Mixed-Version_Support

   Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 (and later) systems can
   take advantage of Extended File Specifications capabilities. In
   contrast, systems running prior versions of OpenVMS cannot mount
   ODS-5 volumes, correctly handle extended file names, or even see
   extended file names.

   The following topics describe support on OpenVMS Version 7.2
   (and later) and on prior versions of OpenVMS in a mixed-version
   cluster.


   Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 (and later) Systems

   Users on OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.2 and later systems can continue
   to access pre-Version 7.2 files and directories; for example,
   they can do all of the following:

   o  Create and access deep directory structures on ODS-2 volumes.

   o  Read a BACKUP saveset created on an earlier version of
      OpenVMS.

   o  Use DECnet to copy a file with an ODS-5 name to a file with an
      ODS-2 name on a system running an earlier version of OpenVMS.


   Users on pre-Version 7.2 Systems

   On mixed-version clusters, some restrictions exist. Users on a
   version of OpenVMS prior to Version 7.2:

   o  Cannot access any files on an ODS-5 volume. This is true
      regardless of whether the volume is connected physically on
      a CI or SCSI bus, or by an MSCP or QIO server.

   o  Cannot successfully create or restore an ODS-5 image saveset.
      However, these users can successfully restore ODS-2-compliant
      file names from an ODS-5 saveset.