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XX-F29DF-3D

2008

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Document:	CHARON-AXP Win SMA SPD
Order Number:	XX-F29DF-3D
Revision:	0
Pages:	2
Original Filename:	CHARON-AXP%20Win%20SMA%20SPD.pdf

OCR Text

Document: 60-15-018-006

CHARON-AXP/SMA for Windows
Product version: 2.1 Build 32
Description
CHARON-AXP/SMA (Small and Medium Alpha) is a
member of the CHARON cross-platform hardware virtualization product-family by Stromasys. It will run the Alpha
operating systems OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX including
the layered products and application software in their existing, binary form. It quickly moves your Alpha software
and data to a general purpose computer.

CHARON-AXP/SMA for Windows is designed to replace
the following Alpha computer systems by its virtual
equivalent running on a 64 bit Intel/AMD Windows Server
2003 R2 and Server 2008 R2 host platform:
•
•
•

AlphaServer 300 and 400
AlphaServer 1000, 2000 (1 CPU), 4000 (1 CPU)
DEC3000

Most of the original Alpha-hardware is virtualized, allowing
the OpenVMS or Tru64 operating system and all software
that is running in that environment to remain working as
always. No changes to the original software (operating
system, layered products or applications), its procedures
or handling have to be applied.
Network
CHARON-AXP virtualizes the Ethernet controllers as included in the original AlphaServer hardware that is replaced (DE435, DE450 and DE500). Any protocol that ran
on these controllers (DECnet, TCP/IP, LAT) will run over
this virtualized link.
Storage
CHARON-AXP/SMA provides support for Alpha storage
devices: disk, tape and generic SCSI (pass through) via
virtual KZPBA SCSI adapters. CHARON-AXP/SMA allows
connecting Alpha SCSI devices to logical disks or tapes
that appear as container files in the host operating system, connections to Windows physical devices and direct
SCSI addressing. In the latter case the nature of the connected device is not important; the Alpha Operating system already included the drivers for these devices.
The storage support is based on SCSI, however CHARON-AXP/SMA includes a special OpenVMS driver that
allows to present OpenVMS with other device types: IDE
(DQA), FibreChannel (DGA), DSSI (DIA), RAIDarray
(DRA) and MSCP (DUA), next to SCSI (DKA/MKA/GKA).
The nature of the storage technology on the host computer is hidden the Alpha Operating system, allowing to store
(e.g.) SCSI or IDE disk on a FibreChannel SAN.
Performance
When run on a HP Proliant with multi-core 3 GHz processor CHARON-AXP/SMA provides better performance than
the Alpha hardware it replaces.

Host system requirements
CHARON-AXP is designed to run on 64 bit Windows
Server 2003 R2 or Server 2008 R2, which is supported by
AMD and Intel processor systems, or on a VMware ESXi
4.1 Update 1 virtual appliance.
CHARON-AXP/SMA virtualizes a single CPU Alpha system and therefore claims one of the CPU's on the host system for that task. Additional CPU capacity is required for
I/O handling and other virtualization support tasks. CHARON-AXP/SMA licensing allows combining multiple licenses
on one multi-core host system, when the rule of reserving
1 additional CPU for every virtual Alpha CPU’s is respected.
Product license key
The CHARON USB-type license key is permanently connected to the host system running CHARON-AXP. It preserves the customer specific license parameters, allows
remote electronic updates and enables rapid change of
host systems as the CHARON executable itself can be
installed on multiple systems.
For mission critical applications a backup key containing
720 hours execution time can be ordered to meet any disaster recovery plan that requires replacement hardware.
Distribution kit
Installation kit, SPDs, User manual, Release notes, and
Performance Measurements are available from an ftp site.
Additional utilities
Taskbar menu: Manage the active virtual Alpha’s
MKdisk: Create empty VAX disk images
SCSIcheck: Locate CHARON names for disks, tapes, CD’s
floppy disks and other SCSI devices
I/O bypass driver: Flexible device definition and more efficient I/O (OpenVMS only)
Idle: Suspends host CPU usage when the operating system is idle (energy save mode). Valid for OpenVMS only.

User environment
After installation the system will behave like the Alpha it replaces and should be treated like that Alpha.
Operating procedures will be the same and we advise not to treat it as a Windows system, despite the fact
it runs on a Windows kernel. The product documentation includes an advisory for switching off unused
Windows services and the Windows kernel can be disconnected from the network after installation.

Virtualized Alpha System

AlphaServer 300 or 400
AlphaServer 1000, 2000, 4000 (single CPU)
DEC3000

Earliest OpenVMS Version

6.1 for DEC3000; 6.2-1h3 for AlphaServers

Earliest Tru64 Version

3.2 for DEC3000; 3.2C for AlphaServers

Max virtual Memory

1 GB for DEC3000; 8 GB for AlphaServers

SCSI subsystem

KZPBA adapter (can also replace KZPAA, KZPSA, KZPAC, KZPSC, PZPCM)

FibreChannel support

OpenVMS only

MSCP support

OpenVMS only

IDE support

OpenVMS only

DSSI support

OpenVMS only

RAID array support

OpenVMS only

Ethernet adapter

DE435, DE450, DE500 utilizing the line speed of the host adapter (max 1Gbps)

Serial Lines Adapter

PBXDA (max 8)

COM port support

Yes

Max number of adapters supported

20 (any combination)

Disk support

Container files on Windows file systems, Windows physical disks, direct SCSI devices.

Tape support

Container files on Windows file systems, Windows physical disks, direct SCSI devices,
USB tape device support

Generic SCSI device (type unknown)

Yes

Clustering support

NI clusters, shared disk clusters

Host operating system

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Server 2003 (R2), Windows 7, and Windows XP (64
bit) on top of a physical host or on VMware ESXi 4.1 update 1

Host CPU/RAM

Amount of host system CPU cores ≥ 2 *(amount of emulated AXP CPU cores); Host
RAM ≥ 2 GB + (amount of emulated AXP RAM)

Recommended Hardware

HP Proliant servers; Intel Xeon 5600 family, frequency at least 2.8 GHz

Requires a special driver, offering the right device name, which is available for OpenVMS only

Ordering information
CHARON-AXP/SMA
Unlimited run time license
One year license
720 hour disaster recovery license
GOLD-support (9x5)
Platinum support (24-7)

Part Number
CHAXP-800IP-WI
CHAXP-800IY-WI
CHAXP-800IK-WI
CHAXP-800IU-WI
CHAXP-800IT-WI