[Info-vax] New VSI Community license PAK

[abrsvc]

On Wednesday, 21 October 2020 09:57:24 UTC-4, Dave Froble  wrote:
> On 10/21/2020 6:28 AM, abrsvc wrote:
> > On Tuesday, 20 October 2020 20:04:38 UTC-4, Dave Froble  wrote:
> >> On 10/20/2020 6:02 PM, abrsvc wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Why step 1? V8.4-2L1 runs on more or less any Alpha. To make it easier,
> >>>> use 8.4-2L1 on all Alphas, even if 8.4-2L2 *could* run on some.
> >>>
> >>> Per the note from Robert Brooks, 8.4-2l2 with patches will be required to be in a cluster with the x86 version.
> >>>
> >>
> >> No, Robert used "2Lx", which I take to be both 2L1 and 2L2.
> >>
> >> --
> >> David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
> >> Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
> >> DFE Ultralights, Inc.
> >> 170 Grimplin Road
> >> Vanderbilt, PA  15486
> >
> > You are correct and I misread the note.  It would appear that both variants will be patched as you (and Robert) indicated.  My error.
> >
> 
> I will confess that I don't6 know all the ramifications, but, I do 
> wonder why VSI doesn't just issue a new version of VMS instead of a 
> patch for an existing version.  The end result would be the same, but 
> new installs would require an immediate patch.
> 
> -- 
> David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
> Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
> DFE Ultralights, Inc.
> 170 Grimplin Road
> Vanderbilt, PA  15486

It sounds like the patch is required only if you wish to cluster Alpha systems with the X86 versions since the cluster interconnect code will be changed.  This does not prevent any systems from communicating or working with other versions, just not in a cluster.

I maintain multiple versions for support reasons.  Yes a cluster is convenient when testing mutiple versions using shared disks etc., but not necessary.  I don't see any reason for a complete install when there are likely few files that would be changed.  A patch is reasonable, smaller and quicker to install.