HP-UX on Itanium Servers

[Michelle Barton]

Has anyone done this? How smooth/difficult was it? We're looking at a new server but are debating whether to go itanium because we expect that this server will be phased out into Linux or Windows in the next few years. Therefore, if we buy Itanium, we wouldn't need new hardware. The problem is I don't really have time to "play" with it and need to implement it rather quickly which I can do with a unix server. Just wondering your thoughts!

Thanks,
Michelle

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

Hi Michelle,

HP has pulled the plug in PA-RISC.

The next generation will be the last one.

Support will run for another decade but if you want to run HP-UX, the platform to go with is Itanium.

The next release of HP-UX will supposedly be the same HP-UX which will run on either PA-RISC or Itanium.

So you should be able to upgrade your old PA-RISC boxes and use Ignite to migrate to newer Itanium boxes.

Itanium will also run Linux or Windows, so it does give you more options.

So, I recommend go with Itanium, HP is totally behind it for Unix and you've got long term flexibility.

SEP

[Michelle Barton]

Does 11i run on the Itanium servers?

Thanks for your input, I will definately assign points!

[Steven E. Protter]

11i v1 11.11 PA-RISC only

11i v1.5 11.20 Itanium only
11i v1.6 11.22 Itanium only
11i v2.0 11.23 Itanium only

Next release is supposed to run on both.

I was at the Performance Center in IL this week and they sau its due later this year.

Oracle and most major appplications are now certified on Itanium.

Currently Ignite Boot from tape DOES NOT work on Itanium servers. Thats due later this year as well.

SEP

[Jeff Schussele]

Hi Michelle,

Yes

11i v1.5 => 11.20 (discontinued & unsupported)
11i v1.6 => 11.22
ii1 v2 => 11.23 (current)

run on the Itanium (Integrity) line.

I don't know if I'd go so far to say that HP has "pulled the plug" on PA-RISC architecture.
But I would say that their road map does show that they will eventually phase out the PA-RISC and concentrate solely on Itanium architecture.
But this will be at least 5 - 10 years down the road, I'd think.

Rgds,
Jeff

[Donny Jekels]

we are currently in the process of upgrading our 11i.v1 to 11i.v2 for itanium.

the chip rocks. its very fast and performs way better than pa-risc.

check this out. I compiled gnu tar at 64 bits on itanium 11.23. then ran a 10gig gzip compressed tar ball through tar -xvzf. it took half the time to complete. same # cpu's same memory. rp8400 ad rx820.

amd off course I had to compile gzip at 64 bits as well.

love it. aries works great had no issues with any of the legacy pa risc apps. (YET)

peace
Donny

[Michelle Barton]

Hey Donny,
Any idea on the cost differences between the two?

Thanks!

[Steven E. Protter]

Hardware wise the pricing is competitive.

To Jeff and all concerning PA-RISC.

While speaking to S.Y. at the HP Performance Center on Monday

SEP: Sounds like HP has pulled the plug on PA-RISC

S.Y(paraphrase): HP has made that very clear. There will be one more generation of PA-RISC. Developing the chip in house is not cost effective. There isn't enough unit volume to spread the R&D development cost over.

SEP: That's HP's official position?

S.Y.: That's what they're telling us.

We talked this over for half an hour. I am confident when I say PA-RISC has had the plug pulled.

There have been numerous press releases concerning the future of PA-RISC. The next generation is the last.

I think its a decent business decision. Intel has to worry about financing the R&D.

If you want links, I can get you links.

Another note on Itanium. I saw the severs running side by side in the Peformance Center. The L Class and Itanium equivalent share a lot of componeents. Same Chassis, same fans, etc.... Different System Board, CPU and plastic color.

HP could decide to do another cycle of PA-RISC. I'm not planning on it though.

SEP

[James A. Donovan]

An interesting article from Feb 9th, 2004 about the direction HP is taking in regards to Itanium vs. PA-RISC.

http://www.cbronline.com/currentnews/84088db57bc626a780256e35003855e6

Basically, the PA-8900 will be the last PA_RISC .

[Jeff Schussele]

Well SEP, I don't intend to engage in a semantics discussion with you over this issue.
But I would point out to you that you need to be very careful when you appear to be speaking *for* others with which you have no direct relationship. You seem to be developing a pattern of this. You need to speak as if its *your* opinion - because frankly - that's all it is.

My opinion,
Jeff