System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual (32650-90892)

264
system configuration The process of tailoring the operating system to accommodate the
current physical layout and workload of a particular installation. The configuration is
typically modified when new terminals, another line printer, or a disk drive are added. The
system also can be reconfigured to assign new class names to existing devices, change the
size of system tables or virtual memory, modify system logging, or alter any other
configuration parameter.
system console 1) A workstation given a unique status by the operating system. It is
used by the operator to execute specific commands for the purpose of managing sessions,
jobs, and system resources. It is associated with all boot or system loader error messages,
system error messages, and certain system status messages. 2) The terminal, usually
logical device 20, that the system operator uses to monitor system activity, respond to
resource requests, and send messages to user's terminals. The console (and its associated
privileges and responsibilities) may be transferred to another logical device with the
CONSOLE command.
system control panel A panel on the computer, containing control switches and status
indicator lights.
system-defined files The files defined by MPE and made available to all users to indicate
standard input or output devices, special temporary files, and files opened for output that
do not perform an actual write operation.
system disk The disk volume mounted as logical device 1. It contains MPE, I/O
configuration information, the account structure and file directory, and utilities and
subsystems. It also contains an area reserved for virtual memory and can be used to store
user files.
system domain An MPE V/E configuration for disk drives. System domain disks contain
only shareable files, and remain online until the system is shut down. Because information
about all system domain disks is entered into the system volume table, a system domain
disk can be taken offline only by altering the I/O configuration during the SYSDUMP
dialog and coldloading the new configuration. Equivalent to MPE/iX system volume.
system failure An internally detected error from which recovery is not possible. Rather
than continue to operate, risking data integrity, the operating system halts the computer.
system file directory A directory maintained by MPE that records the name, group, and
account of each permanent file on the system. The directory contains the size of each file,
its location on the disk, who may access it, and other information.
system generator (SYSGEN) The MPE/iX utility used to create or modify system and I/O
configurations; add, remove, and replace program files and boot files; replace system
libraries; generate a full system backup; and create a boot tape to bring up an MPE/iX
system with the new configuration. Equivalent to MPE V/E SYSDUMP and INITIAL utilities.
system halt The condition following a system shutdown or system failure, indicated by no
response at the system console or to any user command.
system load tape A tape that contains the system load utilities, base system files, and