Hello Tru64 UNIX administrators,
So you've gotten the Y2K thing under control and the network is up to
date. Your users are happy, and the phone hardly rings anymore...
Right...
It's the perfect time for you to come to one of Compaq's cool labs and
to sit in front of a hot Tru64 UNIX TruCluster to participate in usability
testing of Tru64 UNIX system management applications!
The development of Tru64 UNIX is moving ahead vigorously, especially in
the area of clustering technology. While TruCluster technology is
currently used worldwide, the latest version is in development and
nearing completion (the TruCluster 5.0 release). It provides a
"tru" cluster file system and looks like a single system.
As a result, Tru64 UNIX's SysMan system management suite is being
enhanced with advanced cluster management features. These features
have been extensively tested internally, and would benefit from
usability testing by "real world" administrators like you.
I would travel to your site, but it would be difficult to get our
test cluster (two AlphaServer 800 systems, Memory Channel interconnect,
cables, etc.) in the back seat of a rental car!
So I am asking administrators within easy distance of Manalapan, New
Jersey, USA if they would come to our development site and be involved
in testing. Our site is on Route 9, north of Freehold, and is
centrally located in New Jersey. The testing will take approximately
one day. Compaq cannot defray your traveling costs, but lunch will be
provided.
The "testing" entails using the SysMan applications on a TruCluster 5.0
system to perform typical system administration tasks. We'll do a
complete installation of Tru64 UNIX V5.0 and TruCluster 5.0, then
configure the network, setup services, create a cluster, add cluster
members, manage accounts, register applications, create failover
preferences, load balance, etc.
Note that this is not a "test" in the normal sense of the word. Rather,
it is an exercise to see if the new SysMan tools meet administrators'
needs for managing their Tru64 UNIX clusters. Experts, novices, and
beginners are all encouraged to participate. No cluster experience is
necessary!
Also note that this is not a "demo". You will perform the actual tasks
you would normally perform on your production systems.
The benefit to us will be real admins like yourself using Tru64 UNIX
V5.0 and TruCluster 5.0 *before* we ship so we can correct any
difficulties before you start using it in the "real world". The benefit
to you will be to see and use the latest technology from Compaq *before*
it ships (and get out of the office for a day). It is like getting a
free training course for the administration of a TruCluster.
Please email me back if you are interested, and we can arrange date
and time. If there is an overwhelming response, please understand that
we have a limited number of slots and everyone may not be accommodated.
Thanks,
Paul Henderson
Human Factors Engineer
Tru64 UNIX Group
Compaq Computer Corporation
Manalapan, New Jersey, USA 07726
henderson_at_unx.dec.com || (732) 577-6044
Received on Wed Jun 30 1999 - 19:08:53 NZST