On 4/18/2023 9:09 AM, Single Stage to Orbit wrote:
> Is it a simple task to change the machine's name in OpenVMS. I
> originally set mine to GHOST1 and now I want to rename it to something
> more interesting like OpenVMS1. Is that practical?

It can certainly be done. But it is a bit cumbersome.

I think you need:
- change SCSNODE in MODPARAMS.DAT and run AUTOGEN
- reconfigure DECnet
- reconfigure TCP/IP
- [if needed] change node name in queue definitions
- [if needed] change node name in licenses
- [if needed] change server name in web server configs
- [if needed] change server name in SSL/TLS certficates

Arne

On 4/18/2023 9:30 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 4/18/2023 9:09 AM, Single Stage to Orbit wrote:
>> Is it a simple task to change the machine's name in OpenVMS. I
>> originally set mine to GHOST1 and now I want to rename it to something
>> more interesting like OpenVMS1. Is that practical?
>
> It can certainly be done. But it is a bit cumbersome.
>
> I think you need:
> - change SCSNODE in MODPARAMS.DAT and run AUTOGEN
> - reconfigure DECnet
> - reconfigure TCP/IP
> - [if needed] change node name in queue definitions
> - [if needed] change node name in licenses
> - [if needed] change server name in web server configs
> - [if needed] change server name in SSL/TLS certficates

Better source the old VMS FAQ:

https://www.vajhoej.dk/arne/vms/vmsfaq/vmsfaq_007.html#mgmt9

(link to my copy - not original)

Arne

Single Stage to Orbit schrieb am Dienstag, 18. April 2023 um 15:17:36 UTC+2:

> now I want to rename it to something
> more interesting like OpenVMS1. Is that practical?

OpenVMS and DECnet node names in OpenVMS are limited to 6 characters. IP node names can be longer.

Volker.

On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 09:34 -0400, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> https://www.vajhoej.dk/arne/vms/vmsfaq/vmsfaq_007.html#mgmt9

Yes, that's useful thanks. Bookmarked for tonight's activities.
--
Tactical Nuclear Kittens

On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 09:30 -0400, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> - change SCSNODE in MODPARAMS.DAT and run AUTOGEN

Why is it still limited to 6 characters whwn we have masses of memory
and disk space?
--
Tactical Nuclear Kittens

On 4/18/2023 9:52 AM, Single Stage to Orbit wrote:
> On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 09:30 -0400, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> - change SCSNODE in MODPARAMS.DAT and run AUTOGEN
>
> Why is it still limited to 6 characters whwn we have masses of memory
> and disk space?

They are very clear about how it works.

From AUTOGEN HELP:

<quote>
SCSNODE specifies the name of the computer. This parameter is not
dynamic.

Specify SCSNODE as a string of up to six characters. Enclose the
string in quotation marks.

NOTE

The maximum size of six characters is strictly enforced.
SYSBOOT truncates the value of SCSNODE if the size of the
system parameter is set to more than six characters.

If the computer is in an OpenVMS Cluster, specify a value that is
unique within the cluster. Do not specify the null string.

If the computer is running DECnet for OpenVMS, the value must be
the same as the DECnet node name.
</quote>

I would assume the max size could have been increased if
DEC/CPQ/HP/HPE/VSI had wanted to.

But they are not going to sell a single VMS license more
by increasing that limit.

And it may be a huge (read: costly) change to implement, because
the name limit may spill over in DECnet and cluster comm
protocols - and what about different VMS versions in a rolling
cluster upgrade, and and and.

Arne

On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 10:03 -0400, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> I would assume the max size could have been increased if
> DEC/CPQ/HP/HPE/VSI had wanted to.
>
> But they are not going to sell a single VMS license more
> by increasing that limit.
>
> And it may be a huge (read: costly) change to implement, because
> the name limit may spill over in DECnet and cluster comm
> protocols - and what about different VMS versions in a rolling
> cluster upgrade, and and and.

Oh, that's true, clusters can have different versions of VMS running.
No worries.

--
Tactical Nuclear Kittens

On 4/18/2023 9:52 AM, Single Stage to Orbit wrote:
> On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 09:30 -0400, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> - change SCSNODE in MODPARAMS.DAT and run AUTOGEN
>
> Why is it still limited to 6 characters whwn we have masses of memory
> and disk space?
>

Various software with 6 character limits, such as DECnet?

VMS doesn't have a single place for the node name. Remember, VMS has been
around for a while, and various software grew over time. Perhaps room for some
utility or script to set node name in all required places? Might be difficult,
since individual sites might also use node name in custom software?

Really, why would anyone want some longer name? Perhaps better to ask, why
would I want a longer node name?

:-)

--
David Froble Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc. E-Mail: davef@tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA 15486

Is it a simple task to change the machine's name in OpenVMS. I
originally set mine to GHOST1 and now I want to rename it to something
more interesting like OpenVMS1. Is that practical?
--
Tactical Nuclear Kittens

On 2023-04-18 13:09:22 +0000, Single Stage to Orbit said:

> Is it a simple task to change the machine's name in OpenVMS. I
> originally set mine to GHOST1 and now I want to rename it to something
> more interesting like OpenVMS1. Is that practical?

Practical? Not really. It's a dogs breakfast. Reinstall it for best results.

There are at least 20 places that the host name gets stored. Probably
more. No, it's not practical to change it. Will changing the core names
probably work well enough for a hobbyist? Sure. Probably. Maybe.

The old OpenVMS FAQ (5.7 How do I change the node name of an OpenVMS
System?) had a brief list. More got found, and more got added to lists.

Having the wrong (the old or the new) name in at least one place—in the
queue manager—will block the bootstrap from completing. You'll need to
bypass the startup and fix that manually to reboot.

Names got embedded everywhere, too. In device names, in the Apache web
server configuration files, in other layered products, basically
everywhere. Not all need to be (or even can be) the same.

--
Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC

On Tue, 2023-04-18 at 12:07 -0400, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> Practical? Not really. It's a dogs breakfast. Reinstall it for best
> results.
>
> There are at least 20 places that the host name gets stored. Probably
> more. No, it's not practical to change it. Will changing the core
> names probably work well enough for a hobbyist? Sure. Probably.
> Maybe.
>
> The old OpenVMS FAQ (5.7  How do I change the node name of an OpenVMS
> System?) had a brief list. More got found, and more got added to
> lists.
>
> Having the wrong (the old or the new) name in at least one place—in
> the queue manager—will block the bootstrap from completing. You'll
> need to bypass the startup and fix that manually to reboot.
>
> Names got embedded everywhere, too. In device names, in the Apache
> web server configuration files, in other layered products, basically
> everywhere. Not all need to be (or even can be) the same.

What a nightmare, yes fine I'll chalk it up to gaining experience and
doing it right with an reinstall.

Thanks.
--
Tactical Nuclear Kittens