HP-UX OS and Apps

[Rikki hinn Ogurlegi]

I'm a long time HP-UX user.  But the last decade or so have mostly been working on Linux.  Back in the day I earned most of the HP-UX certifications, including the CSE's with specialities in HA, Virtualization and Networking and Security.   I do miss the HP-UX days so imagine my joy when I was gifted three ia64 systems, including a beautiful rx3600    No disks but I was able to scrounge up a few disks so I have the machines good to go.

Finally I can start playing with HP-UX.   Say hello old friend to CDE and motif, install a ServiceGuard cluster in HPVM guests, see if I can compile Gnome 42 and any number of fun things to try

But then the rude awakening.   Gone are the methods we had to download HP-UX iso's and even patches (standalone or the QPK bundles).  As I understand it, absolutely nobody can get a single byte of HP-UX software except with a valid support contract.

Sad, but I do understand it.  But surely there has to be something HPE is doing to enable somebody like me (just a person, not a for profit company) to refresh my knowlegde and just play with my servers.

Any suggestions?

[Steven Schweda]

> [...] But surely there has to be something HPE is doing [...]

   You wish.  Beyond, say, lax enforcement of software licenses?

> [...] As I understand it, [...]

   That's my understanding.

   The official HPE policy seems to be No More Mister Nice Guy.  If you
can find the software kits on your own then I wouldn't expect HPE to
send the Software Police to your door, but I'm unaware of any free/cheap
legal hobbyist/non-commercial HP-UX program.  Similarly, the HPE VMS
hobbyist program has died, disappointing VAX owners worldwide.

> Any suggestions?

   Look for optical discs on Ebay, or elsewhere?  I'd guess that someone
could provide disc images over this new Inter-Web thing, but,
personally, I wouldn't be searching for ways to evade copyright or
license restrictions on a forum operated by the owner of the
intellectual property involved.  Usenet?

> [...] three ia64 systems, [...]

   If you'd like to explore VMS instead of HP-UX, then you still have a
chance:

      https://vmssoftware.com/community/community-license/

But it would require some re-education.

[Rikki hinn Ogurlegi]

Thank you for the response.

Sadly I have no nostalgia or good feelings towards VMS.  I managed not to get attached to it when I was involved with those kinds of machines.   But it's nice to see that HPE is doing the right thing with VMS.  I'm sure that programs like that contribute heavily in a vibrant community around VMS.

Gives me hope that something similar could be possible with HP-UX.

Back in the day there was a program called DSPP (if memory serves) where we could get HP-UX iso's, compilers and all of the goodies needed to work with HP-UX as a developer.   That program appears to be no more, but was there a successor to it?

[Steven Schweda]

> [...] But it's nice to see that HPE is doing the right thing with VMS.
> I'm sure that programs like that contribute heavily in a vibrant
> community around VMS.

   You're right about the VMS community, but HPE is not involved.  VMS
is now a product of a different company . (Follow the link above.)

> Gives me hope that something similar could be possible with HP-UX.

   I'd be amazed if HPE ever does anything to justify that hope.

> [...] all of the goodies needed to work with HP-UX as a developer.
> [...]

   As I recall, all such programs were for _commercial_ developers, not
hobbyist/non-commercial users.

   At one time, DEC/Compaq offered a Non-Commercial Tru64 product -- $99
(one time) for a CD-ROM kit and enough license PAKs to do useful things.
Patch access, too.  There might have been a $49 fee for a new-version
kit, but, as I recall, that wasn't strictly enforced.  HPE killed that
program, too (along with Tru64).

   As for developer tools, to the extent that I do anything on HP-UX, I
use GCC and the like.