NonStop OS L20.05

Basic Information

• Model: NonStop OS L20.05
• Version: L20.05. The "L" series designates support for x86 architecture.
• Release Date: The LYY.MM naming convention suggests a release in May 2020.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires HPE NonStop X systems, which are built on HPE ProLiant server blades.
• Supported Operating Systems: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is the operating system itself, running on HPE NonStop X hardware.
• Latest Stable Version: As of November 2025, the latest Release Version Update (RVU) is L25.09 (September 2025). L20.05 is an earlier version.
• End of Support Date: Specific end of support dates for L20.05 are not publicly detailed. HPE generally provides engineering support for approximately 5 years from a product's End of Sale date.
• End of Life Date: Specific end of life dates for L20.05 are not publicly detailed. HPE's general policy for End of Life (EOL) and End of Service Life (EOSL) varies by product.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Auto-update expiration dates are not explicitly stated for NonStop OS. Updates are delivered via scheduled Release Version Updates (RVUs) and Software Product Revisions (SPRs), typically tied to active support agreements.
• License Type: Proprietary. Licensing is core-based, with options ranging from 1 or 2 cores to 2, 4, or 6-core software licenses depending on the NonStop X system model.
• Deployment Model: Primarily deployed on physical HPE NonStop X systems. A virtualized option, Virtualized NonStop X (vNSX), is available for private cloud environments, including OpenStack and VMware x86.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Configurations vary by NonStop X system. For NS3, minimum 32 GB per CPU, maximum 64 GB per CPU, with system totals from 64 GB to 256 GB. Newer NS7 X3 systems support up to 256 GB per NonStop CPU and up to 4 TB per single system (node).
• Processor: Runs on Intel Xeon processors. Specific series include E5-2600 v2 (NS3 X1, NS7 X1), E5-2600 v4 (NS3 X2), Silver 4100 (NS3 X3), and Gold 6200 (NS8 X4, NS9 X5).
• Storage: Managed by Storage CLIMs (CLuster I/O Modules). Supports up to 100 SAS HDDs or SSDs. Fibre Channel connectivity for SAN-attached storage (e.g., HPE XP7, HPE XP P9500), LTO6 tape drives, and virtual tape.
• Display: Not directly applicable to the OS. The NonStop System Console requires a PC running a Microsoft operating system.
• Ports: Utilizes InfiniBand for system interconnect, offering 56 Gbps bidirectional bandwidth per NonStop CPU on older models and 100 Gbps raw bandwidth on newer systems. Ethernet connectivity (1Gb, 10Gb) is also supported.
• Operating System: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is the core operating system. Management consoles typically run on Microsoft Windows.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 operates on a highly specialized, fault-tolerant hardware architecture (NonStop X systems) based on Intel Xeon processors. The design emphasizes redundancy and high-speed InfiniBand interconnects to ensure continuous availability and extreme scalability. The substantial memory and storage capacities are tailored for mission-critical transaction processing workloads.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: The latest available RVU is L25.09 (September 2025).
• OS Support: NonStop OS is the operating system. It supports a broad range of enterprise applications, including those written in TNS (Tandem NonStop), Java, COBOL, and Python. It also supports NonStop SQL/MX and SQL/MP databases.
• End of Support Date: Specific end of support dates for L20.05 are not publicly available. HPE's general policy for End of Engineering Support is typically 5 years from the End of Sale date.
• Localization: Information regarding specific localization options for HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is not explicitly detailed in publicly available data.
• Available Drivers: Drivers are integrated within the NonStop OS and its supported hardware. HPE contributes drivers to the upstream kernel for Linux-based components.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is part of a robust, fault-tolerant ecosystem. While L20.05 is an older version, HPE maintains a structured release and support cycle for its NonStop OS. The platform offers extensive compatibility with various programming languages and databases essential for enterprise transaction processing. Support is typically provided through HPE Foundation Care and Proactive Care services.

