.0 Upgrade and
Installation Manual

AA–PQYSA–TE

VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000–600 and VAX 10000–600 Series

AA–PRAHA–TE

VMS Network Control Program Manual

AA–LA50A–TE

VMSclusters and Networking
HSC Installation Manual

EK–HSCMN–IN

SC008 Star Coupler User’s Guide

EK–SC008–UG

VAX Volume Shadowing Manual

AA–PBTVA–TE

Peripherals
Installing and Using the VT420 Video Terminal

EK–VT420–UG

LA75 Companion Printer Installation and User Guide

EK–LA75X–UG

xii

Chapter 1
DEC 7000 AXP System and
VAX 7000 System
The DEC 7000 AXP system and VAX 7000 systems are designed for
growth offering configuration flexibility, an outstanding I/O subsystem,
and expansion capability in a single or multicabinet environment. The
DEC 7000 system or VAX 7000 system can support many users in a timesharing environment. These systems do the following:
•

Support the full range of system applications of OpenVMS Alpha AXP
or OSF/1 for DEC 7000 systems and OpenVMS VAX for VAX 7000 systems

•

Allow for expansion of processors, memory, and I/O

•

Use a high-speed system interconnect bus (LSB bus), which has an effective bandwidth of 640 Mbytes/sec.

•

Support up to 3.5 Gbytes of physical memory

•

Provide optional self-contained uninterruptible power system (UPS)
capability that supports the system in case of power failure

•

Perform automatic self-test on power-up, reset, reboot, or system initialization

•

Operate as a standalone system, a member of a cluster, or as a boot
node of a local area cluster

The chapter describes the system package and introduces the location of
components in the cabinet—both front and rear views. Sections include:
•

System Characteristics

•

System Architecture

•

Sample System

•

System Front View

•

System Rear View

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-1

1.1 System Characteristics
DEC 7000 and VAX 7000 systems share characteristics as shown in
the tables. Figure 1-1 shows a system footprint.

Figure 1-1

Sample System Footprint

170 cm (67 in)

Expander
Cabinet

170 cm (67 in)

System
Cabinet

170 cm (67 in)

Expander
Cabinet

80 cm (31.5 in)

Rear
Clearance
100 cm (39 in)

Expander
Cabinet

System
Cabinet

Expander
Cabinet

Width
240 cm (94.5 in)

87.5 cm
(34.5 in)

Depth
337.5 cm
(132.5 in)

Front
Clearance
150 cm (59 in)

BXB-0001-92

1-2 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System

The values in Table 1-1 apply to the system cabinet only. The values are
configuration dependent. Additional options will increase electrical requirements so that an additional power regulator may be needed.
Table 1-1

Electrical Characteristics

Electrical

Specification

3-phase AC input
voltage

202 V RMS
120/208 V RMS
380–415 V RMS

Nominal frequency

50–60 Hz

AC current, nominal,
(per phase)

24 A (202 V)
24 A (120/208 V)
12.8 A (380–415 V)

Maximum current
(per phase)

30 A (202 V)
30 A (120/208 V)
16 A (380–415 V)

AC power consumption
(maximum)

5.2 KVA
5.2 KW

Table 1-2

Environmental Characteristics

Environmental

Operating

Storage

Heat dissipation

17,700 Btu/hr (max)

–

Temperature1

15°–28° C (59°–82° F)

-40°–66° C (-40°–151° F)

Relative humidity1

20–80%

10–95%

Altitude

0–2.4 km (0–8000 ft)

0–9.1 km (0–30,000 ft)

1Recommended operating temperature is 18°–24° C (65°–75° F) and 40–60% relative humidity.

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-3

1.2 System Architecture
The high-speed LSB bus is used to interconnect processors, memory modules, and the IOP module.

Figure 1-2

Sample System Architecture

Processors

Memory

LSB

IOP

DWLMA

CLOCK

XMI

DEMNA

DEMFA

CIXCD

KFMSA

KDM70

KZMSA
BXB-0054B-92

1-4 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System

The LSB bus is a synchronous 128-bit system bus that interconnects the
processors, memory modules, and the I/O port (IOP) module. The IOP
module connects the LSB bus to I/O buses through separate I/O adapter
modules.
The LSB bus uses the concept of a node. The LSB bus has three types of
nodes: processors, memories, and an I/O port controller.
A processor node is a single-module scalar processor. It consists of a
CPU chip, the LSB bus interface, cache, and support logic. DEC 7000 systems use the KN7AA processor, and VAX 7000 systems use the KA7AA
processor.
In a multiprocessing system, one processor becomes the boot processor during power-up, and that boot processor loads the operating system and handles communication with the operator console. The other processors become secondary processors and receive system information from the boot
processor.
A memory node is one memory module. Memory is a global resource
equally accessible by all processors on the LSB. Memory modules can have
64, 128, 256, or 512 Mbytes of memory with ECC and associated control
logic. The memories are automatically interleaved when the system is configured with multiple memory banks. The system supports up to seven
memory modules.
The I/O port controller is the IOP module, which serves as the interface
between the LSB bus and up to four I/O buses. In Figure 1-2 the DWLMA
module is the I/O bus adapter module that connects the XMI I/O channel
to the IOP module.
The XMI I/O channel also has I/O bus adapter modules that connect to
various interconnects such as CI, DSSI (for VAX 7000 systems only),
SDI/STI, SCSI (for DEC 7000 systems only), FDDI, and Ethernet.

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-5

1.3 Sample System
Figure 1-3 shows a sample system. The system includes a console
terminal and printer, an accessories kit, and a documentation set,
which includes this manual. The system can have up to two optional expander cabinets, an in-cabinet tape drive, disk drives,
an RRD42 CD drive for DEC 7000 systems, or a battery plug-in unit
(PIU).

Figure 1-3

Sample System

LA75 Companion Printer

d i g i t a l

BXB-0023-92

1-6 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System

Your Digital customer service engineer has installed your system and
verified that it is running properly. Before you turn on the system, familiarize yourself with its components:
•

The system cabinet houses the LSB card cage, power system, cooling
system, and the control panel with status indicators. Optional hardware includes an in-cabinet tape drive, in-cabinet CD-ROM, disk plugin units (PIUs), battery PIUs, and I/O PIUs.

•

The console load device is used for installing operating systems and
software.

•

The console terminal is used for booting and for system management
operations.

NOTE: The console terminal is not to be used as the primary user interface
for text editing.
•

The console printer provides a hardcopy record of system operations.

•

Optional PIUs include the XMI PIU, DSSI PIU (for VAX 7000 systems), and the battery PIU. These plug-in units are installed in the
system or expander cabinets to provide space for I/O, disk, and battery
options.

•

Optional expander cabinets provide additional space for I/O devices, disk drives, and a battery option.

•

A system documentation kit

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-7

1.4 System Front View
The control panel, plug-in unit panels, and in-cabinet CD drive or
optional tape drive are on the front of the system cabinet. With the
front door open, Digital customer service engineers can access the
LSB card cage, power regulators, cooling system, and optional
plug-in units.

Figure 1-4

System Front View

Control
Panel
RRD42 CD-ROM
or TF85 Tape Drive

Front

Power
Regulators
LSB
Card Cage

Blower

Optional
PIU
XMI PIU

BXB-0021J-92

1-8 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System

These components are visible from the inside front of the cabinet (see Figure 1-4 for their location):
•

Control panel

•

Power regulators (48 VDC )

•

LSB card cage (holds CPU/memory; slots 0–3)

•

Cooling system (blower)

Optional components visible from the inside front include:
•

In-cabinet I/O devices
DEC
7000
VAX
7000

•

TF85 in-cabinet tape drive

I/O plug-in unit (PIU)
DEC
7000
VAX
7000

•

RRD42 compact disk drive

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) disk and tape PIU
Digital Storage Systems Interconnect (DSSI) disk PIU

Battery PIU

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-9

1.5 System Rear View
With the rear door open, Digital customer service engineers can
access the LSB card cage, DC distribution box, battery connections, AC power cord, circuit breaker, blower, and I/O bulkhead
area.

Figure 1-5

System Rear View

DC
Distribution
Battery
Connections

Rear

Circuit
Breaker

IOP Module
LSB
Card Cage

AC
Power Cord

Blower

Optional I/O
Bulkhead
BXB-0032A-92

1-10 DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System

The following components are visible from the rear of the cabinet (see Figure 1-5):
•

LSB card cage (slots 4–8)

•

IOP module (slot 8)

•

DC distribution box

•

Battery PIU connections

•

AC power cord and connector

•

Circuit breaker

•

Blower

•

I/O bulkhead area

Optional components visible from the inside rear include:
•

I/O bulkhead
DEC
7000
VAX
7000

•

SCSI PIU
DSSI PIU

Battery PIU

DEC 7000 AXP System and VAX 7000 System 1-11

Chapter 2
System Components
This chapter describes system components, their locations, and functions.
Sections include:
•

Console Load Devices

•

In-Cabinet Tape Drives

•

Power System

•

LSB Card Cage

•

Control/Status and I/O Connections

•

Cooling System

•

System Options

System Components 2-1

2.1 Console Load Devices
The RRD42 compact disk (CD) drive is the in-cabinet console load
device for DEC 7000 systems. The InfoServer is the console load
device for VAX 7000 systems. During system installation the console load device is used to boot standalone backup. It is also used
to boot the Loadable Firmware Update (LFU) Utility.

Figure 2-1

Accessing the Console Load Device

XMI

KZMSA
RRD42

XMI

DEMFA

InfoServer
FDDI

DECbridge 500

Ethernet

XMI

DEMNA

InfoServer
Ethernet
BXB-0005E-92

2-2 System Components

The console load device is used for:
•

Installing or updating software

•

Loading the standalone backup program

•

Interchanging user data

•

Updating module firmware
The RRD42 compact disk (CD) drive is the console load device for
DEC
7000 DEC 7000 systems. It is installed in the system cabinet and used
to access software and on-line documentation. The KZMSA
adapter is installed in the XMI card cage and provides access to
the RRD42.
The InfoServer is the console load device for VAX 7000 systems. It
VAX
7000 is an Ethernet-based compact disk (CD) drive, which is part of a
local area network. The InfoServer is used to access CD-ROMs for
software installation and for on-line documentation on VAX 7000
systems.
The DEMNA and DEMFA adapters are interfaces that allow access to the InfoServer. These adapters are modules installed in the
XMI card cage. A bulkhead connector, which connects to the Ethernet, mounts on the rear of the XMI PIU bulkhead panel. Figure
2-1 shows how the DEMFA provides access to the FDDI (Fiber
Distributed Data Interface) network, which requires a DECbridge
500 for connection to the Ethernet. Section 4.6.2 describes how to
boot OpenVMS VAX over the Ethernet using the InfoServer.

For more information:
RRD42 Disc Drive Owner’s Manual
InfoServer 150 Installation and Owner’s Guide

System Components 2-3

2.2 In-Cabinet Tape Drives
The TLZ06 tape drive is mounted in the SCSI PIU for use in DEC
7000 systems. The TF85 tape drive is located in the front of the system cabinet in the upper right corner for use in VAX 7000 systems.
User applications can use the tape drive as an I/O device.

Figure 2-2

Accessing the In-Cabinet Tape Drive

XMI

KZMSA

KFMSA/B

TLZ06

TF85

BXB-0005F-92

2-4 System Components

Tape drives are used as backup storage devices.
The TLZ06 (a SCSI device) is connected to the DEC 7000 system
DEC
7000 through the KZMSA adapter in the XMI card cage.
The TF85 (a DSSI device) is connected to the VAX 7000 system
VAX
7000 through the KFMSA-BA adapter in the XMI card cage.

