Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!ucbvax!IRLEARN.BITNET!LISTSERV From: LISTSERV@IRLEARN.BITNET.UUCP Newsgroups: mod.computers.vax Subject: File: "INFO-VAX MAIL" being sent to you Message-ID: <8611081014.AA27111@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Date: Tue, 4-Nov-86 20:50:00 EST Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8611081014.AA27111 Posted: Tue Nov 4 20:50:00 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 9-Nov-86 03:20:32 EST Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The ARPA Internet Lines: 63 Approved: info-vax@sri-kl.arpa Received: from SRI-KL.ARPA by wiscvm.wisc.edu on 11/04/86 at 19:33:02 CST Received: from WISCVM.WISC.EDU by SRI-KL.ARPA with TCP; Mon 3 Nov 86 14:51:24-PST Received: from (MAILER)UWOCC1.BITNET by WISCVM.WISC.EDU on 11/03/86 at 16:49:49 CST Received: by UWOCC1 (Mailer X1.23b) id 0817; Mon, 03 Nov 86 12:22:54 EDT Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1986 11:59 EDT From: Brent Sterner Subject: VMS tape insecurity To: INFO-VAX-SUBMIT Well, it finally happened. I had heard that VMS didn't handle tapes very well, having grown to adolescence from PDP-11s. Last week two of our users tangled over our single tape drive. The user with the most data on his tape lost (and may now be convinced that I*M is a safer place to live. Scenario: 1st user (loser) issues a mount request. Operator locates the tape, and begins to mount it. 1st user changes his mind and cancels the tape request. Operator completes the tape mount, unaware of the cancellation. 2nd user's batch job mounts a tape, mount gives him the loser's tape, which is written all over. Result is a very bitter feeling in one of our users. Both tapes were labelled, and were written using VMS BACKUP. What can be done about this? It has since been suggested that our site write a MOUNT.COM to attempt to identify labelled tapes before they are given away. This will not address any unlabelled tapes which we may use on the VAX from time to time (there are 2 other manufacturers systems in the same shop), but it might help a little. What do INFO-VAX sites do about this? Have you written such a MOUNT procedure? I have DECUS SIG tapes from Spring and Fall 85, but don't recall seeing anything like this. Whatever you can suggest will be appreciated. If you are actually USING something that might help us out, that would be better than theory. BTW, I called Collarado TSC about this. They are generally helpful, and always friendly, but this time the best answer I could get was that "I think someone else here has addressed a similar problem for another customer - I'll call you back". This request is nothing more than a parallel request for help. TSC may have a solution, but if they do I've not heard it as yet. I've also heard that a TOPS-like GALAXY system is in the works for some future VMS release. This should solve the problem, but our site needs a work-around NOW, not in 2 years. I invite ANYONE within Digital to suggest such a work-around for a relatively large shop (6000 users). I'll share the best replies (Digital and non-Digital) with the net. Thanks in advance to all who will no doubt reply. Covering my head from the avalanch of replies, I remain Brent Sterner Computing & Communications Services Natural Sciences Building The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7 Telephone (519)661-2151 x6036 Network