Post by Stephen HoffmanNot saying anything definite about this thought, but, right now, as I understand it, the source code for VSI Alpha VMS V8.4 2L1 and VSI Alpha VMS V8.4 2L2 is exactly the same. No differences. 2L2 was compiled with compiler switches to use EV6 instructions, which I seem to recall Clair mentioned that it had a performance increase just in the OS of around 15%. So a version without the EV6 only instructions should run on any "supported" Alpha HW. Not getting into anything like the Multia.
There were other changes.
VSI OpenVMS Alpha V8.4-2L2 is the first OpenVMS Alpha release that can be installed.
VSI OpenVMS Alpha V8.4-2L1 only works as an upgrade. Not as an install.
If you ignore the two errors on a fresh install, it appears to install okay. Perhaps some related error will turn up, but so far in a month of use, nothing has reared it's head yet.
Execution phase starting ...
The following products will be installed to destinations:
VSI AXPVMS AVAIL_MAN_BASE V8.4-2L1 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS CDSA V2.4-320A DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS DECNET_PHASE_IV V8.4-2L1 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS DWMOTIF V1.7-F DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS DWMOTIF_SUPPORT V8.4-2L1 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS HPBINARYCHECKER V1.1-A DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS KERBEROS V3.1-152A DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS OPENVMS V8.4-2L1 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS SSL V1.4-502A DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS SSL1 V1.0-2JA DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS TCPIP V5.7-13ECO5F DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS TDC_RT V2.3-1220 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
VSI AXPVMS VMS V8.4-2L1 DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.]
Portion done: 0%...10%
%PCSI-E-OPENOUT, error opening DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.][SYSHLP]HELPLIB.HLB; as output
-RMS-E-FNF, file not found
%PCSI-E-OPFAILED, operation failed
Terminating is strongly recommended. Do you want to terminate? [YES] no
%PCSI-E-OPENIN, error opening DISK$CLARKE084:[VMS$COMMON.][SYSLIB]DCLTABLES.EXE; as input
-RMS-E-FNF, file not found
%PCSI-E-OPFAILED, operation failed
Terminating is strongly recommended. Do you want to terminate? [YES] no
Portion done: 20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%
%PCSI-I-PRCOUTPUT, output from subprocess follows ...
% - Execute SYS$MANAGER:TCPIP$CONFIG.COM to proceed with configuration of
% HP TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS.
%
Portion done: 100%
The following products have been installed:
VSI AXPVMS AVAIL_MAN_BASE V8.4-2L1 Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS CDSA V2.4-320A Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS DECNET_PHASE_IV V8.4-2L1 Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS DWMOTIF V1.7-F Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS DWMOTIF_SUPPORT V8.4-2L1 Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS HPBINARYCHECKER V1.1-A Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS KERBEROS V3.1-152A Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS OPENVMS V8.4-2L1 Platform (product suite)
VSI AXPVMS SSL V1.4-502A Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS SSL1 V1.0-2JA Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS TCPIP V5.7-13ECO5F Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS TDC_RT V2.3-1220 Layered Product
VSI AXPVMS VMS V8.4-2L1 Operating System
Post by Stephen HoffmanThis was seemingly documented nowhere, save by its omission.
It was mentioned here, I think, when the release was announced. Once reminded, I remembered seeing it at least.
Post by Stephen HoffmanThis limitation was known to VSI Support.
Hopefully, that documentation been remedied.
New VSI OpenVMS Alpha installations also ended up paying more than upgrades. Though that's all using SaaS / subscription pricing now.
But yes, there are differences between OpenVMS Alpha V8.4-2L1 and OpenVMS Alpha V8.4-2L2 beyond the compilation differences.
VSI OpenVMS I64 V8.4-2L1 can be installed, and can be an upgrade.
Past the OpenVMS I64 V8.4-2L3 update / roll-up / remaster, I wouldn't expect to see more than maintenance on Alpha and Itanium.
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John H. Reinhardt