DEC Alpha 3000/800 and Linux

[Marty Metras]

I have been blesses or dumped on with a DEC Alpha 3000/800. We have had this Workstation/Server in storage since 1997. I turned it on and logged in and it still works. It has VMS and all the licenses have expired. This is OLD! It still has a turbo-channel buss. It is or was a rock solid server when it was in service. Only removed to be replaced with a HP-9000.
I want to load Linux or maybe what was DEC's Unix, OSF? Knowing that it has a Trubo-channel bus, I was wondering if anyone out ther know if there is an Linux/UNIX based OS that is available for it. This is one of the servers that could be loaded and put it in the back room and for get it. I have a few old servers thar I have running Linux that I keep forgeting that are in service. They are like that rabbit. They keep going and going. Though I would try this one too.

What you think?
Marty

[Martin P.J. Zinser]

Hello Marty,

since this is a turbochannel system I fear you are out of luck concerning Linux. I did check Debian and they explicitly list the 3000/800 as unsupported. A reasonably old version of OSF/1/Digital Unix/Tru64 should work (not sure if the 3000/800 is supported on the latest Tru64, the Unix side of the house has been more aggressive de-supporting old HW).

Greetings, Martin

[Marty Metras]

Thanks Martin,
That kind of what I have been thinking too.
Is there a support/formn online some where for Digital's OSF. While cleaning the back room, someone just found box of OSF CDs dated 1998 and never used. No Documation yet. Looks like I get all the old stuff. Maybe a license so my boss don't give me static. We're big that. May be someones has some Doucmention online some where.

Marty

[Martin P.J. Zinser · Accepted solution]

Hello Marty,

no need to look far, the OSF/Tru 64 guys are right around the corner at

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/familyhome.do?familyId=280

They certainly will be able to help you.

All the best,

Martin

[Marty Metras]

Thanks Martin. I'll check there first as soon as they bring me all that stuff they found.
I forgot DEC became Compaq became HP.
So wnen is HP/Compaq going to buy Sun and IBM and Dell and Gateway? :-)

Thanks again,
Marty

[Jean-Pierre Denis]

Hi,

Linux itself might not work but freeBSD 5.2.1-alpha should work ?

I just downloaded it and I will give it a try on a DEC3000/800.

According to http://h30097.www3.hp.com/docs/base_doc/spd_v50a.html Tru64 5.0A support the DEC3000/800.

Tru64 5.1B do not support it but I am not sure if that mean that it would not work or only that HP is not offering support ? ...

I will probably try 5.0A before FreeBSD.
In order to install 5.0A i think a firmware upgrade would not hurt. See http://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/archive/dec3000.html

I am planning to do this this week. I will post my findings later this week.


Thanks,
JP

[Marty Metras]

Thanks JP I will check it out.
Let me know how it goes for you.
Marty

[Jean-Pierre Denis]

Hi,

Tru64 v5.0a runs like a charm a my DEC 3000/800. The only issue was to find a license ...

FreeBSD is also running OK.

Thanks,
JP

[Marty Metras]

Thanks JP
I'll have give it a try.
Marty