SUMMARY: Tru64 on a PWS500a

From: Gary Moody (gary.m.moody_at_gmail.com)
Date: 11/12/04

  • Next message: Rich Glazier: "Xserver.conf"
    Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 14:20:11 -0600
    To: tru64-unix-managers@ornl.gov
    
    

    Hi folks,

    Thank you to Denise McCracken, Russ Schaefer, Ben Ingwersen, Elizabeth
    Harvey-Forsythe, Tom Linden, Derek Haining, Marco Benton, and Tom
    Blinn for the responses to my inquiries.

    I asked several questions:

    1. The suitability of the DEC PWS500a s for Tru64
    2. The appropriate video card
    3. The oddball IDE/SCSI internal drive interface
    4. Any technical documentation related to this box.

    Several folks pointed out the the -au, rather than the -a, model was
    the box setup for UNIX. The -a models were setup for NT4.0. This is
    true, and the boxes I have currently have NT4 on them. I also
    understand, with some additional hardware, this box can run Tru64, as
    well as VMS and several versions of Linux, without issue.

    The boxes come with the Matrox Millenium video cards, which several
    folks pointed out was not Tru64 compatible. In testing, it's not that
    they don't work, per se, but they only work in 640X480/256 color mode.
     X is ugly on these cards. I've since purchased a Powerstorm 4D40T
    card and have downloaded the drivers for Tru64. Several cards would
    work, including other Powerstorm cards, S3 chipset cards, a Stealth 3D
    card which has a Permedia chipset, an ELSA GLoria Synergy card, or an
    Oxygen video card.

    The IDE controller in the -a model is a bit bizarre. It presents
    itself as a SCSI device to Tru64, and the OS can be installed on it
    without issue. Several folks stated that the controller would handle
    a larger drive, with at least one person stating that their machine
    HAD a larger IDE drive in it, which is what I needed to know.

    The reason I was looking for fibre HBA info is that I have been able
    to scrounge a fully poopulated and working Sun StorEdge A5000 fibre
    array that I was hoping to use with these boxes for network storage.
    One person suggesteda KGPSA controller was compatible with the SRM,
    and possibly more with the latest firmware. Others flatly stated the
    FC cards are not compatible with this system. I'll continue to look
    for a solution.

    A japanese web site that contains compatibility information (in
    english) for video cards, SCSI cards, and Gb NIC cards is located at
    http://moon.hanya-n.org/comp/alpha/

    Several folks were able to share some of their library of
    documentation on this box (*very* helpful, thank you!), and some
    suggested looking into the HP Alphaservers site
    (http://h18002.www1.hp.com/alphaserver/workstations/retired/), where
    there was some additional documentation.

    Background: I acquired the boxes for no cost, as well as the array.
    I'm hoping to put together a rather extensive home automation project,
    using Oracle and GPL software. The 64 bit architecture will help with
    some of the AV aspects, and as data servers. I'll configure a single
    head, and the rest as data or web servers.

    I thank you all for your time and effort in your response! I'll keep
    the group apprised of the progress, and I'm sure I'll have more
    questions as I go forward with this.

    Regards,

    Gary
    Gary.M.Moody*NOSPAM* at gmail.com


  • Next message: Rich Glazier: "Xserver.conf"

    Relevant Pages

    • Re: Madness Network + Rotschreck is too good!
      ... We could assemble money not more than for 3-4 boxes max, ... including the shipping costs and customs fees. ... The cards are available. ...
      (rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad)
    • Re: Freeview Card Choice?
      ... >one for a week or so till the PC cards appear in sales... ... >30 quid boxes don't come with a scart cable and they'll try and flog you one ... The 40 quid Logik boxes come with all cables. ... while i am talking about this, the hauppauge hybrid usb 2.0 dongle ...
      (uk.comp.homebuilt)
    • Re: Christmas Card Report
      ... I believe that marking envelopes with a rubber stamp that says "No cash ... I have also noted that the delays with balikbayan boxes occurs mostly in the ... Boxes sent LBC arrived on-time, In contrast the 3 boxes sent using Grace ... Cards reaching the recipients were much improved over prior years. ...
      (soc.culture.filipino)
    • Re: Empty boxes?
      ... Wondering if the cases you buy the points cards in have spindles like the ... Wii points cards boxes do ... replacement boxes, i know other companies have done this in the past ... Current eBay auctions: http://tinyurl.com/hutcb ...
      (uk.games.video.xbox)
    • Re: Madness Network + Rotschreck is too good!
      ... boxes of starters and / or boosters from a wholesaler like The Lasombra ... We had the same access to cards issue in New Zealand so ... Belarus, or of course in your financial situation, but it is possible ... including the shipping costs and customs fees. ...
      (rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad)