HP OpenVMS Systems Documentation
OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3
This glossary defines key terms in the context of an OpenVMS Alpha
boot, bootstrap: The process of loading system
software into a processor's main memory. This guide uses the term
boot to refer to this process.
boot server: An Alpha computer that is part of a local
area OpenVMS Cluster system. The boot server is a combination of a MOP
server and a disk server for the satellite system disk. See
also satellite node.
CI-only Cluster: A computer system consisting of a
number of computers. It uses only the computer interconnect (CI) to
communicate with other computers in the cluster. These computers share
a single file system.
computer interconnect (CI): A type of I/O subsystem.
It links computers to each other and to HSx devices (for
example, an HSC or HSD).
device name: The name used to identify a device on the
system. A device name indicates the device code, controller
designation, and unit number.
disk server: A computer within a local area cluster
that provides an access path to CI, DSSI, and locally connected disks
for other computers that do not have a direct connection.
HSx device: A self-contained, intelligent,
mass storage subsystem (for example, an HSC or HSD) that lets computers
in a cluster environment share disks.
HSx drive: Any disk or tape drive connected
to an HSx device (for example, an HSC or HSD). A system disk
on an HSx drive can be shared by several computers in an
OpenVMS Cluster environment.
InfoServer: A general-purpose disk storage server that
allows you to use the distribution compact disc to install the
operating system on remote client systems connected to the same local
area network (LAN).
local area OpenVMS Cluster system: A configuration
consisting of one or more computers that act as a MOP server and disk
server, and a number of low-end computers that act as satellite nodes.
The local area network (LAN) connects all of the computers. These
computers share a single file system.
local drive: A drive, such as an RRD42
CD-ROM drive, that is connected directly to a
computer. If you have a standalone computer, it is likely that all
drives connected to the system are local drives.
media: Any packaging agent capable of storing computer
software (for example, compact discs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks,
disk packs, and tape cartridges).
mixed interconnect OpenVMS Cluster: A computer system
consisting of a number of computers. It uses CI, Ethernet, and DSSI
adapters to communicate with other computers in the cluster.
MOP server: A computer system running DECnet software
that downline loads OpenVMS Cluster satellites using the DECnet
maintenance operations protocol.
OpenVMS Cluster environment: A computer system
consisting of two or more Alpha or VAX computers (or two or more
instances in an OpenVMS Galaxy configuration). There are many types of
cluster interconnects that can be used to create a cluster environment:
for example, CI, DSSI, and LAN devices in a local area network, and
Shared Memory CI (SMCI) for OpenVMS Galaxy instances. An OpenVMS
Cluster can consist of a single interconnect or a mixed-interconnect
cluster with any combination of cluster interconnects.
OpenVMS Galaxy instance: The OpenVMS operating system
running on either a soft or a hard partition of a hardware platform.
satellite node: A computer that is part of a local
area cluster. A satellite node is downline loaded from a MOP server and
then boots remotely from the system disk served by a disk server in the
local area cluster. See also boot server, disk server, MOP
scratch disk: A blank disk or a disk with files you no
source drive: The drive that holds the distribution
kit during an upgrade or installation, or the drive from which you
restore files to a target disk.
standalone system: A computer system consisting of
just one computer.
system disk: The disk that contains or will contain
the OpenVMS operating system.
target drive: The drive that holds the system disk
during an upgrade or installation, or the drive you designate when
backing up the system disk.
UETP (User Environment Test Package): A software package that tests all the standard peripheral devices on your system, various commands and operating system functions, the system's multiuser capability, DECnet software, and the cluster environment.