[Info-vax] VMS QuickSpecs

[Dirk Munk]

Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2015-08-13 14:50:44 +0000, Dirk Munk said:
>
>> VSI TCP/IP Services (minimum Version 5.7-13ECO05B) is needed for using
>> IP for cluster communication."
>>
>> I seems to remember that other TCPIP stacks were also supported in the
>> past, that is no longer the case? Secure cluster communications could
>> be established with SSH, I see no mention of that either.
>
> That reference is for IPCI — clustering over IP — a feature which was
> added in V8.4, and which has always specifically required TCP/IP Services.
>
> <http://de.openvms.org/Spring2009/07-OpenVMS_clusteroverIP.pdf>
>
> For completeness as your question could be inferred to indicate some
> confusion over the underpinnings of clustering, clustering on a local or
> bridged LAN does not use DECnet nor IP, it uses Ethernet SCS datagrams.
> Clustering over IP only operates on remote IP links, and — unless you
> don't really need the IP link that you're using, and have a redundant
> LAN path available — IP clustering only operates with all hosts in the
> cluster running OpenVMS V8.4 or later.  This due to the requirement for
> total connectivity (boxes prior to V8.4 can't use IPCI), and due to the
> preference to use SCS and not IP over LAN paths (as SCS is more
> efficient than IPCI).
>
> Hopefully somebody gets a chance to overhaul the whole of the IP
> configuration and management interface with the new IP stack due to arrive.
>
>

Thanks,
I'm very much aware that clustering never uses DECnet. The Quickspecs 
don't mention SCS (used to be called LAVC?) specifically. For clarity, 
the ethernet part could be enhanced by specifically mentioning SCS and IP.

Fibrechannel clustering would be nice too, after all Fibrechannel is in 
a way comparible with ethernet, and it can also be used for IP. In fact 
it was used by IP before it was used by SCSI (for storage SANs).

I agree wirh your remarks on the configuration and management of IP, not 
to mention teh almost non exsiting support for IPv6.