Feb
HP decided to buy the Alpha collection of servers after they acquired Compaq who in turn had acquired the Alpha brand after bought out DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) back in the 1990’s.
The Hewlett Packard Alpha collection of servers depends upon the DEC formulated Alpha processor chip and typically runs the VMS operating-system which happens to be renowned both for its security and stability. Not surprising then, that HP Alpha Servers took over as the first option for several MOD and government departments that required the highest degrees of protection and could afford almost no down time. Tru64 UNIX was also created on the Alpha platform as well as the full range of HP Alpha Servers will be able to run either OS.
Initially Hewlett-Packard remained committed to the Alpha equipment and their road maps demonstrated support towards the Alpha range and VMS software (now generally known as OpenVMS) past 2010. The HP Alpha Server spectrum was ultimately dropped in preference of the HP Integrity selection of servers showcasing the brand new Intel Itanium processor. OpenVMS was optimised to operate around the Itanium CPU so therefore the typical advancement path for traditional VMS users ended up being upgrade to HP Integrity and run the later versions of OpenVMS. Hewlett-packard started with a massive initiative to teach more traditional Alpha clients and help an improvement route to Hewlett Packard Integrity. Having said that, you will still find many niche applications never been ported to newer OpenVMS versions and these require older Alpha hardware which are still competent at running VMS. This has brought about many Alpha users continue to be needing Alpha hardware and support services to keep their core applications functioning.
Few suppliers in recent times provide the know-how and support for customers who still need these legacy Alpha Servers. Some offer used and refurbished servers and parts and so are able to provide hardware and software rental coupled with software and hardware support. The sourcing cost of redeveloping software and acquiring new hardware appreciably overshadows the price of keeping a legacy server supported and running, hence the market for legacy andpre-owned HP Alpha servers currently.
Some of the services offered range from the supply and installing HP Alpha software and hardware, rental services and on-site software and hardware maintenance services. Rental services particularly, have become helpful for short-lived peak demands in business (for which you may need extra processors and/or storage products for a limited interval), office relocations and hardware/software upgrade work (that you will have to run two environments during a limited period to help switch over) and identified jobs that only require products for just a limited period.