ArticlesFor years, HP-UX was a cornerstone in the world of enterprise computing, trusted for managing mission-critical workloads.
Unfortunately, HP is ending support for most versions and HPE Integrity is set to reach end-of-life (EOL) in 2025.
The challenge is: If your business continues to run HP-UX applications for its most critical business workloads using legacy hardware, you could be in trouble.
On one hand, HP-UX workloads are important for daily operation and business continuity. On the other hand, hardware is becoming obsolete.
As a result, many business owners feel stuck, unsure about how to handle this situation and what steps to take next.
This article discusses the implications of HP-UX’s end of support, what it means for businesses, and presents a proven solution.
In the case of HP-UX, End of Support (EoS) means that users will not receive any further security updates, bug fixes, or enhancements from the vendor.
To put it simply, “HP-UX end-of-support” implies that:
HP-UX has a defined lifecycle for its various versions. Let’s look at them:
HP launched HP-UX 11i v3 (B.11.31) in February 2007. The HPE Integrity servers will stop getting support from December 31, 2025. And the HP 9000 servers have already reached their end-of-life (EOL) status on March 31st, 2021.
When discussing other HP-UX versions, HP-UX 11i was discontinued on 31st December 2006. Similarly, support for HP-UX 10.20 ended on June 30, 2003.
This timeline is crucial for organizations to plan their migration strategies to newer platforms or alternative operative systems.
As organizations continue to use HP-UX after its end of support, one of the most pressing concerns is the increased likelihood of hardware failures. This issue arises from several factors:
Over time, hardware components naturally degrade. As systems age without the benefit of vendor support, the reliability of these components diminishes. Older hardware is more prone to failures, which can lead to unexpected downtime and operational disruptions.
When HP stops supporting a system, it will stop making new hardware parts. This scarcity can make it extremely difficult for organizations to find the necessary components to repair or replace failing hardware. Companies might have to wait a long time to get their computers working again. Or they might have to buy all the new equipment.
As hardware gets older, it becomes less reliable. Which means they need more repairs. On one hand, these fixes can cost a lot. On the other hand, finding skilled professionals to fix the outdated hardware is extremely challenging. This can drain budgets and divert resources from other critical areas.
When computers break, you might lose data. That’s bad news for any business. The longer you use old systems, the more likely this is to happen. This risk is compounded by the fact that recovery from such data loss is often complex and costly.
Clearly, the implications of HP-UX End of Support can lead to unfavorable circumstances for organizations. Knowing the degree of risk is extremely important because this will help you determine the course of action.
1. Identify Critical Systems: List everything that needs HP-UX to work. This means programs, databases, and anything else important for your business. Knowing what’s crucial helps you figure out what might go wrong if support ends.
2. Check How Much You Rely on Them: Think about how much you use these HP-UX systems every day. Ask yourself:
HP-UX is ending support. This leaves businesses looking for ways to keep their computer systems running well. There are three primary options to consider: porting, purchasing new applications, and lift and shift.
Here, you could move your current programs to a new system. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes time and money. You must ensure everything works with the new setup. This can lead to delays and problems in your day-to-day work. Unexpected issues often pop up, causing even more downtime.
Getting all the new software might seem like a fresh start. But it’s expensive. You don’t just pay for the programs – you might need new computers too. Moreover, your team has to learn how to use everything. This takes time and can slow things down for a while. You might have to change how you do business to fit the new software. It’s a big change that not everyone wants to deal with.
The lift and shift option often works best. You move your HP-UX programs to new hardware without changing the software itself. It’s quick and causes less trouble. Your work doesn’t stop for long, and there’s less chance of things going wrong. It’s cheaper than the other options. Your team doesn’t need to learn anything new because the software stays the same. Your usual way of doing things doesn’t change. You get better hardware while keeping the HP-UX programs you know and trust.
As you prepare for the implications of HP-UX end of support, follow these key steps:
HP-UX End of Support doesn’t necessarily imply the end of the world to our clients. Yes, with Stromasys businesses can run their legacy workloads reliably and efficiently. Our Charon-PAR emulator will create a virtual replica of your legacy PA-RISC hardware so that you can run your business applications as usual. Only the underlying hardware is replaced with a more efficient one – either on the cloud or on-premises (x86).
So, if you are skeptical about HP-UX end of support – we can help you out. Imagine no more worries about obsolete hardware – your HP-UX workloads are running more seamlessly than ever. Get in touch with our experts to experience a stress-free way of running your legacy workloads.
HP-UX end of support isn’t just about legacy OS. As time passes, the legacy OS becomes more powerful while the hardware becomes less so. Instead of solely focusing on the legacy OS, businesses should address the more pressing issue of PA-RISC hardware obsolesces.
Our Charon-PAR offers PA-RISC emulation, reviving your HP-UX applications. Embrace modernization with Stromasys to move away from outdated hardware and focus on what’s important for the future of your business.
1. What does HP-UX end of support mean?
When support ends, HP stops giving updates and fixes for the system. They also stop helping users with problems. This can make computers less safe from attacks.
2. What is the end of life for the latest version of HP-UX?
The latest release, HP-UX 11i v3 (B.11.31) will reach the end of life on 31st December 2025. This implies that the standard support for the devices will end on this day. But there may be third-party companies that will offer extended support.
3. Is HP-UX still around?
Most versions of the HP-UX OS have already been discontinued except the HP-UX 11i v3 (B.11.31), which will be discontinued on 31st December 2025.
4. Is HP-UX 10.20 EOL?
Yes, this version is no longer supported since June 30, 2003. Users with this version should look into upgrading to the newer versions if they want continued support and security updates.
5. Who developed HP-UX?
HP-UX was developed by Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) for its own 9000 series of servers and workstations. With time, different releases have been made to support a wider range of hardware architecture including PA-RISC and Itanium.
The Challenge: Aging Hardware Limits M&A Activities Businesses are managing more data and IT systems...
Read More
Many businesses still rely on legacy systems. This may be due to an investment in...
Read More
Despite their age and obsolescence, many organizations still cling to SPARC systems for their operations....
Read More