Environment Variables

VariableDescription
auto_actionSets the console action following an error, halt, or power-up. The action can be halt, boot, or restart. Halt is the default.
bootdef_devSets the default device or device list from which the system will attempt to boot. If the system shipped with its software installed, the variable is pre-set to point to the device containing the software. Otherwise, the default value is null.
boot_fileSets the file name to be used when a bootstrap requires a filename. The default setting is null.
boot_osflagsSets additional parameters to be passed to system software. The default setting is 0,0.
OpenVMS boot flags.
DIGITAL UNIX boot flags.
bus_probe_algorithmThis variable is used to determine the method used to size the PCI bus. The values are old (for OpenVMS) or new (for DIGITAL UNIX). The default is new.
consoleThis variable routes the console output to either the graphics controller or the serial line port.
control_disfdWhen set to enable, this variable write protects the floppy diskette drive. When set to disable, writes are enabled.
control_irq11This variable controls the source of IRQ11. When set to irq11, the interrupt is from an ISA IRQ11 device. When set to scsi, the SCSI controller is the source.
control_irq12This variable controls the source of IRQ12. When set to irq12, the interrupt is from an ISA IRQ12 device. When set to mouse, the mouse controller is the source.
control_scsi_termUnused in the au-Series system.
control_idemaWhen set to enable, IDE devices are allowed to make requests. When set to disable, IDE device requests are blocked. The IDE is not supported by the DIGITAL UNIX operating system.
ewa0_inet_initUsed when booting over a TCP/IP network. The value is normally BOOTP.
ewa0_modeThis variable is set to the appropriate Ethernet media type being used by the system. The possible values are:
Twisted-Pair
Full Duplex,Twisted-Pair
AUI (Default)
BNC
Fast (for FAST Ethernet controllers)
FastFD (for FAST Ethernet controllers that support full duplex)
ewa0_protocolsThe possible values are BOOTP and MOP. The default is MOP.
kbd_hardware_typeThis variable specifies the keyboard type, LK411 or PCXAL. The default is PCXAL.
languageThe language environment variable associates a language to the system. You can have the system prompt you for the language using the following command: >>>set language 0 and then >>>init. Select the desired language. Type >>>init again, then power cycle the system.
os_typeSet to the operating system (OS) running on the system. The possible values are OSF, UNIX, OpenVMS, VMS, and NT.
pci_parityThe pci_parity variable controls PCI parity checking at the PCI bridge chip. The new value becomes effective after an init or power cycle. Possible values are:
On - parity checking is performed
Off - parity checking is disabled
Sniff - parity checking will be on for SCSI controllers (NCR53C810), if present at rev 2. Otherwise, parity checking is off.
pkao_fastA value of 0 sets the SCSI mode to slow (5 Mbps); a value of 1 sets the SCSI mode to fast (10 Mbps). DIGITAL UNIX operating system users also must edit the configuration file and rebuild the kernel.


DIGITALl UNIX Boot Flags

The DIGITAL UNIX boot flags can be stored in the boot_osflags variable or typed in along with the boot command. The possible DIGITAL UNIX boot flags are:

FlagDescription
aLoad OS from the specified boot device. Boot to multiuser mode.
iPrompt for the name of a file to load and other options (Boot interactively). Boot to single user mode.
sStop in single user mode. Boot /vmunix to single user mode and stop at the # (root) prompt.
DFull dump, implies "s" as well.


OpenVMS Boot Flags

The OpenVMS boot flags consist of two portions separated by a comma: root , bootflag. The value may be stored in the boot_osflags variable or typed in when booting. The default value is 0,0. The left half specifies the directory to boot from (0 = [SYS0], 1 = [SYS1] and so forth). The right half can be used to enable specific functions during booting as shown below:

ValueBitDescription
10Conversational boot (SYSBOOT>).
21Maps XDELTA to a running system.
42Stops at the initial system breakpoint.
83Performs a diagnostic bootstrap.
104Stops at the bootstrap breakpoints.
205Omits header from secondary boot image.
807Prompts for the name of the secondary bootfile.
1008Halts the system before secondary bootstrap.
200013Marks corrected read data error pages as bad.
1000016Displays extensive debug messages during booting.
2000017Displays selected user messages during booting.