[Info-vax] Porting to Linux instead of x86-64 VMS, was: Re: 3rd party SATA SSD usage on RX2660+P400 in a production environment?

[Dave Froble]

On 7/5/2019 6:20 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2019-07-02 17:22:45 +0000, Simon Clubley said:
>
>> On 2019-07-02, Stephen Hoffman <seaohveh at hoffmanlabs.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>> And in two or three years, we'll either be starting to replace these
>>> existing servers with x86-64 and ports to that, or we'll be starting
>>> up the Linux ports again.
>>
>> Are people actually talking about doing the latter ?
>
> Discussions of porting to Linux?  Now?  Yes.  There are active ports
> underway.
>
> In two or three years, and should there then be substantial delays with
> or should there be no viable x86-64 target?  There'll be more
> discussions. And likely also more ports.
>
> Purchasing new-old-stock and used Integrity Itanium servers won't be
> popular with some purchasing departments, whether those with warranties
> or otherwise.
>
>> If so, is this due to the current VMS on x86-64 timescales or is it
>> due to some lack of information coming out of VSI ?
>
> Costs and benefits and risks.  Same as usual.

I doubt costs is a driver for any port.  The cost of porting will be 
significant, will introduce errors, and really provides no new benefits. 
  At best a sideways move, and most likely less.  The port itself is a 
significant risk.

>> If it's the latter, is there anything VSI can do at the moment to give
>> both management and technical customer employees more confidence in
>> the future of VMS ?
>
> Ship, and a clear path and progress to same.  Which is what Clair has
> been demonstrating here.
>
> And yes, there are and have been issues with VSI communications.  VSI is
> addressing various of these, incrementally.
>
> There is VSI marketing information available from Dave, Clair, Rob,
> Rick, and the other fine folks working in VSI marketing.
>
> Some of that VSI information gets posted here.  Some gets presented at
> sessions and in webinars.
>
> Much of the rest of the materials are selectively (and somewhat
> unfortunately) only distributed to existing, paying customers.
>
> Yes, all you brilliant VSI folks that post and that discuss OpenVMS with
> folks outside VSI, you *are* in VSI marketing.  Each and every one of you.

You got that right.  Very right.


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David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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