OpenVMS 8.4

Basic Information

Hewlett Packard Enterprise OpenVMS 8.4 is a multi-user, multiprocessing, and virtual memory-based operating system designed for high availability, scalability, flexibility, performance, and security in 24x365 environments.

• Model: OpenVMS 8.4 (with various sub-versions like 8.4-1H1, 8.4-2, 8.4-2L1, 8.4-2L2, 8.4-2L3)
• Version: 8.4 (initial release)
• Release Date:
  • June 2010 (for Alpha servers by HPE)
  • June 2015 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-1H1 for Integrity servers by VSI)
  • March 2016 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2 for Integrity servers by VSI)
  • August 2016 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L1 for Integrity servers by VSI)
  • January 2017 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L1 for Alpha servers by VSI)
  • June 2017 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L2 for Alpha servers by VSI)
  • April 2021 (VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L3 for Integrity servers by VSI)
• Minimum Requirements: Varies significantly by platform (Alpha vs. Integrity) and specific sub-version. Generally requires supported HPE AlphaServer EV6 or later processors for Alpha, and Intel Itanium processors for Integrity servers.
• Supported Operating Systems: OpenVMS 8.4 is an operating system itself, running on specific hardware architectures.
• Latest Stable Version (OpenVMS overall): OpenVMS V9.2-3 for x86 systems (as of November 2024).
• End of Support Date: HPE's policy typically supports each version for 24 months from release or until the second subsequent version, whichever is greater. Specific end-of-support dates for 8.4 sub-versions vary and are managed by VMS Software Inc. (VSI).
• End of Life Date: Not explicitly stated as a single date for all 8.4 variants; VSI continues to provide updates and support for various 8.4 sub-versions.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not specified; updates are typically delivered via patch kits.
• License Type: Commercial license, with a Community License Program (CLP) available for VSI OpenVMS releases on Alpha, Integrity, and x86-64 systems.
• Deployment Model: Primarily on-premise on dedicated server hardware (Alpha and Integrity servers), with support for virtualization as a guest OS on HPE Integrity Virtual Machines.

Technical Requirements

OpenVMS 8.4 runs on specific server architectures, primarily HPE AlphaServers and HPE Integrity servers. Requirements are highly dependent on the specific hardware platform and desired functionality.

• RAM: Minimum memory requirements are tied to the specific Integrity server platform. For OpenVMS V8.4-2 for Integrity servers, minimum OpenVMS files require 2.4 GB, with paging file requiring 1028 MB and swap file 32 MB. Full DECwindows Motif support adds 132 MB.
• Processor:
  • Alpha: HPE AlphaServer EV6 or later processors.
  • Integrity: Intel Itanium processors, including Itanium 9300 series and Itanium 9500 series (i4 servers).
  • Supports symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) with up to 32 CPUs.
• Storage:
  • Minimum disk space for OpenVMS files is 2.4 GB.
  • Total disk space for a functional system with some optional features can be around 3.4 GB, plus paging, swap, and dump files.
  • Supports disk volumes up to 2TB, eliminating previous 1TB limitations.
  • Supports various disk and tape peripheral devices, including SDLT and Ultrium 460/960 tape drives.
  • Supports 16 Gb Fibre Channel with specific HPE SN1000Q HBAs on Integrity V8.4-2, V8.4-2L1, and V8.4-2L3.
  • LTO-9 tape drives are supported with OpenVMS 8.4-2L3 with certain restrictions.
• Display: DECwindows Motif is an optional component; a full installation requires 132 MB of disk space.
• Ports: USB keyboard and mouse support, USB serial multiplexer support for RS232 serial lines. Supports LAN adapters for networking.
• Operating System: OpenVMS 8.4 is the operating system.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: OpenVMS 8.4 is a robust operating system designed for mission-critical enterprise environments, running on specialized server hardware. Its requirements reflect its heritage as a high-performance, high-availability platform. The support for 64-bit virtual addressing (8 TB virtual address space) and symmetric multiprocessing underscores its capability for demanding workloads. Storage requirements are modest for the core OS but scale with installed options and application data. The platform's reliance on Alpha and Itanium architectures means specific hardware is necessary, though virtualization options exist.

