4.1 Chapter Objectives

• Provide a single reference source that details boot procedures for most OpenVMS systems

• Discuss procedures for configuring and initiating various boot methods

• Review procedures for configuring console switches and parameters

• Increase system availability by implementing robust boot procedures

4.2 Introduction

OpenVMS systems normally boot automatically after you power them on or issue the standard BOOT command. As a result, it is easy to take the process of booting for granted. However, things do not always go so smoothly. Sometimes systems hang or will not boot because of misconfigured system parameters, problems with startup procedures, software bugs, or hardware failures. In these situations you may need to use alternative techniques to perform the following procedures:

• Minimal boot

• Conversational boot

• Stand-alone backup boot

• Alternate system-disk boot

• Crash dump

• DECamds and the Availability Manager

• Interrupt Priority C (IPC) utility

Usually you need to employ these techniques when a system is malfunctioning and downtime is accumulating. However, because unscheduled downtime does not happen very often, even more downtime is incurred while you try to remember the necessary procedures. To maximize system uptime, you should carefully review and familiarize yourself with these procedures so that you are ready to use them when needed. You may want to post specific instructions near the system console as a reminder.

This chapter presents the steps necessary to prepare for each booting method, including setting hardware console switches, configuring console subsystem-boot files, setting console parameters, and building stand-alone backup kits. Much of the information presented here...