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Do I need to re-compile my VMS applications or change my VMS
operating system?
No. CHARON VAX emulates the VAX hardware so VMS does not know it
isn't running on a VAX. Your existing disks containing your VMS
applications and your entire VMS operating system are moved from your VAX
disk to "disk container" files on the PC. None of the programs, operating
systems or data on your VAX disks are changed in any way. You can edit,
compile and modify your VMS applications as before once moved to the new
environment. Your users will not even know they have moved to the new
environment except for the fact that the system response will be faster due
to the faster CPU, faster disks and faster 100 MB networking.
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What VAX does the CHARON-VAX product emulate?
The CHARON-VAX Industrial product emulates a 3500, 3600 with 64 MB or MicroVAX II with 16 MB. The CHARON-VAX XM product emulates a MicroVAX 3100-96 or the 4000-106, with 128 MB of memory. The CHARON VAX XK PLUS emulates a MicroVAX 3100-98 or VAX 4000-106 with 256 MB of memory. The CHARON-VAX XL product emulates a MicroVAX 3100-98 or the 4000 108, with 512 MB of memory. The CHARON VAX 6000 product emulates the VAX 6610 with 1 GB of memory, VAX 6620 with 2 GB of memory or VAX 6630/6660 with 2 GB of memory. The CHARON-VAX product runs much faster than the VAX that is being emulated due to the faster PCs available, the faster PC memory and the faster disks available on today’s PCs. The CHARON-VAX PLUS will double the speed of the base XM, XL or Industrial emulation, on a fast dual processor PC it will run at approximately 80 VUPS well above the speed of a single processor VAX 7000.
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What PDP does the CHARON-TB product emulate?
All models of the PDP are emulated by CHARON-TB. CHARON-TB runs
4 to 5 times faster than the original PDP computer." needs changed to "The
11/93 and 11/94 models of the PDP are emulated by CHARON-TB. CHARON-TB runs
4 to 5 times faster than the original PDP computer. Salem Automation sells
the NuPDP product if some other model of PDP is required to be emulated.
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Will CHARON VAX work in a VMS Cluster?
Yes. Click here to view a document describing the CHARON VAX
clustering capability. CHARON VAX can use 100 MB networking or a SAN to do
the clustering.
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My VMS platform is very secure from viruses I am concerned about
using a Windows 2003 PC Server to replace my VMS system. How do you address
this issue?
The PC Server under CHARON VAX requires two Ethernet cards. One is
dedicated to VMS and not connected to Windows in any way. The second
Ethernet card is dedicated to the Windows Operating System. Once the system
is setup, most users do not connect the Windows network adapter to the
network. This prevents any viruses from attacking the system as the VMS
network is the only one available. Also, constant Windows security patches
or anti-virus updates are not necessary reducing system administration and
downtime for updates. Below are two application notes on this subject.
Ethernet Security
Securing Host Windows Platforms
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Will CHARON-VAX work in a Microsoft Cluster?
Yes.
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Will CHARON VAX work with RAID drives or Windows mirroring?
Yes, CHARON VAX allows a VAX to use disk container files on a
RAID drive or an entire disk on a RAID set. VAX systems never had RAID
drives but now you can with CHARON VAX. Salem Automation reccommends using
Windows Mirroring for better performance than using a RAID 5 set.
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What is the largest SCSI disk that the XM/XL version supports?
The CHARON-VAX XM/XL product can be configured to address an entire SCSI drive. This has been tested up to 120 GB drive. This will be limited by the version of VMS.
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What is the largest disk container file that CHARON VA X will support?
The CHARON-VAX disk container file can be set to the size of any of the disks that the original VAX supported. This will typically be 1, 2, 4 or 9 GB. You can create more disks than your original VAX had up to the limit of 112 disks. For more space you can allocate an entire SCSI drive to one of the 112 disks to give you a 120 GB VAX disk drive, depending on the version of VMS.
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Are all the Windows services necessary for CHARON VAX?
CHARON VAX primarily uses Windows as an environment to load the
emulation and to service disk I/O requests. Many of the standard Windows
Server Services can be turned off. This is also demonstrated by the fact
that CHARON VAX can run on Windows XP Professional which doesn't have these
server type services. A link to an application note discussing these is below:
http://www.winvms.com/images/AN-033.pdf
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How many disks does the CHARON-VAX XM/XL support?
