OpenVMS V7.0 for Alpha and VAX Systems
Customer Update
HIGHLIGHTS
o 64-bit virtual addressing expands the virtual address space up to 8
terabytes
o Kernel threads capabilities provide performance improvements for
symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) applications
o Spiralog file system uses advanced technology to eliminate most of the
disk read/write head movements of traditional file systems
o Suite of system services provides high disk and tape performance
o Hypersort portable library of user-callable routines provides
high-performance sorting
o Provides networking enhancements and a number of new software offerings
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
OpenVMS V7.0 for Alpha and VAX operating systems provides users with a
number of new features and functionality that helps them meet their
business-critical, enterprise-wide computing needs. OpenVMS V7.0 for
Alpha provides new functionality specifically designed to take advantage
of Alpha's industry-leading performance capabilities. OpenVMS V7.0 for
VAX provides a number of enhancements and new features focused on the
management and operations of OpenVMS VAX systems.
New features of OpenVMS V7.0 for Alpha systems
OpenVMS Alpha V7.0 provides the following new functionality:
o 64-bit virtual addressing, which expands the virtual address space up to
8 terabytes -- 4 billion times larger than the previous two gigabytes
capacity of a 32-bit operating system. This expansion provides for a
larger process count and larger virtual address space per process on
systems running OpenVMS V7.0. This means that OpenVMS users are now able
to run programs that manipulate large and complex data types and very
large database (VLDB) systems. Application developers can also map large
amounts of data into memory to provide high levels of performance and use
of very large memory (VLM) systems. Moreover, 64-bit addressing allows
higher numbers of users and client/server processes per system for
virtually unlimited scalability. Best of all, the 64-bit support is
designed so that existing 32-bit, non-privileged OpenVMS applications run
without change.
o New kernel threads capabilities, which provide performance improvements
for threaded applications. Kernel threads is a core technology in OpenVMS
V7.0 that, when coupled with an upcoming DECthreads application layer
interface release, extends process scheduling capabilities to allow the
threads of a process to run concurrently on multiple CPUs in a
multiprocessor system.
o Spiralog, a new log structured file system that uses advanced
log-structured caching technology to eliminate most of the disk write
head movements of traditional file systems. For more information, see the
"Spiralog V1.0 for OpenVMS V7.0 for Alpha Systems" article in this issue
of Customer Update.
o A suite of new system services that provide high disk and tape
performance and improved symmetric multiprocessing scaling of I/Os.
o Fast path capabilities, which allow for the restructuring of the I/O
mainline codepath for CI-based systems to improve both uniprocessor and
multiprocessor I/O performance. Creating a fast path to a disk
dramatically reduces the CPU cost per I/O. On multiprocessor systems,
affinities can be created between specific I/O ports and specific
processors, thereby eliminating any primary CPU bottleneck issues. With
multiple CPUs and ports, parallelism of I/O is greatly increased. Fast
path is fully compatible with existing applications; no user application
changes are required.
o Symmetric multiprocessing enhancements, which include new dimensions of
resource control and load balancing capabilities that maximize the use of
system resources and provide the ability to tie applications to specific
CPUs.
o Hypersort, a portable library of user-callable routines that provides a
high-performance sorting capability.
New features of OpenVMS V7.0 for both Alpha and VAX systems
The following new functionality is available in OpenVMS V7.0 for Alpha
and VAX systems:
o Cluster wide process creation ($CREPRC), which extends the capabilities
of the OpenVMS create process service to allow for process creations on
remote nodes within an OpenVMS Cluster system.
o Network enhancements
- Enhanced mail integration support for TCP/IP, which provides support
for signature files within MAILSHR, provides standard screen functions
(scrolling) for reading messages and reviewing directory listings,
removes the mandatory use of quotes in a mail address, and provides
improved capabilities for parsing node names.
- Enhanced network identification support, which provides users with a
display of all the networks that are currently running through the use
of the Digital command language (DCL) show network command.
- Monitor utility enhancements for TCP/IP environments, which allow the
use of TCP/IP protocols to collect cluster-wide information. In the
past, the DECnet protocol was the only network protocol that could be
used with the monitor utility; TCP/IP-only networks now have the full
benefits of the monitor utilities capabilities.
