In article <[log in to unmask]>,
   James Guthrie <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>I have a HP 3000 Model 70 containing an obsolete but still essential
>application suite and data. We are in the process of developing a new
>Oralce PowerBuilder app to run on another serve. The new system is
>expected for Sept 96.
>Unfortunately we are moving buildings in March 96. We do not want to move
>the Model 70 (need for new computer room, etc.) Another Department has
>offered us use of their 9271x. Their machine is in another location but
>supports ethernet, and is connected to a corporate WAN that runs TCP/IP.
>It looks like moving the application, and providing the users with access
>is not a problem. Alas, the Model 70 is HPIP for I/O (discs and tape),
>while the 9271x is SCSI and ethernet. Does anyone have any ideas for
>cheap realistic options to get our data and code from the old system to
>the new temporary host. Ideally we would like to pop our existing hard
>drives into a truck, run them down the street and plug them into the
>9271x (this avoids migration and adds capacity to the host).
>The only common link we have come up with is use a PC with RS232 to the
>Model 70, and network links to the 9271x, then use Reflection to suck
>files off the Model 70 onto a server, then blow the files onto the 9217x.
>This is obviously a kludge, prone to error (forgetting to transfer a key
>file), time consuming, and generally ugly. Does anyone have any ideas?
>I am not a HP specialists (Geoprocessing Senior Planner by trade), but
>the HP support person works with me so feel free to be technical.
>Please post a direct response to me as well as post to the group, as my
>newsreader seems to refuse to let me add hp.mpe to my list of
>subscriptions.
>    voice (403)496-6073 ,fax (403)496-6104 9:15-5:15 MST, email as above
>Thanks for any help you can offer.
>
I assume you are talking about a 927 iX, not a 9271x (the letter I, not the
number 1)
 
First, your plan A would not work anyway.  The Series 70 is an old 16 bit CISC
machine and the 927 is 32 bit RISC machine.  The two have different
architectures and instruction sets, and the two run TOTALLY different
operating systems, although both are called MPE and both LOOK the same to the
user, for the most part.  The disc formats are different, therefore, and you
could not under any circumstances "just pop the discs off and plug them into
the host".
 
You weren't specific, but I gather from your post that you have two problems:
 
1.  You are adding to the system and it needs more disc space to hold your
app.
 
2.  How do you transfer the files.
 
In the first case, you might lease or rent disc drives, possibly from HP.  I
know they rent machines to software developers.  I don't know the details, so
you'll have to ask whoever passes for your sales rep.  Second, there are many
hardware resellers, such as Computech up here in the Seattle area or Conam in
Southern CA.  They may rent, or would certainly sell, used SCSI discs for less
than HP.
 
Another temptation is to buy SCSI discs from Computer City or the like. While
these may be cheaper, and would work on UNIX systems, they likely WILL NOT
WORK on an MPE-iX system.  MPE, unlike unix and DOS/Windows, transfers HUGE
amounts of disc space around.  Single transfers of 168K or so are not uncommon
in MPE-land.  Few discs (except those with the HP seal of approval) will work
reliably under this kind of stress.
 
As for the second question, I assume the 927 has a DAT drive on it for backup.
 You can get HPIB dat drives for the 70 (I used to have one on a Mighty Mouse
system, a very small Classic (16 bit) 3000 I used to own).  You simply use
MPE's STORE facility to store off your files, then restore them onto the 927.
 The STORE facility on the 927 has a ;TRANSPORT option that can restore tapes
created on the older MPE-V operating system.
 
Hope this helps.  e-mail me directly if you have any more questions.
 
Jason Goertz
Orbit Software
Federal Way, WA +