HP OpenVMS System Manager's Manual, Volume 2:... |
Managing Page, Swap, and Dump Files |
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Creating and Modifying Page, Swap, and Dump Files
The following sections explain how to perform this task:
| Method | For More Information |
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Using AUTOGEN
(recommended method)
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Using AUTOGEN (Recommended Method)
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Using SWAPFILES.COM
(for primary files only)
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Using SWAPFILES.COM
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Using SYSGEN
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Using SYSGEN
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Using AUTOGEN (Recommended Method) ![]()
You can direct AUTOGEN to create new system page, swap, and
dump files by adding symbols to MODPARAMS.DAT to specify the name,
location, and size of new files to be created and then running AUTOGEN.
Before performing this task, you should understand AUTOGEN and its
parameter file MODPARAMS.DAT. For more information about when to
use AUTOGEN, see
Understanding the AUTOGEN Command Procedure.
See
AUTOGEN Parameter File (MODPARAMS.DAT) for
information about MODPARAMS.DAT.
AUTOGEN automatically calculates appropriate sizes for system page, swap, and dump files. It also modifies the files to the appropriate sizes and installs them. You can control sizes calculated by AUTOGEN by defining symbols in the file MODPARAMS.DAT. For more information, see Controlling the Size of System Page, Swap, and Dump Files in MODPARAMS.DAT.
To change the sizes of system page, swap, and dump files, execute AUTOGEN in two passes as follows:
$@SYS$UPDATE:AUTOGEN SAVPARAMS TESTFILES
$@SYS$UPDATE:AUTOGEN GENPARAMS REBOOT
Controlling the Location of System Page,
Swap, and Dump Files ![]()
Add
the following symbols to MODPARAMS.DAT to specify the names and
locations of the page and swap files to be created:
| Definition | For Page Files | For Swap Files | For Dump Files |
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File name and location
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PAGEFILEn_NAME = "file-spec"
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SWAPFILEn_NAME = "file-spec"
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DUMPFILE_DEVICE = "device"
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where:
Controlling the Size of System Page, Swap,
and Dump Files in MODPARAMS.DAT ![]()
You can add information
to the AUTOGEN parameter file MODPARAMS.DAT to control the sizes
that AUTOGEN calculates for system page, swap, and dump files. If
you do not supply system file size information in MODPARAMS.DAT,
AUTOGEN performs default size calculations for page, swap, and dump
files.
You can define symbols in MODPARAMS.DAT to specify either of the following items:
| Size to Be Specified | For More Information |
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Total desired size for all page or swap files on a system
(not valid for the system dump files)
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Symbols for Controlling the Total Size of Page, Swap, System Dump, or Error Log Dump File Space
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Sizes for individual page, swap, or dump files
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Symbols for Controlling the Size of Individual Page and Swap Files
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| You cannot specify sizes for both total and individual files. AUTOGEN issues a warning if conflicting symbol definitions exist in MODPARAMS.DAT. |
On VAX systems, for system dump files, AUTOGEN manipulates the size of only one file: the system dump file on the system disk if no DUMPFILE_DEVICE is given, or the system dump file on the specified device if DUMPFILE_DEVICE is specified.
On VAX systems, AUTOGEN always creates a minimal SYSDUMP.DMP file on the system disk for error log buffers if DUMPFILE_DEVICE is specified.
On Alpha and I64 systems, AUTOGEN manipulates only the size of the error log dump file on the system disk.
If you do not want AUTOGEN to change the sizes of the primary files, specify the following symbols in MODPARAMS.DAT:
PAGEFILE = 0 SWAPFILE = 0 DUMPFILE = 0 ERRORLOGDUMP = 0 ! Alpha and I64These symbols direct AUTOGEN to ignore the primary page, swap, and dump files when calculating sizes.
If the creation or extension of a system page, swap, or dump file would cause the target disk to become more than 95 percent full, AUTOGEN issues a warning and does not perform the operation.
On Alpha and I64 systems, however, the 95 percent rule does not apply to the error log dump file, SYS$ERRLOG.DMP. This file is created if the disk can hold it.
You can use AUTOGEN to create a page, swap, or dump file that is smaller than the current version of the file. After you have booted and begun using the new file, remember to use the DCL command PURGE to reclaim the disk space from the old version of the file.
