[Info-vax] Life after Digital

[Paul.Raulerson]

Sorry in a way to hear that, but when one door closes, another door opens. 

However, an xServer should be significantly faster than a MicroVax II, near
on an order
of magnitude.  How did you figure your estimate? 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com [mailto:info-vax-bounces at rbnsn.com] On
> Behalf Of JF Mezei
> Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 8:30 PM
> To: info-vax at rbnsn.com
> Subject: [Info-vax] Life after Digital
> 
> Today, I placed an order for an Xserve.  According to specs, it should
> be just a tad faster than a Microvax II with enough memory to exceed
> the
> 32 bit limit (forcing OS-X to boot in 64 bit mode).
> 
> The power supply for my DS10L workstation failed some time ago, the
> DS10L was replaced by a new Mac.
> 
> And now, the Xserve will eventually replace the "server" DS10L, as well
> as the one remaining VAX running a 400-600.
> 
> Ironically, The VAX is likely to outlive the last Alpha since the
> services provided by the Alpha are readily *moveable* to the Unix
> server
> (DHCP, DNS, web, ftp, imap, pop, smtp) while the VAX still host ALL-IN-
> 1
> and provides serial ports so that functionality will need to be
> *ported*
> (read: totally redevelopped).
> 
> It will take a while to accomplish this as I still need to sharpen my
> unix skills and  really get comfortable with the booting system used by
> apple (launchd).
> 
> And in the longer term, SIMH will provide my "archive" of node VELO
> (vax) which started life in 1987 but got its "VELO" name in 1989.
> 
> This is the first time that I get a brank spanking new server. In the
> past, I had always had used equipment. And HP got 0 dollars for me this
> year where I essentially replaced my computing infrastructure.
> 
> I am unsure how to dispose of my old DEC equipment.
> 
> For the 4000-200 and later the 600 as well as a DSSI cabinet, I could
> strip them down and then call up a local recycling outfit that will
> gladly take that steel.
> 
> Since transportation costs would be huge for those, I doubt it would be
> worth selling as a unit on ebay. Thoughts ?  Would selling individual
> boards to a reseller or on ebay be worth the hassles ? It isn't so much
> for the money, it is more whether it would be of help to someone
> needing
> those parts.
> 
> 
> The 4000-600 is a very nice machine. It isn't that much slower than the
> DS10 for daily use. (but for large compiles, the difference become
> visible). When I had both a 4000-200 and the 4000-600 in the cluster,
> the DSSI provided some really neat functionality.
> 
> Yes, VMS clustering will be a found memory. I had been able to
> transition from a microvax II in the Q5 cabinet with a 3100 workstation
> to a 4 node cluster with a DS10L, 4000-200, 4000-600 (al;l 3 in the Q5
> cabinet) as well as the 3100 workstation) without losing the cluster
> uptime and with continued web server running ! Moving the node names
> around in a running cluster was not obvious and required "reboot"
> cycling to get the cluster to forget about the old node in order to
> re-introduce the old node name onto new hardware.
> 
> (consider than the "in cabinet" upgrade required some work with hammers
> and lots of sweat to remove a cross bar in the middle of the cabinet to
> move it to the top), rejig all the clips/crews, install the solid
> tracks
> at bottom to hold both 4000s (one at each end of cabinet) as well as
> build a new "H-kit" out of fibreglass to hold the MVII's original DB25
> serial ports (installed below the 4000-600).
> 
> 
> My view of HP worsened quite a bit this year. Now, when cycling past
> their offices, I see some faceleless corporation optimised to milk
> customers, draw blood from employees and discard them at will. (And in
> the case of their montreal (kirkland) office, they also waste much
> water
> by directing lawn sprinklers to water the road instead of their lawn).
> 
> So, I am very glad to say that I didn't reward HP in any way for its
> decisions to optimise VMS away.
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