1  Please_Read_Me

  Please read the following topics to gain an understanding of:

  - how to use this help utility,

  - the organization of topics within this help utility,

  - how manageable components of the network are organized in a
    logical hierarchy (the entity hierarchy), and

  - how that entity hierarchy is used as a framework for
    network management using NCL, the Network Command Language.


2 Using_NCL_Help

  To access online NCL help, type help at the ncl> prompt.

  Type the name of the command or topic for which you need help.

  When selecting help topics, you may abbreviate help topic names,
  provided that the abbreviation uniquely identifies the help topic.

  Type a question mark (?) to obtain a list of available topics.

  For OpenVMS, press Return at the "Topic:" prompt to go up a level
  in the hierarchy, and to exit help. You can also exit NCL help by
  pressing Ctrl/Z in response to any prompt.

  For DEC OSF/1, press Ctrl-D at the "Topic" prompt to go up a level
  in the hierarchy, and to exit help.

2 Overview_of_NCL_Help

  Besides listing all the NCL command and control verbs, the top level 
  of NCL help includes the following topics:

  NCL_Introduction -   Describes the syntax and usage of the Network
                       Control Language.  Subtopics provide help on:

                       o  Invoking NCL
                       o  Creating NCL log files
                       o  Commonly used NCL commands (create/delete,
                          enable/disable, set/show, and add/remove)
                       o  Abbreviating NCL commands
                       o  NCL Syntax, with explanations of valid data 
                          types, verbs, entity names, attributes, 
                          required and optional command arguments, 
                          and node-id specification.  Also describes 
                          the usage of prepositional phrases and 
                          wildcards.
                       o  Recalling previously entered NCL commands
                       o  Interpreting NCL command output
                       o  Specifying access control for a single NCL
                          command
                       o  Setting default entity and access control
                          context to be used for a series of NCL
                          commands
                       o  Using snapshot commands to monitor counters
                       o  Methods of customizing the NCL environment

  Entity_Hierarchy -   Describes most network components manageable
                       using NCL.  Includes diagrams showing each
                       entity's location within the management
                       hierarchy.

  Network_Management - Describes network management concepts and tools.
                       Subtopics include:

                       o  Access control methods and policies
                       o  Management of naming services
                       o  Managing remote Phase IV and Phase V nodes
                       o  Logical names (OpenVMS)
                       o  Startup NCL Scripts (OpenVMS)
                       o  Shutting down and restarting DECnet (OpenVMS)
                       o  Managing MOP (OpenVMS)
                       o  Managing the Event Dispatcher (OpenVMS)
                       o  Running Over TCP/IP 
                       o  The Tools subtopic includes descriptions of:

                          -  the Console Carrier
                          -  Network Management GUI
                          -  Decnet_migrate
                          -  Decnet_register
                          -  Configuration Monitor
                          -  NCP Emulator (OpenVMS)
                          -  DNS$Control (OpenVMS)
                          -  NET$Configure (OpenVMS)

  Event_Messages -     Details possible event messages for each entity.

  Directory_Module -   Describes the X.500 Directory Service
                       module and NCL commands to manage the Directory
                       System Agent (DSA) and its subentities.

  SNA_Peer_            Describes the SNA Peer Server Module and
   Server_Module -     applicable NCL commands.


2 Entity_Organization

  Because DECnet-Plus software has so many manageable components, these
  entities must be organized into a logical structure.  The organization
  defined is a hierarchical one where there are top-level entities and
  subordinate entities.

  Each computer system in a DECnet-Plus network is a global entity 
  which is represented by the node entity.  Each computer is given a name 
  that is unique throughout the network.  That name is then represented in 
  NCL commands as the "node node-id".  (The default node-id is 0, which 
  represents the local node.)
  
  Below the node entity are modules, or entity classes, such as CSMA-CD, 
  OSI Transport, Routing, etc.  You may type HELP ENTITY_HIERARCHY for a 
  diagram of the modules beneath the node entity.  To obtain a description 
  of any of those modules, you may use the HELP ENTITY <module_name> 
  command.  For example, to obtain a description of the Routing module, 
  type:

  ncl> help entity routing

  To obtain a diagram of the subentities beneath a module, use the
  HELP ENTITY <module_name> SUBENTITIES command.  For example, to see a
  diagram and descriptions of the Routing subentities, type:

  ncl> help entity routing subentities

2 Managing_Entities_Using_NCL

  Once you are comfortable with the concept of the entity hierarchy, you 
  may wish to browse the NCL_INTRODUCTION help topic to become familiar
  with how NCL is used to manage those entities.  The NCL SYNTAX help
  topic will be particularly helpful if you are not yet familiar with
  NCL.