OpenVMS alpha and Itanium

[Peter Zeiszler]

We currently are running OpenVMS 7.3-2 on ES40 alphas. I would like to bring a couple Itaniums into the cluster to migrte to them. I noticed on the OpenVMS Cluster Support Matrix (in one of the pdf documents) it stated that the "Alpha V7.3-2 and V8.2 are warranted together". So that makes me think we could goto the Itanium running v8.2-1 and merge it to the cluster.

The Itanium v8.3 is listed as "migration". Does this mean I could add the itanium to the cluster or that I would have to shutdown the alpha to have the itanium in the same cluster.

The cluster would be like this for about 4-6 months while all applications are tested on the itanium.

Or should I got with itanium at v8.2-1 and alph at 7.3-2. Then after the migration request an upgrade to itanium 8.3 and tertiary (which will always be an alpha system) to 8.3.

Anyone have experience mixing the versions and ideas of whats supported for longer term support for mixed clusters?

[Hein van den Heuvel]

I would recommend going straight to V8.3 on Itanium.
It will work fine clustered with a 7.3-2 Alpha. That would be a fine migration situation for those 4 - 6 months.
Why not migrate the Alpha's to 8.3 also, or even first?

fwiw,
Hein.

[Peter Zeiszler]

For us to goto 8.3 alpha directly prior to introducing Itanium would be an additional delay. We are bringing in 2 itaniums to retire 2 of the Alphas. The 3rd alpha will stay around for some development and application development.

[atul sardana]

peter,

if u want to test application on itanium then 8.3 is best.
Now in our senario we have two itanium and recently i installed v8.3 for application testing in both servers ,but both servers is not in cluster at present. we just want to test our application then after add in cluster of Alpha Es40,Es45,Ds20e v7.3-2 .

So i suggest to you go with v8.3 for i64/itanium
thanks,
Atul sardana

[Robert Gezelter]

Peter,

"Migration" in that context generally means "not warranted for production". It does not mean that it doesn't work. Check for the reference to three architectures being not "supported".

Consider moving the Alpha to 8.2.

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

[Ian Miller. · Accepted solution]

Itanium V8.2-1 and V8.3 both work in a cluster with VMS Alpha V7.3-2.

V8.3 is better than V8.3 is various ways.

[atul sardana]

peter,

Itanium/i64 with v8.3 and alphaEs40 with v 7.3-2 having no problem in cluster .
so without any hesitation install v8.3 in itanium and add in cluster with alphaEs40 for a long time.
As well as Enjoy full support for both version from HP.

best of luck
Thanks,
Atul sardana

[Paul Jerrom]

I currently have a 7.3-1 Alpha running in a cluster with 2 x rx2620s running V8.3. Not supported, but works fine for me.
Would definately recommend 8.3 over 8.2-x for performance reasons.

[Kris Clippeleyr]

Peter,

FWIW, we been running a three architecture cluster (VAX, Alpha & Integrity) for some time now. Current config: on VAX V7.3, on Alpha V7.3-2, on Integrity V8.3.
No problems whatsoever.
Personally I would go for OpenVMS V8.3 on the Integrities.
Regards,
Kris (aka Qkcl)

[Hoff]

Having direct user and direct internal experience with V8.0, V8.1, V8.2, V8.2-1, V8.3 and most everything in between, I would pick OpenVMS I64 V8.3. And I have picked V8.3.

This case is renewing a configuration, and the environment certainly appears time-critical. This generally points to moving as far forward as feasible whenever the upgrade windows arrive, as the configuration is clearly going to be static (with appropriate ECOs) for a while betwixt these quantum jumps.

I see no reason not to go to V8.3, and I see reasons to not stop at V8.2 or at V8.2-1.

I'd also haul the Alpha systems forward when next feasible, as V8.x is *not* a major upgrade for the OpenVMS Alpha platform.

Should any VAX systems be present, these might well be reconstituted in an emulation inside some ProLiant box or inside one of the Alpha boxes, to save on floor space and on power. This assuming the source code or a critical prerequisite was not available, as otherwise a straight source port would usually be most appropriate.

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs

[Peter Zeiszler]

Thanks everyone that responded.

I didn't know V8.x wasn't a major upgrade for Alpha. Being able to mix these into same cluster with straight forward upgrade saves me alot of time and considerations with SAN / Storage reconfigurations too.

During our "test" phase we will end up with a 5 node cluster with only 3 being voting nodes (alphas) so that the Itanium don't accidnently add to the quorum.