Hardware Emulators

Sometimes a software migration is not the best solution. Older systems may contain specialized hardware that is still required to support ongoing research, testing, or production facilities. You may be running a software package critical to your business that does not have a modern equivalent. Or you may be saddled with an old system that must be kept alive for a few more years to meet archiving or reporting requirements. In these instances, emulation of your existing legacy hardware is a viable alternative.

Hardware emulation is a viable solution, with this key caveat: The perception that by deploying an emulator a reduction in application support costs is realized is false. The knowledge needed to run and maintain the legacy applications must be retained. The gains realized are consolidations in hardware types, reductions in hardware maintenance costs, and improved hardware reliability.

Hardware emulators come in hardware-based and software-based formats. All hardware emulation packages seek to duplicate the functions of the system CPU and enough peripheral hardware to support the majority of the software applications available on the platform. Migration Specialties can help you determine if hardware emulation is a good choice, pick the best emulation solution available, and provide installation and configuration services.

Hardware Emulation

Legacy hardware emulation offers these advantages:

• Replaces legacy hardware with modern server technology.
• Improves system reliability and performance.
• Eliminates user retraining.
• Reduces maintenance & resource costs.
• Provides a turnkey migration solution for legacy applications.
• Does not require application translation or recompilation.
• Consolidates operations on modern servers, easing management & backup requirements.

Hardware emulation takes two forms: emulation via hardware or emulation via software.

Emulation via hardware generally involves use of a specially designed PCI co-processor card fitted to a generic Windows-server. The co-processor card duplicates the functionality of the legacy hardware at a machine code level. This means applications can usually be ported and run without recompilation. It also supplies the means to provide the physical connectivity required to support peripheral hardware connected to the legacy system bus.

Emulation via software uses a sophisticated set of programs to emulate the legacy hardware. Like the hardware emulator, the software emulator duplicates functionality at a machine code level. This allows legacy applications to be run on a modern server, usually without recompilation. As a general rule, software-based emulators are not as adept at supporting specialized external legacy hardware. They have the advantage of not requiring any special hardware to operate.

Legacy Hardware Issues

Many legacy computers continue to serve useful functions running specific business applications or servicing specialized hardware such as probes and sensors. However, time is everyone's nemesis and hardware is no exception. Legacy hardware has the following liabilities:

• Poor reliability due to age.
• High maintenance costs.
• Lack of parts and service.
• Large physical size.
• Heavy power consumption and heat generation.

Time has marched on and smaller, faster, more efficient machines are available. The problem is they don't support the hardware and software running on the legacy platform; hardware and software you rely on to run your business.

The best solution would be a new computer that runs the legacy O/S and supports the legacy bus structure. Unfortunately, HP no longer manufactures the HP1000 and Digital Equipment Corporation is a page in the history books, so you're out of luck there. Fortunately, several companies offer the next best thing: hardware and software that allow a modern server to emulate your legacy system.

Turnkey Solutions

Migration Specialties offers installation services for VAX, PDP-11, and HP1000 emulation solutions. We will oversee construction and configuration of the replacement system, transfer the O/S, applications, and data from the legacy platform, and install the new system at your site. More information is available on the Emulator Services page.

Obtaining a Quote

Before we can quote an emulation package, you will need to fill out and return a brief System Assessment Questionnaire. The questionnaire covers your hardware configuration and operating environment. A specific questionnaire is available for each architecture. You can request a specific questionnaire at the links listed below or from the individual hardware pages. A completed questionnaire is required before we will quote a replacement system.

If you would like additional information about hardware emulation, give us a call or . We will be happy to help you assess your legacy system replacement options.