MSM-Server for UNIX

MSM-Server for UNIX includes a wide variety of development tools, and a comprehensive library of utility programs for configuring and managing the system. The architecture of MSM-Server for UNIX allows it to be used in configurations ranging from single-user workstation applications to large, multi-user systems that support many hundreds of concurrent users. Today, software developers are looking for ways to protect the investment they have made in their applications. Applications written for MSM are portable across all UNIX platforms supported by MSM-Server for UNIX. These applications can also be moved to the Windows NT environment without any source code changes by using MSM-Server for Windows NT.

Multi-User Support
MSM-Server for UNIX supports up to 2,048 partitions, 2,048 devices, and system management utilities that include support for LAT, optimized disk I/O and cache, volume groups, and user class identifiers.

Resilient Systems
The reliability and availability of MSM-Server for UNIX are greatly enhanced by built-in resilient system features, including:

• Online Backups - Allows database backup to tape while users are logged on to the system and database updates are taking place.
• Bullet-Proof Database - Uses a combination of before-image and after-image journals to maintain the physical integrity of the database even after a system failure has occurred.
• Transaction Processing - Allows the logical integrity of application data to be maintained after a system failure has occurred.
• Cross-System Journaling - Provides database updates that can be logically mirrored to a secondary system, thereby producing a “hot standby.”

Editors and Debuggers
Included with the system is a CUA-compliant, full-screen editor that operates on any VT420-compatible terminal attached to the system. An interactive program debugger that supports breakpoints, command stepping, and line stepping is also included.

Integration with UNIX
Applications written for MSM have full access to UNIX services, including pipes, TCP/IP sockets, host files, magnetic tape devices, CD-ROM devices, UNIX spooling services, and applications written in other languages. MSM-Server for UNIX is also compatible with disk mirroring and RAID devices.

Large Databases
Within MSM-Server for UNIX, data is stored in volume groups. Each volume group can include from one to eight volumes, with each volume being a separate UNIX file. Each volume group supports up to 30 user class identifiers that can separate applications and data. Volume groups can be up to 16 GB in size; a single system can support up to 32 volume groups, for a total database size of 512 GB. Utilities to maintain, compress, validate, and repair databases are provided.

Networking
MSM-Server for UNIX protects the users’ investment in hardware and software by employing a modular building block approach to expanding system capacity. Using the advanced networking capabilities of the MSM-NET package, multiple systems can be linked to increase computing resources. Using caching algorithms, routines and globals can be shared among multiple systems using a local area network.

MSM-NET, an optional add-on package, adds extensive networking capabilities to the MSM-Server for UNIX product. The Remote Volume Group (RVG) feature allows volume groups (routines and globals) to be shared among processors. DDP access toCaché, DSM, and ISM systems is supported, as well as OMI access to other vendors. Support for protocols such as native Ethernet and TCP/IP is also included. Global translation, replications, and security are also supported. Another optional add-on package is MSM-LAT, our implementation of the Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) Local Area Transport protocol. MSM-LAT interfaces between a wide variety of LAT-compatible terminal servers and MSM-Server for UNIX. Layered on top of the MSM-NET package, it allows large terminal networks to be created that have access to large machines. It also provides load balancing between systems and simplifies printer and modem management.

External Interfaces
MSM-Server for UNIX supports the optional MSM-Activate, which allows commercially available applications to access the MSM database. A full development kit for writing externally callable routines written in other programming languages is also available.

Performance Monitoring
The RTHIST utility provides a comprehensive tool for analyzing system performance. It includes command execution by routine, global accesses by routine, global accesses by name, system statistics, computed ratios, and terminal response time statistics.

MSM-Server for UNIX is fully integrated with the UNIX environment. It allows MSM applications to coexist with other commercially available applications and provides an interface to all key UNIX services. This includes assessing UNIX files (including directories), pipes, spooling, and magnetic tape; invoking the UNIX shell from programmer mode; and calling non-MSM applications and subroutines. MSM-Server for UNIX takes advantage of the latest hardware technology, such as disk mirroring, RAID, DAT tapes, and networking capabilities. The resilient system features of MSM-Server for UNIX can also be used to ensure non-stop operation of critical applications.

Summary of Features

Standards Compliance
MSM-Server for UNIX conforms to the ISO, ANSI, and FIPS standards. MSM-Server for UNIX includes most Type A extensions approved by the M Development Committee (MDC).

Source-Code Compatible
All implementations of MSM are source-code compatible, which allows code developed on one platform to be moved to any other MSM system without change. MSM is also source-code compatible with DSM.

Supports Most Popular Platforms
MSM-Server for UNIX supports IBM RS/6000, DEC Alpha, HP, DG, SCO UNIX, and other popular platforms.

Integrated with UNIX
By being fully integrated with the UNIX environment, MSM-Server for UNIX allows access to host system services, such as spooling, pipes, and programs written in other languages.

Compiled/Optimized Code
MSM-Server for UNIX produces efficient p-code for increased performance at run-time. Programs can be distributed in p-code-only format for security.

Resilient Architecture
MSM-Server for UNIX offers features like before-image and after-image journaling, on-line backup, and cross-system journaling to enhance high-availability system configurations.

Advanced Capabilities
MSM-Server for UNIX uses cache-sharing algorithms to allow routines and globals to be shared among all MSM systems. MSM-Server for UNIX supports DDP to Caché, DSM, and ISM; the OMI protocol; and LAT terminal servers.

Magnetic Tape Devices
MSM-Server for UNIX provides direct access from MSM to nine-track, cartridge, and DAT tapes.

Full Socket Access
MSM-Server for UNIX provides full access to sockets either as a client or server.

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