[Info-vax] Happy new Year !

[JF Mezei]

Arne Vajhøj wrote:

> So a timeline would look more like:
> 
> 2012 - Itanium EOL announcement
> 2014 - last new processor model
> 2016 - last new system model
> 2020 - last system shipping
> 2020 - last VMS version released
> 2025 - end of normal service
> 2030 - end of expensive service


True 64 and MPE are better patterns to follow.

2012 - Itanium EOL announcemeent
2012 - VMS EOL announcement.
2014 - Last IA64 processor.
2014 - Last new VMS version
2014 - last new system models (may be 2015).
2019-2020 - Last support for VMS and IA64 hardware.


The timing of the EOL announcement hinges on what Tukwila will be like.
If it turns out to be too-little-too-late, then the EOL might even be
announced before the end of 2010.

Lets not forget that there hasn't been a significant 8086 upgrade for a
while. Intel will probably let Tukwila come out, appear good against the
2 years old 8086, but when the new 8086 comes out, Tukwila will once
again fall to the back of the class.

And in terms of the last IA64, it could be a simple process shrink from
the Tukwila (which is already a generation or two behind the 8086 in
terms of process).


One must also remember that IA64 is now basically an HP proprietary chip
with HP paying Intel to continue to develop it. As long as HP is paying
Intel, Intel will continue to develop it.

I think that the change in the ENterprise (from Enterprise Storage and
Servers to Enterprise Storage & Networking) is also telling. With
software shipped to another division, it would be harder for the
hardware people to justify the costs of IA64 when they no longer get any
 software revenus.