To determine the current sizes of installed page and swap files, enter the DCL command SHOW MEMORY/FILES. If you increased the size of any of these files and have not rebooted, this command displays the original sizes. Use the DIRECTORY command to determine the size of dump files.
| AUTOGEN does not change file sizes if you specify a value of 0 or a value that is within 10 percent of the current size. |
| Operation | Page File Symbol | Swap File Symbol | Dump File Symbol | Error Log File Symbol |
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To define the
total amount of space
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PAGEFILE = n1
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SWAPFILE = n
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DUMPFILE = n
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ERRORLOGDUMP = n
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To increase total
size
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ADD_PAGEFILE = n
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ADD_SWAPFILE = n
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ADD_DUMPFILE = n
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ADD_ERRORLOGDUMP = n
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To specify maximum total
size
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MAX_PAGEFILE = n
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MAX_SWAPFILE = n
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MAX_DUMPFILE = n
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MAX_ERRORLOGDUMP = n
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To specify minimum total
size
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MIN_PAGEFILE = n
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MIN_SWAPFILE = n
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MIN_DUMPFILE = n
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MIN_ERRORLOGDUMP = n
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Symbols for Controlling the Size of Individual Page and Swap Files lists the symbols you can define in MODPARAMS.DAT to control the size of individual files.
| Operation | Page File Symbol2 | Swap File Symbol |
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To specify
file size
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PAGEFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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SWAPFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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To increase
file size
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ADD_PAGEFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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ADD_SWAPFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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To specify
maximum file size
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MAX_PAGEFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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MAX_SWAPFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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To specify minimum file size
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MIN_PAGEFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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MIN_SWAPFILEn_SIZE = block-size
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PAGEFILE = 100000If you had only a primary page file, the resulting size of that file would be 100,000 blocks. If you had multiple page files, the difference between the total current size and the total new size would be spread across secondary files. For example, if you specified PAGEFILE = 100000, the changed page file sizes would be as follows:
| File | Original Size (in Blocks) | Resulting Size (in Blocks) |
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Primary page
file
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10,000
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10,000
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Secondary page
file 1
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30,000
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45,000
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Secondary page file 2
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30,000
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45,000
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PAGEFILE1_SIZE = 10000
SWAPFILE2_NAME = "PAGED$:[PAGESWAP]SWAPFILE.SYS" MIN_SWAPFILE2_SIZE = 30000
Using SWAPFILES.COM ![]()
HP recommends that you use AUTOGEN to change sizes
of system page, swap, and dump files. However, you can use the command
procedure SYS$UPDATE:SWAPFILES.COM to change the size of primary system page, swap, and dump files. SWAPFILES.COM
shows you the current size of the system page, swap, and dump files
before you change the sizes.
If you change the sizes of system page, swap, or dump files, you must edit MODPARAMS.DAT to specify the new sizes, as explained in Controlling the Size of System Page, Swap, and Dump Files in MODPARAMS.DAT. If you do not specify the new sizes in MODPARAMS.DAT, AUTOGEN resizes the files next time it runs.
The procedure displays the sizes of the current system page, swap, and dump files in SYS$SYSTEM, and the amount of space remaining on the system disk. It then allows you to enter new sizes, or keep the existing sizes for these files. If you specify a size that is larger than that of an existing file, the procedure automatically extends the size of a page or dump file. If you specify a smaller size for a system page, swap, or dump file, a new version of the file is created.
The system displays the current files found in SYS$SYSTEM and their sizes. For example:$@SYS$UPDATE:SWAPFILES.COM
Current file sizes are: Directory SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE] PAGEFILE.SYS;1 16384 SYSDUMP.DMP;1 4128 SWAPFILE.SYS;1 3072 Total of 3 files, 23584 blocks. There are 128741 available blocks on SYS$SYSDEVICE.
