[Info-vax] Some hardware questions on the field test

[dthi...@gmail.com]

>1. What is the CPU model that best supports the features used by VMS
>that would work in a DL380 gen 9 system?

>For example, my current CPUs appear to be from the HASWELL family, which
>have the TSX instructions permanently disabled in microcode. I'd like
>to know if there is a better choice to use and kind of impact it would
>have on VMS. 

Well, since AFAIK OpenVMS isn't using the TSX instructions yet, which were to be lock manager performance enhancement futures, does it matter? If it boots and runs OpenVMS, then it's good enough. Reference Camiel's video presentations from 2017 on the X86_64  features where he discusses TSX.

I have 2x 10-core processors in my DL380 Gen9. If you really want, I can dig out what model they are.

> > 3. The roadmap lists Intel and Broadcom Ethernet adapters. My DL380 
> > has HP Ethernet adapters, specifically the HP 331i 1G and HP 533FLR-T 
> > 10G adapters. Are there any near term plans to support HP adapters or 
> > should I try to find an add-in card using the Intel or Broadcom chips?
> Oracle indicates that the HP Ethernet 1Gb 4-port 331i-SPI Adapter uses 
> the Broadcom BCM5719, so maybe it works. 

The Broadcom drivers didn't make the 9.1-A release, according to VSI. I put in a support ticket for the 331i, and they sent me some beta drivers which work, but were slightly difficult to install without a network. :-) Supposedly, the Broadcom drivers will be available in the next patch update.

I agree with Hoff, you should be asking these questions on the VSI support platform. They sure helped me with the 331i problem. :-)

David