For more information:
TLZ06 Cassette Tape Drive Owner’s Manual
TF85 Cartridge Tape Subsystem Owner’s Manual

System Components 2-5

2.3 Power System
The power system includes an AC input box, DC distribution box,
power regulators, cabinet control logic module, optional battery
PIU, power distribution cables, and signal interconnect cables.

Figure 2-3

Rear

Power System

CCL Module

Front

AC Input Box
DC Distribution Box

Power
Regulators
BXB-0052-92

2-6 System Components

The DC distribution box and AC input box are located on the upper left of
the system cabinet (when viewing the system cabinet from the rear). The
48 VDC power regulators are located at the upper right side (when
viewing the system cabinet from the front).
The AC input box provides the interface for the system to the AC utility
power. The main input circuit breaker, on the AC input box, contains a
circuit breaker trip indicator to indicate an open circuit breaker. The DC
distribution box connects the AC input box and power regulators. It distributes the 48 VDC power.
The system can have up to three power regulators. These regulators are
used in parallel, one or two for the required load plus an additional regulator for backup in case of failure. Power regulator filler modules are used in
unused slots to help direct airflow.
NOTE: Additional options can increase the power requirements so that an
additional power regulator may be needed.
The cabinet control logic (CCL) module has a yellow power LED. When
this LED is on, the CCL module is receiving 48 VDC power from the
power regulators.
Uninterruptible power system (UPS) capability can be provided by the addition of the optional battery PIU. The battery PIU is mounted in the
bottom of the system cabinet and provides a minimum of 8 minutes of operating time. Nominal full system operating time is 11 minutes.

For more information:
Basic Troubleshooting

System Components 2-7

2.4 LSB Card Cage
The LSB card cage is a 9-slot card cage that contains slots for up to
six CPU modules, up to seven memory array modules, and one IOP
module. The LSB bus interconnects the CPU, memory, and IOP
modules.

Figure 2-4

LSB Card Cage

LSB
Card Cage

System
Cabinet
Rear

IOP Module

Front

Rear

Power Filter
Additional CPUs
or Memories
First CPU

4
Additional
Memory

First Memory

IOP Module

Centerplane

2-8 System Components

Additional
CPUs

BXB-0055B-92

The 9-slot LSB card cage is located in the upper left (front and rear) of
the system cabinet, as viewed from the front. The LSB card cage must
contain one IOP module, which is always installed in slot 8. The other
eight slots contain a combination of memory and CPU modules. Unused
slots contain filler modules, which manage the airflow through the cabinet.
The LSB card cage slots are numbered 0 through 3 from right to left in the
front of the cabinet and slots 4 through 8 right to left in the rear of the
cabinet.

System Components 2-9

2.5 Control/Status and I/O Connections
Console terminal I/O and expander cabinet remote power control/status connections are located to the right of the control
panel. Ethernet and other I/O connections are located on the I/O
bulkhead in the lower rear of the cabinet.

Figure 2-5

Control/Status and I/O Connections

Left
Expander

Disable
Secure
Enable

Left Expander

Right
Expander

Restart

Front
Key On

Remote
Power
Control/Status

Right Expander

Run
Fault
Console

Console
Terminal

Rear
I/O Bulkhead

BXB-0053-92

2-10 System Components

Console terminal I/O and expander cabinet remote power control/status
connections are located to the right of the control panel. These three modular jacks, allow power control/status connections to the left expander cabinet, right expander cabinet, and I/O connections to the console terminal.
The console terminal modified modular jack is keyed so that an expander
cabinet connector cannot be plugged into its jack.
The system cabinet has four quadrants in the bottom of the cabinet. The
XMI PIU can be installed in two quadrants and the other two quadrants
are used for expansion bays. These expansion bays can contain another
XMI PIU, a SCSI PIU (for DEC 7000 systems), a DSSI PIU (for VAX 7000
systems), or a battery PIU. The number of expansion bays used by each
PIU varies depending on the type of PIU.
A PIU contains an I/O bulkhead, which houses the I/O connections for the
devices in the PIU (such as adapter modules and disk drives). These I/O
connections are located on a panel that is installed on the I/O bulkhead.
The I/O bulkhead can have single, dual, quad, and octal panels.
The XMI PIU occupies two expansion bays and is designed to accommodate
a variety of I/O connectors (depending on the adapter used). The standard
Ethernet port is a 15-pin connector that is installed in a single panel. The
connector contains a red LED that is on when 13.5 VDC power is applied
to the Ethernet transceiver.

System Components 2-11

2.6 Cooling System
The cooling system cools the power system, the LSB card cage,
control logic, and PIUs.

Figure 2-6

Airflow

BXB-0056-92

2-12 System Components

The cooling system is designed to keep system components at an optimal
operating temperature. It is important to keep the front and rear doors
free of obstructions, leaving a minimum clear space of 1.5 meters (59
inches) in the front and 1 meter (39 inches) in the rear between cabinets to
maximize airflow (see Figure 1-1).
The blower, located in the center of the cabinet, draws air downward
through the power regulators and LSB card cage. It draws air upward
through the PIUs. Filler modules, located in the LSB card cage, help to
direct airflow. Air is exhausted at the middle of the cabinet front and
rear. The blower speed varies based on the system’s ambient temperature.
The cooling system has safety detectors: static air pressure sensors and a
temperature sensor. The static air pressure sensors measure the air pressure across the LSB card cage. If air pressure drops below a certain level
across these units, DC power is disabled. The temperature sensor measures the ambient air temperature of the system. If the temperature sensor
is tripped, the system could shut down. If either condition occurs, call your
Digital customer service engineer.
CAUTION: Anything placed on top of the cabinet could restrict airflow.
This will cause the system to power down.

For more information:
Basic Troubleshooting

System Components 2-13

2.7 System Options
System options include additional power regulators and additional PIUs for I/O, disks, tapes, and batteries.

Figure 2-7

System Options

Front
Additional Power
Regulators

XMI PIU
Space for
Additional PIUs
BXB-0021B-92

2-14 System Components

XMI PIUs
A maximum of two XMI PIUs can be installed in the system cabinet. Each
XMI PIU has 14 slots. Twelve slots can contain the following modules:
CIXCD, DEMFA, DEMNA, KDM70, KFMSA (for VAX 7000 systems), and
KZMSA (for DEC 7000 systems). One module must be installed in slots 1
or 14. Slot 7 contains the clock module, and slot 8 contains the DWLMA
module.
SCSI PIU
Up to two SCSI PIUs can be installed in the DEC 7000 system
DEC
7000 cabinet (along with the XMI PIU). A SCSI PIU can have two
shelves. Each shelf holds up to seven SCSI disks or tapes: RZ26,
RZ73, and TLZ06.
DSSI PIU
Up to two DSSI PIUs can be installed in the VAX 7000 system
VAX
7000 cabinet (along with the XMI PIU). A DSSI PIU contains up to
three storage array building blocks (SABB). Each SABB can contain two RF73 disks.
Battery PIUs
The system can be equipped with an optional battery PIU to provide uninterrupted power in case of a power failure. Each regulator requires a battery pack that is mounted in the bottom of the system cabinet. The battery
PIUs provide a minimum of 8 minutes of full system operation when fully
charged and nominally provide 11 minutes of full system operation.
In-Cabinet Tape Drive
A TLZ06 tape drive can be installed in the SCSI PIU in the DEC 7000 system cabinet. A TF85 tape drive can be installed in the VAX 7000 system
cabinet. The tape drive can be used as a backup storage device or as an I/O
device for user applications.

System Components 2-15

Console Load Device
An RRD42 CD drive is required in the DEC 7000 system cabinet
DEC
7000 to be used as a console load device. It is used to load software and
on-line documentation.
Additional Power Regulators
A system requires one or two power regulators (dependent on the system
configuration); however, an optional second or third power regulator can
be installed as a backup.

2-16 System Components

Chapter 3
Controls and Indicators
This chapter introduces the system controls and indicators. Sections include:
•

Control Panel Keyswitch

•

Control Panel Indicator Lights

•

Circuit Breaker and AC Power Indicators

Controls and Indicators 3-1

3.1 Control Panel Keyswitch
The system control panel, located in the upper right front of the
cabinet, contains a keyswitch and status lights. The keyswitch
regulates power going into the system, determines the use of the
console terminal, and controls system operation. The four switch
positions are Disable, Secure, Enable, and Restart. See Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1

Control Panel Keyswitch

Disable
Secure

Front

Enable
Restart

Key On
Run
Fault

BXB-0015E-92

3-2 Controls and Indicators

The keyswitch labels can be in English or international versions as shown
in Figure 3-1.

Table 3-1

Keyswitch Positions

Position

Effect

Disable

Removes 48 VDC power from the system. Power is still supplied to the CCL module.

Secure

Prevents entry into console mode; position used while machine executes programs.

Enable

Allows entry into console mode; position used while machine executes programs.

Restart

A momentary switch position, used to reinitialize the system; causes self-test to start running.

Controls and Indicators 3-3

3.2 Control Panel Indicator Lights
The control panel has three status indicator lights: Key On, Run,
and Fault. These lights indicate the operating status of the system.

Figure 3-2

Control Panel Indicator Lights

Disable
Secure

Front

Enable
Restart

Key On
Run
Fault

BXB-0015F-92

3-4 Controls and Indicators

Three status indicator lights (see Figure 3-2 ) show the state of the system: (Key On) DC power supplied, (Run) execution, and (Fault) errors.
Table 3-2 describes the conditions indicated by the lights.
Table 3-2

Control Panel Indicator Lights

Light

Color

State

Meaning

Key On

Green

Power is supplied to entire system; the
blower is running.

Off

Power is supplied only to the cabinet
control logic module.

System is executing operating programs
or certain power-up tests. Ctrl/P halts
the execution of operating system programs when the keyswitch is in the Enable position.

Off

System is in console mode, operating
system is not running, or the system is
turned off.

Fault on LSB or system I/O bus.

Slow
Flash

Power sequencing is in progress or airflow error is detected.

Fast
Flash

Power system error, airflow error, or
keyswitch in Disable position transition
detected.

Off

No faults were found.

Run

Fault

Green

Yellow

Controls and Indicators 3-5

3.3 Circuit Breaker and AC Power Indicators
The circuit breaker is located on the left side of the rear of the system cabinet, just above the blower assembly. The circuit breaker
can be secured in the off position with a lock.

Figure 3-3

Circuit Breaker and AC Power Indicators

Rear

A - Regulator slot A
B - Regulator slot B
C - Regulator slot C
S - Sensor circuit

Breaker
Indicator
C

S
BXB-0049E-92

3-6 Controls and Indicators

The circuit breaker and power indicators are at the rear of the cabinet.
Circuit Breaker
The circuit breaker controls power to the entire system, including the
power regulators, blower, battery backup, and in-cabinet options. Current
overload causes the breaker to trip to the off position, so that power to the
system is turned off.
For normal operation, the circuit breaker must be in the on position, in
which the handle is pushed up. To shut the circuit breaker off, push the
handle down.
AC Power Indicators
The power indicators are located below the circuit breaker handle. When
the system is powered on, the power indicators are red. When the circuit
breaker is off, tripped, or open, the power indicators change to green.
When one phase has tripped, the power indicator for that phase will
change to green.
NOTE: The power indicators in the 202V version are different. If one phase
trips, all power indicators trip, so that all indicators are green.
Circuit Breaker Lockout
The circuit breaker lockout secures the circuit breaker in the off position.
The lockout consists of a hinged plate that is placed over the circuit
breaker handle. A padlock can be placed on the right or left side of the
lockout, so that no one can turn the power on.

