Alpha Replacement

Migration Specialties offers a software-based solution to replace legacy Alpha AXP systems.

Alpha Emulation Advantages

• Fast deployment.
• Modern, standardized server hardware.
• Hardware replacement only.
• Binary compatibility; application source code is not needed.
• Retention of OpenVMS and all of its strengths.
• Lower operating costs.
• Continued leveraging of vested employee knowledge.
• Negligible user retraining.
• Preservation of investments in software applications.
• No software migration or conversion.
• Supported by HP with software license transfers.

Alpha Emulation Via Software

Migration Specialties has utilized CHARON-AXP as a software-based Alpha hardware emulation solution. The product replaces the underlying Alpha CPU, memory, and mass storage devices with standard Microsoft Windows server equivalents while maintaining binary compatibility with Alpha O/S's and layered products. CHARON-AXP is also marketed as VirtualAlpha. A special 32-bit version called PersonalAlpha is available for personal computers.

CHARON-AXP Features

• Binary compatibility; source code is not required.
• System and application operations remain unchanged.
• Disk and tape drives can be emulated as container files or supported via SCSI interfaces.
• CD-ROMs will support booting and software installation from Alpha CD distribution kits.
• Faster disk I/O.
• Serial lines can be mapped to physical serial ports, onboard terminal emulation software, or telnet sessions.
• Consolidation of operations on modern servers.

CHARON-AXP is available under Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Its licensing is based on the Alpha CPU being emulated. Unless specialized hardware support is required, CHARON-AXP meets the needs of most Alpha replacement scenarios.

With the exception of PersonalAlpha, a 32-bit version of CHARON-AXP for personal computers, CHARON-AXP runs as a 64-bit application, essentially functioning as a virtual Alpha on a Windows server. Standard peripherals such as serial ports, disk drives, tape drives, and CD-ROM drives are mapped to equivalent host server hardware or are emulated. For example, RZ29 disk drives can be emulated as container files, a CD-ROM can be mapped to the host's CD-ROM drive, and serial ports can be mapped to network ports.

CHARON-AXP is binary compatible with the Alpha O/S and layered product software. No modification, translation, or recompilation of code is necessary. An image of each Alpha disk is transferred to the emulated system, where the code executes as it would on the physical Alpha. CHARON-AXP runs as a single application within the Windows environment.

While it is possible to run other Windows applications concurrently with CHARON-AXP, this is not recommended. Doing so introduces the risk of timing and communications errors within the emulation environment. It is best to dedicate a server constructed from quality components to each CHARON-AXP installation. Migration Specialties will be happy to assist in configuring a server to support CHARON-AXP. CHARON-AXP uses a USB-based hardlock key to manage licensing.

Porting to a Alpha Emulator

Migrating your applications to a Alpha emulator is similar to migrating them to a new physical Alpha system. The emulator installation is first configured to look like the Alpha system it is replacing. The O/S, software applications, and data are then copied to the emulated Alpha system. With the O/S and applications in place, the emulated Alpha is ready to boot and run.

Software-based Alpha emulators create a virtual Alpha environment within the context of the host O/S. The operating environment is indistinguishable from the Alpha being replaced. The emulated Alpha environment is so accurate it can even be forced to bug check like a genuine Alpha.

Turnkey Solutions

Trouble-free Alpha emulation installations require correct initial configuration of the product. Configuration is a one-time process that entails knowledge and experience in Alpha hardware and its mapping within the emulated Alpha environment. Migration Specialties offers turnkey installation as part of our Alpha replacement solutions to make configuration quick and easy. Turnkey services include system construction, software porting, and onsite installation. More information is available on our Emulator Services page.

Obtaining a Quote

Before we can quote an Alpha emulation replacement solution, you will need to provide us with information concerning your Alpha environment. This can be accomplished by running the DCL procedure VMS_INFO.COM and sending us the results. You may optionally request a brief which we will e-mail to you. Both the procedure and the questionnaire cover your Alpha hardware configuration and operating environment. Neither seeks any proprietary information or application data. One or the other must be completed before we will quote a replacement system.

• VMS_INFO.COM system configuration reporting procedure.
• Request an .

If you would like additional information about Alpha emulation, give us a call or . See our OpenVMS page for Migration Specialties OpenVMS services and our Porting page for other Alpha replacement options.