HP OpenVMS DCL Dictionary
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REPLY

Broadcasts a message to a terminal or terminals.

See the qualifier descriptions for restrictions.

Format

REPLY [message-text]

Parameter

message-text

Specifies the text of the message. The text must be 1 to 511 characters. Enclose the text in quotation marks (" ") if it contains spaces, special characters, or lowercase characters.

Description

All users with OPER (operator) privilege can use the REPLY command to communicate with system users. The REPLY command does the following:

You must always use one or more qualifiers with the REPLY command in order for it to be meaningful. If you use the REPLY command without using any qualifiers, an error message is returned. When you use the REPLY command for any purpose other than displaying messages at users' terminals, you must also use the /ENABLE=keyword qualifier. See the description of the /ENABLE qualifier to determine the appropriate keyword (or keywords) for your purpose.

Displaying Messages at Users' Terminals

To contact one or more system users, the operator enters one of the following REPLY commands:

The /ALL qualifier sends a message to all terminals that are on line and are connected to the OpenVMS system or OpenVMS Cluster. Generally, when an important message is to be broadcast, such as information about a system shutdown, you should use the /ALL qualifier.

The /TERMINAL qualifier sends a message to one or more specific terminals on the system or cluster.

The /USERNAME qualifier sends a message to terminals at which one or more system or cluster users are logged in.

Note that the /TO qualifier is not used under these three circumstances, because the operator is not replying to a specific request from either the file system or a user.

To broadcast to a terminal other than your own, you must have OPER privilege. The REPLY command is not complete until all terminals you are broadcasting to have received the message.

Responding to User Requests

When a user enters the REQUEST/REPLY command, the process associated with the requesting user's terminal is put in a wait state until the operator responds by using one of the following REPLY commands:

The /ABORT qualifier indicates that the user's request has been canceled.

The /PENDING qualifier sends a message to the user and keeps the user's process in a wait state until the request can be fulfilled or aborted.

The /TO qualifier indicates that the user's request has been fulfilled.

When a user enters the REQUEST/REPLY command, the message is displayed at the system console terminal. For example: 


%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 09:49:24.47, request 3, from user SYSTEM
_TTB6:, This is a sample request

The user cannot enter any further commands until the operator responds using the /ABORT or the /TO qualifier, or until the user aborts the request. If the operator does not respond and the user does not abort the request, the request is repeated at 5-minute intervals on the operator's terminal until the operator replies.

The REPLY command is an essential part of the procedures that operators must use in order for users to gain access to tape and disk volumes.

Responding to File System Requests

When a multivolume tape volume reaches the end-of-tape (EOT) mark, the magnetic tape file system suspends processing and sends a message to the operator to mount the next tape. The operator responds using one of the following REPLY commands:

The /TO qualifier indicates that the file system request has been fulfilled. When the request from the magnetic tape file system specifies a volume label, the operator mounts the specified tape and enters the REPLY/TO command; however, if the file system requests a new volume, the operator can reuse a scratch volume by mounting it and by entering the REPLY/INITIALIZE_TAPE command. The operator also can mount a blank volume and then enter the REPLY/BLANK_TAPE command. In any case, the operator may add the message "label" to the REPLY command to specify the volume's label. The quotation marks (" ") are required syntax.

If the request is "REMOUNT" or "MOUNT NEW", the label is required in the message text. If the request is "MOUNT", no label is needed.

The /ABORT qualifier indicates that the file system request has been canceled.

Enabling and Disabling Operator Status on a Terminal

Any terminal connected to the operating system can be established as an operator's terminal if OPCOM is running. When an operator who is logged in to an account with OPER (operator) privilege enters the REPLY/ENABLE command at the designated terminal, that terminal can be used to respond to user requests and to monitor device status. Such a terminal retains operator status until it is specifically disabled, or until the end of the current interactive session, if it was established as a temporary operator's terminal (see the description of the /TEMPORARY qualifier).

Operator messages are printed on the system console terminal unless that terminal is explicitly disabled as an operator's terminal.

