Setting DVE on OpenVMS 7.3-2 system disk

[Jim Geier_1]

When deploying DVE (dynamic volume expansion) what is recommended to convert the system disk or shadow set to DVE? I booted a system running OpenVMS Alpha 7.3-2 from the OpenVMS 7.3-2 CD, mounted the system disk /nosystem and then issued the command SET VOLUME/LIMIT. I got the following errors:

$$$ mount/over=shadow $1$dga1 openvms732
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, OPENVMS732 mounted on _$1$DGA1: ()
%MOUNT-I-REBUILD, volume was improperly dismounted; rebuild in progress

$$$ set volume/limit $1$dga1:
%SET-E-NOTSET, error modifying _$1$DGA1:
-SYSTEM-W-DEVNOTALLOC, device not allocated

$$$ dismount $1$dga1:
$$$ mount/nosystem $1$dga1: openvms732
%MOUNT-I-MOUNTED, OPENVMS732 mounted on _$1$DGA1: ()
$$$ set volume/limit $1$dga1:
%SET-E-NOTSET, error modifying _$1$DGA1:
-SYSTEM-W-DEVNOTALLOC, device not allocated

How do I set DVE on our system disk?

[Robert Gezelter]

Jim,

On a normal disk, all you need is to MOUNT it privately (a quick check with a LDDRIVER will allow you to confirm this for yourself).

I have not tried setting a system residence volume to extend (and I am not in my office at this instant, so it is difficult to recover from a failed test).

As a start, set the dynamic extend flag on a non-system volume. I do not have the time to check the docset at this instant, but a requirement for at least instantaneous exclusivity would be unsurprising.

- Bob Gezelter, http://www.rlgsc.com

[Volker Halle · Accepted solution]

Jim,

there is a bug in V7.3-2 regarding setting the volume extension limit when booted from the operating system CD.

Use the OpenVMS Alpha V8.2 operating system CD to boot from. That one will work.

Volker.

[Ian Miller.]

IIRC The bug is to do with which process owns the disk when it is privately mounted and the check that SET VOLUME makes. It was fixed in a patch. If you are current on patches and if you make a minimal VMS system on another disk then booting from that minimal system may work.

[Jim Geier_1]

Will boot from the OpenVMS 8.2 CD to set the DVE on the system disk.