Support & Compatibility

OpenVMS 8.4 has seen continued development and support, initially by HPE and subsequently by VMS Software, Inc. (VSI).

• Latest Version (within the 8.4 series): VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L3 for Integrity servers (released April 2021) and VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L2 for Alpha servers (released June 2017).
• OS Support: OpenVMS 8.4 is the operating system itself. It supports various HPE AlphaServer and Integrity server models.
• End of Support Date: HPE's standard policy for OpenVMS versions is 24 months from release or until the second subsequent version. VSI provides ongoing support for its releases of OpenVMS 8.4.
• Localization: Available in English and Japanese. Historically supported Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and Korean.
• Available Drivers: VSI supplies drivers for all devices supported by OpenVMS, including disk, tape, terminals, networks, and USB devices.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: OpenVMS 8.4 maintains a strong, albeit specialized, support ecosystem. VMS Software, Inc. (VSI) has taken over development and support, releasing several updates (e.g., 8.4-2L3) that add new hardware support and defect repairs. Compatibility is primarily with HPE Alpha and Integrity server hardware. The platform's stability and mission-critical use cases drive continued support and updates, even for older versions. InterSystems, a major application vendor, has provided workarounds for incompatibilities with OpenVMS 8.4 updates, indicating active third-party engagement.

Security Status

OpenVMS is known for its robust security features, designed for mission-critical environments.

• Security Features:
  • Comprehensive protection for system objects like common event flag clusters, devices, files, logical name tables, and batch/print queues.
  • Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) file encryption (128, 192, or 256-bit keys) and backward compatibility with 56-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES).
  • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for secure transfer of sensitive information, providing privacy, server authentication, and message integrity.
  • Kerberos for authentication.
  • Per-Thread Security Profiles and User Identification Code (UIC) for granular access control.
  • System Code Debugger for kernel code tracing.
  • Code signing for OpenVMS kits.
• Known Vulnerabilities:
  • CVE-2017-17482: A malformed DCL command table could lead to a buffer overflow, allowing local privilege escalation. Fixed in 8.4-2L2 for Alpha and 8.4-2L3 for IA64.
  • CVE-2012-3277 and CVE-2012-3276: Issues in LOGIN and ACME_SERVER ACMELOGIN programs could lead to denial of service (remote and local).
  • CVE-2012-2010: ACMELOGIN implementation could allow local privilege escalation when SYS$ACM system service is enabled.
  • CVE-2012-0134: Unspecified vulnerability allowing local denial of service.
• Blacklist Status: No general blacklist status is indicated.
• Certifications: Not explicitly detailed in provided data, but OpenVMS has a history of use in highly secure environments.
• Encryption Support: AES (128, 192, 256-bit) and DES (56-bit) for file and backup encryption. SSL/TLS for network communication.
• Authentication Methods: Kerberos, external authentication (e.g., LAN Manager), and internal OpenVMS mechanisms (UIC, privileges).
• General Recommendations: Follow industry-recognized security practices and consult the HPE OpenVMS Guide to System Security.

Analysis on Overall Security Rating: OpenVMS 8.4 maintains a high level of security, a hallmark of the OpenVMS platform. It offers robust built-in features for data confidentiality (encryption), integrity (authentication), and access control. While vulnerabilities have been identified, they are typically addressed through updates, and the platform's niche nature means it faces fewer widespread attacks compared to more common operating systems. The granular control over system objects and user privileges contributes to its strong security posture.

Performance & Benchmarks

OpenVMS 8.4 is engineered for high performance and availability, particularly in mission-critical applications.

