Disk management of the VAX/VMS disk subsystem

The disk storage subsystem on a VAX/VMS system plays an Important role in overall system performance. All VMS systems, from MicroVaxes to 8800s, depend on disk media to provide accessibility to the users' data. Since all computers are truly information processors, the disk storage subsystem in a modern computing environment can be very costly if it is not properly managed. Disk management is therefore a proper concern for all system managers, however, it is all to often a tedious, time-consuming management task.

Efficient disk management requires that a disk's major characteristics be monitored and made readily available to the disk system manager. Currently, many VMS utilities must be used to gather this important information. It is the goal of the author to provide a single source utility to simplify the burden associated with disk management. If disk system management is sufficiently understood and its limitations are known, proper disk system management can be a very interesting and rewarding pursuit.