When the operator enters the REPLY/ENABLE command, OPCOM confirms that the terminal has been enabled. For example: 


$ REPLY/ENABLE



%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:22:19.75, operator status for operator OPA0 
CENTRAL, PRINTER, TAPES, DISKS, DEVICES, CARDS, NETWORK, CLUSTER, LICENSE, 
OPER1, OPER2, OPER3, OPER4, OPER5, OPER6, OPER7, OPER8, OPER9, OPER10, 
OPER11, OPER12

When the operator enters the REPLY/DISABLE command, OPCOM uses the following message to confirm that the terminal is no longer an operator terminal: 


%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:03:23.48, operator disabled, operator OPA0

To grant specific operator status on a particular terminal, the operator includes one or more keywords after the /ENABLE qualifier. For example, to establish a terminal as an operator terminal that can receive messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting tapes and disks, the operator enters the following: 


$ REPLY/ENABLE=(DISKS,TAPES)



%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:04:00.18, operator enabled, operator OPA0 
$ 
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:04:00.47, operator status for operator OPA0 
TAPES, DISKS

OPCOM confirms that the terminal has operator status for tape and disk messages.

To discontinue specific operator status, the operator includes one or more keywords after the /DISABLE qualifier. For example, to inhibit an operator terminal from receiving messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting disks, the operator enters the following command: 


$ REPLY/DISABLE=DISKS



%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:04:30.83, operator status for operator OPA0 
TAPES

Note that OPCOM lists the specific operator status still assigned to the terminal.

When an operator disables operator status on all terminals, including the system console terminal, OPCOM records all subsequent messages in the operator log file, except user requests and messages requiring an operator reply. 


%OPCOM-S-OPRNOTIF, operator notified, waiting. 10:06:03.25 
%OPCOM-S-OPREPLY, %OPCOM 24-DEC-2001 10:06:03:25, no operator coverage

To determine the operator status and to obtain a list of pending requests for a particular terminal, the operator enters the following command: 


$ REPLY/STATUS

This command also shows all outstanding requests for this operator.

Closing the Operator's Log File and Opening a New One

To close the current operator's log file and open a new one, the operator enters the REPLY/LOG command. If OPCOM is running, all subsequent messages are recorded in the new log file. To close the current log file without opening a new one, the operator enters the REPLY/NOLOG command. All subsequent messages are not recorded until the operator enters the REPLY/LOG command.

Qualifiers

/ABORT=identification-number

Sends a message to the user or magnetic tape file system corresponding to the unique identification number and cancels the request.

/ALL

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Broadcasts a message to all terminals that are attached to the system or cluster. These terminals must be turned on and have broadcast-message reception enabled. The /ALL qualifier is incompatible with the /USERNAME and /TERMINAL qualifiers.

/BELL

Rings a bell at the terminal receiving a message when entered with the /ALL, the /TERMINAL, or the /USERNAME qualifier; two bells when entered with the /URGENT qualifier; and three bells when entered with the /SHUTDOWN qualifier.

/BLANK_TAPE=identification-number

Requires VOLPRO (volume protection) privilege.

Sends a message to the magnetic tape file system indicated by the identification number to override the checking of volume label information. The volume label must be specified in the message-text parameter. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal for TAPES.

/DISABLE[=(keyword[,...])]

Requires OPER (operator) privilege. Requires OPER and SECURITY privileges for security messages.

If the operator communication manager (OPCOM) is running, restores to normal (that is, nonoperator) status the terminal at which the command is entered. The /DISABLE qualifier cannot be entered from a batch job. To restrict the types of messages displayed on an operator's terminal, specify one of the following keywords:
CARDS Inhibits messages sent to the card readers.
CENTRAL Inhibits messages sent to the central system operator.
CLUSTER Inhibits messages from the connection manager pertaining to cluster state changes.
DEVICES Inhibits messages pertaining to mounting disks.
DISKS Inhibits messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting disk volumes.
LICENSE Inhibits messages pertaining to software licenses.
NETWORK Inhibits messages pertaining to networks; the keyword CENTRAL must also be specified to inhibit network messages.
OPER1 to OPER12 Inhibits messages sent to operators identified as OPER1 to OPER12.
PRINTER Inhibits messages pertaining to print requests.
SECURITY Inhibits messages pertaining to security events; requires SECURITY privilege.
TAPES Inhibits messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting tape volumes.

