[comp.os.vms] Memory/garbage collection/DEI on a VAX 730

oldeng@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Tak Ariga) (04/04/88)

We have an installation of a VAX 730 and Xerox AI workstations, with
Xerox file servers and a local ethernet.  The VAX 730 (slow monster) is
running VMS 4.0 (very old, but at least, we're not at VMS 3.x!).
Due to interesting turns of events, I have to assume the "sys admin." 
position for the whole installation.  I am quite familar with the Xerox system,
but my VMS ability is not really "up to scratch"...

I have a few concerns to which I am looking for input, comments, and
helpful hints, or even solutions...

1. Speed.  My first concern is the fact that the 730 is moving VERY slow.  
I think that it is moving slow, even for a 730.  What do you think could
be done to increase its speed?  I'm looking for house-cleaning sort of
tips, I guess.  It has 3 Megs of memory, Two of which I installed myself.
Other than the fact that it booted up and that I saw NO smoke, I have no
idea whether it is really working or not.  Are there diagnostics, or
something in VMS to check whether the memory is really there or being used?
I was told that VMS would automatically see and use the memory, so I took it
on faith, and didn't reconfigure anything.

Another factor affecting speed might be the state of the files.  
Would fragmentation be a problem?  How do I make it all contiguous again?
I was told that the only way is to make a full system backup, and to 
reinstall it all again.  I have done a few system backups and ONE reload,
but it was a nightmare.  I'll tell you what I did.

The only removable media we have are the RL02 cartridges, (and the Dectape II,
TU58's or something?  but I don't count that.)  I did a BACKUP of the 
non-system files, onto the RL02's.  Then, I re-installed VMS, from the 
original distribution RL02's.  Then I restored the files from RL02
to the main drive.  Now, basically all the files were there, but all the
user database was gone.  So, I had to re-create all the accounts, and I still
haven't got that all sorted out.  The permissions are screwed up, almost
all the files are set to be world read (and sometimes write) enabled.
That's another thing I have to fix, the user database, but I should read
the manual on Authorize throughly.  

Anyway, I heard that if I use a standalone backup, I'll be ok...  is that
right?

2. Logins.  There is also the problem of Logins being refused.  Sometimes,
hitting the <CR> on a free terminal only results in beeps, without the
LOGIN prompt coming up.  My theory is that there aren't enough CPU cycles
to allow a login.  The funny things is that this occurs even if there is only 
one person on the machine or even if there is NOONE on.  At that time, I 
reboot the VAX.

More often though, we would get the Login and Password prompts, but after
accepting the name and password, it will respond with [Insufficient
Dynamic Memory], and not let us through.  Ironically, it seems to have
worsened since we got the new memory.

3. FTP.  Since the VAX is on the Xerox ethernet, (through an Interlan ethernet
board, and a Xerox software package called DEI.), we do file transfers
from the Xerox workstations.  Often, it proclaims [No such socket] to a
connection attempt.  My theory on this, is that DEI either dies or goes
to sleep...  Rebooting clears this problem too, but I have no idea what
causes this problem.  Should processes die like that?  

As you see, I am not very knowledgable about VMS, but if anyone can help 
me, it would be very much appreciated.  If possible, please E-mail responses 
to me.

--Tak Ariga

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