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What is the HP-UX operating system?HP-UX, or Hewlett-Packard Unix, is a proprietary (licensing required) Unix operating system developed by HP. HP-UX was built on Unix System V and was released in 1982. It is known for its reliability and security and is primarily used for big business applications and IT services. It was optimized for HP’s server hardware based on PA-RISC architectures and later, Intel Itanium.
While the HP-UX operating system had certain strong and weak points, it is more important to think about its end-of-support, which came at the end of 2025, and its Mature Support, which will end in 2028. This will have implications for businesses using the OS, but there are ways to avoid it with timely modernization.
ArticleHP-UX stands for Hewlett-Packard Unix. Both HP-Unix and HP-UX refer to the same operating system. The official product name is HP-UX, while the informal name is HP-Unix.
The HP-UX operating system provides OS-level virtualization features, including hardware partitions, isolated OS virtual partitions on cell-based servers, and HP Integrity Virtual Machines (HPVM) which uses HP-UX hosts on all Integrity servers.
A little below 3300 companies across various industries still rely on HP-UX workloads for mission-critical functions. These enterprises are mostly in manufacturing, as well as other industries like retail and finance.
HP-UX is a proprietary Unix operating system developed by Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE). It is based on Unix System V and was first released in 1982.
It was the pioneering Unix operating system that introduced access-control lists for file access permissions. It provides an alternative to the traditional Unix permission system. Additionally, HP-UX OS was one of the early Unix systems to integrate a built-in logical volume manager.
The first HP-UX version was designed to run on HP 9000 Series 200, 300, and 400 workstations based on the Motorola 68000 series of processors and HP’s proprietary FOCUS architecture.
Later, the HP 9000 computers were supported by the PA-RISC architecture. Eventually, it transitioned to the Intel’s Itanium architecture with the introduction of HP-UX 11i v1.5. This latest version is more inclined towards cluster computing, IaaS, and cloud computing.
It also provides multiple layers of virtualization at the operating system level, such as hardware partitioning, isolated operating system partitions on cell-based server architectures, and virtual machine capabilities designed for HP Integrity servers.
According to Landbase, the HP-UX operating system is used by 3290 companies, including Amazon, Walmart, Apple, NVIDIA, and Microsoft. Most of them are in the in the United States, but many are also found in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan.
Most of these enterprises work in manufacturing, but you also see them in business services, retail, finance, custom software and IT services, and education. While global enterprises dominate the landscape, we also see lean startups use the OS.
However, its usage is negligible now (less than 0.0001%), compared even to what it used to be a year back. Enterprises where an HP-UX system was already present are probably the ones continuing its usage.
When seen against options like Ubuntu or Debian, its usage is hardly visible, and it is probably because it has reached EOS. Most organizations are looking for ways to modernize their software.
Spanning over the last three decades, HP-UX OS has a rich history. You get many HP-UX versions and updates that encompass:
The latest revision (B.11.31.1805) of HP-UX 11i v3 was released with HP moving to annual major updates.
Like any other OS, HP-UX comes with a wide array of characteristics, ranging from its proprietary nature to regulatory compliance. Let’s look at them all.
1. Proprietary UNIX Implementation: HP-UX is Hewlett Packard’s proprietary version of the UNIX operating system. It was specifically designed based on UNIX System V Release 4.
2. Server-Oriented Design: HP-UX is designed as a pure server operating system. It comes with high availability and flexible memory. The focus is on keeping things running smoothly and securely.
3. Advanced Security Features: It was the first UNIX system to implement access control lists (ACLs) for file permissions. Further, the 11i v2 release also introduced kernel-based intrusion detection, security partitioning, and role-based access control.
4. Virtualization Support: Supporting operating system-level virtualization through hardware partitions lets you run multiple virtual machines on one physical server.
5. Logical Volume Management: HP-UX was one of the first UNIX systems to include an in-built logical volume manager, which simplifies disk management and improves storage flexibility.
6. Enterprise Tools: The operating system comes with a suite of tools to keep track of costs, workload, logging, and visualization. This makes it a good fit for enterprise use.
7. Clustered File System: HP-UX offers a shared drive for its clustered file system (CFS). This helps multiple servers access the same data.
8. File Systems and Storage: HP-UX OS supports multiple file systems, including VxFS, HFS, CDFS, EVFS, NFS, and CIFS. It can handle file sizes of up to 2 terabytes and address up to 256 gigabytes of RAM.
9. Software Development: It supports various programming languages and development tools, including Java, C/C++, Fortran 90, COBOL, and Perl, making it versatile for software development.
10. Graphical User Interface: HP-UX offers graphical user interfaces such as VUE (Visual User Environment) and CDE (Common Desktop Environment), providing users with a more intuitive interaction with the system.
11. Compliance: HP-UX has received various security certifications, including EAL4-CAPP and TCSEC-2. Thus, it meets the stringent security standards required by enterprises.
HP categorizes security elements into three different aspects. This structured approach helps in systematically addressing different aspects of security in HP-UX servers and workstations.
Data security protects information integrity and confidentiality. It uses Encrypted Volumes and File Systems (EVFS) to secure stored data. Trusted Computing creates a secure environment using hardware and software, whitelisting allows only approved applications to run, and containers isolate applications to prevent breaches from spreading. IPsec secures IP communications.
