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Table of Contents

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Introduction

CHARON-VAX provides two SCSI controllers for the SCSI and SCSI/QBUS models of VAX.

...

Use the following emulated device types to map real peripherals to the emulated SCSI devices:

Type of mappingDescription
virtual_scsi_disk

73605069537433

For disk image containers and physical disks
floppy_scsi_device

73605069537433

For floppy drives
virtual_scsi_tape

73605069537433

For tape image containers
virtual_scsi_cdrom

73605069537433

For host CD-ROM and *.iso images
physical_scsi_device 

73605069537433

For physical tapes and other SCSI devices connected to a host

...

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Mapping to host resources

Load a mapping device with the "load" command.  Specify the name of the device instance, the emulated SCSI bus to connect the device to and the SCSI identifier of the CHARON-VAX device.

scsi_bus

Parameter

scsi_bus

TypeIdentifier
Value

Name of the emulated SCSI disk controller: "pka" or "pkb"


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scsi_id

Parameter

scsi_id

TypeNumeric
Value

A value between 0 and 7. This is the ID number of the emulated SCSI device. The SCSI adapter is preloaded with address 7. If required, set it to another value in the range of 0-7 from the VAX console.

.

...

Please note that there is no direct correspondence between the host hardware SCSI ID and these CHARON-VAX SCSI addresses. Set the correspondence between the physical SCSI addresses on the host system and the CHARON-VAX SCSI bus ID in the configuration file.


Syntax:

load <instance type>/<module name> <instance name> scsi_bus=<bus name> scsi_id=<number>

...

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virtual_scsi_disk

Use the "virtual_scsi_disk" mapping for disk containers and physical disks. This is the most convenient way of connecting disks to SCSI adapters in CHARON-VAX

The "virtual_scsi_disk" mapping has the following parameters:

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container

" section).

If the "Host Device Check" utility does not display any WWID, this means the target disk does not have one. Use the "\\.\PhysicalDrive<N>" mapping in this case.


  • iSCSI disks
    • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget = <iSCSI target>, LUN = <LUN number>)"

      iScsiTarget addresses the disk by its iSCSI target name. LUN specifies LUN on connected iSCSI disk. 

      Example:

    • Parameter

    container[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    A string containing the device name to map to the emulator.

    • Disk images
      • [<path-name>"\"]<file-name>[".vdisk"]

        Format: A string containing the full path to a disk container.

        If only the name of the disk container is specified, CHARON-VAX will look for the container in the folder where the emulator executable resides, typically

        "C:\Program Files (x86)\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86" (Windows x64; for Windows x86 the path is "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86").

        warning


        Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported.

        .

    • Local fixed disks (IDE, SATA)
      • "\\.\PhysicalDrive<X>", where X is 0, 1, …
      • "\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID =XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX)"

        DevID addresses the target physical disk by its WWID (hexadecimal 128-bit identifier assigned to the disk drive by its manufacturer/originator).

        Example:

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        set pka_1 container="\\.\PhysicalDrive(DevID= 6008-05F3-0005-2950-BF8E-0B86-A0C7-0001)"


        .The WWID values can be obtained from "Host Device Check" utility ("All drives" section), for example:Image Removed

    Note
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    set pka_2 container="\\.\PhysicalDrive(iScsiTarget= iqn.2008-04:iscsi.charon-target-test1, LUN= 1)"

    .

    This parameter is initially not set, thus creating NO storage elements on the controller


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    media_type

    Parameter

    media_type[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Overrides the PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

    Valid values may contain uppercase letters, integers and spaces. The length of the string cannot exceed 16 characters.

    If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing a PRODUCT ID selected based on the disk size.

    Initially left unspecified.

    geometry

    Parameter

    geometry[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    This formatted string value specifies the explicit geometry of the disk storage element

    The string format is <X>”/”<Y>[“/”<Z>] where:

    • "X" is the number of sectors per track;
    • "Y" is the number of tracks per cylinder;
    • "Z" (optional) is the number of cylinders on the unit. If omitted, Z is calculated based on X, Y and the total number of sectors on the unit that reflects the size of the disk storage element;

    If this parameter is not set, CHARON-VAX will configure the geometry based on the most probable disk type.

    use_io_file_buffering

    Parameter

    use_io_file_buffering[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Instructs CHARON-VAX to enable host operating system I/O cache on reading/writing operations.

