Reprinted with permission from the HP3000Newswire:
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HP to extend support for MPE/iX version
In a move that will help companies who are electing to homestead for
several years on HP 3000s, HP is extending its support of the 6.5
release of MPE/iX until the beginning of 2007.
The release, the most widely installed version of the operating
environment for HP 3000s, was scheduled to exit HP's support plans at
the end of this year. But HP announced it will honor support contracts
for 6.5 through December 31, 2006, the same date as the 7.0 and 7.5
releases of MPE/iX.
HP considers the move an assist to customers who are planning
migrations away from the platform. In a release prepared by HP's
Services Division, the vendor said that adding two more years of HP
support for the majority of the HP 3000 base will simplify transition
planning.
"Input from customers, HP's Platinum Partners and many third party
software suppliers has made it clear that many customers running this
older version would rather focus their limited resources on transition
efforts, instead of investing in OS rolls," the HP release stated.
HP added that it expects that extending the support life of more than
half the installed customers' MPE/iX releases will help customers who
intend to leave the platform.
"This two-year extension will allow customers to focus their efforts on
executing their migration activities to other HP platforms, instead of
on operating system upgrades," HP's statement read. "This extension
also enables all HP e3000 hardware and software end-of-support dates to
coincide with one another, allowing for a simpler and more tightly
integrated transition strategy for both the customer and HP."
HP said that it must freeze enhancements for the 6.5 release in order
to extend its support. Some fixes for HP 3000 problems will require
customers to upgrade to a newer release, a decision that will prompt
customers to remain on HP support.
"Support customers electing to stay on MPE/iX release 6.5 can expect no
new enhancements and no new peripheral support to be offered," HP said.
"It also means that, although existing MPE/iX release 6.5 patches will
continue to be available, new patches will be limited only to critical
defects, and in specific situations HP's resolution to a particular
problem may require the customer to upgrade to MPE/iX release 7.0 or
7.5."
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CDR Paul Edwards USNR Ret. HP 3000/9000 Certified Consultant
Paul Edwards & Associates Phone: (972) 242-6660
1506 Estates Way Fax : (972) 446-9022
Carrollton TX 75006 Cel : (214) 384-8728
Email: [log in to unmask] Web : www.peassoc.com
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