The 3100-98 emulation of the CHARON-VAX XM/XL supports two SCSI Controllers and with some modifications will support up to 112 disks. The Vaxes with the MSCP controller can support up to 256 devices or disk containers.
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I have custom, non-DEC Q-Bus peripherals I need to maintain. How can I do this and move to CHARON-VAX?
CHARON-VAX offers a driver to an interface board that will allow you to continue to maintain existing Q-Bus boards. Essentially you add this interface board to a PCI slot in the PC, you cable over to the Q-Bus, remove or disable all the other components that are being replaced by CHARON-VAX (disk controller, disks, tapes, tape controller, etc.) and then load the driver to the PCI board on the PC.
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Can I still modify my software once it is moved over to the CHARON-VAX?
Yes. CHARON-VAX emulates the VAX hardware so VMS does not know it isn’t running on a VAX. Your VMS applications and your entire VMS operating system are not modified as it is moved from your VAX disk to a file on the PC. You can edit, compile and modify your VMS applications as before. Only difference is it will probably be faster. We have seen compile times shrink from over 8 hours to under 30 minutes.
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Will the results of my compiles generate the exact same code when using cross-compilers?
Yes. We have had multiple customers use cross-compilers
(TARTAN/DDCI ADA, Jovial, C, FORTRAN, etc,) in this environment and tested the results of both a VAX and CHARON-VAX to find them the same. CHARON-VAX emulates the VAX hardware so VMS does not know it isn’t running on a VAX. Your VMS applications and your entire VMS operating system are not modified as it is moved from your VAX disk to a file on the PC. You can edit, compile and modify your VMS applications as before. Only difference is it will probably be faster. We have seen compile times shrink from over 8 hours to under 1 hour.
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I have DEC Q-Bus peripherals that my application’s communicate through to test equipment. How can I maintain this connection when moving to CHARON-VAX?
CHARON-VAX offers a driver to an interface board that will allow you to continue to maintain existing Q-Bus boards. Essentially you add this interface board to a PCI slot in the PC, you cable over to the Q-Bus, remove or disable all the other components that are being replaced by CHARON-VAX (disk controller, disks, tapes, tape controller, etc.) and then load the driver to the PCI board on the PC.
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I have many serial ports in my VAX connected to devices. How can I maintain this connection when moving to CHARON-VAX?
In your new PC you will install a multi-port serial board that will offer the number of serial ports you need to replace the quantity in your VAX system. When Salem Automation configures your system, we will map the additional PC serial COM ports to the emulated VAX and then when VMS boots it will access the PC serial ports as if they were VAX serial ports.
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What is the appropriate PC configuration to run CHARON-VAX on?
A CPU as fast as possible. Must be 2 GHz or better. A 3 GHz Dual Core Single
Processor Intel 5160 CPU will give you approximately 35 VUPs. On the PLUS
product the performance may increase up to 3-5 times as opposed to the base
product depending on your application's nature into the range of 120 VUPs.
The CHARON-VAX XM/XK/XL/66XX products require one dual core single processor
or two single core dual processor. CHARON VAX 6620/6630/6660 require one
processor (or core for dual core)for overhead functions and a second
processor for each additional emulated CPU. For example a 6660 would
require 1 processor core for overhead and 6 for the emulated processors or 7
cores total so a quad processor dual core would provide 8 cores and would be
sufficient. Alternately a 8 processor single core system would provide
enough processors for the 6660 emulation.
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What network speeds can I get with CHARON-VAX?
With the CHARON-VAX Industrial and CHARON-VAX XM/XK/XL you can get 100 MB
network speeds. With the CHARON-VAX Alpha AXP you can get 1000 MB.
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Does Salem Automation offer onsite services?
Yes. Salem Automation offers onsite services to install CHARON-VAX, configure the network, migrate the data, etc. Usually, Salem Automation does the install and configuration of CHARON-VAX in our office and we then we go onsite to make sure the system installs and starts up with no issues at the customer site.
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Can I do VMS software upgrades once I move to CHARON-VAX?
Yes. The CD on your PC or Alpha system will be mapped to the emulated VAX so that VMS can load newer versions of VMS. In fact, because of the container file concept, you can make a copy of the existing boot drive, rename it as a backup, then boot and do you VMS upgrade. If you need to fall back, you just rename your backup and reboot the emulation.
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How do I legally transfer my VMS and VMS layered products?
