HP announces the latest members of the AlphaServer family

HP also introduces Tru64 UNIX® 5.1B-1 and OpenVMS 7.3-2, which are tuned for the new AlphaServer systems and provide significant improvements in performance, security, management and storage support. There are also significant enhancements to memory, I/O, memory channel interconnect and partitioning functionality across the entire family of EV7-based AlphaServer systems.

AlphaServer customers are guaranteed a smooth and speedy evolution to the Integrity Server environment through HP’s Alpha RetainTrust (ART) program. As an enhancement to the ART program, HP will release at the end of the year an update to its Application Transition tools to assist with the transition of Tru64 UNIX custom code to HP-UX 11i v2.

New AlphaServer GS1280 M64 High Performance Server

HP is meeting its commitment to the delivery of 64-way EV7-based systems with the introduction of the new AlphaServer GS1280 M64 system, which offers the highest levels of AlphaServer performance ever offered by HP. Current GS1280 M32 systems can be easily upgraded to the new 64-way configuration within a day, and upgrades, as well as new servers, are shipping now.

“We have already invested in the new HP AlphaServer GS1280 systems to handle the high speed processing required for some of our most demanding research in biology, medicine and environmental sciences. Now that HP has released support for 64-way systems, we expect to have four GS1280 M64 systems up and running within a day of receiving the upgrade.”

Drs. Michael Levine and Ralph Roskies
Co-scientific Directors
Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.

New AlphaServer DS15 Entry-level Server

For customers who require a cost-effective, entry-level AlphaServer solution, HP has introduced the 1-way AlphaServer DS15 system, which provides higher performance than the AlphaServer DS10 with improved price/performance. This new server is available immediately and complements your existing investments in entry-level AlphaServer solutions.

"ABB Network Management intends to purchase between 75 and 150 new HP DS15 Alpha Server systems for use in ABB's Network Manager SCADA/EMS/GMS/BMS/DMS/OUS solutions; provided to the Electric Utility Industry, during the upcoming year. The DS15 servers offer a significant increase in performance, price/performance and functionality over HP's current DS10 systems, yet are delivered in a compact package occupying the same physical space."

Ron Smith
Manager of Hardware and Production
ABB Inc's Network Management Division
Sugar Land, Texas

Enhancements to the entire EV7-based AlphaServer Family

HP is introducing enhancements to all EV7-based AlphaServer models - the ES47, ES80, and GS1280:

• 2 x memory capacity (8GB/cpu)
• 4 x I/O density with optional high-performance drawer
• New Memory Channel interconnect to reduce cluster costs
• Support for HP OpenVMS Galaxy soft partitioning.
  OpenVMS Galaxy will support up to 16 instances of OpenVMS in an AlphaServer GS1280 64P system (two 32P hard partitions with a maximum of 8 soft partition instances of OpenVMS in each 32P hard partition). OpenVMS Galaxy is supported on all EV7-based new AlphaServer systems with OpenVMS version 7.3-1 (with remedial kits) and later versions.

OpenVMS 7.3-2 operating system

With more than 25 years of proven reliability, HP OpenVMS continues to enhance its availability and performance by including new technology in the base operating system and in the HP OpenVMS Cluster software environment. OpenVMS continues to focus on making changes that improve system, SMP, and I/O performance, with the ultimate goal of improving application performance. This release also includes enhancements that make it easier to port UNIX® applications to OpenVMS.

OpenVMS has been the choice of many businesses that depend on technology for their business critical operations. It holds a leadership position in healthcare, public sector, telecommunications, financial services, and manufacturing. These markets operate under extreme demands and a zero tolerance for system outages. OpenVMS offers the high availability, reliability, and security these industries demand.

HP OpenVMS Alpha Version 7.3-2 delivers

• Support for the new AlphaServer GS1280 M64 and AlphaServer DS15 systems and all existing AlphaServer systems
• Increased I/O and SMP performance
• Expanded Storage Area Network (SAN) offerings
• Improved system availability
• Enhanced security, UNIX portability and system management features

The OpenVMS customer base remains very enthusiastic and supportive of these new enhancements. Business partners and ISVs continue their strong commitment to the OpenVMS AlphaServer platform, as well as exercising their rapidly growing commitment to porting their applications on OpenVMS to the Itanium®-based Integrity servers.

Tru64 UNIX® 5.1B-1 operating system

Tru64 UNIX and TruCluster Server V5.1B-1 represent HP’s continued investment in quality initiatives and capability expansion. Tru64 UNIX Version 5.1B-1 delivers complete binary compatibility with existing Tru64 UNIX Version 5.1 applications with no need for re-certification. Tru64 UNIX 5.1B-1 ships from the factory with DS15 systems in October, and to the broader customer audience in mid-November. V5.1B-1delivers

• Support for the new AlphaServer GS1280 and DS15 systems
• Scalability and performance enhancements to file systems and virtual memory management. Improvements to system and application performance
• Expanded storage capability: support for HP Data Protector, Legato Networker Single Server V7 and additional disk and tape devices
• Automatic workload balancing across cluster nodes
• Many new applications and new versions of current applications

  "Altair's PBS Pro Grid application has been supported on the AlphaServer systems running Tru64 UNIX for many years and Altair plans to continue to support this environment as long as our customers want us to."
  

  Michael Humphrey
  VP of Enterprise Computing
  Altair Engineering.

Commitment to our customers

These high-performance AlphaServer systems deliver immediate performance benefits and provide the foundation for a long-term future with HP. Through the Alpha RetainTrust (ART) and the AlphaServer Customer Assurance Program (ACAP), HP provides a variety of investment protections, trade-in and monetary guarantees. HP has developed comprehensive tools, resources, services and support to ensure a smooth evolution to OpenVMS or HP-UX on Integrity servers.

Learn more about these systems

Flexible leasing and financing options are available from HP Financial Services.