topic Re: How do I use "VEST"? in Operating System - OpenVMS

How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:43:48 GMT

I want to convert several executable files from a VAX to Alpha platform and using VEST would make the job pretty easy (allegedly). But I can't start VEST, and the image doesn't look to even be installed on either system.

Is this an add-on product that I need to install? Thanks!

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

labadie_1 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:05:40 GMT

Vest, also known as Dec Migrate, is available from
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/products/omsva/omsva.html

Have fun playing with it !

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:17:22 GMT

Many thanks! Hopefully, it will solve my challenges.

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:33:59 GMT

Ooops! I followed the link you posted and filled out the information and agreement, but when I entered the information the HP website told me that the next page had been moved or didn't exist. I did a site search for 'VEST' and got a lot of PDF files in return. Any clues or should I just contact HP?

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

Hoff — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:19:03 GMT

DECmigrate/VEST&TIE/OMSVA is a last-resort porting tool.

When it works, it's easy.

The resulting translated images are not known to be maintainable, and failures (whether latent in the application or due to an error in the image translation) are exceedingly difficult to track.

When it fails, it's not pleasant.

As for accessing and downloading the migration tool, the HP OpenVMS web site has a bug. The OpenVMS web master has historically been quite responsive to reports of site problems, but he can't respond to bugs that he doesn't know about. Yes, do ping HP using the site contact form.

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:25:15 GMT

Thanks for your feedback on this utility. I have submitted a support call to HP re: the link problem.

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:10:48 GMT

HP Support was very quick to get me the file and the link. For future reference:
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/integrity/transition/mods_thanks.html#download

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

R Swenson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:11:31 GMT

File and link provided by HP Support is for VAX to I64 conversion and doesn't seem to contain the VEST utility.

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

Hoff — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:14:54 GMT

The response was fast. But it was wrong.

That's not the right web page.

I'd considered posting the direct URL here, but in deference to HP's clear desire to have a click-through web page around this package and not wanting to get a reply here in ITRC nuked, I'd rather not post the direct URL to ITRC.

Send some private email (to account "info", domain below), and I'll reply with the direct download URL. You can then reply to the HP message with the correct target URL, too. :-)

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs com

Re: How do I use "VEST"?

Robert Gezelter — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:49:32 GMT

R,

VEST, and its encore, AEST (for VAX->Alpha and Alpha->Itanium translations respectively), are extremely useful tools, tactically and strategically. Used properly, they can greatly ease the integration of new hardware by de-coupling otherwise tightly coupled tasks.

My paper, "Strategies for Migrating from Alpha and VAX systems to HP Integrity Servers on OpenVMS", that appeared in Volume 10 of the OpenVMS Technical Journal (an abstract and appropriate links is at http://www.rlgsc.com/publications/vmstechjournal/migrationstrategies.html ) outlined just such an integrated approach.

Both tools can also be used improperly and create a support nightmare.

- Bob Gezelter, http://www.rlgsc.com