Unlike other freeware VAX emulations CHARON-VAX has setup a relationship with HP for VMS license transfers. You must execute this license transfer if you are to continue any VMS support contracts you have in place. In the case of Windows host, the cost is $1,000 per VMS license and then an additional $1,000 cost to transfer the license for all your VMS products, for a maximum cost of $2,000. Also, to minimize the support load for VMS engineering, your underlying PC must be an HP or Compaq platform. In case you run CHARON-VAX on Alpha processors, the cost are half as much. This link provides additional information:
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/sri-charon-vax-emulator.html
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How do I legally transfer my third party software products?
You must contact each of the third party vendors to determine what their policy is. It would be best to tell them you are moving to an emulation of a MicroVAX 3100-98 (XM/XL) or MicroVAX 3600. If the company is out of business then you can move the product over without worry.
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What services are required to migrate the data over to the new emulation?
Salem Automation does the Windows installation and hardening, CHARON-VAX
system install, software configuration, network setup and system setup for
$3,300. Salem Automation then provides data migration from VAX image backup
tapes for $900 per disk for 4 GB and under $1,100 per disk for disks over 4
GB. If you require disk consolidation, de-clustering, tuning, cluster
optimization or other services this estimate will go up.
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What is a typical PC configuration for CHARON-VAX?
Salem Automation highly recommends going with the HP ML370 server in the following configuration:
- One (1) HP ProLiant DL380 (or DL585) Server PC:
- Dual Core Intel 5160 Chip 3.0 Ghz, 1.333 FSB
- Two (2) GB Memory
- Integrated SCSI Controller
- Four (4) 36 GB 15,000 RPM SAS drives mirrored Two (2) Ethernet
- Interface Cards One (1)
- Rack mount enclosure, w/redundant fans and redundant power supplies
- One (1) Monitor, Keyboard, mouse, floppy drive and CD drive
- Redundant Power Supplies & Redundant Fans Windows
- 2003 Server Operating System
- 24x7 Monday to Friday 4 Hour Onsite Response 3 Year Warranty
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I have a very powerful VAX (VAX 7840 or faster) can CHARON VAX
replace this effectively?
The CHARON VAX product line has products to emulate the 6600's class of
VAXes. We offer the 6610 (120 VUPs), 6620 (240 VUPs), 6630 (360 VUPs) or
6660 (500+ VUPs).
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I have Oracle RdB VMS. Does it work with CHARON-VAX? Are there any license transfer fees?
CHARON-VAX works well with Oracle RdB VMS and this database is used by many CHARON-VAX customers. Oracle uses CHARON-VAX in their RdB VMS development center. Oracle allows transfers from a VAX to a similar class CHARON-VAX emulation with no license transfer fee. See the links below:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/rdb/htdocs/rdb7/charon_vax.html
A PowerPoint presentation prepared by Oracle is available at the following location: http://vms.vmslive.com/Oracle.PPT
CHARON-VAX & RDB Performance is demonstrated showing excellent results for CHARON-VAX
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How compatible to my existing VAX is CHARON-VAX?
CHARON-VAX emulates either the MicroVAX II, MicroVAX 3600 or MicroVAX 3100-98 MicroVAX 4000-106 & 4000-108. Your VAX may be a different model but Salem Automation has found most VAX systems will migrate one of the availble systems with few major problems. The CHARON-VAX software has been tested successfully against the Digital/HP's AXE tests which were used to test VAX compatibility before a VAX was released for production. Every version of CHARON-VAX passes this test. Many defense contractor customers have tested CHARON-VAX to ensure the results of cross-compilers are bit for bit the same as the results from the original VAX. CHARON-VAX passed this test many times and never failed it.
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Will CHARON VAX work in a SAN?
Yes CHARON VAX will work in a SAN environment.
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Can CHARON VAX use a SAN network?
Yes CHARON VAX can have it's data in disks out on a SAN. Windows
facilitates access to these more modern disk devices that were not available
when the VAX was being sold.
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What kind of VUP ratings can I expect with the emulator?
The VUP ratings can vary depending on the type of PC server on which the
CHARON VAX is running. On an appropriately equipped HP DL380 dual core Intel
5150 Processor 3.0 GHz server with the CHARON VAX XM/XL software you can
expect approximately 35 VUPs. On an appropriately equipped HP dual core
Intel 5160 Processor 3.0 GHz DL380 server with the CHARON VAX XM PLUS/XK
PLUS/XL PLUS you can expect approximately 120 VUPS (varies between 100 and
120).
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We have DEC servers 100's and 200's - what do you recommend for
the replacement for use with the new technology?
