Page Comparison

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Type of mapping	Description
virtual_scsi_disk	For disk image containers and physical disks
virtual_scsi_tape	For tape image containers
virtual_scsi_cdrom	For host CD-ROM and *.iso images
physical_scsi_device device	For physical tapes and other SCSI devices on the connected to a host. This instance type can be used for any SCSI device: disk drives, tape drives or SCSI CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drives.

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CHARON-VAX disk/tape devices can be SCSI disk/tape devices connected to a host system or disk/tape containers that are presented to the operating system environment as files.

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

Example:

load virtual_scsi_disk/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0

...

"virtual_scsi_disk" has the following parameters:

container

Value full path to a disk container. N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering.. "/opt/charon/bin".

Parameter
Type
	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
media_type[N] N=0…7	Text String	Overrides PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data. Valid values may contain uppercase letters, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters. If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing PRODUCT ID selected based on disk size. Initially left unspecified.
geometry[N] N=0…7	Text String	This formatted string value specifies the explicit geometry of the disk storage element The string format is <X>”/”<Y>[“/”<Z>] where: "X" is number of sectors on track; "Y" is number of tracks on 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[N] N=0…7	boolean	Enables use of host OS I/O buffering. Initially set to “NO” (buffering disabled).
removable[N] N=0…7	boolean	Enables the logical unit to appear as a removable SCSI disk drive. Initially set to “NO” (fixed, non-removable).

Example:

load virtual_scsi_disk/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0

set pka_0 container[0] = "/charon/disks/disk1.vdisk"
set pka_0 container[1] = "/charon/disks/distributive.iso"

If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted:

set pka_0 container = "/charon/disks/disk1.vdisk"
set pka_0 media_type = "RZ1ED"

When a virtual SCSI disk image is dismounted in VMS, it is no longer read 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.

Warning
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.

Back to Table of Contents

"virtual_scsi_tape"

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

"virtual_scsi_tape" has the following parameters:

Parameter Type Value

container[N]

N=0…7

Text String

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

N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering. If only the name of the tape container is specified, CHARON-VAX will look for the container in "/opt/charon/bin".

media_type[N]

N=0…7

Text String

Overrides PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

Valid values may contain uppercase letters, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters.

By default the PRODUCT ID returned is “TLZ04”

geometry[N]

N=0…7

Text String

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

Example:

load virtual_scsi_tape/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0

set pka_0 container[0] = "/charon/tapes/tape1.vtape"
set pka_0 container[1] = "/charon/tapes/tape2.vtape"

If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted:

set pka_0 container = "/charon/tapes/tape1.vtape"
set pka_0 media_type = "TLZ08"

Back to Table of Contents

"physical_scsi_device"

Use "physical_scsi_device" to connect any host SCSI device to CHARON-VAX.

"physical_scsi_device" has the following parameters:

Parameter

Type

Value

container[N]

N=0…7

Text String

A string containing the device name to map to the emulator. N stands for logical unit number. It must begin from 0 and have no gaps in subsequent numbering. If there is only one logical unit the number can be omitted.

Mapping to host system resources	Description
"/dev/sd<N>"	for local fixed disks (IDE, SCSI, SATA)
"/dev/fd<N>"	for floppy drives
"/dev/cdrom<N>", or "/dev/sr<N>"	for CD-ROM, DVD drives (IDE, SCSI, …)
"/dev/dm-<N>", "/dev/mapper/mpath<N>", "/dev/mapper/disk<N>"	for multipath disks
"/dev/sg<X>"	for physical tape drives

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

media_type[N]

N=0…7

Text String

Overrides PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

Valid values may contain uppercase letters, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters.

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

Initially left unspecified.

geometry[N]

N=0…7

Text String

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

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

"X" is number of sectors on track;
"Y" is number of tracks on 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[N]

N=0…7

boolean

Enables use of host OS I/O buffering.

Initially set to “NO” (buffering disabled).

removable[N]

N=0…7

boolean

Enables the logical unit to appear as removable SCSI disk drive.

Initially set to “NO” (fixed, non-removable).

...

- the folder CHARON is running from.
  .

Local fixed disks (IDE, SCSI, SATA)

"/dev/sd<L>" where "L" is letter
"/dev/disk/by-id/..." - addressing by the disk ID, for example "/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST1000DM003-9YN162_S1D01QJ4"
"/dev/disk/by-label/..." - addressing by the disk label, for example "/dev/disk/by-label/MyStorage"

"/dev/disk/by-uuid/..." - addressing by the disk UUID, for example "/dev/disk/by-uuid/0e808a2f-cdd3-4944-a245-f729ffd73882"

Note
Since "/dev/sd<L>" addressing is not persistent, so it is strongly recommended to use "/dev/disk/by-id/wwn-*." syntax instead to refer the disk by its WWID - especially in the enviroments utilizing FC and SAN storages.

