[Info-vax] OpenVMS versus Windows/GE Telemetry Control Systems.

[abrsvc]

There are many takes on "forced".  My take in this instance would when the hardware is failing or has failed and there are little to no options for continued function.  If, for example, this business stays on Alpha and 5 years from now, the particular hardware variant is no longer available form anyone...

Not a good position.  There are a few options:

1) Have a plan in place to replace the hardware with a more readily available model (if available) of the same architecture.
2) Work to "port" the application to the "new" architecture (Itanium in this case) but remain using the same reliable OS
3) Work to "port" the application to another platform alltogether.  (ie. Windows).

Each option has its own plusses and minuses.

1) Easy to impliment (as long as there are no specific interface card requirements).  Could be as simple as shutting down the system and booting the same disk(s) using the new one.

2) Depending upon the nature of the application (eg. G_float vs. IEEE) and the languages used (eg. a HLL vs. Macro32), this could be simple or complex.

3) Complex, primarily in the testing phase to insure that any results are validated with the currently running system.  Also, new code often = new bugs.

Dan