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Ext File Specs, Overview, Considerations, Mixed-Version Support

 *Conan The Librarian

    Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 (and later) systems can
    take advantage of Extended File Specifications capabilities. In
    contrast, systems running prior versions of OpenVMS cannot mount
    ODS-5 volumes, correctly handle extended file names, or even see
    extended file names.

    The following topics describe support on OpenVMS Version 7.2
    (and later) and on prior versions of OpenVMS in a mixed-version
    cluster.

    Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 (and later) Systems

    Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 and later systems can continue
    to access pre-Version 7.2 files and directories; for example,
    they can do all of the following:

    o  Create and access deep directory structures on ODS-2 volumes.

    o  Read a BACKUP saveset created on an earlier version of
       OpenVMS.

    o  Use DECnet to copy a file with an ODS-5 name to a file with an
       ODS-2 name on a system running an earlier version of OpenVMS.

    Users on pre-Version 7.2 Systems

    On mixed-version clusters, some restrictions exist. Users on a
    version of OpenVMS prior to Version 7.2:

    o  Cannot access any files on an ODS-5 volume. This is true
       regardless of whether the volume is connected physically on
       a CI or SCSI bus, or by an MSCP or QIO server.

    o  Cannot successfully create or restore an ODS-5 image saveset.
       However, these users can successfully restore ODS-2-compliant
       file names from an ODS-5 saveset.
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