3 Installing the OpenVMS Operating System
This chapter explains how to install the OpenVMS Alpha and Integrity servers operating systems.
It includes sample output similar to what you might see during an installation and explains how
to respond to the prompts.
If you purchased a system with the operating system preinstalled, then most of the information
in this chapter does not apply. The first time you power up your preinstalled system, you are
prompted to enter only the information necessary to customize your installation. See the
documentation provided with your system.
This chapter includes the procedures for booting the OpenVMS operating system CD/DVD. The
boot procedures differ significantly between Alpha and Itanium-based systems. For additional
information about booting Alpha systems, see Appendix A (page 167). Information about setting
up and booting Itanium-based systems is located in Appendix B (page 187).If you are installing
OpenVMS for the first time, see the appropriate appendix.
Once the system CD/DVD is booted, the procedures for installing OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS
Integrity servers are very similar.
NOTE: Before you install the OpenVMS operating system, ensure that the correct version of
firmware is running in your computer. For information about Alpha system firmware, see
Section 1.3.5 (page 26). For Integrity servers system firmware, see Section 1.3.6 (page 26).
This chapter is organized into sections and steps that describe the major tasks for installing
OpenVMS, in the order in which these tasks must be performed. Section 3.1 (page 45) includes
a checklist that you can use to make sure you perform all the installation tasks described in this
chapter.
3.1 Installation Tasks
Use the checklist in Table 3-1 to ensure that you perform all necessary installation tasks.
Table 3-1 Installation Checklist
SectionTask
Section 3.2 (page 45)Boot the OpenVMS operating system media.□
Section 3.4 (page 53)Install the OpenVMS operating system onto a system disk.□
Section 3.5 (page 76)Boot the OpenVMS system disk.□
Section 3.6 (page 78)Join the OpenVMS Cluster (optional).□
Section 3.7 (page 80)Run AUTOGEN.□
Section 3.8 (page 80)Reboot the operating system after AUTOGEN completes (this
should occur automatically).
□
Section 3.9 (page 81)Log in to the SYSTEM account.□
Chapter 7 (page 125)Perform postinstallation tasks, as necessary.□
3.2 Booting the OpenVMS Operating System Media
The OpenVMS Version 8.4 operating system includes procedures and tools (such as the PCSI
utility) that enable you to install the operating system easily. These tools are available once you
boot the system properly. First, you must boot the OpenVMS Alpha CD or the OpenVMS Integrity
servers OE DVD. To boot the OpenVMS Alpha system CD, see Section 3.2.1 (page 46). To boot
the OpenVMS Integrity servers OE DVD, see Section 3.2.2 (page 48).
3.1 Installation Tasks 45