Enter new size for page file:
Enter new size for system dump file:
Enter new size for swap file:
$@SYS$UPDATE:SWAPFILES.COMTo leave a file size at its current value type a carriage return in response to its size prompt. Current file sizes are: Directory SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE] PAGEFILE.SYS;1 100000 SYSDUMP.DMP;1 28000 SWAPFILE.SYS;1 33000 Total of 3 files, 161000 blocks. There are 128741 available blocks on SYS$SYSDEVICE. Enter new size for page file:[Return]Enter new size for system dump file:30000%SYSGEN-I-EXTENDED, SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE]SYSDUMP.DMP;1 extendedEnter new size for swap file:[Return]*********************************************************************** * Please reboot in order for the new files to be used by the system. * * After rebooting, purge obsolete copies of the files. * * DO NOT delete the old files until after the reboot. * ***********************************************************************
Using SYSGEN ![]()
HP recommends that you use AUTOGEN to create and change
page, swap, and dump files. AUTOGEN invokes the System Generation
utility (SYSGEN) to create or change the files. However, in an
emergency, you can use SYSGEN to directly change the size of page,
swap and dump files. For example, if you see that page file space
is becoming dangerously low, you might use SYSGEN to quickly add
page file space to prevent the system from hanging.
| VAX: The system parameters SWPFILCNT and PAGFILCNT limit the number of swap and page files that the system installs. Refer to the HP OpenVMS System Management Utilities Reference Manual for more information. Alpha and I64: |
For more information about the SYSGEN command CREATE, refer to the SYSGEN section in the HP OpenVMS System Management Utilities Reference Manual: M--Z.SYSGEN>CREATE PAGEFILE.SYS/SIZE=100000
| Frequent file creation and deletion can cause the free
space on a disk to become severely fragmented. SYSGEN issues a HEADERFULL
warning message if it determines that the creation or extension
of a system file would cause that file to become fragmented enough
to render the system unbootable. If this occurs, HP recommends
that you back up and restore your system disk to consolidate the
free space on the volume into one contiguous area. For more information,
see the HP OpenVMS System Manager's Manual, Volume 1: Essentials. After you restore the disk, retry the SYSGEN operation. When SYSGEN issues a warning message, the file might be somewhat larger, but not as large as the value specified in the CREATE command. |
| Type | Change | Reboot Required? |
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Primary page,
swap, system dump, or error log dump file.3
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New file
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Yes
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Extended file
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Yes
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Secondary page
or swap file
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New file
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No4
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Extended file
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Yes
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Alternate (DOSD)
dump file (Alpha and I64)
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New file
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No
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Extended file
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No
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Alternate (DOSD)
dump file (VAX)
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New file
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Yes
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Extended file
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Yes
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The commands in the following example extend the existing files PAGEFILE.SYS, SWAPFILE.SYS, and SYSDUMP.DMP to the specified sizes:
$RUN SYS$SYSTEM:SYSGENSYSGEN>CREATE PAGEFILE.SYS/SIZE=100000%SYSGEN-I-EXTENDED, SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE]PAGEFILE.SYS;1 extendedSYSGEN>CREATE SWAPFILE.SYS/SIZE=30000%SYSGEN-I-EXTENDED, SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE]SWAPFILE.SYS;1 extendedSYSGEN>CREATE SYSDUMP.DMP/SIZE=33000%SYSGEN-I-EXTENDED, SYS$SYSROOT:[SYSEXE]SYSDUMP.DMP;1 extendedSYSGEN>EXIT
1 n is the total size, in blocks. If n is 0, the corresponding AUTOGEN section is skipped. For page and swap files, if n is not 0 and no secondary files exist, AUTOGEN applies the value to primary files. If n is not 0, and secondary files exist, AUTOGEN applies any change evenly across all secondary page or swap files but, in most cases, does not change primary files. For dump files, if n is not 0, AUTOGEN applies the value to the dump file on the system disk if no DUMPFILE_DEVICE is given or the dump file on the specified device if a DUMPFILE_DEVICE is given.
2 For n, specify an integer that indicates the page or swap file. Refer to the primary page and swap files by specifying a value of 1 for n; refer to subsequent files by specifying increasingly higher integer values for n. For example, to refer to a secondary page or swap file, specify a value of 2 for n. For block-size, specify the size in blocks.
3 Primary page, swap, and dump files are SYS$SPECIFIC:[SYSEXE]PAGEFILE.SYS, SWAPFILE.SYS, SYSDUMP.DMP; and SYS$ERRLOG.DMP.
4 Although rebooting the system is unnecessary, you must install secondary files before the system can use them. For more information, see Installing Page and Swap Files.
( Number takes you back )
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