Subject: SUMMARY - DEC Latest Version
Thanks to all who replied to my query.
My original question was :
I would like to know which is the latest(and hopefully most
STABLE) version of DEC osf? Is it OSF V3.2C ? Anything is there
in the pipe line to be released soon.
Can I go to V3.2C directly from V 3.0 ?
Summary of answers :
DEC OSF( Now called Digital UNIX) 3.2C is the latest
A few fixes are there in this version for ADVFS( So those using ADVFS
should go for it)
Next version may come in First quarter of 1996.
At least one person said that 'malloc' problem is there in kernel.
Others said it is reasonably stable.
What I can make out from answers is:
one can go from 3.0 to 3.2C directly ( YES and NO , you know only
if you TRY )
( with proper firmware upgrade )
In general, Upgrade may be quite time consuming.
One should be careful about Firmware upgrade also before going
for OS upgrade.
Thanks once again,
Brahmaji
(nvbr_at_iitk.ernet.in)
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Original Answers:
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Reply 1 :
You have to upgrade to 3.2(a) first before going to 3.2c. 3.2c has quite a few
patches in it for various things, especially for ADVFS. We've found it quite
stable. Someone from DEC support mentioned 4.0, but not a release date.
Kevin McGuire
Lattice Trading/CS First Boston
Reply 2 :
3.2c is the latest version. Internal lore has it that something is
about to be released in November, what I don't know. And yes, you can
update from 3.0 to 3.2c as long as you update the firmware too. Be
careful about updating the firmware as an incorrect version will
render your machine unusable.
Ciao,
Arrigo
Reply 3 :
v3.2C is the most stable for my 2100s, 7000s, 3000s, and 200s. I can't speak
for any other machines.
The next version (v4 or v3.5) is scheduled to be released in the first quarter
of the next calendar year.
You can not go directly from 3.0 to 3.2C, you must first go to v3.2; providing
you wish to use the installupdate procedures.
Randy M. Hayman
haymanr_at_icefog.alaska.edu
Reply 4 :
V3.2C in the current version. There is working being done
on the next major release, but the dates I've heard don't
fit my definiation of "soon".
The Installation Guide should explain the update requirements.
Reply 5 :
V3.2 is the current release, although it's no longer caled DEC
OSF/1. As of V3.2C it is Digital UNIX. V3.2C seems reasonably stable
and much smaller than 3.2A, but not as stable as 3.2A. You can go
directly fron 3.0 to 3.2C (or 3.2A). I believe V4.0 is just going to
external FT, so it's still several months from customer ship.
R. Kevin Oberman
Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)
National Energy Research Supercomputer Center (NERSC)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
EMAIL: koberman_at_llnl.gov Phone: +1 510 422-6955
Reply 6 :
v3.2c is the latest general release.
we were "strongly encouraged" by support people on three separate
problems to get off 3.0 onto 3.2c for advfs. however, we have
subsequently had one advfs panic (we had multiple under 3.0)...
been on v3.2c since 8 October.
> Can I go to V3.2C directly from V 3.0 ?
No, installupdate to v3.2 then again to v3.2c; you'll also likely
need a firmware upgrade. It took us about 3 hours x 2 staff to go
v3.0->v3.2c with firmware update and re-install of multiple layered
products which either required it or had newer versions.
It took considerably longer to do the planning for the upgrade,
in the order of two days effort spread across two weeks for getting
notifications out. Our requirements included ensuring ordering of
events in the upgrade process, ensuring adequate validation of
the database and application software under v3.2c would occur
immediately following the upgrade, and ensuring backout steps
if necessary. It took about 4 hours to complete application
checkout (x 2 staff) once the upgrade was completed and we had
twelve hours of down-time prior to the upgrade for backups.
This was for a 7620 running major Oracle based applications with
"must be available most of the time" requirements.
Planning, backups, and valdiation are much much lower on other types
of systems... I did a 2100 departmental system in about 6 hours
total effort (planning, backup, upgrade, validation).
Kurt Carlson, U of Alaska
Reply 7:
I would strongly recommend you stay away from DEC UNIX 3.2c until they
get the malloc problem fixed in the kernal. We are having major stability
problems with 3.2c.
--
Roland Pringle (rwp_at_nmti.com) | Man's flight through life is
Bailey Network Management | sustained by the power of his
1601 Industrial Blvd. | knowledge.
Sugar Land, Texas 77487 (713)274-5000 |
Reply 8 :
We are on 3.2c. It had few problems with LAT. Otherwise it
looks good.
Arun Sanghvi
G.E.- Nuclear Fuel
Wilmington, N.C
Reply 9 :
Hello Brahmaji,
The latest release of Digital UNIX is 3.2c. Version 4.0 is due out any
moment now. I got a quick look at it at the UNIX expo recently. It has a
much better graphic user interface for adminstration (among other things).
John Seel
johns_at_totaltec.com
Current shipping version is 7.2.2 (7.2.3 is in the pipe and will be available
by Dec. 7.3.2 will be the next release - available most likely by begining of
next year). Yes, you should be able to go to 3.2C from 3.0.
Thanks,
Vipin
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Vipin Gokhale Internet: vgokhale_at_us.oracle.com
Consulting Software Engineer
DEC SBU Voice: (415) 506-6273
Oracle Corporation Fax: (415) 506-7303
MS 659105 Location: 1OP 574
Redwood Shores, CA 94065
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Received on Fri Nov 03 1995 - 08:57:21 NZDT