VAX Replacement

Migration Specialties offers hardware and software-based solutions to replace legacy Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX systems.

VAX Emulation Advantages

• Quick deployment.
• Modern hardware in a smaller package.
• Binary compatibility; application source code is not needed.
• Improved hardware reliability and performance.
• Retention of VMS 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 re-engineering.
• Supported by HP with software license transfers.

VAX Emulation Via Software

Migration Specialties has utilized CHARON-VAX as a software-based VAX emulation solution. The product replaces the underlying VAX CPU, memory, and mass storage devices with modern equivalents while maintaining binary compatibility with VAX O/S's and layered products. CHARON-VAX solutions are available on Windows-based server and HP Alpha OpenVMS platforms.

CHARON-VAX 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 VAX CD distribution kits.
• Multiple configuration files can be used to quickly change VAX configurations.
• Performance improves relative to host performance.
• Faster disk I/O.
• Serial lines can be mapped to physical serial ports, onboard terminal emulation software, or telnet sessions.
• 100Mbit network connections are possible via a standard NIC.
• Consolidation of operations on modern servers.

CHARON-VAX is available under Windows XP, Windows Server, or HP OpenVMS. Its licensing is based on the VAX CPU being emulated, ranging from MicroVAX to VAX 6000 class machines. Unless specialized hardware support is required, CHARON-VAX meets the needs of most VAX replacement scenarios. In cases where specialized hardware is in use, NuVAX/FutureVAX may be a more appropriate solution.

CHARON-VAX runs as a 32-bit application, essentially functioning as a virtual VAX. Standard peripherals such as serial ports, disk drives, tape drives, and CD-ROM drives are mapped to equivalent host hardware or are emulated. For example, RD54 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-VAX is binary compatible with the VAX O/S and layered product software. No modification, translation, or recompilation of code is necessary. An image of each VAX disk is transferred to the emulated system, where the code executes as it would on the physical VAX. CHARON-VAX runs as a single application within the Windows or OpenVMS environment.

Special Notes for Windows Installations

• While it is possible to run other Windows applications concurrently with CHARON-VAX, 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-VAX installation. Migration Specialties will be happy to assist in configuring a server to support CHARON-VAX.
• CHARON-VAX uses a USB-based hardlock key to manage licensing.

VAX Emulation via Hardware

Migration Specialties is aware of The Logical Company's NuVAX/FutureVAX products, which are hardware emulation solution for MicroVAX installations with special hardware requirements. Logical markets their VAX hardware emulator as NuVAX in North America and FutureVAX outside North America. NuVAX is available in two basic formats, a QBUS replacement card designated the Model 1000 and a standalone system configuration designated the Model 3000. NuVAX replaces the existing VAX CPU, memory, and mass storage devices with modern equivalents while maintaining binary compatibility with the VAX O/S and layered products.

NuVAX/FutureVAX Features

• Binary compatibility; source code is not required.
• System and application operations remain unchanged.
• Disk and tape drives can be emulated as container files.
• CD-ROMs will support booting and software installation from actual VAX CD distribution kits.
• Improved CPU, memory, and I/O performance over comparable VAX system.
• 10/100/1000Mbit network connections available.

The Model 1000 features an SBC on a QBUS card that replaces the MicroVAX CPU, memory, disk controller, and tape controller within the existing system enclosure. It preserves the existing QBUS and its associated devices. The model 1000 is a modern hardware upgrade to your existing MicroVAX system.

The Model 3000 is a complete MicroVAX replacement system. The system is available in a PC-style tower or rackmount configuration. It emulates VAX CPU, memory, disk, and tape functions and supports optional PCI cards to emulate QBUS I/O controllers like the DRQ3B, DRV11-WA, and IEQ11.

Like CHARON-VAX, NuVAX is binary compatible with the VAX O/S and layered products. Once the O/S and applications have been transferred, they run just like they did on the original VAX system.

Special Notes for NuVAX/FutureVAX

• NuVAX does not currently support MicroVAX I emulation.
• NuVAX uses a USB-based hardlock key to manage licensing.

Porting to a VAX Emulator

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

Software-based VAX emulators create a virtual VAX environment within the context of the host O/S. Hardware-based VAX emulators physically replace existing VAX components or the entire system. In either case, the operating environment is indistinguishable from the legacy VAX being replaced. The emulated VAX environment is so accurate it can even be forced to bug check like a genuine VAX.

Turnkey Solutions

Trouble-free VAX emulation installations require correct initial configuration of the product. Configuration is a one-time process that entails knowledge and experience in VAX hardware and its mapping within the emulated VAX environment. We offer turnkey installation as part of our VAX 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 a VAX emulation replacement solution, you will need to provide us with information concerning your VAX 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 VAX 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 a .

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