Security Status

• Security Features: The NonStop OS features an integrated software stack designed for fault tolerance and security. It includes NonStop Safeguard integration, security software, and time synchronization. Newer releases incorporate updated OpenSSL versions (e.g., 3.0.14 in L24.08) and support modern RSA Public Key Algorithms (rsa-sha2-256, rsa-sha2-512). IPSec capability is also controlled by the NSK core license.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Newer NonStop X systems, such as the NS4 X4 with Intel Xeon Cascade Lake microprocessors, include hardware-level mitigations for Intel vulnerabilities like Spectre v2, Spectre v3 (Meltdown), and Microarchitecture Data Sampling (MDS), reducing reliance on software-based patches.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable; enterprise operating systems like NonStop OS are not typically subject to public blacklist status.
• Certifications: Specific security certifications for L20.05 are not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
• Encryption Support: Enhanced through updated OpenSSL libraries and support for robust RSA Public Key Algorithms.
• Authentication Methods: While not explicitly detailed, the integrated security features and enterprise focus imply support for various robust authentication methods within the NonStop environment.
• General Recommendations: HPE recommends installing only approved software and patches on NonStop System Consoles and using antivirus software on all such consoles.

Analysis of Overall Security Rating: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 operates within a highly secure framework, critical for its mission-critical applications. The platform benefits from a fault-tolerant architecture, integrated security components, and hardware-level vulnerability mitigations in newer NonStop X systems. Continuous updates to cryptographic libraries further enhance its security posture, making it suitable for environments with stringent security requirements.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: NonStop X systems, on which L20.05 runs, demonstrate significant performance improvements. They offer up to a 50 percent performance capacity increase compared to older Itanium-based NonStop systems.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Designed for extreme scalability and high-volume Online Transaction Processing (OLTP). The architecture supports near-linear scalability, allowing for online capacity additions without application outages.
• Power Consumption: Power consumption is tied to the underlying HPE NonStop X hardware, which utilizes HPE ProLiant BL460c server blades and Intel Xeon processors. Specific power consumption metrics for L20.05 are not provided independently of the hardware.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific carbon footprint data for L20.05 or its associated hardware is not publicly detailed.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: NonStop X systems are a significant advancement over previous Itanium-based NonStop generations, offering superior price/performance. The platform is designed to compete in the high-availability, high-transaction-volume market, often compared to other fault-tolerant enterprise systems.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status: HPE NonStop OS L20.05, running on NonStop X hardware, delivers exceptional performance and scalability essential for mission-critical OLTP workloads. The transition to x86 architecture and the use of high-speed InfiniBand interconnects provide substantial performance gains and enable continuous, uninterrupted operation for demanding enterprise applications.

User Reviews & Feedback

Specific user reviews and feedback directly pertaining to HPE NonStop OS L20.05 are not readily available in the provided public data. General feedback for HPE NonStop systems consistently highlights their strengths in continuous availability, fault tolerance, and scalability for mission-critical applications in sectors like finance and telecommunications. Weaknesses, if any, are typically related to the specialized nature and ecosystem of the platform.

Summary

HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is a version of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's highly resilient operating system, specifically designed for the x86-based HPE NonStop X server architecture. Released around May 2020, it forms the foundation for mission-critical applications demanding continuous availability and extreme scalability. The system leverages Intel Xeon processors, substantial RAM configurations, and high-speed InfiniBand interconnects to deliver robust performance for high-volume Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) workloads.

Strengths: The primary strengths of NonStop OS L20.05 lie in its unparalleled fault tolerance, ensuring no single point of failure and continuous application uptime. Its architecture supports near-linear scalability, allowing enterprises to expand capacity without service disruption. The integrated software stack, coupled with hardware-level security mitigations and continuous updates to cryptographic components, provides a strong security posture. The shift to x86 architecture has also brought significant performance and price/performance improvements over previous generations.

Weaknesses: While highly specialized and effective, the NonStop ecosystem can be perceived as proprietary, potentially requiring specific skill sets for management and development. Specific public details regarding end-of-support and end-of-life dates for L20.05 are not readily available, which can complicate long-term planning for some organizations.

Recommendations: HPE NonStop OS L20.05 is highly recommended for enterprises requiring absolute continuous availability, data integrity, and extreme scalability for their most critical applications, such as financial transaction processing, telecommunications, and other real-time, high-volume environments. Its robust design minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity. Organizations considering this asset should factor in the specialized nature of the platform and engage with HPE for detailed lifecycle and support planning.

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.