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

Glossary
terminal type
Glossary
247
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 user files. It is
generated with the SYSGEN utility. Equivalent to the
MPE V/E coldload tape.
system logging The facility that records details of
system resource requests in a series of log files on
disk. The system manager or operator can select
which system events to record such as job or session
initiation or termination, program termination, file
closing, file spooling completion, and system
shutdown. I/O device failures are recorded in the
system log and are used to detect problems before
they interfere with overall system operation.
system manager The person who manages the
computer installation, is responsible for creating
accounts, and assigns capabilities and resource
limits.
system manager capability (SM capability) A
capability assigned to the user name and account to
which the person designated as system manager logs
on. The system manager is responsible for the
structure, security, and overall operation of the
system by establishing accounts and assigning
capabilities and resource-use limits to each. The
system manager assigns account manager and
system supervisor capabilities to specific users.
system processor unit (SPU) The box in which all
the processor boards and cards reside.
system startup A method of loading the MPE
operating system from either disk or tape by
bringing a subset of the MPE initiator program into
memory.
system supervisor capability (OP capability) A
capability assigned by the system manager to the
system supervisor’s user name and account. The
system supervisor is responsible for performing
backups, altering the system configuration, and in
general, tuning the computer so that it continues to
perform well and meet the needs of users.
system volume An MPE/iX system volume set. It
contains a bootable system image and system
configuration on its master volume. It is the only
volume needed to load and start the system. It is
always mounted and named
MPEXL_SYSTEM_VOLUME_SET.
temporary file A file that exists only for the
duration of a session or job.
terminal A hardware device connected to a
computer and used for entering and receiving data.
A terminal consists of a keyboard and a display
screen.
terminal type Hewlett-Packard’s classification for
terminal models and their capabilities.