When an operator logs out from a remote or a dial-in terminal, the operator terminal is automatically disabled.

/ENABLE[=(keyword[,...])]

Requires OPER (operator) privilege. Requires OPER and SECURITY privileges for security messages.

Designates as an operator's terminal the terminal at which the REPLY command is entered, if OPCOM is running. The /ENABLE qualifier cannot be entered from a batch job. To enable the following types of messages displayed on an operator's terminal, specify one of the following keywords:
CARDS Displays messages sent to the card readers.
CENTRAL Displays messages sent to the central system operator.
CLUSTER Displays messages from the connection manager pertaining to cluster state changes.
DEVICES Displays messages pertaining to mounting disks.
DISKS Displays messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting disk volumes.
LICENSE Displays messages pertaining to software licenses.
NETWORK Displays messages pertaining to networks; the keyword CENTRAL must also be specified to inhibit network messages.
OPER1 to OPER12 Displays messages sent to operators identified as OPER1 to OPER12.
PRINTER Displays messages pertaining to print requests.
SECURITY Allows messages pertaining to security events; requires SECURITY privilege.
TAPES Allows messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting tape volumes.

/INITIALIZE_TAPE=identification-number

Sends a message to the magnetic tape file system indicated by the identification number to initialize a magnetic tape volume. This qualifier can be used whenever the file system requests the mounting of a new volume. The system performs normal protection and expiration checks before initializing the volume. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal for TAPES.

If the tape drive cannot read the volume, the mount fails and an error message is returned. Use the /BLANK_TAPE qualifier to override the checking of information on a volume label.

/LOG

/NOLOG

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Closes the current operator's log file and opens a new one if OPCOM is running. The /NOLOG qualifier closes the current log file, but does not open a new log file. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal. The operator can then examine the contents of the previous log file.

/NODE[=(node-name[,...])]

Sends a message to the local cluster node only. The optional parameter list allows you to specify which nodes will receive the message. Default sends messages to all cluster nodes.

/NOTIFY (default)

/NONOTIFY

Sends a message describing success back to the originating terminal.

/PENDING=identification-number

Requires OPER privilege.

Sends a message to the user specified by the identification number and prevents the user from entering other commands until the operator fulfills or aborts the request. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal.

/SHUTDOWN

Sends a message beginning "SHUTDOWN..."; if used with the /BELL qualifier, rings three bells at terminals receiving the message.

/STATUS

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Reports the current operator status and all outstanding user requests for the terminal from which this command was entered. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal.

/TEMPORARY

Designates the terminal at which the command is entered to be an operator's terminal for the current interactive session only. This qualifier is meaningful only when used with the /ENABLE qualifier.

/TERMINAL=(terminal-name[,...])

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Broadcasts the message to specified terminals, where the terminal-name parameter is the device name of the terminal. Incompatible with the /ALL and /USERNAME qualifiers.

/TO=identification-number

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Sends a message to the user or file system specified by the identification number and completes the request. The current terminal must be enabled as an operator terminal.

Note that you can also use a variation of the REPLY/TO command in response to a MOUNT/ASSIST command where you redirect the mount operation to another device. Whenever you must substitute a device, load the user's volume on the alternate device and prepare the device for connection before entering the REPLY command. Use the following syntax:

REPLY/TO=identification-number "SUBSTITUTE device-name"

You can abbreviate the word SUBSTITUTE to S and can use uppercase or lowercase characters. After a space, use the remainder of the message-text space to name the substituted device.

