John writes:
> Unless HP publishes the STORE tape format or someone
> provides a cross-platform restore capability,[...]

Oh, all right.  Since you ask, I will mention that Allegro has for some time
now been actively developing a multi-platform RESTORE utility to extract
files from your MPE/iX :STORE tapes on HP-UX, Linux, and Windows systems,
and to do so in a manner that gets you the data in a *useful* format.

We are working with providers of various "MPE compatibility" tools for other
platforms, with the goal of being able to :RESTORE your MPE files directly
into these emulated environment on the new system with the various
".attributes" type files and other meta-data set up for each of these
environments, as well as being able to restore your MPE files into useful
native data formats for each target operating system.

Some of the features planned for inclusion are:

*) Restoring an IMAGE database as an Eloquence database (magically).
*) Extract files and IMAGE data sets into XML format, CSV files, etc.
*) Perform parameterized data transformations and post processing.
*) Allow user-provided "filter" scripts for custom data imports, etc.
*) Support 3rd party Image to RDBMS libraries, MPE "file systems", etc.

We have a whole bunch of other cool features on the list that we hope to put
in, but I'd rather not give too many things away right now :-)

There are two major applications for this new tool:

1) During a migration process you may wish to do daily refreshes
   of your "new" environment from the data on your "live" 3000.  Our
   goal is to let you set up our RESTORE program so that once you've
   got it configured, you can simply feed it your nightly backup tape
   from the 3000 and all the data you need will plop down onto the new
   machine in the format you want it.

2) Access to archival data if you no longer have a functioning 3000 to
   do a :RESTORE on.  The ability to restore your IMAGE database into a
   self-describing XML document, comma separated values, or other
   common formats will make access to historical data relatively easy.

Pricing and product name are yet to be determined.  Early release versions
should be available for testing soon.

Feel free to let me know if you'd like to be on the "announce" list for this
product, or if you're a migration provider or an ISV who is interested in
either bundling this functionality into your product/service or if you would
like us to make sure we can support *your* data formats and requirements on
your new environment.

Gavin

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