Volume 01, Number 01

Greetings!

Welcome to the first FisherFindings newsletter. I publish this newsletter monthly. It briefly reviews findings published in the FisherFindings blog. As you can see from the tagline, the FisherFindings blog presents Lessons Learned (that is, findings) about OpenVMS storage issues.

If you would rather not receive this newsletter you can click on this Unsubscribe Link or just create a new email message with the subject of “Unsubscribe” (without quotes) and send it to efindings@fisherfindings.com. Of course, you can always send me an email at jbf@fisherfindings.com.

In addition to the FisherFindings blog, you might also want to review the FisherNotebook blog It is my research blog. As I work issues and research information, I will post items of interest into this blog. Out of that information I develop findings in the FisherFindings blog.

Please be aware I publish both these blogs as an educational resource for the OpenVMS community. These blogs reflect my own opinions and work with OpenVMS storage, which incorporates almost 30 years of experience. Neither blog reflects the views or opinions of my employer, Hewlett-Packard. Further, neither blog is a support resource. If you face a problem with your OpenVMS storage, work with your normal HP or HP partner support resources. Oh, if you find something in these blogs which appears to contradict your HP support resources, remember I simplify explanations to help make a point. Your situation may differ significantly, so the blog information may not apply to your case.

Each FisherFindings newsletter includes recent information grouped into the following three key sections:

• Published Findings
• Planned Findings

So, I hope you enjoy this resource! Below you will find the first set of findings. Nothing fancy, but hopefully it will find it informative.

Published Findings

The following are key issues, which you will probably see as articles in the FisherFindings blog.

Safe Data Storage

(Click here to read more about Safe Data Storage).

Sometimes you need to guarantee data is properly erased. For a long time, OpenVMS provided tools to help guarantee the erasure of data on an OpenVMS volume. Yet, as control OpenVMS volume data moved from OpenVMS to SAN storage controllers, data erasure takes on additional complexity. It can be better. For example, the XP Disk Arrays allows the erasure of data to occur entirely within the array.

Oh, I also found a YouTube video which shows exactly what I’ve wanted to do to more than one disk!

HP Disaster Proof Video

(Click here to read more about the HP Disaster Proof Video).

Many if not most of you saw the HP Disaster Proof Video. This review shows how the FisherFindings blog will present research information. It also helps set the stage for upcoming findings about Extended SANs.

Previous Presentations

(Click here to read more about the Previous Presentations).

Most of you know I present OpenVMS storage training at various venues, such as at HP Technology Forum. To make this more accessible, I offer those presentations via the FisherFindings blog.

Planned Findings

After setting the stage with the HP Disaster Proof Video, I will publish four articles about OpenVMS and Extended SANs.

Perhaps you thought that volume and file fragmentation was a thing of the past, especially with the virtualization of data across multiple spindles on a SAN storage controller. Unfortunately, volume and file fragementation continues to adversely impact performance of OpenVMS systems. So, expect to see a series of blog entries which present the issues and help you better understand how to better mange your OpenVMS storage.

Until next time, keep those OpenVMS volumes spinning!

Regards,
=jbf=

John B. Fisher

P.S. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click on this Unsubscribe Link or create a new email message with the subject of “Unsubscribe” (without quotes) and send it to efindings@fisherfindings.com. Of course, you can always send me an email at jbf@fisherfindings.com