[HECnet] VMS on AlphaServer 5000

[John H. Reinhardt]

What Kari said.  The Digital Server 5300/5305 is the White Box Alpha NT version of the AlphaServer 1200.  I have one of each at one time.  The 5303 can be made to work with OpenVMS by writing a one line NVRAM script.

 From the Digital Server 5300 User's Manual:

Example 4-9 Editing the nvram Script

P00>>> edit nvram #Modify user power-up script, #nvram

editing ‘nvram’
0 bytes read in
*10 set ewa0_protocols bootp
*list #List current file with line

#numbers
10 set ewa0_protocols bootp
*exit #Close file and save changes 27 bytes written out to nvram
P00>>> nvram #Execute the script.


In this case you would put the line:

10 SET SRM_BOOT ON

in the nvram file

Once saved then the SRM console will start whenever the server is rebooted or powered up, giving access to booting OpenVMS using the normal SRM command and environment variables.

John H. Reinhardt


On 10/8/2020 8:31 AM, Kari Uusimäki wrote:
> Hello Keith,
>
> Indeed, there is a way to make the white Alphaservers run VMS.
>
> The difference is minimal between the servers themselves, but sometimes the adapters and peripherals could be different in the white Alphas and don't work with VMS. Therefore you should check which adapters there are in the box. Examples of not working ones are Adaptec SCSI-adapters and various Graphics adapters.
>
> You need to enable the SRM firmware instead of the AlphaBIOS and then create a short script which is run at boot time.
> If you want to do it I can send you the detailed instructions.
>
>
>
> Kari
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Keith Halewood <Keith.Halewood at pitbulluk.org>
> Date: 10/8/20 14:00 (GMT+02:00)
> To: hecnet at Update.UU.SE
> Subject: [HECnet] VMS on AlphaServer 5000
>
> Hi,
>
> I’ve trawled through HECnet emails for enlightenment around alpha systems running VMS and I believe I’m not repeating the question. So here goes.
>
> There’s an DEC Alphaserver 5000 (white case) (EV56) floating a few miles away from where I live. It’s running NT, so there’s an AlphaBIOS. Is there a ‘hidden’ SRM in that machine and therefore is it able to run current (HPE at least) versions of VMS? I don’t want to end up with a machine running NT – my life has enough horror in it already. I had a look on HP’s FTP site at firmware updates and the Alphaserver 5000 isn’t even mentioned, or at least not in plain text.
>
> I nearly bought a reasonably loaded Itanic RX2600 a few days ago but chickened out at the last minute. What I really should do is abandon all of this and buy a new motorbike.
>
> Keith
>