Networking software
o DECnet/OSI V7.0 provides 64-bit support for network applications and P2
addressing, in addition to the ability to run DECnet and OSI applications
over TCP/IP. DECnet/OSI V7.0 provides improved cluster management and
configuration features, including the ability to configure an entire
cluster from any one member of the cluster, and a new X.25 Network
Management Interface. For more information, see the "DECnet/OSI V7.0 for
OpenVMS VAX and Alpha Systems" article in this issue of Customer Update.
o Digital TCP/IP Services V4.0a for OpenVMS provides support for network
applications running under OpenVMS V7.0. It also provides a comprehensive
suite of functionality and applications that enable users to utilize
industry-standard protocols to support heterogeneous network
communications.
Enhancements include
- Ability to participate in IP/Multicast sessions
- Dynamic load balancing, which optimizes system performance
- Outbound Telnet capabilities, which allow for permanent TN devices
- Rlogin proxy, which allows for more convenient system access
- Rcp client and server, which provides file copy from other networked
systems as though they were local files
o X.25 V1.1 for OpenVMS Alpha systems, which provides a full complement of
device drivers, including TURBOchannel, EISA, and ISA. As in earlier
versions, X.25 V1.1 for OpenVMS systems allows appropriately configured
systems to connect to an X.25 packet switched data network (PSDN) via an
X.25 relay node on the same local area network (LAN), a DNA Phase IV X.25
connector node, or directly using a synchronous communications device.
o Digital NAS Packages V7.0 for OpenVMS, which now supports OpenVMS V7.0
via an advanced license capability. Digital NAS Packages V7.0 for
OpenVMS, which ship with OpenVMS V7.0, provide OpenVMS V7.0 users with
access to the package components, including clusters, DECnet/OSI, and
TCP/IP services for OpenVMS.
PRODUCT POSITIONING
Since OpenVMS V6.2 and OpenVMS V7.0 are shipping together as a single
operating system kit, users should choose which release to use depending
on their environment and application requirements. Both releases have
been fully qualified by Digital to meet the highest standards of quality;
either may be used in a production environment.
OpenVMS V7.0 contains many new features. Some of these features, such as
64-bit support and fast I/O, require explicit application modification to
utilize. As a result, OpenVMS V7.0 will primarily be used by end users
and independent software vendors that are developing new applications and
modifying existing applications that take advantage of these features. In
addition, OpenVMS V7.0 will be used by end users who are planning to take
advantage of the new features that do not require application
modification, such as Spiralog and fast path.
OpenVMS V6.2 has been shipping since May 1995 and will continue to be
available and supported. In response to user feedback, Digital plans to
release several updates of OpenVMS V6.2 over the next 6 to 12 months that
will support new systems and I/O adapters. Support for new systems and
storage will only be included in the OpenVMS V6.2-x stream; not for
OpenVMS V7.0. This will allow users to take advantage of the latest
hardware without the requirement to upgrade to OpenVMS V7.0. As a result,
it is expected that OpenVMS V6.2-x will continue to be used by users who
wish to take advantage of new hardware products that will become
available over the next 6 to 12 months.
At the next major release of OpenVMS, many applications and layered
products will be available that take advantage of the new features
implemented in OpenVMS V7.0. All hardware supported by the OpenVMS V6.2-x
variants will also be supported in this new version.
Although existing non-privileged applications will continue to run
unchanged under OpenVMS V7.0, users wishing to take advantage of new
functionality may require modification to their applications. These
modifications will oftentimes be done by their independent software
vendor. While this is happening, users can utilize the functionality
contained in OpenVMS V6.x, including new system and storage support.
This two-path strategy is being adopted in response to users who wish to
remain on the fully supported OpenVMS V6.2-x releases while their
application providers enhance their applications to take advantage of the
new OpenVMS V7.0 features.
While it is recommended that all nodes in an OpenVMS Cluster system run
the same version, running OpenVMS V7.0 and OpenVMS V6.2-x together is
supported. Mixing these versions may be appropriate for users who use
some of their cluster nodes for application development and others for
production work.
AVAILABILITY AND ORDERING
OpenVMS V6.2 and OpenVMS V7.0 are shipped together as a single operating
system kit. New systems that include factory installed software (FIS)
will ship with OpenVMS V6.2 installed. (For factory installed software
systems, users must purchase an H-kit to receive OpenVMS V7.0. OpenVMS
V6.2 and V7.0 will be included in all H-kits.)
OpenVMS V7.0 operating system software is furnished under the license
provisions of Digital's Standard Terms and Conditions. The OpenVMS V7.0
license types described in this article are for users running OpenVMS
V7.0. Refer to the OpenVMS Software Product Description (SPD 25.01.XX)
for more information on OpenVMS licensing.
