DECnet config problem

[geir_2]

Hi,

I have recently configured two VMS nodes with following address: 1.81 and 2.81.

VMS nodes is separate by a Cisco WAN connection (configured as a IP-tunnel)

VMS-A (1.81)--CiscoA ==== CiscoB--VMS-B(2.81)

It's possible to use ping and set host command locally, adn remotelyf between the cisco router. But if I try to use the set host command fram VMS-B to VMS-A the remote area is not reachable.

The DECnet routing table on the cisco router looks correct.

Maybe some DECnet commands is missing on the VMS host. When I run the following ncp commands on VMS-B

ncp > show active area
I can't see area 1, onlut area 1 is available.

I hope someone could help me :-)

Thanks Geir

[Volker Halle]

Geir,

are these Cisco Routers running DECnet Phase IV Area routing ? There must be an area router in area 1 and another area router in area 2 for the 2 VMS nodes to be able to establish connections via DECnet.

NCP SHOW KNO NODES on the VMS systems should show adjacent routers. NCP SHOW KNO AREA should show known area routers.

Volker.

[geir_2]

Hi Volker,

When use following commands, I had connection between VMS-A and VMS-B on IP.

ucx> set route/default/gateway=10.2.1.1

But when I reboot the computer, the information is lost. So I must save the information permanently, but I did not know how it's done.

The VMS-B is not able to see other area, and nodes. I must have forgotten some commands when I configure the DECnet on the host.

VMS-B can use set host 0 and set host to 2.81 (which is VMS-B's address)




Hope someone could help me.

[Volker Halle]

Geir,

DECnet and IP are completely different protocols and use different routing mechanisms. If you would be using DECnet-over-IP, DECnet packets would travel over the TCP/IP route, but you seem to be running DECnet Phase IV.

To create a permanent route entry for TCPIP, use

UCX> set route/default/gateway=10.2.1.1 /PERM

To be able to reach another DECnet area, a DECnet node must have a path via an area router in it's own area and an area router in the destination area to get to a node in the destination area.

What area the DECnet addresses for the two Cisco Routers ?

Volker.

[Hoff]

You need a DECnet level two (area) router in area one and a second DECnet area router in area two, and both must be located somewhere between these two nodes -- if the Cisco switch connection is implemented per norms, the tunnel is transparent and not relevant -- and only with these two adjacent area routers can a node (either end-node or level one router) in DECnet area one communicate with a DECnet node (end-node or level one router) in area two.

Or you can move the nodes into the same area, and use a level one (non-area) DECnet router, or -- with no router available -- the ability of end-nodes to communicate directly on a LAN. This assumes the Cisco provides a transparent LAN connection. Adding an external DECnet router (level one) or switching one or both of the nodes to a router is recommended, as it allows better control and management of the DECnet traffic. Many Cisco routers can be enabled as DECnet routers.

Or you can switch both of the nodes involved into area routers.

Or you might be able to set up the Cisco switches as DECnet area routers, and switch over from a tunnel/VPN over to a DECnet routed (inter-area) link for DECnet traffic.

The ability to ping nodes is not directly relevant to DECnet communications -- well, other than its potential use as a DECnet transport for DECnet-Plus (DECnet Phase V) hosts. But when using DECnet over IP, you still need to follow the DECnet rules.

DECnet phase IV (level one and level two area) routing is covered in some detail in the DECnet architecture manuals, and these are available via pointers in the OpenVMS FAQ. The DECnet-Plus user and system management manuals are available over at the HP OpenVMS documentation web site. The Phase IV manuals are probably posted somewhere, but they're not immediately available via the HP OpenVMS documentation web site, either directly or in the archived documentation section.

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs

[geir_2]

Hi,
Thanks for the answers :-). Yes, both router is configured as a Area-Router with following address 1.1 and 2.1.

Inside these router I use 1.81 and 2.81, which is configured as a non-routing device. (end-node)

I discovered yesterday that both VMS node used the same scsnodeid, which is configured in sysgen. Now I configured the correct scsnodeid on both nodes, which should be Area x 1024 + Nodeid.

The decnet routing table seems to be correct on both routers.

I have also rebooted one of the VMS nodes, later today I will try to rebbot the other nodes. So far no success.

[geir_2]

Hi,

If I ran following commands on VMS-B I got following respons:

NCP> show char area 2

Area Volatile Characteristic as 23-jan-2007 09:14:33

Area 2
State = Unreachable

Regards Geir


PS:
It's possible to use set host 0 and set host VMS-B, but not to VMS-A remotely. Hope someone could give me some input/hints ;-)

[Colin Butcher]

Hello Geir,

You imply that the Cisco's are running DECnet routing over the "IP tunnel". Later on you imply that you have "DECnet over IP" active (ucx set route).

Please can you specify the exact versions of VMS, DECnet, TCP/IP and the precise configuration. A diagram would help a lot.

Assuming that you are using DECnet Phase IV then you will need to set up DECnet Phase IV routing as an area router in the two Cisco routers. Alternatively you might configure the Ciscos to bridge non-IP traffic between the sites (this would also allow LAT and other layer 2 protocols through as well).

If you are using DECnet Phase V (DECnet-Plus) then you can use Phase IV compatible addressing with the Ciscos configured as above. Alternatively you can set up "DECnet over IP" and thus avoid the need for the Ciscos to do anything other than IP routing in the usual manner.

It depends what level of availability, multiple path operation, load balancing and so on you wish to achieve over the WAN. The easiest configuration these days is probably to use "DECnet over IP" and have minimal setup in the Cisco routers, however that may not achieve what you need, especially if there are other protocols as well, such as LAT (a layer 2 non-routable protocol).

You might find this of use: http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/journal/v5/index.html#decnet for background reading.

Hope this helps. Cheers, Colin.

[geir_2]

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. I will try to draw a diagram of the network + VMS-nodes

Vms-A(1.81) SCSNODE=VMS-A,SCSSYSTEID=(1105)
|
CiscoA(1.1)
||
||
-DECnet is transported inside IP
||
||
CiscoB(2.1)
|
VMS-B(2.81) SCSNODE=VMS-B, SYSTEMID0(2129)


IT's full connectivity between router and hosts, except VMS-B.

Some history:
I took image backup of VMS-A, and restored it on VMS-B, and later I changed the name and address.

Im'm running DECnet OpenVMS AXP V6.2, and management version is 4.0. The HW is Alphaserver 1000.

Regards geir

[Volker Halle]

Geir,

try the following from VMS-A:

$ MC NCP TELL 1.81 SHOW EXEC
$ MC NCP TELL 1.1 SHOW EXEC
$ MC NCP TELL 2.1 SHOW EXEC
$ MC NCP TELL 2.81 SHOW EXEC

I don't know, whether the Cisco router would actually display any usable executor characteristcs data, but you should NOT get a %SYSTEM-F-UNREACHABLE error !

Then you can do the same kind of NCP SHOW commands from node VMS-B.

This will tell you the DECnet reachability of all the components involed in your little DECnet multi-area network.

Volker.