[Info-vax] Time to turn DECUServe into a mixed VMScluster?

[Dave Froble]

On 5/31/2023 4:23 PM, kemain.nospam at gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Info-vax <info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com> On Behalf Of Arne Vajhøj via
>> Info-vax
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 4:34 PM
>> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
>> Cc: Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk>
>> Subject: Re: [Info-vax] Time to turn DECUServe into a mixed VMScluster?
>>
>> On 5/31/2023 7:41 AM, MG wrote:
>>> As an almost daily user of the EISNER:: node of DECUServe, I began to
>>> wonder: Couldn't DECUServe serve as a cost- effective method for VSI
>>> to demonstrate both OpenVMS for
>>> x86-64 and its cross-architecture clustering capabilities to a wider
>>> audience?  Since VSI operates this physical hardware and adding a
>>> modestly configured x86-64 virtual machine would probably not add too
>>> much to the existing operating and maintenance costs of DECUServe.
>>>
>>> It could thereby also save a lot of potentially interested users the
>>> time and effort of having to apply for a suitable evaluation license
>>> and having to prepare, install and configure a (virtual) system,
>>> especially those who are entirely new and unfamiliar to OpenVMS and
>>> simply wish to have an end-user experience.
>>>
>>> It's been long since a capable public access VMScluster system has
>>> been available (especially since "Deathrow"
>>> shut down, already quite some years ago).
>>
>> The totally new to VMS just wanting to try a few DCL commands probably do
>> not care what architecture they are running on - most likely they will not even
>> know. VMS is VMS.
>>
>> But setting up a mixed mode cluster would be a pretty cool demo.
>>
>> And why not go all out? VAX + Alpha + Itanium + x86-64!!
>>
>> Send a news flash to all IT magazines in the world and get a bit of press.
>>
>> Arne
>>
>
> Well, its an interesting idea as I have a Vax/Alpha/IA64 lab cluster (ok, in stand mode right now, but were previously part of a cluster)
>
> Fully not supported, but a 4 different HW arch cluster would be a nice thing to showcase for bragging rights - 4 different HW arch's running in same single OS cluster.
>
> Q for the VSI folks - is there anything embedded in the code that would prevent a VAX 32bit server from joining a AX64/IA64/X86 64bit cluster?
>

If my feeble memory still works, I think that has already been answered.

x86 cluster communications will be modified, and to include Alpha and/or itanic, 
a patch for either will be required.  No patches for VAX, since VSI does not 
have a VAX release to which patches can be provided.


-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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