Controls and Indicators 3-7

Chapter 4
Booting
This chapter describes how to boot the system. Sections include:
•

Boot Devices

•

Booting Overview

•

Boot Command Syntax
— Console Environment Variables
— Set Commands for Booting

•

Booting Concepts
— How Bootblock Booting Works
— Boot Processor Selection

•

Booting from a Local Device
— Local Device Booting Concepts
— CD-ROM OpenVMS Alpha AXP Booting
— CD-ROM OSF/1 Booting
— Local Device Booting Examples
— CD-ROM Booting

•

Booting from an InfoServer
— InfoServer Concepts
— InfoServer OpenVMS VAX Booting
— Selecting an Ethernet Service

•

Booting from a VMScluster
— VMScluster Concepts
— CI Booting
— Shadow Set OpenVMS VAX Booting
— DSSI OpenVMS VAX Booting

Booting 4-1

4.1 Boot Devices
The operating system can be loaded from a number of boot devices: a local system disk, a disk connected to the system through
a CIXCD adapter, by Ethernet from a remote disk on another system, through an InfoServer, or an RRD42 CD drive.

Figure 4-1

Boot Devices

XMI Bus
CI

Local
Device

Ethernet

HSC

Disk

1
2

DEC 10000 systems only
VAX 10000 systems only

4-2 Booting

KZMSA

RRD42

Console
Load Device

VAX
InfoServer 2

Disk
BXB-0006A-92

Table 4-1

Boot Devices

Device

Location

Local
device

Disk connected to the system through a KDM70,
KFMSA (for VAX 7000 systems), KZMSA (for DEC 7000
systems) adapter on the XMI bus.

CI disk

Disk located on the system’s HSC controller connected to
the system by a CIXCD adapter on the XMI bus.

Remote
disk

Disk connected to another system on the Ethernet,
through the DEMNA Ethernet port interface or the
DEMFA adapter. For VAX 7000 systems only.

InfoServer

A network-based server used for booting standalone
backup or the Loadable Firmware Update (LFU) Utility.
See Appendix C.

RRD42

In-cabinet compact disk drive connected to the DEC 7000
system through a KZMSA adapter on the XMI bus.

Booting 4-3

4.2 Booting Overview
You can boot files in a number of ways such as through an RRD42
CD drive, an InfoServer, an HSC disk, a local disk, or over the
Ethernet. The boot command syntax is shown in Figure 4-2.

Figure 4-2

Device Boot Commands

** **
**
b[oot] -fl[ags] NNNN*, M, PPPP

dkRRSSSS.AAA.B.CC.D

System root

exRRSSSS.AAA.B.CC.D -FILE FILENAME
FA

DEM

Booting option

KZMSA

duRRSSSS.AAA.B.CC.D

Shadow set value

,
CD ,
CIX M70 B
/
KD SA
M
KF

fxRRSSSS.AAA.B.CC.D -FILE FILENAME

*Not supported on DEC 7000 systems
** Not used with OSF/1 operating systems

4-4 Booting

BXB-0099A-92

Table 4-2 Sample Boot Commands

Boot Command

Boot From

Procedure
Section

boot dua2.2.0.1.0

Local device

4.5.4

boot -flags 0,0,0 dka100.1.0.1.01

RRD42

4.5.2, 4.5.3

boot exa0 -flags 0,0,0
-file ISL_LVAX_BL102

InfoServer on
Ethernet

4.6.2

boot fxa0 -file ISL_LVAX_BL102

InfoServer on
FDDI

4.6.2

boot -fl 0,4,0 dua20.14.0.2.02

CI VMScluster

4.7.2, 4.7.3,
4.7.4

b -fl 8DAC,2,0 dua3500.14.0.12.1,\
dua63.14.0.12.12

Shadow set

4.7.5

boot -flags 0,3,0 dub1.1.0.6.0

DSSI
VMScluster

4.7.6

1For DEC 7000 systems only.
2For VAX 7000 systems only.

NOTE: Boot device names can be found using the show device and show
network commands (see Sections 4.5.2 and 4.6.2).

For more information:
OpenVMS Alpha Version 1.0 Upgrade and Installation Manual
DEC OSF/1 Guide to System Administration

Booting 4-5

4.3 Boot Command Syntax
With the system in console mode, you can issue a boot command.
You must give a complete specification in which the parameters
determine the boot device. (These parameters can be defined and
stored as a nickname used for future booting.)

Figure 4-3

Boot Command

b[oot] -fl[ags] NNNN, M, PPPP QQ RR SSSS.AAA.B.CC.D -FILE FILENAME

Invokes boot
command
Allows
Options N,M,P
Shadow set value (hex)
System root (0-F hex)
Booting options
Device code (dk, du, ex, fx, mk)
Device controller (a-zz)
Device unit number
Device node number (0-255)
Device channel number (0,1)
Device XMI slot number (1-14)
I/O channel number (0-3)
File name for MOP booting

= Optional depending on command;
N, M, P qualifiers not used with OSF/1 operating system.
1
2

DEC 10000 systems only
VAX 10000 systems only

BXB-0303A-92

NOTE: The boot command can be shortened to b, the -file parameter to fi,
and the -flags parameter to -fl.
Figure 4-3 shows the components of the boot command. The -flags parameter allows the use of additional boot command parameters. Not all
parameters are required; some are optional. These parameters are not
used with the OSF/1 operating system. The parameters are:

4-6 Booting

NNNN is the shadow set value which is dependent on the system
VAX
7000 configuration, and is used with OpenVMS VAX. This optional parameter (up to 4 hex digits) is deposited into bits 16–31 of General
Purpose Register R3. This parameter is not used on DEC 7000
systems.
•

M is the system root of the boot device in hex which is dependent on
the system configuration. This value can be between 0 and F. This parameter is deposited into bits 28–31 of General Purpose Register R5 for
VAX 7000 systems. For DEC 7000 systems, it is deposited using the
console environment variable booted_osflags.

•

PPPP is the hex value for the Alpha primary boot program (APB) as
listed in Appendix B. It is also used with the virtual memory boot program (VMB) options as listed in Appendix B. This parameter is deposited into bits 0–27 of General Purpose Register R5.

•

QQ is part of the device name indicating the device type as shown in
Table 4-3.

Table 4-3 Device Names
Device Type

Name

Device Adapter

Disk (MSCP)

duRRSSSS.A.B.C.D

CIXCD, KDM70,
KFMSA

Disk (SCSI), CD-ROM1

dkRRSSSS.A.B.C.D

KZMSA

InfoServer (Ethernet)2

exRRSSSS.A.B.C.D

DEMNA

InfoServer (FDDI)2

fxRRSSSS.A.B.C.D

DEMFA

1For DEC 7000 systems only.
2For VAX 7000 systems only.

Booting 4-7

•

RR is the device controller designation determined by the location of
the I/O adapter module in the backplane. Controller designators are
assigned from low to high XMI slots, and from low to high I/O channel
numbers.

•

SSSS is the device unit number. It is 0 for DEMFA and DEMNA, but
for other devices it can be up to 4 decimal digits long.

•

AAA is the device node number. The device node number can be up to
3 hex digits long. Its decimal values are:
— 0 for DEMFA, DEMNA, and KDM70
— Node number of the disk drive for KFMSA,and KZMSA
— CI node number of the HSC for CIXCD

•

B is the device channel number. It is a decimal number (0 or 1) for
KFMSA and KZMSA each with two channels. It supports two DSSI
buses from a single adapter; otherwise it is 0.

•

CC is the XMI slot number in which the I/O adapter is located. This is
a two-digit decimal value between 1–14.

•

D is the XMI I/O channel number which is a decimal number between
0 and 3.
FILENAME is the name of the maintenance operations protocol
VAX
7000 (MOP) file used in booting the system. The file name must be in
uppercase letters. This parameter is used on VAX 7000 systems
only.

4-8 Booting

Boot command flag parameters can be shortened, since values zero or
commas (which can be used as placeholders), do not have to be specified.
These parameters are read from right to left (PPPP, M, NNNN). For example, boot -fl 0,0,100 or boot -fl ,,100 are the same as boot -fl 100 where
100 is the value of the PPPP option.
NOTE: The console prompt for a uniprocessor system is >>>, which is used
throughout this document. For a multiprocessor system, the console
prompt is P0n>>>, where n is dependent on where the primary
processor is installed in the LSB. The P0n>>> is not used with the
OSF/1 operating system.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual

Booting 4-9

4.3.1 Console Environment Variables
Console environment variables are used in booting to modify how
the console commands function.
Environment variables consist of a name and value which are maintained
by the console program. The name is usually made up of characters that
describe the operation, and value is an ASCII string up to 128 characters
in length or an integer.
The environment variable values can be created, modified, displayed, or
deleted using create, set, show, and clear commands. Environment
variables used for system installation and basic operations are listed in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4 Environment Variables
Environment Variable

Function

auto_action

Specifies the action that the console takes after an error halt. Auto_action can be used
for restarting, booting, and halting the system. Set auto_action to automatically restart after an error halt using the default
boot device defined by bootdef_dev.

baud

Sets the console terminal port baud rate to
300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600, with the
default being 9600.

bootdef_dev

Specifies the default device or device list from
which booting is attempted when the boot
command does not specify a device name.

boot_file

The default file used by the primary bootstrap when a file name is not specified by the
boot command.

boot_osflags

Additional parameters passed to the system
during booting if none are specified by the
boot command with the -flags qualifier.

4-10 Booting

Table 4-4 Environment Variables (Continued)
Environment Variable

Function

boot_reset

Initializes the system before booting and selftest is displayed, if set to on.

cpu

Selects the current boot processor.

cpu_enabled

Indicates which processors are enabled to run.
If not defined, all processors are considered
enabled.

cpu_primary

Indicates which processors are enabled to become the next boot processor following the
next reset. If not defined, all processors are
considered enabled.

dump_dev1

Complete device specification of the device to
which operating system dumps are written.
The default value when the system is shipped
is a valid device.

enable_audit

Allows audit trail messages to be displayed
during booting, if set to on.

interleave

The memory interleave specification. The
value must be default, none, or an explicit interleave list. The default value is default.

language

Determines whether the system displays message numbers or message text in English (default).

1For DEC 7000 systems using OpenVMS Alpha AXP only.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual

Booting 4-11

4.3.2 Set Commands for Booting
Use the set command to define a default boot device or issue a
nickname as shown in Example 4-1.

Example 4-1 Set Boot Commands
>>> set boot_reset on
1
>>> set bootdef_dev dua2.4.0.2.0 2
3
>>> set boot_osflags "0,6,7"
>>> boot
4
[the system now initializes and boots]
>>> create -nv work

>>> set work "-flags 0,6,7 dua6.14.0.12.1"
7
>>> set auto_action restart
8
>>> boot work
[the system now initializes and boots]

4-12 Booting

1‘
2

4
5

Set boot_reset on to initialize the system before booting.
If you boot from the same boot device each time, you can store the disk
name by defining the default boot device. This is done by using the set
bootdef_ dev command. The default boot device is used for booting
during power-up and auto restarts.
Use set boot_osflags to define the boot command flag parameters of
0, 6, and 7. The APB/VMB option of 7 is made up of the combination of
bits 0, 1, and 2 as shown in Appendix B. The flags can also be specified
as done in step 6.
Booting can now be done from that device by typing boot or just b.
Use the create command to create the environment variable work.
The -nv option stores the environment variable work in a nonvolatile
EEPROM.
This is an example of booting from a system that is part of a VMScluster. To boot from the cluster system disk, a nickname is created by
equating the boot parameters to an environment variable as shown. A
nickname is used so boot parameters do not have to be entered each
time the system is booted.
Used to set the auto_action environment variable so the system will
restart after an error halt.
Booting can now be done from that device by typing boot work.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual

Booting 4-13

4.4 Booting Concepts
4.4.1 How Bootblock Booting Works
The boot program reads the primary bootstrap program from the
boot device. The primary bootstrap in turn boots the operating
system.

