X11 Forwarding troubles with OpenSSH client and OpenVMS host

[scott rankin]

Darren et.al,

Thanks for the response. Comments inline.

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 16:52:54 +1000, Darren Tucker <dtucker at zip.com.au> wrote:
> scott rankin wrote:
> [about a problem w/ssh + OpenVMS]
> > The problem I am seeing is that when issued as a remote command over
> > X11 forwarding, I get an X Toolkit Error: Can't Open display. If I
> > just connect with X11 forwarding enabled, get an interactive shell and
> > then run the X client, it displays back.
> 
> I suspect your VMS system's SSH server does not pass $DISPLAY or (its
> equivalent) to the commands run non-interactively.

I initially suspected this and should have mentioned that I tested
your suggestion below.

> 
> Try the VMS equivalent of "ssh yourhost 'echo $DISPLAY'" ("SHOW DISPLAY"
> ?) to display the variables and compare it with the same command run in
> an interactive session.

It doesn't seem to be set in either case which puzzles me but then
again many things about the OpenVMS system puzzle me ;).
 
$ ssh -t -X BOZO at vmshost 'show display'
BOZO at vmshost's password:

%DECW-W-OPENIN, error opening DECW$DISPLAY as input
-SYSTEM-W-NOSUCHDEV, no such device available
Connection to vmshost closed.


$ ssh -t -X BOZO at vmshost
BOZO at vmshost's password:
 Welcome to OpenVMS (TM) Alpha Operating System, Version V7.3-2

SETTING PROMPT AND TERM FOR INTERACTIVE SESSION
%SET-W-NOTSET, error modifying FTA216:
-SET-I-UNKTERM, unknown terminal type
Hello BOZO
Welcome to vmshost
 vmshost_[BOZO]>show display
%DECW-W-OPENIN, error opening DECW$DISPLAY as input
-SYSTEM-W-NOSUCHDEV, no such device available
 vmshost_[BOZO]>
> 
> Not much to suggest other than talking to the vendor of that software...
> 
> --
[trim sig]

I'll let you know if I hear anything positive from HP or figure it out
but I'm not holding my breath.

cheers,
scott