CHARON™-AXP/GS160

CHARON-AXP to replace DEC Alpha GS160

Description

CHARON-AXP/GS160 is a member of the CHARON cross-platform hardware virtualization product-family by Stromasys. CHARON-AXP creates the virtual replica of the original Alpha hardware interface inside a standard computer system. 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/GS160 is designed to replace the AlphaServer/AlphaStation GS160 computer systems by its virtual equivalent running on a Windows XP/7/2003/2008 or Linux Fedora host platform.

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/GS160 virtualizes an Alpha Ethernet controller using a host-based Ethernet adapter. Any network protocol (DECnet, TCP/IP, LAT) runs over this virtualized link. The original FDDI network adapter DEPFA can be used in the host system. For Ethernet or Fibrechannel connections, no special software is required.

Storage

CHARON-AXP/GS160 supports the common storage methods of the Alpha hardware: local disks in the host server, virtual disks (host files), virtual SCSI and Fibrechannel adapters. For all storage and physical methods, no special software is required.

Performance

The CHARON-AXP/GS80, GS160 and GS320 large virtual Alpha data centre servers support up to respectively 8, 16, and 32 virtual Alpha CPUs. The virtual GSxxx system configuration is based on the standard CHARON-AXP CPU building block, which provides approximately the same performance as an EV56/600 MHz Alpha CPU (assuming Xeon 5680 or similar based host systems).

The virtual GSxxx architecture is similar to the GSxxx hardware, but provides a more efficient linear memory subsystem of up to 256 GB (GS320). The virtual Alpha memory is 1:1 mapped to host server memory, providing a huge cost advantage.

The CHARON-AXP/GSxxx performance is highly dependant on the virtual Alpha configuration (cluster, fibre channel I/O, memory channel) and host system characteristics. A typical CHARON-AXP/GSxxx configuration uses a 16-64 core host system. For configuring CHARON-AXP/GSxxx host systems and the transfer and optimal configuration of the virtual Alpha, contact Stromasys directly.

The CHARON-AXP/GS160 base license includes 8 virtual Alpha CPU’s, 8 additional CPU options can be added.

Host System Requirements

CHARON-AXP/GS160 can virtualize a 8 - 16 CPU GS160 Alpha system and therefore claims one of the CPU's on the host system for every virtual Alpha CPU. Additional host CPU capacity is required for I/O handling and other virtualization support tasks. CHARON-AXP/GS160 licensing allows combining multiple licenses on one multi-core host system, when the rule of reserving 1 support CPU for every 2 virtual Alpha CPU’s is observed.

Product license key

The CHARON USB-type license key is permanently connected to the host system running the emulator. 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.

The MTBF of the key is more than 100 years. 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.

¹⁾ For FibreChannel support the installation of an Emulex FibreChannel adapter is required (LPe1105 or LPe11002)

Additional utilities

Program Launcher: start/stop/manage CHARON-AXP
Service Manager: manage CHARON-AXP as a service
MKdisk: Create empty AXP disk images
SCSIcheck: Locate CHARON names for disks, tapes, CD’s floppy disks and other SCSI devices
Network Control Center: Manage CHARON network components

Ordering information

For Download:

CHARON-AXP / GS160 Software Product Description (PDF)