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IRIX 6.5.18
Software Enhancements delivered by the IRIX 6.5.18 Feature Stream
Filesystems
- CXFS Manager GUI adds XVM GUI functionality The CXFS Manager graphical user interface (GUI) has been enhanced to contain all of the XVM GUI functionality. Using the CXFS GUI in IRIX 6.5.18f or later release, you can view and configure CXFS filesystems as well as use drag-and-drop to structure volume topologies and administer XVM disks. Command buttons provide shortcuts to some tasks.
- XVM snapshot feature The XVM snapshot feature provides the ability to create virtual point-in-time images of a filesystem without causing a service interruption. The snapshot feature requires a minimal amount of storage because it uses a copy-on-write mechanism that copies only the data areas that change after the snapshot is created. The XVM snapshot feature is supported in the CXFS XVM GUIs. Use of the XVM snapshot features requires a FLEXlm license.
- XVM Volume Manager GUI as a standalone product In an environment without cluster services enabled, you can set up and administer logical volumes with the XVM Manager GUI as a standalone product.
- CXFS Supports IRIX Client-Only Nodes As of 6.5.18f, IRIX nodes may now be CXFS client-only nodes, meaning that they run a minimal implementation of the CXFS and cluster services, and do not contain a copy of the CXFS cluster database. Client-only nodes are installed with the cxfs_client software product.
- CXFS relocation disabled; CXFS recovery supported on standby nodes In 6.5.18f, CXFS relocation is disabled by default and CXFS recovery is supported only when using standby nodes. This includes recovery (when using standby nodes) of hierarchical storage management (HSM) products using the data management application programming interface (DMAPI).
- CXFS upgrade: filesystem definitions The structure of the CXFS filesystem configuration was changed with the release of IRIX 6.5.13f. Backward compatibility with earlier versions is no longer maintained as of IRIX 6.5.14f, since all nodes in the cluster must be running the same or adjacent releases.
- If you are upgrading from IRIX 6.5.13f to 6.5.14f or later, there is no further impact. If you are upgrading from 6.5.12f or earlier, you must perform a one-time manual conversion of your CXFS filesystem definitions.
CXFS upgrade: cluster nodes For CXFS customers, if you install IRIX 6.5.18f including sysadm_base on a cluster node where the 6.5.13f or earlier version of CXFS is installed, you will need to upgrade to the 6.5.18f version CXFS (sysadm_cxfs) and install 6.5.18f sysadm_cluster.
IRIX 6.5.18 Maintenance and Feature Stream:
Filesystems
- Support added for UDF filesystems The IRIX 6.5.18 release includes read-only support for the UDF filesystems format typically used for DVDs and packet-written CD-RWs. IRIX support for UDF filesystems does not, however, include support for playing DVD movies. DVDs will be automatically mounted by mediad in the same way that CD-ROMs are automatically mounted.
Device Drivers
QLFC enhanced driver messages QLFC has been enhanced to improve its output message format for messages logged to the console and SYSLOG. Hardware Inventory Command New hinv command support The hinv command with the -v option displays the PCI/PCI-X bus speed of QLogic fibrechannel adapters. The hinv -t scsictlr command displays the SCSI/fibrechannel adapters.
Real-Time
Processor timer load management Beginning with IRIX 6.5.18, a user is able to keep the interrupt and processing load generated by interval timers away from specific CPUs. This feature may reduce latency and jitter for real-time applications.
Resource Administration
Job limits support clarified Job limit values (rlim_t) are 64-bit in both n32 and n64 binaries. Consequently, n32 binaries can set 64-bit limits. o32 binaries cannot set 64-bit limits because rlim_t is 32-bits in o32 binaries. IRIX supports three Application Binary Interfaces (ABIs): o32, n64, and n32.
Checkpoint and Restart
Enhancements to atcheckpoint() and atrestart() At checkpoint time and at restart time, registered functions are called in the same order as the first-in-first-out order of their registration with atcheckpoint() or atrestart(), respectively. This is an important consideration for applications that need to register multiple callback handlers for checkpoint or restart events.
Graphic Workstations
New Falls screen saver The Falls screen saver is a new choice that can be selected from the IRIX screen saver control panel. It is an OpenGL depiction of a waterfall.