It is also possible to use not a whole disk, but previously created partitions on it. In this case the syntax is the following: "/dev/sd<L><N>" where N is the number of partition to be used.
.

Multipath disks
- "/dev/dm-<X>",
- "/dev/mapper/mpath<X>",
- "/dev/mapper/disk<X>" where X is 0,1,2...
  .
Floppy drives
- "/dev/fd<X>" where X is 0,1,2...

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 PRODUCT ID in the default SCSI INQUIRY data.

Valid values may contain uppercase letters, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters.

If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing PRODUCT ID selected based on 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 number of sectors on track;
"Y" is number of tracks on 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

boolean

Value

Enables use of host OS I/O buffering.

Initially set to “NO” (buffering disabled).

removable

Parameter

removable[N]

N=0…7

Type

boolean

Value

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

Initially set to “NO” (fixed, non-removable).

Example

load virtual_scsi_disk/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0

set pka_0 container[0] = "/charon/disks/disk1.vdisk"
set pka_0 container[1] = "/charon/disks/disk2.iso"

If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted:

set pka_0 container = "/charon/disks/disk1.vdisk"
set pka_0 media_type = "RZ1ED"

When a virtual SCSI disk image is dismounted in VMS, it is no longer read 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.

Warning

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 of CD-ROM ISO image usage:

set pka_0 container[2] = "/charon/disks/distributibe_vol_1.iso"
set pka_0 removable[2] = YES

Back to Table of Contents

"virtual_scsi_tape"

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

"virtual_scsi_tape" has the following parameters:

container

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.

N stands for logical unit number. The first unit must be 0 with no gaps in subsequent numbering. If only the name of the tape container is specified, CHARON-VAX will look for the container in "/opt/charon/bin".

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, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters.

By default the PRODUCT ID returned is "TLZ04"

geometry

Parameter

geometry[N]

N=0…7

Type

Text String

Value

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

Example

load virtual_scsi_tape/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0

set pka_0 container[0] = "/charon/tapes/tape1.vtape"
set pka_0 container[1] = "/charon/tapes/tape2.vtape"

If only one LUN is configured, the LUN number can be omitted:

set pka_0 container = "/charon/tapes/tape1.vtape"
set pka_0 media_type = "TLZ08"

Back to Table of Contents

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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:

container

Parameter

container[N]

N=0…7

Type

Text 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 it in the folder CHARON is running from.
  .
CD-ROM or DVD drives
- "/dev/cdrom<X>" or
- "/dev/sr<X>" where X is 0,1,2...

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.

use_io_file_buffering

Parameter

use_io_file_buffering[N]

N=0…7

Type

boolean

Value

Enables use of the host OS I/O buffering.

Initially set to “false” (buffering disabled).

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

Example:

load virtual_scsi_cdrom/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0 set pka_0 container="/dev/sr0"

This example associates an unallocated CD-ROM drive "/dev/sr0" with virtual_scsi_cdrom "pka_0".

Back to Table of Contents

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"physical_scsi_device"

Use "physical_scsi_device" to connect any host SCSI device to CHARON-VAX.

"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 and other SCSI devices connected to CHARON host
- "/dev/sg<X>", where X is 0, 1, …

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, decimal figures, spaces. Length of string shall not exceed 16 characters.

If not specified, synthetic SCSI INQUIRY data is returned containing PRODUCT ID selected based on 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 number of sectors on track;
"Y" is number of tracks on 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

boolean

Value

Enables use of host OS I/O buffering.

Initially set to “NO” (buffering disabled).

removable

Parameter

removable[N]

N=0…7

Type

boolean

Value

Enables the logical unit to appear as removable SCSI disk drive.

Initially set to “NO” (fixed, non-removable).

disconnect_timeout

Parameter

disconnect_timeout[N]

N=0…7

Type Numeric

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 (the timeout is 48 days):

set pka_0 disconnect_timeout[1] = 0x400000

0x400000 (hex) = 4194304 (dec) ~= 60 x 60 x 24 x 48 (days)

Example

load physical_scsi_device/chscsi pka_0 scsi_bus=pka scsi_id=0 set pka_0 container="/dev/sd3sdb"

This example associates an unallocated SCSI drive "/dev/sd3sdb" with physical_scsi_device "pka_0".

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Versions Compared

Old Version 2

New Version Current

Key

container

"virtual_scsi_tape"

"physical_scsi_device"

media_type

geometry

use_io_file_buffering

removable

Example

"virtual_scsi_tape"

container

media_type

geometry

Example

virtual_scsi_cdrom

container

media_type

geometry

use_io_file_buffering

"physical_scsi_device"

container

media_type

geometry

use_io_file_buffering

removable

disconnect_timeout

Example