At work we have an Alpha 400 running OpenVMS 6.2-1H3.
We need to connect it to a pc running Windows XP (preferably) or Linux (alternative).
We need to pull some files as a regular backup from the Alpha to the pc.
I have connected the two with a crossover ethernet cable, and pinged the Alpha at 192.192.192.201, and subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (the pc was 192.192.192.202) and it worked - i got a response.
However when i run any FTP software on Windows machine and try to connect to 192.192.192.201 nothing happens. I can't get a response and the directories and files of the Alpha are not shown.
What's the problem? Are the directories somehow protected from external entry?
After reading loads of info on OpenVMS networking i entered some commands and here is what i got:
UCX$INET_DOMAIN="MR"
UCX$INET_HOST="NTSCAN"
UCX$INET_HOSTADDR="192.192.192.201"
So i was wondering what are my options? It's obvious that the Alpha has networking capability, so can i somehow ftp the files to the Windows machine?
Alternatively i read that another option is to install Saamba. Again, i have no knowledge on installing software in OpenVMS so this is my second option. The other problem behind this is downloading the Saamba files on a Windows XP (32 bit) machine and burning them to the CD for OpenVMS since Alpha is 64 bit, right?. Are some special settings needed when burning so the files could be read in OpenVMS?
Are you sure FTP Server software is enabled and started on the VMS side?
Another option is to set up an NFS Client on the VMS side and install Cygwin/NFS on the Windows side. Then use Cygwin to export a directory and VMS to mount it.
6.2-1H3 is pretty old. Current version of VMS is 8.4. It may be hard to find a working SAMBA pre-built for that release that will communicate with Windows XP.
I would really recommend hiring a professional VMS Contractor to give you business advice and training on VMS.
On newer UCXes you need to specifically activate the services you want, so if FTP has not been activated then you won't get the connection.
Check in your docs - newer versions (the UCX in VMS V7.2 and above) have a menu config system that can help when you're not sure. The 6.x UCX might also have that.
malmberg August 04 2022 No more VAX hobbyist licenses. Community licenses for Alpha/IA64/X86_64 VMS Software Inc. Commercial VMS software licenses for VAX available from HPE.
ozboomer July 20 2022 Just re-visiting.. No more hobbyist licenses? Is that from vmssoftware.com, no 'community' licenses?
valdirfranco July 01 2022 No more hobbyist license...sad
mister_wavey February 12 2022 I recall that the disks failed on the public access VMS systems that included Fafner
parwezw January 03 2022 Anyone know what happened to FAFNER.DYNDS.ORG? I had a hobbyist account here but can longer access the site.
gtackett October 27 2021 Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax
gtackett October 27 2021 I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX. Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.
MarkRLV September 17 2021 At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.
malmberg January 18 2021 New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE
dfilip January 16 2021 Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!
