The VMS operating system is an operating system specifically designed to run on the VAX and Alpha minicomputers and workstations manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). VMS stands for Virtual Memory System, and the official name of this operating system (OS) is now OpenVMS, though many people still use the original name. It is a system that runs a multi-user network in a highly reliable and efficient manner. Though DEC has decided to discontinue the original computers built to run VMS, banks and hospitals and other institutions that need reliable computer networks with little or no downtime still rely on VMS.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) currently maintains VMS. It acquired the OS after merging with Compaq, which bought DEC. VMS features and benefits include:

1. The design, which works in conjunction with the VAX and Alpha computers it runs on, so the hardware and software are meant to work well together;

2. The clustering method of the system availability that distributes the VMS OS over several physical machines makes it able to withstand partial outages without downtime;

3. And its reliability and security.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get VMS training for yourself or your IT staff

VMS documentation and tutorials are online, available for reference and to help you learn VMS. If you need more intensive training, online distance learning, classes and on-site instruction are also available.

I recommend: Attend open enrollment VMS training or arrange for on-site training from the PARSEC Group. Enroll in online distance learning VMS training classes at CCSS. You can also learn VMS from Phil's VMS Tutorial.

Find help from VMS consulting firms

A qualified VMS technician can help you with any software, network and hardware problems you experience trying to keep your network up and running. They may also be able to help you if you are phasing out your aging VMS network and need to migrate your data to a newer system.

I recommend: Enlist the services of VMS IT Consulting for software installation, upgrades, networking and other services. Obtain a list of those who provide VMS consulting services from Island Computers.

Download VMS software online

Much of the software available for VMS is freeware. You can find VMS software online at HP, which maintains VMS on its website. VMS has a hobbyist following, so VMS hobbyist websites have software and VMS information, as well.

I recommend: Download free VMS software from HP OpenVMS Systems. Find open list versions, summaries and information at OSdata.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are located in an area affected by Daylight Savings Time, you may need a VMS patch that adjusts for the recent changes in when Daylight Savings Time starts and ends. You can download these patches at the HP IT Resource Center online.