Looking for early versions of MicroVMS & VWS

[arcarlini at iee.org]

cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org wrote:
> Speaking of fuzzy details, my recollection of the "key"
> process was that it only mattered for DECnet, and you got an
> install-medium-compatible "key".  For our uVAX-I, it was
> definitely an RX50.  For the uVAX-II, I *think* it was a TK50
> tape.  Once you "installed the key" it was in there for good;
> no expiration possible like with LMF.

The base system was licenced for some number of users, maybe 8,
maybe 2. The "licence key" was basically a patch to LOGINOUT.EXE
that allowed more users (8, 64, unlimited, probably other options).

The DECnet "key" was (iirc) also a patch that enabled end node or full
routing, depending on which you had.

I think clustering was done the same way.

I remember pulling apart the base system licence and thinking that
it would have been pretty easy to subvert. Then again, just like
the LMF, I think the idea was to keep the honest, honest rather
than keeping the bad guys out.

Antonio