Figure 4-4

Boot Procedure

Enter boot command
at the
console prompt

Boot command specifies boot
device and path to reach it.

System may reinitialize
and self-test
is performed

Self-test executes and prints if
boot_reset is set on.

Boot driver on the
primary processor reads
bootblock from boot device

Boot driver invoked from console
running on boot processor.

Bootblock with boot
driver loads primary
bootstrap into memory

Bootblock contains pointer
to primary bootstrap.

Primary bootstrap
continues booting the
operating system

Primary bootstrap loaded into
memory; console transfers
control to primary bootstrap.
BXB-0026B-92

4-14 Booting

Boot driver
The console firmware provides a boot driver for each supported boot device.
During booting, the boot driver reads the bootblock from the specified boot
device and then loads the primary bootstrap or OSF/1 image into memory.
Upon completion of the load, the boot driver passes control to either program which then starts executing.
Boot device
The boot device contains the bootblock and typically also contains the primary bootstrap. OpenVMS Alpha AXP or OpenVMS VAX can be booted
from standalone backup. Not used with the OSF/1 operating system.
Bootblock
The bootblock is logical block zero on the system disk; it contains the block
number where the primary bootstrap program is located on the system
disk. The console reads the primary bootstrap from the system load device
to memory.
Primary bootstrap
The primary bootstrap, which is stored on the boot device, boots the operating system. The goal of booting is to read the primary bootstrap from the
boot device and load the operating system. The primary bootstrap loads
the operating system into memory and passes control to memory.

Booting 4-15

4.4.2 Boot Processor Selection
One processor is selected as the boot processor, and all other processors become secondary processors. This determination is made
by the system at power-up or initialization, and can be altered using console commands.

Figure 4-5

Determining the Boot Processor
Secondary Processors

Boot
Processor

LSB Bus
BXB-0007A-92

4-16 Booting

One processor is designated as the boot processor (or primary processor)
and becomes the primary communicator to the console terminal.
At power-up or initialization of the system, the console program in each
processor begins parallel execution. Each processor performs self-test and
then checks with the other processors to determine which processor becomes the boot processor. The default boot processor is the processor with
the lowest node ID number, passing self-test, that is eligible to become the
boot processor. Once the boot processor has been determined, all other
processors on the system wait for commands from the boot processor.
Console commands can be used to select the boot processor. The set
cpu_primary command is used to select the primary (or boot) processor.
This command is not stored in the EEPROM, so its parameters are not
saved during a reset. The set cpu_enable command is used to disable selected processors, so they are not eligible to become the boot processor.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual

Booting 4-17

4.5 Booting from a Local Device
4.5.1 Local Device Booting Concepts
Figure 4.5.4 shows system booting through a local device.

Figure 4-6

Local Device Booting
System
Cabinet

Expander
Cabinet

boot dud3.A.B.C.D

External RA
Disk Cabinet

boot duc1.A.B.C.D
boot dua2.A.B.C.D

Where:

4-18 Booting

In-Cabinet
RRD42 CD

dk, du = device name
a, c, d
= controller
1, 2, 3, 100 = unit number
A
= device node number
B
= device channel number
C
= XMI node number
D
= I/O channel number

boot dka100.A.B.C.D

BXB-0305B-92

Figure 4.5.4 shows the locations of local devices that can be used to boot
the operating system.
Local devices can be installed in the DEC 7000 system. The DEC
DEC
7000 7000 system cabinet can contain up to two SCSI PIUs, the expander cabinet can contain up to six SCSI PIUs, and the external
RA disk cabinet can contain RA disks.
Local devices can be installed in the VAX 7000 system. The VAX
VAX
7000 7000 system cabinet can contain up to two DSSI PIUs, the expander cabinet can contain up to six DSSI PIUs, and the external
RA disk cabinet can contain RA disks.
NOTE: To boot from a local device, the operating system must already be
installed on that device. Otherwise, booting must be done from another source.

Booting 4-19

4.5.2 CD-ROM OpenVMS Alpha AXP Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS Alpha AXP
DEC from the RRD42 CD drive for DEC 7000 systems. The first
7000
step is issuing the show device command to determine the
location of the RRD42.

Example 4-2 CD-ROM OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot
>>> show device

polling for units on kzmsa0, slot 1, xmi0...
dka100.1.0.1.0
dka100
RRD42
polling for units on kdm700, slot 6, xmi0...
dub1.1.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA1
RF73
dub2.2.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA2
RF73
>>> boot -flags 0,0 dka100.1.0.1.0
Booting...
Connecting to boot device dka100
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1ee000
initializing machine state
jumping to bootstrap at 1fa000

2
3

OpenVMS AXP (TM) Operating System, Version V1.0

4-20 Booting

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the device type and unit
number, node number, device channel number, XMI node number, and
I/O channel number, separated by periods. The second column displays
the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column
shows the device type.
In the boot command, -flags indicates that additional command parameters follow, 0 is the system root of the boot device, 0 is the bootstrap option, dk is the device code of the boot device, a is the boot
device controller designation, and 1 specifies the hexadecimal unit
number of the boot device. The 1 is the node number, 0 is the channel
number, 1 is the XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O channel number.

The system boots standalone backup from the RRD42.

The operating system banner appears.

For more information:
OpenVMS Alpha Version 1.0 Upgrade and Installation Manual

Booting 4-21

4.5.3 CD-ROM OSF/1 Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OSF/1 from the RRD42
DEC CD drive for DEC 7000 systems. The first step is issuing
7000
the show device command to determine the location of the
RRD42.

Example 4-3 CD-ROM OSF/1 Boot
>>> show device

polling for units on kzmsa0, slot 2, xmi0...
dka100.1.0.2.0
dka100
RRD42
polling for units on kdm700, slot 6, xmi0...
dub1.1.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA1
RF73
dub2.2.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA2
RF73
>>> boot dka100.1.0.2.0

3
Booting...
Connecting to boot device dka100.1.0.2.0
Created boot device: dka100.1.0.2.0
block 0 of dka100.1.0.2.0 is a valid boot block
reading 16 blocks from dka100.1.0.2.0
bootstrap code read in
base = 1fe000, start = 0
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1f2000
initializing machine state
jumping to bootstrap at 1fe000

Resetting IO subysystem...

[I/O subsystem reset information, memory information
displayed, I/O bus adapters displayed, configured devices
displayed, network configuration information displayed]
The system is ready.
DEC OSF/1 Version 1.2 console

4-22 Booting

3
4

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the device type and unit
number, node number, device channel number, XMI node number, and
I/O channel number, separated by periods. The second column displays
the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column
shows the device type.
In the boot command, dk is the device code of the boot device, a is
the boot device controller designation, and 100 specifies the hexadecimal unit number of the boot device. The 1 is the node number, 0 is the
channel number, 2 is the XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O channel
number.
The system boots from the RRD42.
The system displays information about the I/O subsystem reset,
memory, I/O bus adapters, configured devices, and network
configurations.
The operating system banner appears.

For more information:
DEC OSF/1 Guide to System Administration

Booting 4-23

4.5.4 Local Device Booting Examples
This section shows sample boot procedures from local disks installed in system cabinets, expander cabinets, and external RA
disk drive cabinets. The first step is issuing the show device command which is used to determine the location of the boot device.

Example 4-4 Sample Local Device Boots
1
>>> show device
polling for units on kfmsa0, slot 1, xmi0...
dua2.2.0.1.0
R2TDYC$DIA2
RF73
dua3.3.0.1.0
R2TDYC$DIA3
RF73
polling for units on kdm700, slot 2, xmi0...
duc1.0.0.2.0
DUA1
RA92
polling for units on kfmsa1, slot 1, xmi1...
dud3.3.0.1.1
XYZ$DIA3
RF73

>>> boot dua2.2.0.1.0

>>> boot duc1.0.0.2.0

>>> boot dud3.3.0.1.1

4-24 Booting

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the assigned console device
name. The second column displays the name of the device given by the
device controller. The third column shows the device type.

Polling sizes the XMI bus for devices connected to <device>. The <device> is the name the console assigns to an I/O adapter or device in the
system (such as kfmsa0). A list of installed adapters is given in the
show configuration command display. Refer to the Basic Troubleshooting or Console Reference manuals for details on the show configuration command.

In this example, this is a boot from a disk in the system cabinet,
since the last digit in the first column of the show device command is
0. The zero indicates I/O channel 0 which connects to devices in the
system cabinet.
The device code of the boot device is du, a is the boot device controller
designation, and 2 specifies the unit number of the boot device. The
next 2 is the node number, 0 is the device channel number, 1 is the
XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O channel number.

This is a boot from a disk in an external RA disk cabinet, since the last
column of the show device command is RA92. This indicates an RA92
disk in an external RA disk cabinet. The device code of the boot device
is du, c is the boot device controller designation, and 1 specifies the
unit number of the boot device. The 0 is the node number, 0 is the
device channel number, 2 is the XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O
channel number.

This is a boot from a disk in the expander cabinet, since the last digit
in the first column of the show device command is 1. The 1 indicates
I/O channel 1 which connects to devices in the expander cabinet. The
device code of the boot device is du, d is the boot device controller
designation, and 3 specifies the unit number of the boot device. The
next 3 is the node number, 0 is the device channel number, 1 is the
XMI node number, and 1 is the I/O channel number.

For more information:
Basic Troubleshooting
Console Reference Manual

Booting 4-25

4.6 Booting from an InfoServer
4.6.1 InfoServer Concepts
The InfoServer is an Ethernet-based compact disk (CD)
VAX server used to first load the operating system for the VAX
7000
7000.
First, find the available InfoServer services and
then select one of them.

Figure 4-7

InfoServer Selection Flowchart

Place CD
in CD drive

Find
Ethernet controllers

Boot initial system
load function ISL_LVAX

show network command

boot command

Enter function ID
to Choose Service

Enter Option ID
to Find Services

Enter Service Number
to boot service

4-26 Booting

BXB-0026A-92

Some systems use Ethernet-based CD servers to load the operating system. The InfoServer consists of one or two CD drives and connects to standard Ethernet or ThinWire groups or networks.
Before loading the operating system during system installation, a number
of steps are needed to find and connect to an InfoServer. Figure 4-7 illustrates these steps. See Section 4.6.2 for information on show network
and boot commands.
Each InfoServer drive has its own address, so either drive can contain the
CD needed to load the operating system. In large system configurations, a
number of InfoServers can be connected to the system. Figure 4-8 shows a
configuration of systems and InfoServers.

Figure 4-8

InfoServer Configuration

System to
be Booted
LSB
XMI
DEMNA

VAX

Ethernet

CD
Server

CD
Server
XMI
Ethernet

DEMFA
FDDI

DECbridge 500
BXB-0304-92

Booting 4-27

4.6.2 InfoServer OpenVMS VAX Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS VAX from
VAX an InfoServer using the Ethernet. The first step is issuing
7000
the show network command.

Example 4-5 InfoServer OpenVMS VAX Boot
>>> show network 1
polling for units on demna0, slot 3, xmi0...
exa0.0.0.3.0 08-00-2B-0B-BB-ED
>>> boot exa0 -flags 0,0,0 -file ISL_LVAX_BL10

Initializing...
F

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

NODE #

A
o
.
o
.
+
.

M
+
.
+
.
+
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

P
+
E
+
E
+
E

P
+
B
+
B
+
B

TYP
ST1
BPD
ST2
BPD
ST3
BPD

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

. A0
.128

.
.

C0 XMI +
C1
C2
C3
.
.

