HP-UX 11i v2

Basic Information

• Model: HP-UX 11i v2 (also known as B.11.23 or 11.23)
• Version: 11i v2 (B.11.23)
• Release Date: September 2003, with updates such as September 2004. This version supported both Itanium and PA-RISC systems.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: 512 MB
  • Swap Space: 1 GB on disk
  • Disk Space: 1 GB for OS installation
  • Processor: Intel Itanium 2 processor
• Supported Operating Systems: HP-UX 11i v2 itself is the operating system. It runs on HP 9000 and HP Integrity servers.
• Latest Stable Version: For the 11i v2 branch, the latest stable version is B.11.23 with its final updates.
• End of Support Date: December 31, 2015, for "Prior Version Support with Sustaining Engineering," which included bug fixes but no new features or hardware enablement.
• End of Life Date: HP-UX 11i v2 was sold through December 2010. The broader HP-UX platform (specifically v3) is projected to reach end-of-life by December 2025 due to the discontinuation of Itanium processors.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly specified, but tied to the end of support lifecycle.
• License Type: Proprietary UNIX implementation, requiring a commercial license.
• Deployment Model: Server-oriented design, supporting hardware partitions, isolated OS virtual partitions, and HP Integrity Virtual Machines (HPVM). It is offered in various Operating Environments (OEs) such as Foundation OE (FOE), Enterprise OE (EOE), Mission Critical OE (MCOE), Minimal Technical OE (MTOE), and Technical Computing OE (TCOE), each tailored for specific workloads.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 512 MB for the OS. Applications may require more, for instance, 2 GB or more is recommended for Commvault software.
• Processor: Supports Intel Itanium 2 processors and PA-RISC architectures.
• Storage: A minimum of 1 GB disk space for OS installation. Additional space is needed for applications (e.g., 1.5 GB for Commvault installation) and log files (e.g., 500 MB). It supports various file systems including VERITAS File System (VxFS), Hierarchical File System (HFS), Journal File System (JFS), Unix File System (UFS), CDFS, EVFS, NFS, and CIFS. Logical Volume Manager (LVM) and Veritas Volume Manager (VxVM) are supported for storage management.
• Display: Primarily designed for server environments, typically managed via command-line interface or remote graphical user interfaces. Common Desktop Environment (CDE), GNOME, and KDE are generally supported by HP-UX.
• Ports: Requires an Ethernet 10/100 network interface card. TCP/IP services must be configured.
• Operating System: HP-UX 11i v2 (B.11.23).

Analysis of Technical Requirements

HP-UX 11i v2 is a robust server-grade operating system designed for high-performance and mission-critical workloads. Its technical requirements reflect its enterprise focus, supporting both Itanium and PA-RISC architectures, which were prevalent in HP's server lines. The system emphasizes advanced storage management capabilities through integrated volume managers and a variety of file systems, crucial for data-intensive applications. While minimum RAM and disk space are relatively low for the base OS, real-world deployments for enterprise applications necessitate significantly more resources.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: HP-UX 11i v2 (B.11.23).
• OS Support: Compatible with HP 9000 and HP Integrity servers, supporting both PA-RISC and Intel Itanium architectures.
• End of Support Date: December 31, 2015, marked the end of "Prior Version Support with Sustaining Engineering" for HP-UX 11i v2, meaning bug fixes were provided, but no new features or hardware enablement.
• Localization: As an enterprise-grade UNIX, HP-UX 11i v2 includes localization support, though specific details are not extensively documented in public searches.
• Available Drivers: Drivers are provided by HP for supported hardware components within the HP 9000 and HP Integrity server ecosystems.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

HP-UX 11i v2 is a mature operating system with its official support lifecycle concluded in 2015. While it was highly compatible with HP's server hardware during its active period, including both PA-RISC and Itanium platforms, new hardware and features are no longer supported. Organizations still running HP-UX 11i v2 operate on an unsupported platform, relying on historical patches and internal expertise for maintenance. Migration to newer systems or virtualization solutions is generally recommended for ongoing support and security.

Security Status

• Security Features: HP-UX 11i v2 includes Access Control Lists (ACLs) for file permissions, kernel-based intrusion detection, security partitioning, role-based access control (RBAC), strong random number generation, and stack buffer overflow protection. It features a Virtual Vault operating system for enhanced security. Boot authentication ensures only authorized users can access the system in maintenance mode. Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) provide flexible authentication mechanisms. The HP-UX Password Hash Infrastructure (PHI) offers SHA512-based password hashing as an alternative to older DES-based methods. Secure Shell (SSH) is installed by default for encrypted network communications.
• Known Vulnerabilities: While specific current vulnerabilities are not listed, the existence of hardening tools like Bastille and CIS benchmarks for HP-UX 11i v2/v3 indicates the need for continuous security posture management.
• Blacklist Status: No information found regarding a blacklist status.
• Certifications: HP-UX 11i (including v2) achieved Common Criteria EAL4-CAPP (Evaluation Assurance Level 4 - Controlled Access Protection Profile) certification. It is also a UNIX 95 branded product.
• Encryption Support: Supports SHA512 for password hashing. Secure Shell (SSH) provides encryption for network logins and file transfers. Online VM guest migration can be secured with encryption.
• Authentication Methods: Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) allow for various authentication services, including LDAP, PAM NT LAN Manager for Windows authentication, and Kerberos.
• General Recommendations: Implement system hardening using tools like HP-UX Bastille, which helps configure security settings based on industry benchmarks such as those from the Center for Internet Security (CIS). Utilize strong password policies, enable boot authentication, and ensure Secure Shell is properly configured.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

