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This set of utilities is located in the "charoncp011.vdisk" disk file in the "/opt/charon/disks".

Supported OpenVMS versions (depending on platform support): VMS 5.5-2, OpenVMS 6.1 and above.

(info) In case of OpenVMS upgrade, CHARONCP will have to be re-installed.

Installation

Specify this image in the CHARON configuration file, boot from the system disk and mount the disk with the following OpenVMS command:

$ MOUNT <device name> /OVERRIDE=IDENTIFICATION


Issue the following commands to install the package (example given for OpenVMS V8.4):

$ @SYS$UPDATE:VMSINSTAL

...

* Are you satisfied with the backup of your system disk [YES]? YES
* Where will the distribution volumes be mounted: <device name>:[

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CHARONCP011.KIT]

Enter the products to be processed from the first distribution volume set.
* Products: CHARONCP011

* Enter installation options you wish to use (none): <press enter>

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Do you want to install this product [NO]? YES

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* Where should the CHARONCP root directory be located ? [SYS$SYSDEVICE:[CHARONCP]]: <press enter>

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* Do you want to purge files replaced by this installation [YES]? <press enter>

Select all the components included to the package:

                           Component Selection

Select the CHARONCP components you wish to install from the menu below.
An asterisk appears next to the packages that have already been
selected. You can remove a package from the list by selecting it
again. You may enter more than one selection by separating your
choices with commas.

1. [*] CHARONCP Guest Utility (REQUIRED)
2. [*] Compatability Utilities
3. [*] Install DCL Commands & Help

4. Exit

* Your choice [4]: 1,2,3

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* Your choice [4]: 4

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* Is this correct [YES]: <press enter>

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* Products: <press enter>

        VMSINSTAL procedure done at hh:mn

$

Proceed with installation using all the default options.


Once the installation is completed, add the following line to the "SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM" ("SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_V5.COM" for VMS 5.5) file for the package to be loaded automatically at system startup::

$ @SYS$STARTUP:CHARONCP_STARTUP

After that the package will be loaded automatically on startup.

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Performance optimization

CHARON takes 100% of host CPU even in case of idle state of guest OpenVMS operating system. To get rid of such resources consumption there is a specific option provided by CHARON Guest Utilities - "idle" mode.


$ CHARONCP SET IDLE /ENABLE

Loads the OpenVMS idle loop detection software. This allows CHARON to detect when the emulated CPU(s) are idle and use the host power saving instructions to reduce power usage.

$ CHARONCP SET IDLE /DISABLEUnloads the OpenVMS idle loop detection software.


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CHARON speed can be adjusted using these commands:

$ CHARONCP SET SPEED /UP=<number of steps>Increase the emulator speed by the specified number of steps.
$ CHARONCP SET SPEED /DOWN=<number of steps>Decrease the emulator speed by the specified number of steps.
$ CHARONCP SET SPEED /RESETRemove all speed stepping restraints.


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It is possible to schedule CHARON to shutdown directly from OpenVMS:

$ CHARONCP SET SHUTDOWN /IN=<seconds, 60 is default>

The number of seconds before the CHARON emulator is to shut down.

The value can be between 0 and 65535 (approx. 18 hours).

$ CHARONCP SET SHUTDOWN /RESETClear a scheduled shutdown.


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Specify mapping to tape container in the following way in the CHARON configuration file:

set <adapter name> container[<unit name>] = ".vtape" removable[<unit name>] = true

Example:

set PKA container[600] = ".vtape" removable[600] = true


Once it is done using the following commands it is possible to manage virtual tapes attached to CHARON:

$ CHARONCP SET MAGTAPE <device> /LOAD="<filename>.vtape"

Create the specified host-file (if it does not already exist) and attach it to the specified virtual tape device.

Example:

$ CHARONCP SET MAGTAPE MKA600: /LOAD="backup_01.vtape"
$ CHARONCP SET MAGTAPE <device> /UNLOAD

Detach any file currently attached to te specified virtual tape device.

Example:

$ CHARONCP SET MAGTAPE MKA600: /UNLOAD


Possible errors:

BADFILENAME

The filename specified as a value to the qualifier /LOAD was either too long or does not have a file extension of ".vtape".

DEVNOTDISM

Attempting to execute a SET MAGTAPE/LOAD when a file is already attached.

Perform a SET MAGTAPE/UNLOAD first. If a SET MAGTAPE/LOAD command has not previously been executed, then the CHARON configuration container specification for the tape device may contain a full path. Doing this will create and attach and initial tape container file. To avoid this, remove the file name from the specification (leaving only a fileextension of ".vtape" and optional directory).

(info) If some tape container has been already specified in the CHARON configuratioon file use the command "CHARONCP SET MAGTAPE <device> /UNLOAD" to unload it first.

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It is possible to define certain keys on the terminal keyboard for fast access to the CHARONCP functionalilty while you are in CHARONCP:

$ CHARONCP
CHARONCP> DEFINE /KEY <key-name> <equivalence-string>

Defines an equivalence string and a set of attributes with a key on the terminal keyboard.

You can have a set of keys defined automatically for use with the CHARONCP utility by placing DEFINE/KEY commands in the file SYS$LOGIN:CHARONCP_KEYDEFS.INI

Example:

$ CHARONCP
CHARONCP> DEFINE /KEY F1 "SET MAGTAPE MKA600: /UNLOAD"
$ CHARONCP
CHARONCP> SHOW KEY <key-name>

Displays key definitions created with the DEFINE/KEY command. Refer to the DCL help entry for SHOW KEY for further information.

Example:

$ CHARONCP
CHARONCP> SHOW KEY F1
DEFAULT key state definitions:
F1 = "set magtape mka600: /unload"
CHARONCP>

(info) For more information refer to the OpenVMS DCL Dictionary (DEFINE/KEY section).

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Displaying version

$ CHARONCP SHOW VERSION

Displays the CHARONCP package version number and architecture. This can be useful for customers reporting issues with the CHARONCP software.

Example:

$ CHARONCP SHOW VERSION

CHARONCP version id is: V1.1


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