ILV
128Mb

Firmware Rev = V1.0-1625 SROM Rev = V1.0-0 SYS SN = GAO1234567

Booting...
Connecting to boot device exa0 -flags 0,0,0
-file ISL_LVAX_BL10
Created boot device: exa0.0.0.3.0
Resulting file is mopdl:ISL_LVAX_BL10/exa0.0.0.3.0
.....
Load complete !

4-28 Booting

Show network displays information about Ethernet controllers.
Polling checks the XMI bus for device configurations. Show network includes information such as the console device name of the
network device with path information (exa0.0.0.3.0) and the Ethernet controller’s hardware address in hex (08-00-2B-0B-BB-ED).

Boot standalone backup across the Ethernet by specifying the console
device name of the network device exa0, additional command parameters -flags 0,0,0, the Initial System Load (ISL) file name
ISL_LVAX_ and its version number BL10. To boot over the FDDI,
the device mnemonic is fx rather than ex.

System self-test results are displayed if the environment variable
1
boot_reset is set on.

NOTE: The ISL file name must be specified in uppercase letters.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual
VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000-600 and VAX 10000-600 Series

Booting 4-29

4.6.3 Selecting an Ethernet Service
The second step of booting over the Ethernet with an InfoVAX Server is selecting the service that boots OpenVMS VAX for
7000
VAX 7000 systems.

Example 4-6 Selecting an Ethernet Service
1
Network Initial System Load Function
Version 1.1
FUNCTION
FUNCTION
ID
1
Display Menu
2
Help
3
Choose Service
4
Select Options
5
Stop
2
Enter a function ID value: 3
OPTION
OPTION
ID
1
Find Services
2
Enter known Service Name
3
Enter an Option ID value: 1
Working
4
Servers found: 2
Service Name Format:
Service Number
Service Name
Server Name
Ethernet ID
#1
VMS054
ESS_08002B0BBBED
08-00-2B-0B-BB-ED
#2
CD_BIN_83371
ESS_08002B0BBBED
08-00-2B-0B-BB-ED

4-30 Booting

#1
INFO3$RZ57
INFO3
08-00-2B-26-A6-98
#2
CD_DOC_0050
INFO3
08-00-2B-16-04-98
Enter a Service number or <CR> for more: 1
[operating system banner appears]

The Network Initial System Load Function menu is displayed.

The system prompts you for a function ID value. Enter a 3 to select the
Choose Service function.

The Service options menu is displayed. Enter 1 to display the available
Ethernet servers and services. In this example two servers are found
on the Ethernet.

Each server has two services, 1 and 2. The service names are listed
(such as INFO3$RZ57) followed by the InfoServer names (such as
INFO3), and the Ethernet ID (such as 08-00-2B-26-A6-98). In this example, service #1 of server #1 VMS054, is used to boot OpenVMS
VAX.
Enter 1 to select service #1.

For more information:
InfoServer 150 Installation and Owner’s Guide
VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000-600 and VAX 10000-600 Series

Booting 4-31

4.7 Booting from a VMScluster
4.7.1 VMScluster Concepts
You can boot from a VMScluster using a CI configuration with a
Star Coupler and HSC disk controller or a DSSI configuration
with a KFMSA and controller as shown in Figure 4-9.

Figure 4-9

Booting from CI and DSSI VMSclusters

NI -- Ethernet

System

NI
Adapter

CI
Adapter

System

NI
Adapter

KFMSA

DSSI

HSC
02

Disk

Controller

Disk

HSC
03

Disk

BXB-0070D-92

4-32 Booting

When you boot from a VMScluster, the minimum boot command options
include the boot device, the device type, and its unit number. This is allowed if options such as shadow set value, system root, and optional APB
or VMB parameters are zero.
Figure 4-9 shows sample VMScluster configurations. Logically, each DSSI
bus is equivalent to a small CI with a Star Coupler. The RF devices on the
DSSI are functionally equivalent to a combination of HSC and RA devices
on the CI. Sections 4.7.2–4.7.4 discuss sample CI boots, Section 4.7.5 discusses shadow set booting, and Sections 4.7.6–4.7.8 discuss sample DSSI
boots.

Booting 4-33

4.7.2 CI OpenVMS Alpha AXP Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS Alpha AXP
DEC for a system in the CI configuration shown in Figure 4-9.
7000

Example 4-7 CI OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot
>>> show device 1
polling for units on cixcd0, slot 2, xmi0...
dua20.14.0.2.0
$100$DUA20
RA82
dua31.14.0.2.0
$100$DUA31
RA82
dua80.15.0.2.0
$100$DUA80
RA90
>>> boot -fl 4,0 dua20.14.0.2.0

Booting... 3
Connecting to boot device dua20
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1ee000
initializing machine state
jumping to bootstrap at 1fa000
OpenVMS AXP (TM) Operating System, Version V1.0

4-34 Booting

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the console device name. The
second column displays the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column shows the device type.
In the boot command, -fl indicates that additional command parameters follow, 4 is the booting system root on the cluster system disk, 0
is the bootstrap option, du is the device code of the boot device, a is
the boot device controller designation, and 20 specifies the unit number of the boot device. The 14 is the HSC controller node number
that the boot device is connected to, 0 is the channel number, 2 is the
XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O channel number.

The system boots standalone backup.

The operating system banner appears.

For more information:
OpenVMS Alpha Version 1.0 Upgrade and Installation Manual

Booting 4-35

4.7.3 CI OSF/1 Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OSF/1 for a system in
DEC the CI configuration shown in Figure 4-9.
7000

Example 4-8 CI OSF/1 Boot
>>> show device 1
polling for units on cixcd0, slot 2, xmi0...
dua20.14.0.2.0
$100$DUA20
RA82
dua31.14.0.2.0
$100$DUA31
RA82
dua80.15.0.2.0
$100$DUA80
RA90
>>> boot dua31.14.0.2.0

Booting... 3
Connecting to boot device dua31.14.0.2.0
Connecting to boot device dua31.14.0.2.0
Created boot device: dua31.14.0.2.0
block 0 of dua31.14.0.2.0 is a valid boot block
reading 16 blocks from dua31.14.0.2.0
bootstrap code read in
base = 1fe000, start = 0
initializing HWRPB at 2000
initializing page table at 1f2000
initializing machine state
jumping to bootstrap at 1fe000
Resetting IO subysystem...

4-36 Booting

3
4

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the console device name. The
second column displays the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column shows the device type.
In the boot command, du is the device code of the boot device, a is
the boot device controller designation, and 31 specifies the unit number of the boot device. The 14 is the HSC controller node number that
the boot device is connected to, 0 is the channel number, 2 is the XMI
node number, and 0 is the I/O channel number.
The system boots the OSF/1 operating system.
The system displays information about the I/O subsystem reset,
memory, I/O bus adapters, configured devices, and network
configurations.
The operating system banner appears.

For more information:
DEC OSF/1 Guide to System Administration

Booting 4-37

4.7.4 CI OpenVMS VAX Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS VAX for a
DEC system in the CI configuration shown in Figure 4-9.
7000

Example 4-9 CI OpenVMS VAX Boot
>>> show device 1
polling for units on cixcd0, slot 2, xmi0...
dua20.13.0.2.0
$100$DUA20
RA82
dua31.14.0.2.0
$100$DUA31
RA82
dua80.15.0.2.0
$100$DUA80
RA90
>>> boot -fl 0,4,0 dua20.13.0.2.0

Booting... 3
Connecting to boot device dua20
block 0 of dua20 is a valid boot block
reading 85 blocks from dua20
bootstrap code read in
base = 116000, start = 200
boot device name = dua20.14.0.2.0
boot flags 0,4,0
boot device type = 2b
controller letter = A
unit number = 20
node ID = 13
channel = 0
slot = 2
hose = 0
jumping to bootstrap at 116200

4-38 Booting

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the console device name. The
second column displays the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column shows the device type.
In the boot command, -fl indicates that additional command parameters follow, 0 indicates no shadow set, 4 is the booting system root on
the cluster system disk, 0 is the VMB option, du is the device code of
the boot device, a is the boot device controller designation, and 20
specifies the unit number of the boot device. The 13 is the HSC controller node number that the boot device is connected to, 0 is the channel number, 2 is the XMI node number, and 0 is the I/O channel
number.
With the set enable_audit environment variable on, audit trail
messages appear during booting.

For more information:
VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000-600 and VAX 10000-600 Series

Booting 4-39

4.7.5 Shadow Set OpenVMS VAX Booting
Shadow set booting is used with OpenVMS VAX to boot
VAX from a virtual disk that is set up by the console.
7000

Figure 4-10 Shadow Set Open VMS VAX Booting
boot -fl[ags] 8DAC,2,0
Virtual unit number
of load device

dua3500.14.0.12.1,dua63.14.0.12.1

Physical device
parameters

System root
VMB Option
Virtual device
Device node
Device channel
XMI node number
I/O channel number

4-40 Booting

BXB-0303B-92

The virtual unit number of the load device is 8DAC, where 8 indicates
shadow set booting is used, and DAC is the hexadecimal value of the
virtual device unit number of 3500 (decimal). This value is passed to
bits 16–31 of General Purpose Register R3.
The system root is 2, which are bits 28–31 of General Purpose Register
R3.
The VMB option is 0 as listed in Appendix B, which are bits 0–27 of
General Purpose Register 5.
The device search list contains dua3500, which is the virtual device,
and dua63, which is the physical device. The console first attempts to
boot from the virtual device followed by the physical device.

The device node is 14. The path through HSC 14 will be tried first.

The device channel number is 0.

The XMI node number for the I/O adapter module is 12.

The I/O channel number is 1.

The parameters for the physical device are the same as the virtual device except that the device unit number is 63.

For more information:
VAX Volume Shadowing Manual
VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000-600 and VAX 10000-600 Series

Booting 4-41

4.7.6 DSSI OpenVMS VAX Booting
This section shows a sample boot of OpenVMS VAX for a
VAX system in the DSSI configuration shown in Figure 4-9.
7000

Example 4-10 DSSI OpenVMS VAX Boot
>>> show device

polling for units on kdm700, slot 1, xmi0...
dua1.1.0.1.0
DUA1
RA92
polling for units on kfmsa0, slot 6, xmi0...
dub1.1.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA1
RF73
dub2.2.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA2
RF73
>>> boot -flags 0,3,0 dub1.1.0.6.0

Initializing...
F

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

NODE #

A
o
.
o
.
+
.

M
+
.
+
.
+
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

P
+
E
+
E
+
E

P
+
B
+
B
+
B

TYP
ST1
BPD
ST2
BPD
ST3
BPD

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

. A0
.128

.
.

C0 XMI +
C1
C2
C3
.
.

ILV
128Mb

Firmware Rev = V1.0-1625 SROM Rev = V1.0-0 SYS SN = GAO1234567

4-42 Booting

Show device displays information about each I/O device. Polling
checks the XMI bus for device configurations. The next line contains
three columns. The first column contains the device type and unit
number, node number, device channel number, XMI node number, and
I/O channel number, separated by periods. The second column displays
the name of the device given by the device controller. The third column
shows the device type.
In the boot command, -flags indicates that additional command parameters follow, 0 is the shadow set unit, 3 is the system root of the
boot device, 0 is the VMB option, du is the device code of the boot device, b is the boot device controller designation, and 1 specifies the
hexadecimal unit number of the boot device. The 1 is the node number, 0 is the channel number, 6 is the XMI node number, and 0 is
the I/O channel number.
System self-test results are displayed if the environment variable
boot_reset is set on.

