DST Patches for OpenVMS version 7.1-2

[owilliams]

Question. I will be making the time changes manually for the DST changes due to the OS version. Do the systems need to be rebooted after making these changes? If so is there a special way to do this or anything to look out for. I am very new to OpenVMS system management any help is greatly appreciated.

[Hoff]

This question looks to be a repeat of:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1105389

V7.1-2 is almost a decade old, and no longer supported. An upgrade would avoid the manual steps that the TDF change on this release can involve twice a year. It also gets you the ECOs for the DST changes, and current ECOs for problems.

I'd not expect to need a reboot here, but -- if you're asking the question -- schedule a reboot for the box after making the DST changes if for no other reason than to test the changes.

By and large, the further you go back, the less that is dependent on the changes. The one wrinkle back here is whether or not DECnet-Plus, or DECnet-Plus with DECdts (DTSS), is active. (If the command MCR NCL works and drops you at an NCL prompt, you have at least DECnet-Plus. Use ^Z to exit. If you see an error, you have either DECnet Phase IV, or no DECnet.)

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs

[Mobeen_1]

owilliams, please see below for detailed steps

1. Make a copy of the existing time zone files...they should be located at SYS$COMMON:[SYS$ZONEINFO.SYSTEM]

2. Capture the timezone info before making changes using the following
$ SHOW LOG *TIME*
$@SYS$MANAGER:UTC$TIME_SETUP show

3. Run the following file and make the timezone changes
@SYS$MANAGER:UTC$TIME_SETUP

4.Confirm timezone changes by using
$ SHOW LOG *TIME*
$@SYS$MANAGER:UTC$TIME_SETUP show

5. Now compare output from step 2(pre-change) and step 4 (post-change) to ensure that the timezone change has been effected

The above mentioned procedure needs to be followed for making timezone changes.

Now to answer your first question....if you know all the compenents, applications on your system that are using timezone then you would not need a reboot...only restarting them should suffice. How ever if you are in any doubt...its better to do a reboot....

regards
Mobeen

[atul sardana]

owilliams,

Welcome

System reboot is recomended and very safe after DST changes for your application and other things.
Precautionary save all output as per Mobin its better and profitable when you want to see old and new status.


Atul sardana

[Hoff]

Mobeen and Atul, can you verify what was posted here is correct?

In what was posted, I'd expect to see changes to the US DST rules changes -- changes that first occur this coming weekend -- made to the rules database found on V7.*. In what was there, I see selecting a new TZ, but not resetting the rules themselves.

For software that isn't dependent on TZs, simply changing the TZ or selecting the TZ without the DST might well work. For software that does look at the rules -- and that can involve TCP/IP Services and various C code -- then the TZ rules database can need to be modified to reflect the new rules.

Java, Oracle and MultiNet can also be affected by the US rules changes. DECnet-Plus with DECdts (DTSS) also has a set of TZ rules, and there's a sequence around to adjust that without having an ECO for DECnet-Plus.

The other thread I referenced in my earlier reply has additional pointers and URLs. (I've a TZ-related article posted at the local (new) website, as do various other organizations. HP OpenVMS has one certainly worth reading posted at http://h71000.www7.hp.com/dst.html )

Monday is going to be interesting. :-)

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs

[owilliams]

So what should be my strategy for this be? I know for sure that we cannot do the upgrade in time for the changes and it sounds as though I may some issues with applications if we don't reboot?
You guys have been a great help. Just trying to clearly understand what I need to do to make sure the time is changed and Monday goes well.

[Mobeen_1]

My recommendation again would be the same...if in any doubt...go ahead do the changes and follow it up with a reboot...instead of sitting and figuring out...what apps/components need to be restarted etc

regards
Mobeen