Regarding replacements for DEC Server 100s/200s:
http://www.lantronix.com/data-center-management/ethernet-terminal-servers/
These support TCP/IP and LAT which are the protocols for UTC.
We have used these extensively at many sites.
There is a small fee for a LAT license you have to buy from Lantronix. This includes
their terminal server in addition to the existing DEC LAT support.
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What are my options for doing tape backups once I get to CHARON VAX?
Approach 1 - Continue to use existing local tape drives.
With CHARON VAX you can connect the older SCSI 1 style devices to the new HP server
with the appropriate cable. The tape drive is identified to VMS as the same name
as the existing tape drive, MUA0 for example and the existing backup scripts work
the same way as before.
Approach 2 - Install a new DAT drive and use it as a VMS device
With CHARON VAX you can install a new DLTIV or new DAT tape drive
in the HP Server and identify it via CHARON VAX as a VMS device,
example MUA0, and then use the existing VMS backup strategies you have in place.
Approach 3 - Use VMS backup to perform a disk to disk backup, dismount the container
files and copy to another backup device such as local backup tape, DVDRW, etc.
Salem Automation can create additional container files such that if you have a 3, 4 GB
disks on a system, we will create 6, 4 GB container files. 3 of the container files
will be empty. You can mount all six devices DUA0, DUA1, DUA2, DUA3, DUA4 and DUA5.
You can backup from DUA0 to DUA3 which is a disk to disk backup and then dismount the DUA3 drive.
The Windows container file DUA3 can then be copied to a Windows backup server or a local Windows
tape. This process can be automated. A similar process can be setup if you have shadowed drives
where you break the shadow set and copy the shadowed drive container file to the backup server
and then re-enable the shadow set.
Also, these dismounted container files can be burnt to a local or remote CDRW or DVDRW.
Approach 4 - Use an automated remote VMS backup solution such as Tivoli Storage Manager or Tapesys.
These packages like Tapesys run on a remote, central backup computer and go out to backup
the VAX systems through the network. If you are using these already they will be sped up by
moving to CHARON VAX as the network speed goes up ten-fold.
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We have 3 machines that are dedicated to Pathworks - will they work with the CHARON solution?
We have a mixed mode, mixed version cluster running at one site in a cluster.
In this cluster we have a pair of Alphas clustered together and serving the
data up MSCP to a CHARON VAX emulation system which is then using Pathworks
to share the data to PC users. We have multiple CHARON VAX systems successfully
running with the latest version of Pathworks and some with older versions of Pathworks.
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We have mixed versions of VMS and/or Alphas in a CI cluster. How would CHARON work in this environment?
The strategy would be to purchase CHARON VAX systems on HP servers with sufficient horsepower
to replace your existing VAX systems. There would then be an HP SAN drive with 15,000 RPM drives
containing the data from the CI cluster on it which would be shared amongst the multiple CHARON VAX
servers via a Fibrechannel link. The lock manager NI clustering traffic between the CHARON VAX
servers would be over the 100 MB Ethernet link that would be dedicated NICs on the CHARON VAX
servers. Then there would be additional NICs on the CHARON VAX servers as needed for user
connection or other connections. If you had Alphas off of the CI cluster the Alphas could
share data with the VAX either through MSCP serving of the data from the SAN to the CHARON VAX
systems for drive sharing or the CHARON VAX can MSCP share the drives to the Alpha systems.
In either case the CI cluster goes away and it becomes a SAN wit NI clustering.
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I have a room full of old tapes (9-Track, 8 mm, TK50, TK70) how do I retain access
to these when I move to CHARON VAX?
With CHARON VAX you can connect the older SCSI 1 style devices to the new HP server with
the appropriate cable. The tape drive is identified to VMS as the same name as the
existing tape drive, MUA0 for example. Salem Automation can create additional container
files such that if you have a 3, 4 GB disks on a system, we will create 6, 4 GB container
files. 3 of the container files will be empty. You can mount all six devices DUA0, DUA1,
DUA2, DUA3, DUA4 and DUA5. You can restore from your tape on say MUA0 to DUA3. At this
point you can spool the container file contents off to a local modern, DAT/DLTIV tape
either through VMS. Alternately you can dismount the DUA3 and then either burn it to a
local DVDRW or spool it off to a local modern, DAT/DLTIV tape via Windows. This is a great
way to regain floor space and ensure your archives don't deteriorate any further.
Salem Automation can provide people to do this service either at your site or remotely.
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