For more information:
VMS Upgrade and Installation Supplement:
VAX 7000-600 and VAX 10000-600 Series

Booting 4-43

Appendix A
Console Commands
Table A-1 lists the console commands. Commands such as clear, create,
set, and show use environment variables. These variables control various
console features and pass console information to the operating system.
Table A-1

Console Commands

Command

Function

boot

Initializes the system causing a self-test and begins
the boot program.

build eeprom

Creates a new EEPROM image or restores a corrupted one.

cdp

Configures DSSI devices.

clear1

Removes an environment variable.

continue

Resumes processing at the point where it was interrupted by a Ctrl/P or halt command.

create1

Creates a new environment variable.

deposit

Stores data in a specified location.

examine

Displays the contents of a memory location, register,
device, or a file.

help

Provides basic information on the console commands.

initialize

Performs a reset on the system or specified node.

1These commands use environment variables.

Console Commands A-1

Table A-1 Console Commands (Continued)
Command

Function

repeat

Reexecutes a command.

set1

Changes an option or environment variable.

show1

Displays an option or environment variable.

start

Starts the execution of instructions at the specified address.

stop

Stops a secondary CPU.

test

Tests the system, a subsystem, or a specified option.

update

Copies the contents of the boot processor’s EEPROM to
the EEPROM of the specified processor.

Introduces a comment. Used on DEC 7000 and VAX
7000 systems.

Introduces a comment. Used only on VAX 7000 systems.

1These commands use environment variables.

Environment variables such as baud, bootdef_dev, boot_file,
boot_reset, and term are used by the system operator. The EEPROM
contents can be manipulated with the clear, set, and show commands.

For more information:
Console Reference Manual

A-2

Console Commands

Appendix B
Boot Options
Table B-1 lists the Alpha primary boot (APB) options used with the boot
command for OpenVMS Alpha AXP. Table B-2 lists the OSF/1 options used
with the boot command. Table B-3 lists the virtual memory boot (VMB)
options used with the boot command for OpenVMS VAX. These options allow you to control various phases of booting. The VMB options set bits in
General Purpose Register R5.

Boot Options B-1

Table B-1 OpenVMS Alpha AXP Boot Options
Hexadecimal Value

Function

Allows a conversational boot.

Maps XDELTA to a running system.

Stops the boot procedure at the initial system
breakpoint.

Performs a diagnostic bootstrap.

Stops the boot procedure at the bootstrap breakpoints.

Omits the header from the secondary bootstrap
image.

Inhibits memory testing.

Prompts for the name of the secondary bootstrap file.

100

Halts the system before the secondary bootstrap.

2000

Marks corrected read data error pages as bad.

10000

Enables debug messages in the APB.EXE, SYSBOOT.EXE, and EXEC_INIT.EXE files.

20000

Enables user messages in the APB.EXE,
BOOT.EXE, and EXEC_INIT.EXE files.

The OpenVMS Alpha AXP options are used as qualifiers in the set
boot_osflags command.

B-2 Boot Options

Table B-2 OSF/1 Boot Options
Option

Function

-a

Boots the system disk to multiuser mode.

-d

Do full clumps.

-i

Boot to interactive mode plus options.

-s

Default boot option.

Boot Options B-3

Table B-3 VMB Boot Options
Bit

Function

Conversational boot. The secondary bootstrap program, SYSBOOT, prompts you for system parameters at the console
terminal.

Debug. If this bit is set, the operating system maps the code
for the XDELTA debugger into the system page tables of the
running operating system.

Initial breakpoint. If this bit is set, the operating system executes a breakpoint (BPT) instruction early in the bootstrap
program.

Secondary boot from bootblock. The secondary boot is a single 512-byte block whose logical block number is specified in
the General Purpose Register R4.

Not used.

Boot breakpoint. This stops the primary and secondary loaders with a breakpoint (BPT) instruction before testing memory.

Image header. The transfer address of the secondary loader
image comes from the image header for that file. If this bit is
not set, control shifts to the first byte of the secondary
loader.

File name. APB or VMB prompts for the name of a secondary loader.

Halt before transfer. APB or VMB executes a HALT instruction before transferring control to the secondary loader.

No effect, since console program tests memory.

Not used.

Do not discard CRD pages.

31:28

Specifies the top-level directory number for system disks.

B-4 Boot Options

Appendix C
Updating Firmware
Use the Loadable Firmware Update (LFU) Utility to update system firmware. LFU runs without any operating system and can update the firmware on any system module. LFU handles modules on the LSB bus (for example, the CPU) as well as modules on the I/O buses (for example, a CI
controller on the XMI bus). You are not required to specify any hardware
path information, and the update process is highly automated.
Both the LFU program and the firmware microcode images it writes are
supplied on a CD-ROM. You start LFU on DEC 7000 systems by booting
the RRD42. On VAX 7000 systems you start LFU by booting the InfoServer on your Ethernet.
A typical update procedure is:
1.

Boot the LFU CD-ROM.

Use the LFU show command to indicate modules whose firmware
needs to be updated.

Use the LFU list command if you want to check the firmware version
numbers on the CD-ROM.

Use the LFU update command to write the new firmware.

Exit.

Updating Firmware C-1

C.1 Booting LFU on a DEC 7000 System
LFU is supplied on the DEC 7000/10000 AXP Console CDDEC ROM (Part Number AG-PQW3*-RE, where * is the letter
7000
that denotes the disk revision). Make sure this CD-ROM is
mounted in the RRD42 in-cabinet CD drive. Boot LFU from
the CD-ROM.

Example C-1 RRD42 LFU Booting
>>> show device

polling for units on kzmsa, slot 1, xmi0...
dka100.1.0.1.0
dka100
RRD42
polling for units on kdm70, slot 6, xmi0...
dub1.1.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA1
RF73
dub2.2.0.6.0
R2TDYC$DIA2
RF73
>>> boot dka100
Booting...

10:50:56

***** Loadable Firmware Update Utility *****
Version 2.01
16-jun-1992
------------------------------------------------------------------Function
Description
------------------------------------------------------------------Display
Exit
List

Displays the system’s configuration table.
Return to loadable offline operating environment.
Lists the device types and firmware revisions
supported by this revision of LFU.
Modify
Modifies port parameters and device attributes.
Show
Displays device mnemonic, hardware and firmware
revisions.
Update
Replaces current firmware with loadable data
image.
Verify
Compares loadable and device images.
? or Help
Scrolls the function table.
------------------------------------------------------------------Function?

C-2 Updating Firmware

Use the show device command to find the name of the RRD42 CD
drive.

Enter the boot command to boot from the RRD42. The RRD42 has a
device name of dka100.

LFU starts, displays a summary of its commands, and issues its
prompt (Function?).

Updating Firmware C-3

C.2 Booting LFU on a VAX 7000 System
LFU is supplied on the VAX 7000/10000 Console CD-ROM
VAX (Part Number AG-PQW1*-RE, where * is the letter that de7000
notes the disk revision).
Make sure this CD-ROM is
mounted in one of the system’s InfoServers. Boot the Initial System Load (ISL) program, and select the service corresponding to the console CD-ROM.

Example C-2 Booting LFU
>>> boot exa0 -flags 0,0,0 -file ISL_LVAX_V01
Resulting file is mopdl:ISL_LVAX_V01/exa0
...... Load complete!
[boot information]
Network Initial System Load Function
Version 1.1
FUNCTION
FUNCTION
ID
1
Display Menu
2
Help
3
Choose Service
4
Select Options
5
Stop
Enter a function ID value: 3
OPTION
OPTION
ID
1
Find Services
2
Enter known Service Name
Enter an Option ID value: 1

Working
Servers found:: 3
Service Name Format:
Service Number
Service Name
Server Name
Ethernet ID
#1
INFO4$RZ57
INFO4
08-00-2B-26-A6-98
#2
6000_DIAG_H
INFO3
08-00-2B-16-04-D4
#3
VAX7000_V01
OPUS_ESS
08-00-2B-18-A9-75
Enter a Service Number or <CR> for more: 3

C-4 Updating Firmware

Copyright Digital Equipment Corporation
1992
All Rights Reserved.
Loadable Environment Rev: V1.0-1625
Jul 12 1992 10:50:56
***** Loadable Firmware Update Utility *****
Version 2.01
16-jun-1992
------------------------------------------------------------------Function
Description
------------------------------------------------------------------Display
Exit
List

Enter the boot command to boot from the InfoServer. Note that the
ISL file name must be typed in upper case. The final two characters
are the ISL file version, which you can read from the last two characters of the volume label printed on the CD-ROM.

Enter 3, to select Choose Service from the Function menu.

Enter 1 to select Find Services from the Option menu.

Enter the number of the service named VAX7000_Vnn. This service
name is the volume label printed on the CD-ROM. In this example,
service number 3 supplies the console CD-ROM.
LFU starts, displays a summary of its commands, and issues its
prompt (Function?).

Updating Firmware C-5

C.3 Show
The show command shows the current revision of firmware and
hardware for every module in the system that contains microcode.
In the display, each module that needs to be updated is indicated
by a plus sign (+) following the device mnemonic.

Example C-3 Show Command
1

Function? show

2
Device Mnemonic(s)? ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------Valid Device
Entries
Selected function is:
-------------------------------------------------------------------Device Mnemonic#
performed to a single device.
Device Mnemonic*
performed to all devices of the same type.
* or All
performed to all devices in the system.
Exit
not performed. Program returns to Selection
prompt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------3
Device Mnemonic(s)? exit
4

Function? sho *

kn7aa0
ms7aa0
iop0
xmi0
kdm700
demna0
demfa0
cixcd0
kzmsa0

Firmware
Revision

Hardware
Revision

1.00
---3.00
6.08
-69.00

E04
---Cannot be read
Cannot be read
-A01

not supported.
not supported.
not supported.
not supported.

’+’ indicates the update firmware revision
is greater than the adapter’s firmware revision.
Function?

C-6 Updating Firmware

If you type just the command show without a device mnemonic, LFU
prompts for the device mnemonic. All the commands that require device mnemonic will prompt.
If you enter ? (or help) for the device, a table displays the syntax for
specifying devices. All the commands that require device specifications
use this syntax. Note the use of wildcards. For example,
show kdm70* would display all KDM70 controller modules.
If you enter an exit command at the device prompt, LFU returns to
the function prompt for another command.
The most useful form of the command is show * which displays every
module in the system. Note in this example that the CPU and CIXCD
modules require updating. (In other words, the + means that the firmware version on the CD-ROM is higher than the version on the module.)
VAX 7000 systems do not support kn7aa and kzmsa. The following devices show up in the display instead:
ka7aa0
kfmsa0

1.10

E04

5.06

A04

Updating Firmware C-7

C.4 List
The list command displays the inventory of update firmware on
the CD-ROM. Only the devices listed at your terminal are supported for firmware updates.

Example C-4 List Command
Function? l 1
Loadable Firmware Update Utility

Version 2.01 2

Name

Mnemonic

Update Firmware
Revision

CIXCD

cixcd*

70.00

A01

KDM70

kdm70*

3.00

All Revisions

KN7AA

kn7aa*

1.01

All Revisions

KZMSA

kzmsa*

2.00

All Revisions

Function?

C-8 Updating Firmware

Update Hardware
Revision
-

A01

The list command shows the revisions of firmware corresponding to
the revisions of hardware for each device. (There may be several hardware revisions for a particular device, but only one firmware revision
corresponds to any hardware revision.) Comparing the output of the
list and show commands helps you understand which devices should
receive firmware updates.

VAX 7000 systems do not support kn7aa and kzmsa. The following devices show up in the display instead:
KA7AA
KFMSA

ka7aa*
kfmsa*

1.10
5.06
4.00

All Revisions
A02 - A01
All Remaining
Revisions

Updating Firmware C-9

C.5 Update
The update command writes new firmware from the CD-ROM to
the module. Then LFU automatically verifies the update by reading the new firmware image from the module back into memory
and comparing it with the CD-ROM image.