• Benchmark Scores:
  • VUPs (VAX Unit of Performance) benchmark: A traditional OpenVMS benchmark measuring system activity and computational speed. Results can vary significantly between boots and in SMP environments.
  • Diskblock benchmark: Measures low-level disk I/O performance. Throughput can reach gigabytes per second with file caching enabled.
  • PI computation benchmark: Measures CPU performance by calculating PI to high precision.
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • Optimized for compute-intensive, I/O-intensive, client/server, and real-time environments.
  • Performance improvements in 8.4 include enhanced exception handling, global section unmap changes, improved inner mode semaphore upcalls, and pthread spinlock algorithm improvements.
  • VSI OpenVMS Alpha V8.4-2L2 is optimized for AlphaServer EV6 or later processors, improving performance by leveraging faster hardware-based instructions.
  • Supports 64-bit virtual memory addressing, providing an 8 TB virtual address space.
  • Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support for up to 32 CPUs.
• Power Consumption: VSI OpenVMS V8.4-1H1 on HP Integrity i4 servers offers decreased power consumption compared to older hardware.
• Carbon Footprint: Not specifically detailed, but decreased power consumption generally implies a lower carbon footprint.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: OpenVMS is often compared to other highly reliable, secure, and scalable enterprise operating systems. Its strengths lie in its legendary uptime, robust clustering capabilities (rolling upgrades without service interruption), and strong security model.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status: OpenVMS 8.4 delivers strong performance, particularly for its target mission-critical workloads. Its architecture is designed for stability and efficient resource utilization, supporting large virtual memory spaces and multiprocessing. While direct comparisons with modern x86-based OS benchmarks are not readily available due to its specialized hardware, the platform's continuous optimization for its native Alpha and Itanium architectures ensures it leverages the underlying hardware effectively.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback for OpenVMS 8.4, and OpenVMS in general, highlights its exceptional reliability and stability.

• Strengths:
  • Immense stability and uptime, making it ideal for mission-critical applications.
  • Robust clustering capabilities, allowing for upgrades without interrupting services.
  • Strong security design with granular access levels and a focus on limited roles.
  • Well-integrated networking, distributed computing, client/server, and multiprocessing capabilities.
  • Ease of use for system management and programmer productivity.
  • Backward compatibility for applications.
• Weaknesses:
  • Reliance on specialized and aging hardware (Alpha and Itanium), though VSI is moving towards x86.
  • Niche market, which can lead to fewer exploits but also a smaller community and less widespread knowledge.
  • Potential for incompatibilities with updates, requiring workarounds for some layered products.
  • Some benchmarks (like VUPs) can be inconsistent.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Banking and financial services.
  • Hospitals and healthcare.
  • Telecommunications.
  • Network information services.
  • Industrial manufacturing.
  • Any environment requiring extreme reliability, high availability, and robust security for mission-critical applications.

Summary

Hewlett Packard Enterprise OpenVMS 8.4 is a highly stable, secure, and performant operating system tailored for mission-critical enterprise workloads. Initially released by HPE and subsequently developed and supported by VMS Software, Inc. (VSI), it has seen several updates extending its life and capabilities on both Alpha and Integrity server platforms. Its architecture provides 64-bit virtual addressing and robust symmetric multiprocessing, enabling it to handle demanding compute and I/O intensive applications.

Strengths include its legendary uptime, advanced security features like AES encryption and Kerberos authentication, and comprehensive system object protection. The clustering capabilities allow for seamless upgrades, a critical advantage in 24x365 operations. OpenVMS 8.4 is well-suited for industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, where system reliability and data integrity are paramount.

Weaknesses primarily stem from its reliance on specialized hardware architectures (Alpha and Itanium), which are less common today, though VSI is actively porting OpenVMS to x86. While known vulnerabilities have been identified, they are typically addressed through VSI's ongoing patch and update releases. The niche nature of the OS means a smaller support community compared to mainstream operating systems.

Overall, OpenVMS 8.4 remains a powerful and dependable choice for organizations prioritizing extreme stability, security, and availability for their core business applications. Its continued evolution under VSI, including the move to x86, indicates a commitment to its long-term viability in the enterprise landscape.

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.