Re: Upcoming time boundary events

On 5/31/2025 6:23 AM, Marc Van Dyck wrote:

Arne Vajhøj laid this down on his screen :

On 5/27/2025 8:15 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:

I wonder if people will have stopped using DECnet Phase IV by then ? :-)

>
My impression is that:
* people are now preferring IV over V, because people only
   need IV functionality and IV is simpler
* people does not use DECnet that much today, but often enough
   that they still prefer to have it installed
* usage is almost entirely:
   - $ SET HOST
   - RMS file specs
   - task-to-task (for those running OSU HTTPD or something else
     requiring it)

 From what I can see from this side of the pond, everyone uses DECnet
phase V exclusively with TCP/IP transport, so that any network gear can
be used, without having the network people involved.

OK. Maybe I am wrong. That would explain why VSI is putting V in the
CLP kit.
The over TCP/IP argument certainly makes sense if the there is a
need for wider communication between VMS systems.
But again my impression is that often the VMS systems are in same
server room and no routing required.
But again I could be wrong. I have not been doing non-hobbyist
system management for a couple of decades.

Other advantage is that most OPenVMS installations today are used in
environments that must be certified, and external audit people usually
know nothing about DECnet. They are mostly just interested in which IP
ports are opened. Since for DECnet you just need a few, it's easily
justified. They couldn't be possibly bothered about what DECnet object
is enabled. They will complain about rlogin or telnet, but see nothing
wrong with set host. FTP ? God forbid. But FAL ? just fine... You can't
imagine how easy it was for me to get OpenVMS systems pass audits with
flying colors, while my open systems colleagues suffered...

:-)
When I was involved in audits of VMS systems then the auditors did have
VMS checklists and checked stuff like DECnet default access.
Arne