Example C-5 Update Command
Function?

update kn7aa0 cixcd0

Update kn7aa0? [Y/(N)] y

WARNING: updates may take several minutes to complete for each device.

DO NOT ABORT!
Updating to 1.10... Reading Device... Verifying 1.10...PASSED. 3

kn7aa0

Update cixcd0? [Y/(N)] y

WARNING: updates may take several minutes to complete for each device.

DO NOT ABORT!
cixcd0

Updating to 70.00... Reading Device... Verifying 70.00... PASSED.

Function? update *
Name

Type

Rev

Mnemonic

FW Rev

HW Rev

KN7AA
MS7AA
IOP

(8002)
(4000)
(2000)

0000
0000
0001

kn7aa0
ms7aa0
iop0

1.01
N/A
N/A

E04
A01
A

C0 XMI
8+
DWLMA
E+
DEMNA

(102A)
(0C03)

A5A6
060B

xmi0
dwlma0
demna0

N/A
6.08

LSB
0+
7+
8+

Update ALL devices? [Y/(N)] y

WARNING: updates may take several minutes to complete for each device.

DO NOT ABORT!
kn7aa0
ms7aa0
iop0
xmi0
demna0

Updating to 1.10... Reading Device... Verifying 1.10...PASSED

not supported.
not supported.
not supported.
firmware rev is greater or equal to update rev.

C-10 Updating Firmware

Continue? [Y/(N)] y

WARNING: updates may take several minutes to complete for each device.

DO NOT ABORT!
demna0

Updating to 6.06... Reading Device... Verifying 6.06... PASSED.
Function? update demna*
8

Update all demna?
[Y/(N)] n
Function?
1

This command specifically requests firmware updates for the CPU and
CIXCD modules. Note the syntax of a device list, separated by
spaces.

LFU requires you to confirm each update, if you named the modules
specifically.

Status message reports update and verification progress.

LFU prompts for each device in turn.

This is a second example. When you specify the * wildcard, LFU tries
to update all modules.
LFU prints the configuration table and prompts before all devices are
updated.
This message appears because, in this example, the firmware on the
DEMNA module is not at a lower revision level than the firmware image on the CD-ROM. You can still request LFU to perform the update.
If the module version is equal to the update firmware, you may have
previously tried the update (making the module and CD-ROM firmware images the same revision). However, if the verification process
had reported an error, you can repeat the update. Also, this feature
allows you to update a module with an older revision of firmware.
This is another example, using a wildcard to request LFU to update all
DEMNA adapters in the system. When you use a device mnemonic followed by a wildcard *, LFU prompts once for all devices of the same
type. A wildcard alone updates all devices.

CAUTION: Never abort an update operation; you will corrupt the firmware on the module.

Updating Firmware C-11

C.6 Exit
The exit command terminates the LFU program, causes system initialization and self-test, and returns to the system console
prompt.

Example C-6 Exit Command
Function?

show

Device Mnemonic(s)?

exit

Function? exit
Initializing...
F

8
A
o
.
o
.
+
.

7
M
+
.
+
.
+
.

6
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

5
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

4
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

1
P
+
E
+
E
+
E

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

+
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

0
P
+
B
+
B
+
B

NODE #
TYP
ST1
BPD
ST2
BPD
ST3
BPD
C0 XMI +
C1
C2
C3

. A0 . . . . . . . ILV
.128 . . . . . . . 128Mb
Firmware Rev = V1.0-1625 SROM Rev = V1.0-0 SYS SN = GAO1234567
P00>>>

C-12 Updating Firmware

From within the "Device Mnemonic(s)?" prompt, exit returns to the
Function prompt.

At the Function prompt, exit causes the system to be initialized.

The console prompt appears.

Updating Firmware C-13

C.7 Display and Verify Commands
Display and verify commands are used in special situations.
Display shows the physical configuration. Verify repeats the verification process performed by the update command.

Example C-7 Display and Verify Commands
1
Function? disp
Name
Type
LSB
0+
KN7AA
(8002)
5+
MS7AA
(4000)
7+
MS7AA
(4000)
8+
IOP
(2000)

Rev

Mnemonic

FW Rev

HW Rev

0000
0000
0000
0001

kn7aa0
ms7aa0
ms7aa0
iop0

1.00
N/A
N/A
N/A

E04
A01
A01
A

C0 XMI
8+
DWLMA
C+
KDM70
E+
DEMNA

(102A)
(0C22)
(0C03)

A5A6
IE11
060B

xmi0
dwlma0
kdm700
demna0

N/A
3.00
6.06

C1 XMI
1+
?????
8+
DWLMA
A+
CIXCD

(0000)
(102A)
(0C05)

0000
A5A6
EB11

xmi1
unknown0
dwlma0
cixcd0

N/A
69.00

A
A01

Function? verify kdm700

kdm700 Reading Device... Verifying 3.00... FAILED.
At Address 3d830 3 Hardware data 41570020 Update data 20200020
At Address 3d834 Hardware data 4E494E52 Update data 20202020
At Address 3d838 Hardware data 54203A47 Update data 54202020
At Address 3d844 Hardware data 65696620 Update data 20202020
At Address 3d848 Hardware data 7420646C Update data 302E3356
At Address 3d84c Hardware data 20747365 Update data 20202020
At Address 3d988 Hardware data 69662020 Update data 20202020
At Address 3d98c Hardware data 00646C65 Update data 00202020
At Address 3d998 Hardware data 73657420 Update data 20202020
At Address 3d99c Hardware data 65722074 Update data 65722020 4

C-14 Updating Firmware

Display shows the system physical configuration. Display is equivalent to issuing the console command show configuration. Because it
shows the LSB slot for each module, display can help you identify unknown devices.
Verify reads the firmware from the module into memory and compares it with the update firmware on the CD-ROM. If a module already verified successfully when you updated it, but later failed selftest, you can use verify to tell whether the firmware has become corrupted.
The address displayed for a failed compare is relative to the beginning
of the update firmware image.
Verify terminates after 10 comparisons fail.

Updating Firmware C-15

Glossary
AC input box
Receives three-phase AC power and outputs that to the power regulators.
The system circuit breaker and a Dranetz port are on the AC input box.
See also Power.
Address space
See Physical address space and Virtual address space.
Alpha primary boot program (DEC 7000 system)
The Alpha primary boot program (APB.EXE) that boots OpenVMS Alpha
AXP. APB is the primary bootstrap program and is stored on the boot device.
Asymmetric multiprocessing
A multiprocessing configuration in which the processors are not equal in
their ability to execute operating system code. In general, a single processor is designated as the primary, or master, processor; other processors are
the slaves. The slave processors are limited to performing certain tasks,
whereas the master processor can perform all system tasks. Contrast with
Symmetric multiprocessing.
Bandwidth
The data transfer rate measured in information units transferred per unit
of time (for example, Mbytes per second).
Battery backup
Provides power to the entire system cabinet (or to an expander cabinet) in
the event of a power failure. A system can maintain power for approximately 11 minutes. Each power regulator requires a battery pack of four
batteries.
Boot device
A storage device that holds the software that carries out the system bootstrap process.

Glossary-1

Boot primitives
Small programs stored in ROM on each processor with the console program. Boot primitives read the bootblock from boot devices. There is a boot
primitive for each type of boot device.
Boot processor
The CPU module that boots the operating system and communicates with
the console; also known as the primary processor.
Bootblock
Block zero on the system disk; it contains the block number where the Alpha primary boot (APB), OSF/1 boot, or virtual memory boot (VMB) program is located on the system disk and contains a program that, with the
boot primitive, reads APB or VMB from the system load device into memory.
CD-ROM, DEC 7000, VAX 7000 Console CD-ROM
Contains the LFU utility used in upgrading firmware and copies of the
firmware for all modules in the system, including the console and diagnostic firmware.
Centerplane
The LSB backplane, located in the center of the card cage, which physically shortens the bus thus increasing bandwidth.
CCL module
Module at the top right of the system cabinet that provides the control
panel interface and power sequencing; includes air pressure and temperature sensors.
CIXCD
XMI CI port interface; connects a system to a Star Coupler.
Compact disk server
In-cabinet CD server (for DEC 7000 systems) or Ethernet-based CD server
(for VAX 7000 systems); provides access to CD-ROMs for software installation, diagnostics, and on-line documentation.

Glossary-2

Console language
Used by the system operator at the console terminal to communicate with
the primary processor; provides the interface to diagnostics. The console
language uses options, environment variables, and arguments.
Options modify the action of the command in some way, or give details of
how the command is to operate; they appear in the form -xxx and are preceded by a space.
Environment variables determine the environment; some are set in manufacturing and set up a default environment. Most environment variables
are defined with the set command. See also Environment variables.
Console mode
A mode of operation where the processor is not running the operating system but allows a console terminal operator to communicate with nodes on
the LSB bus and I/O bus adapters and devices.
Console program
The code that the boot processor executes during console mode. Each processor has a copy of this code in flash ROMs. After a boot processor has
been determined, that processor begins console initialization. The console
code is then loaded into memory.
Control panel
Consists of a keyswitch to control the state of the system and three status
LEDs.
CPU module
The KN7AA processor is the CPU module used in DEC 7000 systems. The
KA7AA processor is the CPU module used in VAX 7000 systems.
Device
From the console perspective, "device" can be used to refer to a physical device, a block of memory, or a set of registers. The console commands operate on byte streams, so any of these can be expressed as a byte stream.
Each physical device in a system has a unique mnemonic assigned by the
console program, which is displayed as part of the show configuration,
show device, and show network commands.
DEMFA
XMI adapter to the FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface).

Glossary-3

DEMNA
XMI adapter; Ethernet port interface.
DSSI
Digital Storage Systems Interconnect. A Digital Storage Architecture interconnect used by the KFMSA adapter and RF and TF series integrated
storage elements to transfer data and to communicate with each other.
DSSI PIU
Houses DSSI based disks inside the system and expander cabinets
(BA654).
DWLMA adapter
An XMI adapter that is the interface between the LSB bus and the XMI
bus; always node 8 of the XMI. The XMI plug-in unit includes the T2028AA module and necessary cables and the XMI clock card. See also XMI
PIU and XMI clock.
DWMBB
The XMI-to-VAXBI adapter; a 2-module adapter that allows data transfer
from the XMI to the VAXBI.
Environment variables
UNIX-like options used with console commands. An environment variable
consists of an identifier (ID) and a byte stream value maintained by the
console. See also Console language.
Expander cabinet
A cabinet to hold plug-in units that can be installed on either side of the
system cabinet.
FDDI
Fiber Distributed Data Interface. A high-performance fiber optic network
that can be accessed by the XMI DEMFA adapter.
Filler module
Required to fill unused LSB slots when fewer than six CPU, memory, or
I/O modules are installed.

