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Everything You Need to Know About HP-UX

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    More than 13,000 companies across various industries still rely on the HP-UX OS to run mission-critical applications. Interestingly, 21% of them are in IT and services, 13% in computer software, and 9% in financial services.

    With important features like access-control lists for file permissions and built-in logical volume management, HP-UX used to be a leader in enterprise computing. Fast forward to today, it is a legacy OS, with the underlying hardware as a continuous source of worry.

    In this guide, we will discuss everything that you need to know about HP-UX. We will explore its rich history, current landscape, and future. Whether you are a long-time HP-UX user or an IT decision-maker weighing your options, this guide has something for you. Let’s discover the past, present, and future of this operating system.

    What is HP-UX?

    HP-UX (Hewlett Packard Unix) is a proprietary Unix operating system developed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It’s based on Unix System V and was first released in 1984.

    hp-ux logo

    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 version was designed to run HP 9000 series 200, 300, and 400 servers 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. And eventually, it transitioned into 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.

    Supported Hardware Platforms

    • PA-RISC Systems: Earlier versions supported the HP 9000 Series based on the PA-RICS instruction set.
    • HP-UX 11i: It’s compatible with the BL series in the Integrity Server Line.
    • CX Series: These are tough, telecom-grade servers that HP-UX 11i v2 and v3 can run.
    • RX Series: It also supports HP’s RX series servers.

    Key Features of HP-UX OS

    • It is known for its stability
    • The HP-UX OS is easy to understand
    • It supports LVM (Logical Volume Manager) and VxFS (Veritas File System)
    • HP-UX systems will shut themselves down if they exceed a certain temperature threshold

    Where is HP-UX Used?

    According to data from enlyft, a total of 13,088 companies use HP-UX OS, with the majority of them belonging to the Information Technology and Services industry. These companies are predominantly located in the United States.

    The top three industries using HP-UX OS are information technology and services, computer software, and financial services. Here’s the industry-wise distribution:

    companies using hp-ux by industry

    Now, let’s see the country-wise distribution:  

    companies using hp-ux by country

    How HP-UX Has Evolved?

    Spanning over the last three decades, HP-UX OS has a rich history that encompasses:

    • 1984: HP-UX 2.0, the first version for HP’s Motorola 68000-based workstations was released
    • 1985: HP-UX 5.0 introduced, based on AT&T System V with versions for Integral PC, Series 200/300, and Series 500
    • 1988: HP-UX 3.x (for Series 600/800) and 6.x (for Series 300) released in parallel
    • 1990: HP-UX 7.x unifies support for Series 300/400, 600/700/800 systems
    • 1991: HP-UX 8.x introduces shared libraries
    • 1992: HP-UX 9.x released and introduced System Administration Manager (SAM) and Logical Volume Manager (LVM)
    • 1995: HP-UX 10.0 converges OS between Series 700 and 800 and adopts SVR4 directory structure
    • 1996: HP-UX 10.20 added support for 64-bit PA-RISC 2.0 processors
    • 1997: HP-UX 11.00 introduced 64-bit addressing while maintaining 32-bit application compatibility
    • 2000: HP-UX 11i v1 (11.11) introduces Operating Environments concept
    • 2001: HP-UX 11i v1.5 (11.20) adds support for Itanium-based systems
    • 2003: HP-UX 11i v2 (11.23) released for Itanium and later updated to support PA-RISC
    • 2007: HP-UX 11i v3 (11.31) launched with support for both PA-RISC and Itanium. It introduced native multipathing and integrated virtualization
    • 2018: Latest revision (B.11.31.1805) of HP-UX 11i v3 was released with HP moving to annual major updates

    Security Categories of HP-UX Operating Systems

    HP categorizes security elements into three different aspects. This structured approach helps in systematically addressing different aspects of security.

    Data Security

    Data Security protects information integrity and confidentiality. It uses Encrypted Volumes and File Systems to secure stored data. Trusted Computing creates a secure environment using hardware and software. Whitelisting allows only approved applications to run. Containers isolate applications to prevent breach spread. IPsec secures IP communications.

    System Security

    System Security guards the OS against vulnerabilities. Software Assistant manages patches. Bastille hardens the system by disabling unnecessary services. The Auditing System logs security events. IPFilter acts as a firewall. Host IDS monitors for unauthorized access. Standard Mode Security Extensions enhance overall security.

    Identity Security

    Identity Security manages user access. RBAC restricts access based on user roles. PAM-Kerberos integrates multiple authentication technologies. AAA Server handles authentication, authorization, and accounting. The Kerberos Server provides secure network authentication.

    What is Context-Dependent Files in HP-UX?

    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.

    Functionality

    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, accessed 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.

    Pros and Cons of HP-UX operating systems

    HP-UX has a constant presence in the enterprise environment. Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of this operating system.

    Pros

    No Setup Fee: HP-UX doesn’t hit you with an upfront setup cost. 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.

    Cons

    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’s no setup fee, the total cost of ownership can be high. You’re looking at expensive hardware and potential consulting fees.

    Comparing HP-UX OS with Other Unix Systems

    Aspect HP-UX AIX Solaris
    Developer Hewlett Packard Enterprise 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

     

    Characteristics of HP-UX OS

    Like any other OS, HP-UX comes with a wide array of characteristics ranging from its proprietary nature to regulatory compliances. 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 to keep 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: By supporting operating system-level virtualization through hardware partitions, it lets you run multiple virtual machines in one physical server.

    5. Logical Volume Management: HP-UX was one of the first UNIX systems to include an inbuilt 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 uses.

    7. Clustered File System: HP-UX offers a shared drive for its clustered file system (CFS). This helps multiple servers to 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 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 stringent security standards required by enterprises.

    Future of HP-UX OS in 2024 and Beyond

    HP has outlined a roadmap for HP-UX that extends to 2022, with the possibility of stretching it to 2025. 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.”

    But the main problem lies here: the hardware supporting HP-UX applications is becoming obsolete. They are prone to downtime and can cost enterprises both financially and production-wise. Also, maintaining vintage hardware is challenging due to the decline in the number of people who have the expertise. Moreover, scarcity of spare parts makes the situation even worse.

    Enterprises that still run HP-UX business applications on the aging hardware – it’s time to act. The underlying hardware poses severe risks to the business, prompting an urgent need for modernization.

    HP-UX Modernization Strategy for Decision Makers

    Finding a modernization technique that is cost-effective, time-efficient and offers seamless business continuity is crucial. Also, the desire to take advantage of the modern cloud is tempting. This is where legacy modernization techniques like hardware emulation come into the picture.

    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 hardware infrastructure, either on-premises (x86-based hardware) or on clouds like Azure, AWS, and others. Meaning, it preserves your existing applications and business processes without any modifications.

    PA-RISC Datasheet

    This migration process typically involves a lift and shift approach where the legacy OS is re-hosted from the legacy hardware to the software emulator. 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:

    • Improved uptime
    • Minimized maintenance cost
    • Business continuity
    • Reliability of the modern platform
    • Stable and consistent performance

    Final Takeaway

    HP-UX has a rich legacy spanning over three 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 among 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.

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