Posts: 5 Location: California, USA, Earth Joined: 30.09.16
Posted on November 11 2017 15:26
It seems there are a decent number of people who appreciate the good hardware and software of Digital. While I never had the space (or power) for a real VAX, I've had my own VAXstation for more than a decade and a half, and now I have several VAXstations.
I do a bit of work on NetBSD, which, as far as I know, is the only modern OS that is actively updated which runs on VAX.
My first VAXstation 4000/60 is still running perfectly and is hosting email via sendmail and a web site via Apache which has a how-to for setting up an email server. It's proof that you don't need tons of CPU and other resources to run modern services.
I also have a couple of Alpha DS25L systems. One might end up running VMS as well.
I've always been curious about VMS, and I even joined this site a while ago, but I never got around to taking the time to install VMS - until now. I'm looking forward to the journey!
I would think a VAXstation 4000/60 was a real VAX.
Currently my only active VAX is a SimH instance running in an LXD container on Ubuntu 14.04 on an old Pentium (530 J?). I am getting about 6 VUPs on it.
Posts: 5 Location: California, USA, Earth Joined: 30.09.16
Posted on November 28 2017 02:48
Yes, a VAXstation is still real DEC hardware, which is what matters It's well made and is still very, very reliable.
What I meant by real VAX, though, was one that could be used to keep an apartment or small house warm in the winter. I don't know that I'll ever have one, but you never know.
I haven't yet had time to get started with VMS, but when I do I plan to write up my experiences and perhaps make a how-to - VMS for Unix geeks - or something like that. I'll post my experiences here
malmberg August 04 2022 No more VAX hobbyist licenses.
Community licenses for Alpha/IA64/X86_64 VMS Software Inc.
Commercial VMS software licenses for VAX available from HPE.
ozboomer July 20 2022 Just re-visiting.. No more hobbyist licenses? Is that from vmssoftware.com, no 'community' licenses?
valdirfranco July 01 2022 No more hobbyist license...sad
mister_wavey February 12 2022 I recall that the disks failed on the public access VMS systems that included Fafner
parwezw January 03 2022 Anyone know what happened to FAFNER.DYNDS.ORG?
I had a hobbyist account here but can longer access the site.
gtackett October 27 2021 Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax
gtackett October 27 2021 I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX.
Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.
MarkRLV September 17 2021 At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.
malmberg January 18 2021 New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE
dfilip January 16 2021 Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!
It's well made and is still very, very reliable.
