HP OpenVMS Systems

Supporting Customer from Windows NT?

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The Question is:

 
I have a customer that runs OpenVMS and has sent a set of a backup tapes for a
 large (>100GB) set of files.  I run in a WinNT environment and need to know if
 there is a conversion utility available that would allow me to read these
 tapes.  If not, where c
an I find documentation on the file format for a DCL backup file to begin
 writing my own?
 
TIA.
 

The Answer is :

 
  It would appear it is time for you to acquire an OpenVMS System, otherwise
  you will be forever chasing minor incompatibilities and differences that
  exist between your platform and your customer's OpenVMS platform.
 
  Alternatively, have your customer recreate the tapes using a mechanism that
  your tools and your platform can read -- unfortunately, the formats available
  for this data interchange are rather limited.  (OpenVMS can read and write
  FAT-format media, as well as ANSI tapes, and a variety of other formats.)
  Alternatively, a service bureau can often provide the file translations.
 
  The OpenVMS Wizard has heard of tools for reading OpenVMS-format BACKUP
  tapes on your particular platform, but the OpenVMS Wizard is not
  particularly aware of the locations or specific names of such tools.
 
  Once you have unpacked the saveset, there can (and regularly are)
  differences in file structures of the files -- even with sequential
  text files.  Your platform does not offer an RMS-like component, meaning
  that the more complex RMS file formats will not be easily accessable to you
  even once you have unpacked the BACKUP saveset.
 

  

     

     
answer written or last revised on ( 27-FEB-2001 )
     
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