HP OpenVMS Systems

Results of Failure of Pagefile Disk?

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The Question is:

 
We typically configure OpenVms system with as much redundancy as possible,
this means shadowed disks,  It hasn't been a general practice to shadow
devices set aside for pagefiles.  We typically sell configurations with
large amounts of memory, and typical
ly storageworks devices, which are all shadowed (host based shadowing).  We
usually place an additional disk internal along with the one disk that
typically comes with the pre-loaded operating system to be used for paging
space as well, relocating the ope
rating system disk external on an HSJ.  My question,  Can one achieve any
additional redundancy by shadowing pagefile devices?  What are the
advantages and disadvantages of doing so?  I am under the impression that
since we typically have several pagefile
s, small one on the OS disk and one on each internal disk, losing a disk
with a single pagefile will cause little disruption.  your thoughts and
comments welcome.
 
 

The Answer is :

 
  A failure of a disk containing a key pagefile will bring OpenVMS or the
  application to a halt, and unrecoverable disk errors in the blocks under
  a pagefile have been known to crash OpenVMS and/or applications.
 

  

     

     
answer written or last revised on ( 28-JUN-1999 )
     
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