Modes Of System Operation - Digital Equipment DEC 3000 500X AXP Owner's Manual

Modes of System Operation

Two Modes of Your DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP can run in either of two modes:
Operation
1. Console mode
2. Program mode
Console Mode: In console mode, the system operates under the control of the
Definition console subsystem, rather than the operating system. All user
input is passed directly to the console.
Console mode is in effect when the system is turned on and the
operating system software has not been started, or has been
interrupted, by pressing the halt button, for example.
Program Mode: In program mode, the system and console are under control of
Definition the operating system. All user input is passed to the operating
system. You cannot issue console commands without returning
to console mode.
Program mode is in effect when the system is turned on and
the operating system software has started. In program mode,
the user can manage the system, run software applications, and
perform network tasks.
By definition, you will interact directly with the console
When Console
Mode is Used subsystem under the following circumstances:
•
•
•
•
Before booting the operating system software
While setting environment variables (see Chapter 9 )
When using the Firmware Update Utility (see the DEC
3000 and DEC 4000 AXP Firmware Release Notes for more
information)
When trying to identify and resolve system problems or
errors (see Chapter 12 )
Modes of System Operation
Using Console Commands 8–3