Clusters Program Analysis Jun82

This document, an "Analysis and Recommendations regarding the Clusters Program" from June 1982, outlines Digital's strategy for multi-computer systems, focusing on the CI Cluster Architecture.

Core Message: The computing market is shifting from single-computer systems to multi-computer "clusters," driven by increased demands for reliability, scalability, and system integration. Digital's CI Cluster Program offers a significant technical innovation and a crucial opportunity to become a leader in this emerging "systems integration" business.

Market Context:

• Shifting Focus: "High Availability" is no longer the sole differentiator; general-purpose computing increasingly requires "predictable recovery" (data integrity, failover options, growth accommodation) and easy expandability.
• Emerging Markets: The "Office" environment, personal computers, and local area networks (LANs) demand coherent multi-computer architectures and, crucially, strong system integration capabilities.
• Competitive Landscape:
  • Tandem: A key competitor known for "NonStop" systems, now shifting focus to distributed databases and office automation.
  • IBM: Poses a significant threat in systems integration and services, rather than just hardware/software.
  • New Wave (Stratus, August Systems, Intel): Exploring new approaches like hardware-based redundancy and object-oriented architectures.

Digital's CI Cluster Architecture:

• Definition: A "cluster" is a group of cooperating computers connected via a high-speed bus/link, providing survivability and modular expandability. They typically share a common file system/data base and are managed by a single organization.
• Key Components: The architecture includes the Computer Interconnect (CI) for high-speed data transfer, HSC-50 (an intelligent I/O server for shared storage), System Communications Architecture (SCA) for inter-computer communication, Mass Storage Control Protocol (MSCP), Distributed Lock Manager for shared file systems, Common Journalling Facility (CJF), Recovery Units, Checkpointing Facility for data integrity and failover, and the Ulysses Communications Switch for automatic terminal/line switching. The design aims for "no single point of failure."
• Benefits: Provides robust data integrity, process failover, file and resource sharing, and enhanced system capacity, making Digital competitive across a broad range of market needs (as illustrated by radar charts showing strong performance across various criteria compared to competitors).

Key Recommendations and Challenges for Digital:

1. Aggressive Market Introduction: Launch the CI Cluster Program (Fall 82 announcement, Spring 83 product) to gain early market visibility and prevent competitors from gaining footholds.
2. System Integration Leadership: Establish a strong structure to characterize, install, maintain, and service multi-computer systems, developing the necessary tools and expertise.
3. Comprehensive Services: Provide remedial and consulting services that complement the hardware and software, leveraging internal engineering knowledge.
4. Future Interconnects: Invest in second-generation interconnects, potentially merging current NI (Local Area Network) and CI programs for better price/performance and reduced product confusion.
5. Technology Leverage: Transfer CI Cluster technology (e.g., shared databases) to other multi-computer initiatives like Personal Computers and LANs.
6. VAX Information Architecture Integration: Ensure VIA fully utilizes the VMS functionality developed for the CI Cluster Program.
7. Address Low-End Needs: Explore cost-effective alternatives for communications switching to support lower-priced clustered systems.
8. Strategic Focus: Maintain a commitment to survivable systems and leverage clustering to manage growth in high-end systems and distributed data bases, rather than solely relying on faster single processors.

The document emphasizes that mastering systems analysis, characterization, and service capabilities will be crucial for Digital's survival in the evolving computing markets.