[Simh] Use muliprocessor with SIMH

Fri Apr 13 15:00:47 EDT 2007

Thank you Gilbert,
I did not realize that many application have been sold as application only,
without source code. In this case, SIMH and/or charon VAX is a good
solution. We have tested the charaon VAX, to replace a VAX cluster. The main
benefits were that we could use our SAN. However at that time (2002?), we
were not able to access the SAN disk directly (bypassing the windows
system). The performance on charon was better than simh, but the best CPU
was not fast enough to replace our VAX cluster. The main reason for the
server consolidation was to reduce system management cost. While have the
same number of systems, this would not give any profit for us. (additional
costs for windows and charon licence).

Also specific hardware as IEEE (GPIB) and synchronous (IBM) serial
communication cards are not always available. The charon vax support the
SCCI/IEEE bridge (I know, they used our box for testing). We have developed
a new driver and using the ENET 100
(http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/12357) in an production
environment (communication between DCS and MES application) with a very
stable result. But indeed, we had the source code of the application. We
have 'vested' one library, but all other code was recompiled (which showed
many weak programming in the source code) and no real problems were found.

I The Netherlands, HP (by means of Gerrit Woertman) is keeping VMS alive. I
also saw that next week Sue Skonetski will be in Germany with presentations.
http://www.silicon.de/enid/hp-user-society/26377, so Germany seems also be
active. 

It is hard to confess that our new development is build on LINUX and JAVA.
As long as I don't have to look on the system myself, this seems to be
alright, but just simple printing, handling queues, looking to processes, I
feel very unhappy.

I don't believe that HP will stop suddenly with OpenVMS, since Open VMS is
taken over from COMPAQ, many developments have been done, which shows up
from version 7.1 to 7.3-2 (AXP only). The did a great job, which was mainly
driven by the port to itanium.

Kind regards,
Broer
(first job on a digital system 1985, on LSI-11, running RT-11)

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: simh-bounces at trailing-edge.com [mailto:simh-bounces at trailing-edge.com]
Namens Gilbert Delafosse
Verzonden: vrijdag 13 april 2007 12:24
Aan: simh at trailing-edge.com
Onderwerp: Re: [Simh] Use muliprocessor with SIMH

>>> So we'll try to "Aest" that application to Itanium. 

>> Is there a tool like VEST to migrate to Itanium?
>> How is the migration path?

>> VAX -> Alpha -> Itanium       or
>> VAX          -> Itanium?

Vest was Vax Environment Software Translator
Also known as DECmigrate, 
and now call by HP as OMSVA (OpenVMS Migration Software for VAX to Alpha)
Vest was used to translate VAX images to Alpha

Aest (aka Alpha Environment Software Translator)
Also called by HP as OMSAI (OpenVMS Migration Software for Alpha to Itanium)

Aest is used to translate an Alpha Image to Itanium

So translating a VAX image to itanium is a two steps process
1) Vest the VAX image
2) Aest the previouly translated image

>> Those in charge of HP have shown themself to be totally lost
>> and they might shut down VMS next week if they get the idea. Wait and
see. *
>> You never know what crazy stuff they'll do next...

Seems that there is no more VMS guys at HP.
Their website is referencing Charon VAX. 
You can even find how to transfer your VMS and Layered products Licenses
from VAX to Charon. (aka how much you have to pay ;-)
If you ask any HP guy, in charge of your old VAXes, about Charon. He even
don't know what Charon is
If you want to know about AEST, ask google "Aest vms" and you'll have a
pointer to HP website. Or try
h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/products/omsva/omsais.html
Then download the manual, and download the kit
Have fun 

Just for the fun. If you download Vest (aka OMSVA), you'll find
"OMSVA is being made available to users on an "as is" basis without support.
However users can report OMSVA problems to Software Resource International"
The funny thing is that Software Resource International is the editor of
Charon

Gilbert

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