Glossary-4

Flash ROM
Flash-erasable programmable read-only memory, which can be bulk erased
and reprogrammed. The KN7AA and KA7AA processors use flash ROMs
to hold the console and diagnostic firmware. In addition, one flash ROM
holds initialization code that bootstraps the main console/diagnostic firmware. It also holds flash ROM recovery code. See also SROM code and
Flash ROM recovery code.
Flash ROM recovery code (FRRC)
The minimum amount of code necessary for remote flash ROM recovery;
used if the console/diagnostic ROMs have become corrupted.
Gbus
The path between the processor and the console/diagnostic firmware and to
two UART chips. The Gbus has two lines, one to the console terminal and
one to the power supply.
Hardware restart parameter block (HWRPB)
A page-aligned data structure shared between the console and system software; a critical resource during bootstraps, recovery from power failures,
and other restart situations.
Hose
The interconnect between the IOP module on the LSB bus and the interface module on another bus, such as the DWLMA module on the XMI bus.
IOP module (I/O port module)
The LSB module that provides the interface from the LSB bus to I/O buses.
The IOP module has four ports to support up to four I/O channels. Each
channel is known as a "hose." The IOP module must be node 8 of the LSB.
Node 8 is dedicated as both the highest and lowest arbitration level; the
IOP usually arbitrates at the highest priority. Besides providing for I/O,
the IOP module also generates the clock signals for the LSB bus.
KA7AA CPU module (VAX 7000)
The LSB CPU module that uses the NVAX+ chip, a CMOS-4 implementation with a macropipelined design. An 8-Kbyte cache is part of the CPU
chip and a 4-Mbyte cache is implemented in RAMs. The KA7AA processor
supports writeback caching.

Glossary-5

KN7AA CPU module (DEC 7000)
The LSB CPU module that uses the DECchip 21064 using CMOS-4 implementation with a super scalar super-pipelined design. An 8-Kbyte cache is
part of the CPU chip and a 4-Mbyte cache is implemented in RAMs. The
KN7AA processor supports writeback caching.
KDM70
XMI adapter for RA disks and TA tapes used to enable connection to
nodes on a DSSI bus.
KFMSA
XMI adapter for RF disks and TF tapes used in VAX 7000 systems. It enables connection to nodes on a DSSI bus. Each KFMSA adapter supports
two DSSI buses.
KZMSA
XMI adapter to the SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) used in DEC
7000 systems. It enables connection to nodes on a SCSI bus.
ISE (integrated storage element)
All DSSI storage devices, such as RF disks and TF tapes, are ISEs.
LDC (local disk converter)
Converts 48 VDC to +5V and +12V needed by the storage arrays in the
DSSI PIU (BA654).
LEVI interface
The logical and physical interface of the CPU module to the LSB bus. Two
different chips are used. The LEVI interface also determines if data is in
the backup cache or if it must do a transaction to memory.
LFU (Loadable Firmware Update) Utility
Used to update firmware on LSB and I/O device modules.
LSB bus
The 128-bit system bus. The LSB bus is implemented in a 9-slot card cage
with its "backplane" in the center of the cage, so that modules are installed
from the front and the back. Module placement is indicated by a node number 0 through 8. Node 8 is reserved for the LSB I/O port (IOP) module.

Glossary-6

Mailbox
A software-created data structure in memory used to read and write to I/O
device registers.
Memory
Systems use the MS7AA memory modules, available with 64, 128, 256, or
512 Mbytes of memory. Total memory supported is determined by the operating system. Memory transfers are 64 bytes in length.
Memory interleaving
Method to optimize memory access time; the console program automatically interleaves the memories in the system unless a command is used to
set a specific interleave or no interleave (which would result in serial access to each memory module). Interleaving causes a number of memories
to operate in parallel.
More protocol
A protocol used on the XMI bus that allows XMI nodes to make noninterlocked memory reads and writes. Using the More protocol increases I/O
performance.
Node, LSB
LSB nodes are numbered from 0 to 8 and correspond to specific slots in the
LSB card cage.
Physical address space
The 1 terabyte of physical address space that the LSB bus can access using
a 40-bit memory address space.
Power
Three-phase AC power is supplied to the AC input box which is then fed to
one to three power regulators that provide 48 VDC. Power enters the LSB
card cage through a 48V filter and then is distributed to the bus bars on
the centerplane. Each module on the LSB bus has a power converter,
which converts the 48V to the voltage required by the module. Power sequencing logic is provided by the CCL module.

Glossary-7

Plug-in units are powered by the system, but in addition bus PIUs have
their own power regulators. Batteries supply power to the system cabinet
for approximately 11 minutes. Expander cabinets have their own supply.
Plug-in units (PIUs)
Self-contained assemblies that are easily installed in the system cabinet or
expander cabinet. There are PIUs for the XMI bus, the VAXBI bus, disks,
and batteries.
Reset sequence
A process leading to the execution of a copy of the console firmware from
memory. Purpose is to test the machine, establish the console environment, indicate that the console is executing, and dispatch to entry handling procedures. Power-up testing executes from the backup cache, a boot
processor is determined, which creates the HWRPB and copies the console
image from ROM/cache to memory. Registers are set to their default values, and internal console data structures are initialized. After power-up
the secondary processors also use the console code from memory.
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
An industry-standard interface for connecting disks and other peripheral
devices to computer systems. Requires the KZMSA XMI adapter.
SCSI PIU
Houses SCSI based disks and tapes inside system and expander cabinets
(BA655).
SROM (serial ROM) code
The initialization code that bootstraps the main console/diagnostic firmware.
Symmetric multiprocessing
A multiprocessing system configuration in which all processors have equal
access to operating system code residing in shared memory and can perform all, or almost all, system tasks.
Transactions
LSB transactions consist of a command and four data cycles, which follow
some fixed time after an arbitration cycle. All LSB modules monitor the request lines to see which of them wins the bus. Up to three transactions can
be in progress at one time. Because arbitration occurs on a dedicated set of
control lines, it can overlap with data transfer.

Glossary-8

TF85 tape drive
A 5.25-inch tape drive on the DSSI bus, which is supported by the KFMSA
adapter; used in VAX 7000 systems.
TLZ06 tape drive
A 5.25-inch tape drive on the SCSI bus, which is supported by the KZMSA
adapter; used in DEC 7000 systems.
VAXBI PIU
A plug-in unit consisting of a VAXBI card cage and two power regulators
which occupy two quadrants. The VAXBI PIU must be installed next to an
XMI PIU. Installation of a VAXBI PIU means that battery backup cannot
be supported. The 12-slot VAXBI includes a DWMBB/B module installed in
slot 1, which connects to the DWMBB/A in the XMI.
Virtual address space
Memory space available to a user program. The operating system dynamically maps a given virtual address to a physical adddress.
VMB
The virtual memory boot program (VMB.EXE) that boots the OpenVMS
VAX operating system. VMB is the primary bootstrap program and is
stored on the boot device.
XMI clock
Implemented on the T2030-YA module which must be node 7 of the XMI.
XMI PIU
A plug-in unit consisting of an XMI card cage and two power regulators
which occupy two quadrants. Each XMI requires a DWLMA module in slot
8 and a clock module at slot 7. The first I/O option must be installed in slot
1 or 14 to terminate the XMI bus. Also known as the XMI I/O channel PIU.
XMI-to-LSB interface
On the XMI the interface is the DWLMA module which must be node 8 of
the XMI. On the LSB bus the interface is the IOP module, which must be
node 8 of the LSB. The connection between the two modules is known as a
"hose." See also IOP module.

Glossary-9

Index
A
Accessories kit, 1-6
AC input box, 2-7
AC input voltage, 1-3
AC power cord, 1-11
AC power indicators, 3-7
AC power, 1-3
Altitude, 1-3

B
Battery packs, 2-7
Battery PIU, 1-7, 1-9, 1-11
Blower, 1-11
Bootblock, 4-15
Booting
CI, 4-34, 4-36
commands, 4-5
command parameters, 4-7
command structure, 4-6
concepts, 4-6
DSSI, 4-42
InfoServer, 4-26
local device, 4-18
LFU, C-2, C-4
OpenVMS Alpha AXP, 4-20
OpenVMS VAX, 4-38, 4-42
OSF/1, 4-22, 4-36
overview, 4-4
RRD42 CD drive, 4-20, 4-22
shadow set, 4-40
standalone backup, 4-29
VMScluster, 4-32
Boot command, 4-20, 4-22, 4-34,
4-36, 4-38, 4-42, A-1
Boot device, 4-2, 4-15
Boot driver, 4-15

Boot procedure, 4-14
Boot processor, 1-5, 4-1, 4-17
selection, 4-16
Boot program, 4-14
Build EEPROM command, A-1

C
CCL module, 2-7, 3-3
Cdp, A-1
CD-ROMs, 2-3
Circuit breaker, 1-11, 3-7
lockout, 3-7
main input, 2-7
trip indicator, 2-7, 3-7
CIXCD, 4-3
CI disk, 4-3
Clear command, A-1
Console commands, A-1
Console load device, 1-7, 2-2
Console terminal, 1-6, 2-10
Continue command, A-1
Control panel, 1-9, 2-10, 3-2
Cooling system, 1-9, 2-12
airflow, 2-13
blower, 2-13
safety detectors, 2-13
Create command, 4-12, A-1

D
DC distribution box, 1-11, 2-7
DECbridge 500, 2-3
DEMFA, 2-3
DEMNA, 2-3, 4-3
Deposit command, A-1
Device mnemonic, LFU, C-6
Display command, LFU, C-14

Index-1

DSSI disk PIU, 1-9
DWLMA, 1-5

Key On light, 3-5
KZMSA, 2-3, 4-3

Electrical characteristics, 1-3
Environmental characteristics, 1-3
Ethernet port, 2-11
Ethernet servers, 4-31
Ethernet service selection, 4-30
Ethernet-based compact disk
server, 2-3
Examine command, A-1
Exit command, LFU, C-12
Expander cabinet, 1-6
power connections, 2-11

LFU, 4-3, C-1
List command, LFU, C-8
LSB bus, 1-1, 1-5, 2-8
LSB card cage, 1-7, 1-9, 1-11, 2-8

F
Fault light, 3-5
FDDI, 2-3
Filler modules, 2-9, 2-13
Firmware updating, C-1

H
Heat dissipation, 1-3
Help command, A-1
Humidity, 1-3

I
Initialize command, A-1
Initial System Load. See ISL
In-cabinet tape drive, 1-9, 2-15
IOP module, 1-5, 1-11
ISL C-5
I/O bulkhead, 1-11, 2-11
I/O bus adapter module, 1-5
I/O PIU, 1-7, 1-9
I/O port module, 1-5

M
Memory node, 1-5
Mnemonic, device, LFU, C-6
MOP, 4-8
Multiprocessing, 1-5

N
Network initial system load
function, 4-30
Nominal frequency, 1-3

O
Operating characteristics, 1-3

P
Physical memory, 1-1
Plug-in units (PIUs), 1-8, 2-11
Power regulators, 2-7, 2-16
Power system, 1-9, 2-6
Primary bootstrap, 4-15
Primary processor, 4-17
Processor node, 1-5

R
Repeat command, A-2
RRD42, 1-9, 2-3, 4-3
Run light, 3-5

KDM70, 4-3
Keyswitch, 3-3

SCSI disk PIU, 1-9
Secondary processors, 1-5

Index-2

Sensors
static air pressure, 2-13
temperature, 2-13
Set boot_def dev command, 4-12
Set boot_reset command, 4-12
Set command, A-2
Set cpu_enable command, 4-17
Set cpu_primary command, 4-17
Set work command, 4-12
Shadow set booting, 4-40
Show command, A-2
Show command, LFU, C-6
Show device command, 4-24, 4-34,
4-36, 4-38
Show network command, 4-28
Start command, A-2
Status indicator lights, 3-4
Stop command, A-2
System
architecture, 1-4
characteristics, 1-2
footprint, 1-2
options, 2-14

X
XMI bus, 1-6
XMI I/O channel, 1-5
XMI PIU, 1-7, 2-15
bulkhead panel, 2-3
PIU quadrants, 2-11

T
Tape drive
TF85, 2-5
TLZ06, 2-5
Temperature, 1-3
Test command, A-2

U
Update command, A-2
Update command, LFU, C-10
UPS, 2-7

V
Verify command, LFU, C-14
VMScluster, 4-33
booting, 4-32
concepts, 4-32

Index-3