ARMAND%BCVMS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.EDU (11/25/87)
We are in the process of configuring an ULTRIX system on a 11/780. Several
problems have presented themselves including an inadequate Operator (OPSER)
shell, the apparent lack of access control of the tape drives, and the
unavailability of a chargeback accounting utility.
At this point, we are concerned with determining the most efficient and most
practical way to control access to the tape drive. The hardware is locked away
and inaccessible to the users. Therefore, something has to be put in place
which would allow the user to request that a tape be mounted by an operator and
a reply be sent back to the user when that's been completed. Additionally,
access by others to the drive should be removed while that user is working.
When the user is done, the drive would be "deallocated" and others could then
access it.
Communication to and from the operator is trivial(I think) and the "allocation"
of the drive can be taken care of by altering the file permissions on the
device special file which describes the tape drive. I would appreciate hearing
how other sites are dealing with this problem. Do you deal with it or let the
users wander inencumbered and unprotected? Suggestions? Does anyone have any
code already written that they would be willing to share with a newcomer to the
environment?
Any information concerning the other two previously mentioned problems (the
Operator shell and chargeback accounting) would also be greatly appreciated.
Armand Doucette
Sr. VAX System Specialist
Boston College, Information Processing Support
BITNET: ARMAND@BCVMS (the ULTRIX machine is not connected)