*******************************************************************************
* *
* This is an update to an existing patch... *
* *
* Online links can be found at *
* http://ftp.support.compaq.com/patches/public/vms/axp/v7.2-1/dec-axpvms-vms721_pthread-v0300--4.README
*******************************************************************************

TITLE: OpenVMS] VMS721_PTHREAD-V0300 (Alpha V7.2-1) PTHREAD ECO Summary

New Kit Date : 12-MAR-2001
Modification Date: 04-APR-2001
Modification Type: Updating links for ftp site. No changes made to kit.

NOTE: An OpenVMS saveset or PCSI installation file is stored
       on the Internet in a self-expanding compressed file.
 
       For OpenVMS savesets, the name of the compressed saveset
       file will be kit_name.a-dcx_vaxexe for OpenVMS VAX or
       kit_name.a-dcx_axpexe for OpenVMS Alpha. Once the OpenVMS
       saveset is copied to your system, expand the compressed
       saveset by typing RUN kitname.dcx_vaxexe or kitname.dcx_alpexe.
 
       For PCSI files, once the PCSI file is copied to your system,
       rename the PCSI file to kitname-dcx_axpexe.pcsi, then it can
       be expanded by typing RUN kitname-dcx_axpexe.pcsi. The resultant
       file will be the PCSI installation file which can be used to install
       the ECO.
 

Copyright (c) Compaq Computer Corporation 2001. All rights reserved.

PRODUCT: OpenVMS Alpha

COMPONENT: PTHREADs

SOURCE: Compaq Computer Corporation

ECO INFORMATION:

     ECO Kit Name: VMS721_PTHREAD-V0300
                    DEC-AXPVMS-VMS721_PTHREAD-V0300--4.PCSI
     ECO Kits Superseded by This ECO Kit: VMS721_PTHREAD-V0200
     ECO Kit Approximate Size: 1344 Blocks
     Kit Applies To: OpenVMS Alpha V7.2-1
     System/Cluster Reboot Necessary: No
     Rolling Re-boot Supported: N/A
     Installation Rating: INSTALL_3
                           3 - To be installed on all systems running
                               the listed versions of OpenVMS which
                               are experiencing the problems described.

     Kit Dependencies:

       The following remedial kit(s) must be installed BEFORE
       installation of this kit:

         VMS721_UPDATE-V0100
         VMS721_PCSI-V0100

       In order to receive all the corrections listed in this
       kit, the following remedial kits should also be installed:

         None

ECO KIT SUMMARY:

An ECO kit exists for PTHREADS on OpenVMS Alpha V7.2-1. This kit addresses
the following problems:

PROBLEMS ADDRESSED IN VMS721_PTHREAD-V0300 KIT:

  o Applications that disable ASTs (asynchronous system traps) may
     hang.

          Images Affected: [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE
                            [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE

Problems Addressed in VMS721_PTHREAD-V0200:

  o When a kernel thread is not needed, it will go idle within a
     null thread. There are circumstances in which the thread
     cannot be revived. As a result, the user threads would have
     one less kernel thread to utilize for remaining work.

       Images Affected:
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE

  o A request to wake an idle (hibernating) null thread can be
     ignored. This can lead to an application hang, if the
     application logic requires the kernel thread, on which the
     null thread would have run, to execute prior to other parts of
     the application.

       Images Affected:
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE

  o A deadlock can occur when a thread running on one virtual
     processor (VP) blocks while holding an internal lock associated
     with a different VP.

       Images Affected:
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE

  o Applications that do frequent, short-duration, timed waits may
     affect overall performance.

       Images Affected:
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE

  o On a system with more than 16 CPUs, a threaded image can crash
     during initialization.

       Images Affected:
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$RTL.EXE
         - [SYSLIB]PTHREAD$DBGSHR.EXE

Problems Addressed in VMS721_PTHREAD-V0100:

  o A customer's application, when run with upcalls enabled, can die
     with an ACCVIO. This is the result of a stack overflow while
     running the application's exit handling routine.

  o When a thread calls pthread_exit() the entire process is incorrectly
     terminated by a %CMA-F-EXIT_THREAD error instead of simply
     terminating the calling thread.

  o Pagefault Completion Errors

     Pagefault completions accumulate (as observed via the "pthread show
     -u" command to SDA), with the corresponding waiting threads having
     been, apparently, unblocked without consuming (i.e., freeing) the
     completions. Also, sometimes threads are found waiting indefinitely
     for completions (although this effect was never successfully
     reproduced in-house), while other, mismatched completions remain
     pending.

  o Reduced performance and/or process threads hang.

INSTALLATION NOTES:

No reboot is necessary after successful installation of the kit.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Install this kit with the POLYCENTER Software installation utility
by logging into the SYSTEM account, and typing the following at the
DCL prompt:

     PRODUCT INSTALL VMS721_PTHREAD /SOURCE=[location of Kit]

The kit location may be a tape drive, CD, or a disk directory that
contains the kit.

Additional help on installing PCSI kits can be found by typing
HELP PRODUCT INSTALL at the system prompt

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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