[Info-vax] Keeping OpenVMS update-to-date

[Kerry Main]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Info-vax <info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com> On Behalf Of Arne Vajhøj
> via Info-vax
> Sent: October 2, 2020 8:49 AM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Cc: Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk>
> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] Keeping OpenVMS update-to-date
> 
> On 10/1/2020 11:23 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> > On 10/1/2020 7:58 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> >> On 10/1/2020 6:10 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> >>>                             David Turner would be very happy to sell
> >>> you one.
> >>
> >> Same.
> >>
> >> But January 1st he will be the main supplier of VMS systems.
> >
> > I'm fine with that.  He's always treated me very well.
> 
> I completely agree that it is a great company and a great guy.
> 
> But despite that then it is not a good situation for VMS. We need a
> production ready 9.2 fast.
> 
> Arne

The reality is that HPE is getting out of the HP-UX, OpenVMS (and I personally believe NonStop as soon as they can get a VSI-like partner for NonStop) OS and server platforms. HPE's recent focus is on server HW, Supercomputing, AI, "cloud" and Network type solutions. Just go to hpe.com and you can see the difference in focus.

Similar to what happened with the Alpha EOL,  "new" servers are likely also going to be available from most of existing HPE resellers for a number of years.  As long as there are HW support contracts available from a viable partner, then most Customers will likely be ok with this.

Likely these servers will be rx2800 rack and BL blade servers, but this has been the case for a number of years now.

Lets not forget that the same Integrity servers are required to support HP-UX.

Fyi, the HP-UX world is likely a lot more concerned than OpenVMS Customers.

While the Integrity server platform from HPE is coming to an end, OpenVMS has a much longer viable path forward than HP-UX with VSI OpenVMS V9.x on X86-64. VSI's roadmap also shows extended support for OpenVMS V8.* on Alpha/Integrity.

HP-UX on Integrity support end date (period) is Dec 31, 2025, extended support (typically big cost) to Dec 31, 2028. That’s it. NO more OS support. HPE is actively promoting that its HP-UX Customers migrate to Linux (on ProLiant of course).

HP-UX Roadmap:
<https://www.hpe.com/us/en/pdfViewer.html?resource=/content/hpe/country/us/en/resources/servers/reference-guide/hp-ux-public-roadmap&parentPage=/us/en/products/servers/hp-ux>

<http://tiny.cc/HP-UX-Roadmap>


Regards,

Kerry Main
Kerry dot main at starkgaming dot com