CPU and Backplane

vtVAX7000 virtualizes a VAX7600 multi-CPU architecture allowing to replace VAX systems of the VAX 6000 and 7000 range.

vtVAX7000 is available in 6 variants to replace VAX6000/7000 systems with 1 - 6 CPU's

Each vtVAX7000 virtual CPU provides 100+ VUPS, depending on the host CPU speed

The model of processor being emulated determines the types of storage, network and serial devices that can be configured in vtVAX.

The performance of the virtual VAX system is determined by the hardware configuration of the host system and the workload of the emulated systems. The performance is not limited by the model of VAX system being emulated.

Virtual VAX memory

vtVAX7000 supports up to 3.5 GB virtual VAX memory (1 GB for the Windows version).

Storage subsystem

vtVAX has the capability to configure virtual read/write disks, CD-ROM drives, and tape devices. These virtual devices may be mapped to physical SCSI devices from the VAX system or to logical drives implemented as container files within the host. These container files may be located on any type of storage attached to the host: directly attached drives, including SCSI, SATA, SAS, USB, solid state, or CD/DVD; iSCSI, NAS, SAN, or cloud.

VAX 7000 systems may be configured with up to 8 DSSI controllers, each serving up to 64 devices (disk/tapes). Media types are configurable: DIx, DUx, DKx for disks and MIx, MUx, MKx for tape.

For performance and reliability reasons, we recommend use of VAX storage media only for initial system setup or retrieval of archived data. The PC host's modern disk drives have much higher reliability, performance, and data capacity, less accumulated wear, are cheaper initially, and much less expensive to operate and maintain.

Multiple logical disks may be stored on a single host disk, providing for storage consolidation without changing the VMS file system. VAX tape operations using logical tape drives transfer data at disk speeds without the physical media errors commonly experienced with tape storage.

Network subsystem

vtVAX supports up to four virtual DEMNA (EX) Ethernet interfaces. Each virtual Ethernet adapter can be mapped to a physical Ethernet interface on the host or a virtual switch. This allows multiple virtual adapters to share a single physical host network link.

Network interfaces are not limited by the 10 Mbps or half duplex limitations of a physical VAX system. The network interfaces can be set in any mode supported by the vtVAX host, usually 1 or 10 GBps (full duplex). In most cases this allows the virtual VAX system to achieve much higher network throughput than the physical system it replaces.

Supported VAX operating systems

Operating system versions 5.5-2 and later are supported in the virtualized processors, in accordance with the appropriate VAX/VMS or OpenVMS Software Product Description.

vtVAX virtualized systems can be configured as VAX-cluster or OpenVMS Cluster members using Ethernet (NI) or emulated DSSI ("shared disk") interconnects. The Maintenance Operations Protocol (MOP) is supported for maintenance operations and remote booting

Host computer recommendations

For vtVAX7000 we recommend a PC/Server with Intel or AMD processor (64-bit) of recent design and a CPU frequency of at least 3.0 GHz.(Intel Xeon E5v3, i7 gen 6, Opteron A).

2 host CPU-cores for every virtual VAX CPU.
Hyper-threading is not supported.

Host memory per virtual VAX: VAX memory size + 1.5 GB + 25%

See the Host Computer Recommendations page for more details.

User documentation

User documentation is included in the product and accessible via the Management Interface in HTML and PDF format.

Software license protection

vtVAX is software available under End-User License. The license is stored on a physical license key (Smart Card technology) with USB-connector for compatibility reasons.

Multiple vtVAX (an vtAlpha) licenses can be combined on a single License Key. The license mechanism is network capable and be made available across the company network to the virtual Alphas and VAXes in the network.

Product items

License:
Virtualizes one CPU VAX76x0 system and all virtualized devices

Software Support Service.
Access to the support desk with questions or problems and free upgrades to the latest version of the product you purchased.

Disaster Recovery License.
720 Hours of vtVAX7000 usage that can be used for failover when the original license is unavailable or damaged.