Good and bad news on support for 2100 Alphas. My thanks again to
Rodney Dollar at ComPaq pre-sales tech support.
>From
http://www5.compaq.com/products/quickspecs/10513_na/10513_na.HTML we
get the info that Tru64Unix V5.1 supports the 2100 machines.
But, as I mentioned in the first SUMMARY report, the 2100 machines
are "retired" and testing and maintenance of support on particular
devices is up to individual managers. I.e., with luck the particular
devices in a machine might work OK.
Feedback from pre-sales software tech support indicated that the
KZPSC RAID controller on my machine will work with V5.1, and this
appears to be varified from info listed in
http://www5.compaq.com/alphaserver/options/2x00_restrictions.html.
However, I persisted a bit further and got the following reply from
pre-sales software tech support:
"George, this is the final word--- not supported. It will probably work
Copyright 1999 Compaq Computer Corporation. All rights reserved
SOURCE: Compaq Computer Corporation INFORMATION BLITZ
INFORMATION BLITZ TITLE:
KZESC and KZPSC RAID controllers will not be supported on Tru64 UNIX 5.x
DATE: Apr 9, 1999"
Please note, the "It will probably" work. I take this to mean that
the KZPSC has probably not been tested with FW/OS versions CD5.8/5.1,
and because the device is "not supported", firmware support will not
be upgraded for it if needed. I.e., caveat emptor!
Also note that the firmware release notes for the 2100 machines
http://ftp.digital.com/pub/DEC/Alpha/firmware/readmes/v5.8/doc/ are
dated Dec, 1999, but, if I recall correctly from the FW 5.4 CD, are
the same as in earlier FW releases.
For 2100 owners who wish to upgrade to OS V5.x, or those above V4.0f.
I would not take it for granted from listing in documents as those
referred to above that the devices will in fact work. I suggest
sending a description of the devices on your machine to a contact
person at pre-sales software support (800.354.9000) where your
questions will be referred to the appropriate engineers.
I've opted to go ahead and try FW/OS CD versions 5.8/5.1.
george
--
George Mpitsos, PhD
Research Professor
Oregon State University
Hatfield Marine Science Center
Newport, OR 97365
george.mpitsos_at_hmsc.orst.edu
Phone: 541-867-0216
Fax: 541-867-0138
Received on Thu Jan 11 2001 - 21:14:53 NZDT