DEC Alpha platform

> My company is thinking about changing our hardware platform > to a DEC AlphaServer 1000 running osf1. > > We are currently running Interactive Unix 3.2 on a 486 clone. > > I know that Informix has Online, 4GL, E-SQLC, I-NET, and I-STAR > avaliable for this DEC machine but I am interested to know if anyone > has had any experience with this combination. Or has anyone else > thought about changing over and decided not to for some reason. > This is going to be quite an investment for the company and they would > like to have any opinions you may have to offer before they start. > > -- > Stephanie Valencia > NTT > sco@mchr.nteltec.com We are running that combination. It works well enough, and you won't have the problems that we did. We got caught in the version-changing dance of the operating systems and OnLine engines. Be sure that you get the *compatible* versions of each, rather than the latest. Informix tends to lag behind DEC (Bill Daul's publicity announcements notwithstanding) and you can get in-compatible versions. You will have more problems with changing versions of OnLine than with the DEC box. You didn't say what you were running on the 486, but be aware that OnLine 7.1 and the Alpha require a serious commitment in DBA and sysadmin time, training, and experience. We've been an exclusively DEC shop for several years, after we (finally) got rid of the last ATT box. OSF/1 sux compared to Ultrix, but that's just the way these things are going. All in all, we are glad to be where we are, and are charging ahead in the same direction you are considering. (from the bleeding edge...) Good luck! __________________________________________________________________ | Clem Akins Standard Disclaimers Apply | |Reynolds Metals Co, Alloys Plant "Climb High, Cave Deep!" | | Muscle Shoals, Alabama USA cwakins@leia.alloys.rmc.com | |________________________________________________________________|