Enabling DECwindows with Xephyr

Xephyr is a full X11 server that runs as an X11 client, allowing you to run multiple independent X sessions. This article will show you how to use Xephyr with DECwindows on OpenVMS.

Installing DECwindows

• Mount the OpenVMS installation media (this example assumes DUA1 as the device containing the media):

$ MOUNT/OVER=ID DUA1

• Navigate to the kit:

$ SET DEFAULT DUA1:[DWMOTIF_VAX126.KIT]

• Install the kit:

$ PRODUCT INSTALL *

Establishing Remote Display

• On a remote UNIX system having Xephyr installed (on Arch Linux, this is done with sudo pacman -S xorg-server-xephyr), run the following command (you can change 1200x800 to your preferred resolution):

$ Xephyr -ac -listen tcp -screen 1200x800 :1

• On the VMS system, create the display (<xephyr-ip> represents the IP address of the system running Xephyr):

$ SET DISPLAY/CREATE/NODE=<xephyr-ip>/TRANSPORT=TCPIP/SERVER=1

Note that /SERVER=1 in the DCL command correlates to the :1 in the Xephyr command.

Launching DECterm

If all you want is a DEC terminal with no window manager or extra fluff, type the following command in VMS DCL:

$ CREATE/TERM/DETACH

Launching Full DECwindows

If you want to get the full DECwindows experience, type the following command in VMS DCL:

$ RUN SYS$SYSTEM:DECW$STARTLOGIN.EXE

The DECwindows login should appear in your Xephyr window.