Migration for Alpha Servers

[Sachin_34]

Hello Support,

We have the following old Alpha Servers ,

ALPHA SERVER DS20E
ALPHA SERVER DS10
ALPHA SERVER 1200
ALPHA SERVER 2100

having the below Operating System versions,

Digital UNIX V4.0F
Digital UNIX V4.0D 

Digital UNIX V4.0G
Compaq Tru64 UNIX V5.1A

Now I would like to know if there is any possible migration path available for the above servers. Is it possible to migrate the above servers to a better version in terms of Hardware or Software ? Does HP has this option?

The cost should not matter in this case.

It would be nice if we can get atleast a hint in this case.

Thanks.

Admin

[Volker Halle]

Consider Alpha emulation. There are various commercial products available in the market.

An Alpha emulator is run on either Windows or certain Linux variants and emulates the Alpha hardware, allowing you to run your Alpha operating systems and applications without any changes, if you don't have any special, non-standard hardware on your current AlphaServers.

Volker.

[Sachin_34]

Thanks for the reply and the pointer.

But immediate question come to my mind is whether they support migrating the existing working servers from the point-of-state?

Or the conventional path like installation and then data restore will have to be adapted?

[Volker Halle]

In a typical migration to an Alpha emulator, you copy the existing disks to the emulated system. Sometimes a rebuild of the Tru64 kernel may be necessary, but the data is left unchanged.

Re-installation contains additional risks, which you completely prevent by just copying the disks.

Volker. 

[Maurizio De Tommaso_]

Alpha Emulator solutions, some useful links :

Migration Specialties  - http://www.migrationspecialties.com/

AVTware                        - http://www.avtware.com/index.html

EmuVM                           - http://emuvm.com/

Stromasys                     - http://www.stromasys.com/

/Maurizio

[Sachin_34]

Thanks Volker and Maurizio for the reply.

Volker : What do you mean by copying the disks? Do you mean the traditional backup&restore option or ?

 Please clarify.

Maurizio : I will go through all the suggested solutions.

[Volker Halle]

re: copying disks

Just imagine, that you would want to move your operating system and disks to a NEW AlphaServer. The migration to an emulated Alpha is very similar. Backup and restore is a valid possibility.

Contact one of the companies, which provide Alpha emulation. They all have lots of experience of migrating real AlphaServers to emulated ones.

Volker.

[lalo57]

 Hi Sachin_34

I would know if you did emulated your legacy systems mentioned on your first message.

Also, which provider did you consider for your migration project and what was the results/benefits 
gained with this big change on your new environment?

That's because on my company we have received quotes to migrate some Alpha servers and we would
know about your latest experience.

Thanks,
Eduardo Chumbes L.

[Kishorpv]

Sachin, 

I ve seen your requirement on Aplphaserver emulation.We also have some units for upgradation. I just wanted to know whether you have worked out the emulation?? Are you from India? If so did you get any agencies in India who are into the busines? please share the information