System Startup, Configuration, and Shutdown Reference Manual (32650-90907)

Chapter 1

Introduction

What Is System Configuration?

System configuration is the means by which you define, in terms meaningful to the operating system, any

or all of the peripheral devices attached to the computer for the input (entering) or output (storing or

displaying) of data. Such devices include terminals, printers, disk drives, and tape drives.

System configuration also includes the definition or modification of system parameters other than the

input/output (I/O) device configuration. These parameters include system tables, the message catalog, user

logging processes, system logging events, and other system resources.

How System Configuration Is Performed

System configuration and generation procedures are administered and controlled through the system

generator (SYSGEN) utility.

SYSGEN is a program that enables a user with system manager (SM) capability to view, create, modify, and

save system I/O configuration data. (A user with system supervisor (OP) capability may only view I/O

configuration data.) In addition, the system manager can add, remove, and replace system boot files and

system libraries by creating a system load tape (SLT).

The system stores configuration data in groups and allows for multiple groups to reside on disk. SYSGEN

builds on an existing configuration group to change that configuration or to create a new configuration. The

new configuration data can be stored on disk or tape. This SLT tape can then be used to install an entirely

new copy of the operating system or to update an existing copy.

NOTE SYSGEN does not support configuring terminals into the system. For information on terminal

configuration, refer to the HP e3000/iX Network Planning and Configuration Guide.