/URGENT

Sends a message beginning "URGENT..."; if used with the /BELL qualifier, rings two bells at terminals receiving the message.

/USERNAME[=(username[,...])]

Requires OPER (operator) privilege.

Broadcasts a message to all terminals at which users are logged in to the system (or OpenVMS Cluster), or only to the terminals of the specified users. Incompatible with the /ALL and /TERMINAL qualifiers.

/WAIT

Sends a message synchronously and then waits. The default is to send a message to OPCOM, which does the actual I/O. On a cluster, the message is sent to the local node.

Examples

#1 

$ REPLY/ALL/BELL "SYSTEM GOING DOWN FOR BACK-UP. PLEASE LOG OFF."

The REPLY command in this example broadcasts a message to all terminals on the system. When the message appears at the user's terminal, it is prefixed with the terminal name, the user name of the sender, and (when DECnet-Plus or DECnet for OpenVMS is installed) the node name. The bell sounds at the terminal as the message is displayed.

#2 

$ REPLY/ENABLE=DISKS
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001, 10:17:09.02, operator enabled, operator OPA0
$
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:17:10.30, operator status for operator OPA0
DISKS

The REPLY/ENABLE command in this example designates the terminal OPA0 as an operator terminal that can receive messages pertaining to mounting and dismounting disks. The OPCOM message confirms that terminal OPA0 is established as an operator's terminal.

#3 

%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:19:33.21, request 5, from user SYSTEM
OPA0, Please mount OPGUIDE on DKA3:
$ REPLY/PENDING=5 "YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT... -
_$ THERE ARE SEVERAL REQUESTS BEFORE YOURS"
   .
   .
   .
$ REPLY/TO=5
24-DEC-2001 10:20:25.50, request 5 completed by operator OPA0

In this example the OPCOM message indicates that a user wants the operator to place the disk volume labeled OPGUIDE on the disk drive DKA3 and prepare the device for connection. The REPLY/PENDING command indicates that the operator can perform the task but not immediately; the /PENDING qualifier prevents the user from entering other commands until the operator fulfills or aborts the request. After mounting the disk on the drive the operator sends a message indicating that the request has been fulfilled. When no message is specified, OPCOM sends a standard message indicating that the task has been performed.

#4 

%%%%%%%%%%  OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:20:50.39  %%%%%%%%%%%
request 5 from user ROBINSON
Please mount volume GRAPHIC_FILES in device _DUA11:
Shelf 4 - slot B
$ REPLY/TO=5 "SUBSTITUTE  DUA4"

The REPLY/TO command with the SUBSTITUTE syntax in this example is used in response to a MOUNT/ASSIST command entered by user ROBINSON. The MOUNT device is switched to DUA4, and the logical name specified by the user in the MOUNT command is defined with an equivalence name of DUA4 rather than the drive originally specified.

#5 

$ REPLY/STATUS
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:20:50.39, operator status for operator OPA0
DISKS

The REPLY/STATUS command in this example requests that the operator terminal status for terminal OPA0 be displayed. The response from OPCOM indicates that terminal OPA0 is enabled to receive messages from disk devices.

#6 

$ REPLY/BELL/TERMINAL=TTC1: "YOUR FILE HAS COMPLETED PRINTING. BOB S."

The REPLY command in this example sends a message to the user logged in at terminal TTC1. When the message displays, a bell rings at that terminal.

#7 

$ REPLY/ENABLE
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:22:19.75, operator status for operator OPA0
CENTRAL, PRINTER, TAPES, DISKS, DEVICES, CARDS, NETWORK, CLUSTER,
LICENSE, OPER11, OPER12
 
   .
   .
   .
$ REPLY/DISABLE=(PRINTER, TAPES)
%OPCOM, 24-DEC-2001 10:22:26.07, operator disabled, operator OPA0

The REPLY/ENABLE command in this example designates terminal OPA0 to receive messages from all facilities. Later, the REPLY/DISABLE command selectively disables OPA0 from receiving messages pertaining to print devices and tapes.

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