System security guards the OS against vulnerabilities. The Software Assistant manages patches. On the other hand, Bastille hardens the system by disabling unnecessary services. The Auditing System logs security events, while the IPFilter acts as a firewall. Host IDS monitors for unauthorized access, and the Standard Mode Security Extensions enhance overall security.
Identity security manages user access. For example, RBAC restricts access based on user roles, while PAM-Kerberos integrates multiple authentication technologies. An AAA server handles authentication, authorization, and accounting; a Kerberos server provides secure network authentication.
HP-UX Release 6.x saw the introduction of context-dependent files, or CDFs. These files were designed to let a server provide a variety of settings, executable files, and system architectures to diverse client machines in mixed environments. The innovation behind CDFs was their ability to adapt file delivery to the unique context of each client machine.
In practice, CDFs made it possible for the same file to present itself in different ways to different clients while adapting to their distinct requirements and setups. This feature was especially beneficial in settings where a range of workstation types, each with its own set of needs, are accessed through the same server. For instance, one client could receive a particular binary suitable for its architecture, while another could get a customized configuration file suited to its specific environment.
HP-UX OS has a constant presence in the enterprise environment. Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of this operating system.
No Setup Fee: HP/UX doesn’t charge you upfront for setup. This is a nice touch, especially when you’re just getting started.
Try Before You Buy: HP offers a free trial. It’s always good to test-drive before committing, especially with enterprise-grade software.
Comprehensive Management: The built-in security and system management tools are robust. They cover everything from power management to health checks and deployment.
Resource Optimization: HP-UX shines in resource management. Its file system and volume management are tightly integrated with performance analysis tools.
High Availability: With HPE Serviceguard solutions baked in, HP-UX is designed for minimal downtime. This is crucial for mission-critical systems.
Flexibility for Critical Workloads: It offers a complete set of mission-critical Unix software in one package. This makes it versatile for various high-stakes applications.
Closed-Source Limitations: Being closed-source, HP-UX lacks the customization options and community support you would get with open-source alternatives.
Virtualization Complexity: The various virtualization options (nPartitions, vPars, IVMs) can be overwhelming. It’s not always clear which solution best fits your needs.
Hardware Lock-In: HP-UX is tied to HP’s proprietary hardware. This limits your options and can lead to vendor dependency.
Cost Considerations: While there is no setup fee, the total cost of ownership can be high. You’re looking at expensive hardware and potential consulting fees.
| Aspect | HP-UX | AIX | Solaris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | HPE | IBM | Sun Microsystems |
| Hardware | HP 9000 and Integrity Itanium systems | IBM Power Systems | Various, including SPARC and x86 |
| Source Model | Closed-source | Closed-source | Closed-source |
| File Systems | VxFS, HFS, CDFS, EVFS, NFS, CIFS | JFS, JFS2, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, SMBFS, GPFS | ZFS, UFS, NFS, HSFS, PCFS |
| Security | Robust server security and system management tools | Advanced security features with Tivoli extensions | Advanced permission model and security features |
| High Availability | Integrated HPE Serviceguard solutions | High availability features with PowerHA | Dynamic reconfiguration and high availability features |
| Virtualization | nPartitions, vPars, Integrity Virtual Machines (IVMs) | PowerVM, WPARs | Solaris Zones, LDOMs |
| Customization | Limited due to closed-source nature | Limited due to closed-source nature | Limited due to closed-source nature |
| Ease of Use | Performance tuning using kctune | Extremely easy-to-use management tools | More command-line based may be less user-friendly |
HP has outlined a roadmap for HP-UX that extends till 2025 and possibly 2028. Randy Meyer, VP and GM of Mission Critical Systems at HP’s Enterprise Server Business, emphasizes the company’s dedication to its existing customer base. He added, “We’ve got a huge customer base we’ve got to address.”
However, the main problem lies with the OS and the hardware it supported. They are both becoming obsolete. They are prone to downtime and can cost enterprises both financially and production-wise. Also, maintaining vintage OS and hardware is challenging due to the decline in the number of people who have the expertise to use or repair them. The scarcity of spare parts makes the situation even worse.
All of these operational and other challenges drive an urgent need for modernization.
Finding a modernization technique that is cost-effective and time-efficient, and offers seamless business continuity is crucial. The desire to take advantage of the modern cloud is also tempting. This is where legacy modernization techniques like hardware emulation come into the picture.
The Charon-PAR emulator by Stromasys is a popular choice for extending the life of legacy HP-UX applications. It lets you run your HP-UX workloads on modern x86-based hardware or cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and others. This means that it preserves your existing applications and business processes without any modifications.
This migration process typically involves a lift-and-shift approach where the legacy hardware is rehosted by the emulator on modern systems. This is often done using a backup-restore or dump-restore method, where the backup files are transferred over secure connections.
Enterprises can fetch a wealth of benefits from this modernization process, like:
HP-UX has a rich legacy spanning over four decades. Understanding HP-UX, its history, features, and current landscape is crucial for IT decision-makers in organizations that rely on this OS. Its robustness, security, and scalability make it popular for enterprise environments.
While HP-UX continues to power a lot of mission-critical applications, the aging hardware adds a lot of challenges and prompts businesses to consider modernization. Whether to maintain existing systems, modernize through emulation, or gradually transition to new platforms – the path forward requires careful consideration of both legacy needs and future trends.
The HP-UX operating system was released in 1982. It was for the HP 9000 Series 500. Interestingly, it stood layered over a Series 500-specific OS called SUNOS, a feature that was exclusive to it.
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