If you want an older Alpha system for OpenVMS and HECnet, DS10 series is a good option.
There has been a lot of discussion here and on comp.os.vms for restoring, upgrading and
maintaining the DS10 hardware, and many of our fellow HECnet members are experts.
2.400 APOLLO is an AlphaStation 400 4/233. Older AlphaStation / AlphaServers may not be
very fast by today's standards but more than enough horsepower for DECnet, Multinet,
Rdb and whatever VMS software you want to run. Not a big power hog so it's the
always-on Routing IV node for my small stable of HECnet systems. Hard to find now, but
over the years I collected enough spare parts to keep it running for the foreseeable
future. You might find something like this available in your area.
A couple of ideas. Best of luck and enjoy!
On Sat, Sep 5, 2020, at 10:20 AM, Lance Payne wrote:
The rx1620 is a fine hobbyist system. It won?t break
any records against the i6-based systems that HP is cranking out now, but it?s the unit I
currently run OpenVMS on (latest from VSI). No issues ? nothing to really complain about,
other than it being a power hog and is very loud.
I?d try to find a dual-CPU system. A single i2 is
kind of lethargic, but you?ll save some energy. Even better, look for the 2U version ?
the rx2620, if you can find one for a reasonable price. It?ll be much quieter.
-Lance
*From:* owner-hecnet at Update.UU.SE <owner-hecnet
at Update.UU.SE> *On Behalf Of *David Moylan
*Sent:* Friday, September 4, 2020 10:40 PM
*To:* hecnet at Update.UU.SE
*Subject:* [HECnet] integrity and alpha hardware
Greetings all,
Now that VSI has their Hobbyist program all under way,
we can get licensing for Integrity and Alpha hardware.
(the future is obviously x86 which is progressing well
and I?m looking very forward to. The hobbyist program will cover x86 once it has been
released)
I was thinking of trying to find an older Integrity or
Alpha server to run OpenVMS but I?m struggling to find any real comparative performance
comparison between the different models.
Most of the old forum posts on HP link to dead
articles.
Alpha hardware still seems to be very high priced, but
I?m starting to see some Integrity equipment coming down in price.
How does something like an Integrity rx1620 stack up?
Would there be any sense in purchasing a single CPU version of this server?
If anyone has a list or can provide information on the
different Integrity and Alpha platforms available that would be great.
I totally understand that performance comparison is an
?it depends? question, but I?m just after some reality checks here, ie: a specific
Integrity server might have ?twice? the average performance of a different Alpha box and
it might be cheaper, thus better bang per buck.
Can anyone help me out here?
The box will just be for hobbyist purposes. I?ll
probably setup a mail gateway and perhaps usenet and some other things to play with.
If it?s relevant (for suggestions of anyone selling
refurbed hardware), I?m located in Australia.
Thanks in advance,
Cheers, Wiz!!