Course Length: 4 days
Prerequisites: VMS System Management or equivalent
Method of Instruction: Public or on-site lecture/workshop instruction
DSM System Management is designed for the student who has either taken the VMS System Management course or has the equivalent experience.
It starts out by describing all component parts of a DSM Configuration within the VMS environment. All relevant files and logical names are explained. A complete overview of the system is developed. Once the total picture is developed, each component part is then covered in detail.
The installation, initialization and startup procedures are explained. Each student is required to perform each of the procedures.
Next, the Routine Management aspect of the system is covered. It includes an introduction to the M language and the DSM concept of routine mapping. Mapping is related to the VMS paging and shared global section concepts. Additionally, the concept of non-default Volume Set based Routine Directories is covered.
Next, the concepts of DSM Volume Sets are covered within the VMS environment. A complete description of a Volume Set is given, including how cluster-wide Volume Set based Routine Directories is covered.
A thorough description of the Volume Set hierarchy of tables and support utilities is covered. Specifically, all the components of the global structures are covered, including descriptions of the directory, pointer, and data block levels.
Once Volume Sets and Globals are covered, each student will be taught what utilities are available to examine and maintain data base efficiency and integrity.
Next, Journaling is explained relative to the concept of VMS files and the DCL REPLY command facility. The concepts of Before Image Journaling, Roll Back and After Image Journaling are explained as well as all Journaling utilities. The student is required to create and maintain a journal environment using these utilities.
To conclude the journaling, the concept of DSM Incremental Backup is covered. Knowing how to do a full VMS backup and a DSM Incremental Backup, the student can now restore a database using the journal files.
After journaling, all I/O capabilities offered by DSM through VMS QIO's are covered. Specifically, the student will learn how to communicate with VMS devices through M code and the supported utilities.
An optional portion of the course is to explain DECservers and their operational components. An integral part of the I/O study is to teach the student how to tie terminal devices to servers as well as hardwired ports.
Finally, a complete study unit is devoted to performance monitoring, both at the VMS and DSM levels. The student will be required to collect performance information and adjust the appropriate DSM and/or VMS parameters during workshop exercises.
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to: