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OpenVMS V6.2 Enhancements for SCSI and DSSI Clusters

Prior to V6.2, OpenVMS Cluster systems implemented shared storage subsystems
using the CI and DSSI interconnects. SCSI disks connected to these buses
using HSJ/HSC and HSD series controllers. With these enhancements, multiple
CPUs can be directly connected to a common SCSI bus. This permits direct
access to shared storage previously available only with CI and DSSI, and
removes the requirement to configure HS family controllers.

SCSI enhancements

There are three new SCSI cluster  features.

o  OpenVMS SCSI clusters can now be configured using all Alpha 21164-based
   systems except AlphaServer 8200 and 8400 systems

o  Three systems can be configured on a shared SCSI bus. Called tri-host
   support, this permits a 50 percent increase in computing power available
   for the cluster

o  Up to three SCSI buses may be configured on a system, allowing 50 percent
   more shared storage

OpenVMS V6.2 SCSI clusters now support the following hardware:

CPUs:          Any PCI-based AlphaServer or AlphaStation system
               with the Alpha 21164 chip, except for the
               AlphaServer 8200 and 8400 systems. SCSI
               clustering support for these systems will be
               available in the next six to nine months.

Controllers:   HSZ40-B

Storage        BA350, BA353, BA356, and internal StorageWorks shelves
shelves:

In addition, qualification of supported disk drives has been extended to
include nearly all of the disks  Digital currently ships. Please see the
OpenVMS Cluster SPD (29.78.10) for complete details.

DSSI enhancements

The DSSI enhancements include full qualification of the KFMSB and KFESA/B
DSSI adapters for support of quad host configurations. Any mix of adapter
type and system type is possible. As a result, adding Alpha systems to
existing DSSI configurations is easier.

OpenVMS SCSI and DSSI Cluster support, including the new features described
in this article, are provided as an integral part of OpenVMS Cluster
Software V6.2. No additional license is necessary. Every node in an OpenVMS
Cluster must be separately licensed. Note that an OpenVMS Cluster software
license is included in the NAS 250, NAS 300, and NAS 400 products.

Order No.       Description

                Software:

QL-MUZAE-AA     OpenVMS Alpha Cluster Traditional Workgroup License
QL-MUZAG-AA     OpenVMS Alpha Cluster Traditional Departmental License
QL-MUZAQ-AA     OpenVMS Alpha Cluster Traditional Enterprise License

For detailed SCSI cluster configuration information, please refer to the
OpenVMS V6.2 New Features Manual (AA-QCM1A-RE), and the `'SCSI Clusters for
OpenVMS V6.2'' article in the June 1995 issue of Customer Update.