The Problem
When a faulty network switch failed at the client’s facility, the replacement process triggered a cascade of connectivity issues. All network IP addresses needed to be reconfigured to accommodate the new hardware, which left the company’s vtALPHA and OpenVMS systems completely unreachable.
The situation presented several compounding challenges:
- The failed switch required a full IP reconfiguration across the network, disrupting connectivity to all connected systems.
- The client’s internal team did not have direct access to the vtALPHA console or the VMS operating system, leaving them unable to make the necessary changes independently.
- The OpenVMS environment—critical to ongoing business operations—was offline and disconnected from the office network.
Without expert intervention, the company faced an extended outage affecting users who depend on the VMS system for daily work.
The Solution
Salem Automation’s support team responded quickly via remote online support. A Salem Automation engineer joined a conference call with the client and walked them through the recovery process step by step:
- Guided the client to access the vtALPHA console remotely, restoring visibility into the virtualized environment.
- Updated the vtServer password to re-establish secure administrative access.
- Made configuration changes to the vtALPHA system to align with the new network IP scheme, allowing the virtual platform to communicate on the reconfigured network.
- Brought the OpenVMS operating system back online and applied the necessary network modifications so VMS could reconnect to the office network.
All of this was accomplished entirely through remote support—no on-site visit was required—demonstrating the flexibility and responsiveness of Salem Automation’s service model.