There are three types of OpenVMS licenses: OpenVMS Operating System Base
Licenses, Symmetric Multiprocessing Base Extension Licenses, and OpenVMS
Concurrent Use Licenses. The Operating System Base License is a
prerequisite for all Symmetric Multiprocessing Base Extension Licenses
and Concurrent Use Licenses. The Operating System Base License provides
the right to use only the OpenVMS Alpha or OpenVMS VAX features of the
current version. Interactive use of systems licensed with an OpenVMS
Alpha or VAX Operating System Base License requires the addition of an
OpenVMS Concurrent Use License for one or more users.
Order No. Description
OpenVMS V7.0 Operating System Licenses:
QL-MT1A*-6* (1) OpenVMS V7.0 Operating System Base Licenses for
Alpha Systems
QL-005A*-** (1) OpenVMS V7.0 Operating System Base Licenses for VAX
Systems
QL-MT1A9-6* (1) OpenVMS V7.0 Symmetric Multiprocessing Base Extension
Licenses for Alpha Systems
QL-005A9-6* (1) OpenVMS V7.0 Symmetric Multiprocessing Base
Extension Licenses for VAX Systems
QL-MT3A*-3* (1) OpenVMS V7.0 Concurrent Use Licenses for Alpha and
VAX Systems
OpenVMS V7.0 Alpha and VAX Media and Online
Documentation (CD-ROM):
QA-MT1AA-H8 OpenVMS Alpha
QA-XULAA-H8 OpenVMS VAX
QA-MT3AA-H8 OpenVMS Alpha and VAX
OpenVMS V7.0 VAX Media and Hardcopy Documentation:
QA-09SA*-H*(1) Media and Documentation with Base Documentation Set
QA-001AA-H8 CD-ROM Media and Full Documentation Set
OpenVMS V7.0 Software Products Library (CD-ROM):
QA-4KL8A-A8 OpenVMS Alpha Software Products Library
QA-4KM8A-G8 OpenVMS Alpha Online Documentation Library
QA-03XAA-H8 OpenVMS Alpha Software Library Package (includes
both software and online documentation)
QA-VWJ8A-A8 OpenVMS VAX Software Products Library
QA-VYR8A-G8 OpenVMS VAX Online Documentation Library
QA-YL48A-H8 OpenVMS VAX Software Library Package (includes both
software and online documentation)
OpenVMS V7.0 Hardcopy Documentation Sets:
QA-09SAA-GZ Base Documentation Set
QA-001AA-GZ Full Documentation Set
OpenVMS V7.0 Source Listings Kits (CD-ROM and
License):
QB-MT1AB-E8 OpenVMS Alpha
QB-001AB-E8 OpenVMS VAX
OpenVMS V7.0 Software Product Services (2):
QT-MT1A*-** (1) OpenVMS Alpha
QT-005A*-** (1) OpenVMS VAX
OpenVMS 7.0 Media and Online Documentation Update
Service (CD-ROM):
QT-MT1AA-E8 OpenVMS Alpha
QT-XULAA-E8 OpenVMS VAX
QT-MT3AA-E8 OpenVMS Alpha and VAX
OpenVMS V7.0 Software Products Library CD-ROM
Service:
QT-4KL8A-C8 OpenVMS Alpha Software Products Library
QT-4KM8A-C8 OpenVMS Alpha Online Documentation Library
QT-03XAA-C8 OpenVMS Alpha Software Library Package (includes
both software and online documentation)
QT-VWJ8A-C8 OpenVMS VAX Software Products Library
QT-VYR8A-C8 OpenVMS VAX Online Documentation Library
QT-YL48A-C8 OpenVMS VAX Software Library Package (includes both
software and online documentation)
OpenVMS V7.0 Hardcopy Documentation Only Update
Service:
QT-09SAA-KZ Base Documentation Set
QT-001AA-KZ Full Documentation Set
OpenVMS V7.0 VAX Media and Hardcopy Documentation
Update Service:
QT-09SA*-E* (1) Update Service with Base Documentation Set
QT-001A*-E* (1) Update Service with Full Documentation Set
OpenVMS V7.0 Source Listings Service:
QT-MT1AB-Q8 OpenVMS Alpha
QT-001AB-Q8 OpenVMS VAX
(1)Replace * with the appropriate system variant.
(2)A variety of integrated and a la carte hardware and software product
services are available. For more information, contact a local Digital
office or Digital representative.