    The following values are possible:

    • "true" or "write-back" - the "write back" caching mode is used

    • "write-through" - the "write through" caching mode is used

    • "false" - caching is switched off

    (info) Note that this caching has a significant effect only in case of mapping to disk containers, not physical drives.

    When enabled, host operating system I/O cache may significantly improve I/O performance of the virtual system. At the same time maintaining I/O cache requires additional host resources (CPU and memory) which may negatively affect overall performance of the virtual system.

    Initially is set to "false".

    Example:

    set pka_0 use_io_file_buffering[0]=true


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    removable

    Parameter

    removable[N]

    N=0…7

    Typeboolean
    ValueEnables the logical unit to appear as a removable SCSI disk drive.

    Initially set to “false” (fixed, non-removable).

    ...

    load virtual_scsi_disk/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0
    set pka_0 container[0] = "C:\Charon\Disks\disk1.vdisk"
    set pka_0 container[1] = "\\.\PhysicalDrive1"

    ...

    When a virtual SCSI disk image is dismounted in VMS, it is no longer open by CHARON and may be copied. This capability can be useful when designing back-up and restore procedures. If copying CHARON-VAX disk images while CHARON-VAX is running, take care to minimize the risk of overloading the host system.

    ...

    Unlike MSCP controlled disk images, a disk image connected to a SCSI controller as a virtual SCSI disk CANNOT be replaced by another disk image unless "removable" parameter is set for this particular disk image.

    Example:

    set pka_0 container[2] = "C:\Charon\Disks\my_removable_disk.vdisk"
    set pka_0 removable[2] = true

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    floppy_scsi_device

    Use "floppy_scsi_device" for host floppy drives.

    "floppy_scsi_device" has the following parameter:

    container

    Parameter

    container[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    "\\.\A:" or "\\.\B:"

    (warning) In the table above N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering. If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted:


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    Example:

    load floppy_scsi_device/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0
    set pka_0 container= "\\.\A:"

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    virtual_scsi_tape

    Use "virtual_scsi_tape" for tape containers. This is the most convenient way of connecting tapes to SCSI adapters in CHARON-VAX.

    "virtual_scsi_tape" has the following parameters:

    container

    If the "CHARON Guest Utilities for OpenVMS" (CHARONCP) package is used, the syntax is different. Please read the corresponding chapter.

    warning

    Using compressed folders to store virtual disks and tapes is not supported.

    Parameter

    container[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    A string containing the full path to a tape container. If the specified tape image does not exist, CHARON-VAX creates it.

    If only the name of the tape container is specified, CHARON-VAX will look for the container in the folder where the emulator executable resides, typically "C:\Program Files (x86)\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86" (Windows x64; for Windows x86 the path is "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86").

    Warning

    media_type

    Parameter

    media_type[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Overrides PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

    Valid values may contain uppercase letters, integers and spaces. Length of this string cannot exceed 16 characters.

    By default the PRODUCT ID returned is "TLZ04"


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    geometry

    Parameter

    geometry[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Specifies the size of the tape image and (optionally) the size of the "early-warning" area at the end of the tape image.

    Syntax:

    "<image-size>[, <early-warning-zone-size>]"

    where:

    • <image-size> is the tape size in MB

    • <early-warning-zone-size> is the size (in KB) of the space remaining on the tape when a warning to the OS is issued. If omitted, 64K is assumed.

    Example:

    load virtual_scsi_tape/chscsi pka_0
    set pka_0 geometry[0] = 90

    (warning) In the table above N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering.

    ...

    load virtual_scsi_tape/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0
    set pka_0 container[0] = "C:\Charon\Tapes\tape1.vtape"
    set pka_0 container[1] = "C:\Charon\Tapes\tape2.vtape"

    ...

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    virtual_scsi_cdrom

    Use "virtual_scsi_cdrom" to connect IDE or SATA host CD-ROM or *.iso file to CHARON-VAX.

    "virtual_scsi_cdrom" has the following parameters:

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    container

    Parameter

    container[N]

    N=0…7

    TypeText String
    Value

    A string containing the device name to map to the emulator.

