[Info-vax] Marketing ideas for VSI ?

[Dave Froble]

On 12/14/2018 6:44 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2018-12-14 16:49:46 +0000, Rich Jordan said:
>
>> What Hoff said remains a (no longer 'the') major problem with
>> clustering; the excessive cost.
>
> Clustering pricing was routinely US$25K per host in various quotes, and
> this was for low-end single-socket Alpha server boxes.
>
> This pricing has been utterly untenable in a number of the quotes I've
> worked, and has either wholly blown apart or has led to severely
> down-graded configurations.

Ayep!  Been there, seen that.

In today's world, if VMS clusters are going to survive, then the 
capability needs to be part of the base OS.  That's much of the 
competition.  Price yourself out of the market, and soon your product 
has zero value.

You want VMS clusters to succeed, then make it [possible for them to 
succeed.

>> Cluster in a box.
>> Two decent servers, shared storage or shadowing with a cluster
>> interconnect (even if it is just GbE or 10GbE)
>
> Either three servers, or two servers with a cluster shared storage
> interconnect.

If you're going to do it, then do it right.  Minimum of three.

> Two servers without a shared interconnect is a primary-secondary
> configuration at best, and more typically a baroque and expensive
> replicated-storage failover configuration.
>
> 10GbE minimally.  Faster would be preferable.  And my usual reference
> around network I/O stack performance: https://lwn.net/Articles/629155/

Actually, this might depend upon the usage.  However, high speed 
connectivity just isn't that expensive anymore, for those who need it.

>> VMSCluster (and maybe shadow) licenses included
>> Rdb or other relevant database license included (at least runtime)
>> Fixed price program development option including at least one compiler
>> of choice and tools (more compilers=better); database dev license also
>> if base is runtime.
>> Unlimited user licenses
>> TCPIP Services
>> Bundled service/support for (1 year?) with 'special' renewal pricing
>> relative to having bought all the stuff independently.
>
> Oracle would seem an unlikely partner in this effort, though stranger
> things have happened.
>
> PostgreSQL or SQLite are alternatives and can be good options, and that
> incorporation would address other longstanding issues within the base
> distro and its apps.  Downside: PostgreSQL is wedged behind SSIO.

The numeric range locking appears to me to be rather easy, if approached 
appropriately.  Maybe after the port.

> The VSI debates around traditional license prices, around support-based
> prices with low-cost or free licenses akin to Centos and Fedora and with
> RHEL when support is desired, and around a migration to software service
> (rental) pricing akin to iCAP or otherwise will undoubtedly continue.
> The OpenVMS x86-64 licensing was the usual baroque collection of boxes
> and arrows—simplicity is seemingly an anathema to software licensing—and
> it seems likely we'll learn more about that licensing as the production
> release approaches.

The recurring revenue approach is the best chance for success.

> Yes, having a pre-packaged configuration would be interesting.  BTW: DEC
> offered this sort of thing with the VAX 6333, VAX 8974 and VAX 8978, and
> a few other little-known VAX "models".  VAX 6333 list price was between
> US$2M and US$3M depending on storage, BTW.  It wouldn't surprise me to
> see a recent smartphone or tablet outrun that most VAX configurations,
> either.  But I digress.
>
> OpenVMS has no entry-level pricing.   But those same licenses are the
> lifeblood of VSI.  No good answer, here.

They will have to compete in today's market, or, go under.


-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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