Library /sys$common/syshlp/sysmanhelp.hlb IO, CONNECT, Description  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    The IO CONNECT command connects a hardware device and loads its
    driver, if the driver is not already loaded. VAX system managers
    use the SYSGEN command CONNECT. You must have CMKRNL and SYSLCK
    privileges to use the IO CONNECT command.

    The chapter "Managing Peripheral Devices" in the OpenVMS System
    Manager's Manual contains information about file-based device
    configuration support.