    • ISO images
      • [<path-name>"\"]<file-name>[".iso"]

        Format: A string containing the full path to an *.iso image.

        If only the name of the *.iso image is specified, CHARON-VAX will look for the image in the folder where the emulator executable resides, typically

        "C:\Program Files (x86)\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86" (Windows x64; for Windows x86 the path is "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Build_XXXXX\x86").
        .

    • CD-ROM and DVD drives (IDE and SATA)
      • "\\.\CdRom<X>", where X is 0, 1, …
        .

    This parameter is initially not set, thus creating NO storage elements on the controller

    media_type

    Parameter

    media_type[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Overrides the PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

    Valid values may contain uppercase letters, integers and spaces. The length of the string cannot exceed 16 characters.

    If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing a PRODUCT ID selected based on the disk size.

    Initially left unspecified.

    geometry

    Parameter

    geometry[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    This formatted string value specifies the explicit geometry of the disk storage element

    The string format is <X>”/”<Y>[“/”<Z>] where:

    • "X" is the number of sectors per track;
    • "Y" is the number of tracks per cylinder;
    • "Z" (optional) is the number of cylinders on the unit. If omitted, Z is calculated based on X, Y and the total number of sectors on the unit that reflects the size of the disk storage element;

    If this parameter is not set, CHARON-VAX will configure the geometry based on the most probable disk type.


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    use_io_file_buffering

    Parameter

    use_io_file_buffering[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Instructs CHARON-VAX to enable host operating system I/O cache on reading/writing operations.

    The following values are possible:

    • "true" or "write-back" - the "write back" caching mode is used

    • "write-through" - the "write through" caching mode is used

    • "false" - caching is switched off

    (info) Note that this caching has a significant effect only in case of mapping to ISO images, not physical drives.

    When enabled, host operating system I/O cache may significantly improve I/O performance of the virtual system. At the same time maintaining I/O cache requires additional host resources (CPU and memory) which may negatively affect overall performance of the virtual system.

    Initially is set to "false".

    Example:

    set pka_0 use_io_file_buffering[0]=true

    (warning) In the table above N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering. If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted

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    physical_scsi_device

    Use "physical_scsi_device" to connect any host "raw" SCSI device to CHARON-VAX. This mapping type is suitable only for tape drives and other specific SCSI devices connected to CHARON host.

    "physical_scsi_device" has the following parameters:

    container

    Parameter

    container[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    A string containing the device name to map to the emulator.

    • Physical tape drives recognized by Windows
      • "\\.\Tape<X>", where X is 0, 1, …
        .
    • Tape changer
      • "\\.\Changer<X>", where X is 0, 1, …
        .

     This parameter is initially not set, thus creating NO storage elements on the controller

    media_type

    Parameter

    media_type[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    Overrides the PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

    Valid values may contain uppercase letters, integers and spaces. The length of the string cannot exceed 16 characters.

    If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing a PRODUCT ID selected based on the disk size.

    Initially left unspecified.

    geometry

    Parameter

    geometry[N]

    N=0…7

    Type

    Text String

    Value

    This formatted string value specifies the explicit geometry of the disk storage element

    The string format is <X>”/”<Y>[“/”<Z>] where:

    • "X" is the number of sectors per track;
    • "Y" is the number of tracks per cylinder;
    • "Z" (optional) is the number of cylinders on the unit. If omitted, Z is calculated based on X, Y and the total number of sectors on the unit that reflects the size of the disk storage element;

    If this parameter is not set, CHARON-VAX will configure the geometry based on the most probable disk type.


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    removable

    Parameter

    removable[N]

    N=0…7

    Typeboolean
    ValueEnables the logical unit to appear as a removable SCSI disk drive.

    Initially set to “false” (fixed, non-removable).

    disconnect_timeout

    Parameter

    disconnect_timeout[N]

    N=0…7

    TypeNumeric
    Value

    Sets logical unit disconnect timeout. This parameter helps if a connected SCSI device performs a given SCSI command for a very long time.

    The default value depends on the type of the SCSI device attached. For example for a disk it is 10 seconds, for a tape - an hour. If the type of the device is not known the timeout is 1 hour.

    Example: 48 days timeout

    set pka_0 disconnect_timeout[1] = 0x400000

    (warning) In the table above N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering. If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted.

    ...