HP-UX 11i v2 offered a strong security foundation for its time, evidenced by its Common Criteria EAL4-CAPP certification and features like ACLs, kernel-based intrusion detection, and role-based access control. The introduction of SHA512 password hashing and default Secure Shell installations further enhanced its security posture. However, as an older operating system past its official support, maintaining a high security rating requires diligent application of hardening tools, continuous patching (if available through extended support agreements), and adherence to security best practices to mitigate potential vulnerabilities that may have emerged since its end-of-life.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: In 2005, an Integrity server running HP-UX 11i v2 and Oracle 10g R2 achieved significant results in the TPC-H data warehousing benchmark. It processed 71,848 queries per hour (QPH) on a 3 TB data warehouse and 68,100 QPH on a 1 TB data warehouse.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: HP-UX is known for its stability, predictable performance, and resource optimization capabilities. Its file system and volume management are tightly integrated with performance analysis tools.
• Power Consumption: While specific power consumption figures for HP-UX 11i v2 are not detailed, HP-UX systems generally aim for efficiency, and later versions (v3) included power management tools.
• Carbon Footprint: No specific data on carbon footprint is readily available for HP-UX 11i v2.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: The TPC-H benchmarks in 2005 showed HP-UX 11i v2 on Integrity servers outperforming comparable systems, such as IBM's xSeries running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and DB2, and offering competitive performance against Sun Microsystems' Sun Fire servers running Solaris and Oracle.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

During its active lifecycle, HP-UX 11i v2 demonstrated strong performance, particularly in demanding enterprise database and data warehousing environments, as evidenced by its competitive TPC-H benchmark results. Its design as a server-oriented OS, coupled with robust resource management and integrated performance analysis tools, contributed to its reputation for stability and predictable performance in mission-critical applications. The operating system was optimized for the PA-RISC and Itanium architectures, leveraging their capabilities for high-end server workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for HP-UX 11i v2 generally highlight its strengths in enterprise environments, particularly for mission-critical applications.

• Strengths: Users frequently praise its exceptional stability, reliability, and high availability, especially when integrated with HPE Serviceguard solutions. The operating system is noted for its robust security features, comprehensive management tools, and efficient resource optimization, which includes tightly integrated file system and volume management with performance analysis. Its flexibility for critical workloads and the availability of various Operating Environments tailored for specific uses are also considered significant advantages.
• Weaknesses: The proprietary nature of HP-UX and its closed-source architecture are sometimes cited as limitations, offering less customization compared to open-source alternatives. A major challenge for the platform's longevity was Oracle's decision to drop support for Itanium-based systems in newer database releases, which impacted a significant portion of HP-UX's customer base.
• Recommended Use Cases: HP-UX 11i v2 was widely recommended and used for large business applications, IT services, and mission-critical systems. Specific use cases included database application servers, logic servers, large back-end application servers, transaction processing, and carrier-grade applications in the telecommunications industry (on CX series servers).

Summary

Hewlett Packard Enterprise HP-UX 11i v2 is a proprietary UNIX operating system, released in September 2003, designed for high-end server environments. It supported both HP's PA-RISC and Intel Itanium architectures, primarily on HP 9000 and HP Integrity servers. The system was known for its exceptional stability, reliability, and predictable performance, making it a cornerstone for mission-critical applications, large databases, and transaction processing systems.

Key strengths included a robust security architecture with features like Access Control Lists, kernel-based intrusion detection, role-based access control, and Common Criteria EAL4-CAPP certification. It offered advanced storage management through Logical Volume Manager and Veritas Volume Manager, along with various specialized Operating Environments to optimize for different workloads. Performance benchmarks from its era demonstrated its capability to handle demanding data warehousing tasks efficiently.

However, HP-UX 11i v2's proprietary nature and closed-source model presented limitations in customization. Its official "Prior Version Support with Sustaining Engineering" concluded on December 31, 2015, meaning it no longer receives new features, hardware enablement, or standard bug fixes. The broader HP-UX platform faces an end-of-life projection by December 2025, largely due to the discontinuation of Itanium processors and Oracle's cessation of support for Itanium-based systems.

For organizations currently utilizing HP-UX 11i v2, it represents a highly stable and proven platform for its intended use cases. However, its unsupported status necessitates careful risk management, reliance on internal expertise, and consideration of migration strategies for long-term viability, security, and access to modern hardware and software capabilities. New deployments are not recommended for this version.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.