Technical data

Using OpenVMS System Management Utilities and Tools
2.4 Using OPCOM to Communicate with System Users
2.4.2 Starting OPCOM
The OPCOM process starts automatically during system startup, unless it is
disabled. You might need to start OPCOM interactively if a software problem
causes the process to fail and prevents OPCOM from restarting automatically.
To start OPCOM, enter the following command from the system manager’s
account (SYSTEM):
$ @SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP OPCOM
If a software problem causes OPCOM to fail, contact your Compaq
support representative. Be sure to keep the process dump file named
SYS$SYSTEM:OPCOM.DMP. (When OPCOM fails, it creates this file.)
2.4.3 Sending Messages to Users
To broadcast a message to users, enter the DCL command REPLY as follows:
REPLY [/qualifier...] ["message-text"]
For example:
$ REPLY/ALL/BELL "Please log off"
Use the following qualifiers to control OPCOM messages:
Qualifier Description
/ALL 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.
/BELL Rings a bell at the terminal receiving a
message when entered with the /ALL,
/TERMINAL, or /USERNAME qualifier;
two bells when entered with the /URGENT
qualifier; and three bells when entered with
the /SHUTDOWN qualifier.
/NODE[=(node-name[,...]) Broadcasts a message to the local cluster node
only, or to a node or nodes you specify.
/SHUTDOWN Sends a message beginning ‘‘SHUTDOWN...’’;
if used with the /BELL qualifier, rings three
bells at terminals receiving the message.
/TERMINAL=(terminal-name[,..]) Broadcasts the message to the specified
terminals.
/URGENT Broadcasts a message beginning ‘‘URGENT...’’;
if used with the /BELL qualifier, rings two
bells at terminals receiving the message.
/USERNAME=(username[,...]) Broadcasts a message to all terminals at
which users are logged in to the system
(or cluster), or only to the terminals of the
specified users.
For more information, refer to the OpenVMS DCL Dictionary.
Using OpenVMS System Management Utilities and Tools 2–23