PA-RISC Emulation Just Got Better: Introducing Charon PAR 4.0

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Stromasys launched Charon-PAR 4.0, delivering a new perspective on PA-RISC emulation. Sometimes, a product upgrade forces you to rethink what’s possible with legacy technology. The same applies here.

Performance improvements on certain workloads mean you don’t have to fear the typical performance drop that many associate with emulation. Stability and application reliability stay intact, letting you approach modern infrastructure challenges without risking your core operations.

Here is a breakdown of the technical enhancements in version 4.0.

The Move to DIT2 Architecture

The most significant change in this release is the introduction of DIT2. This stands for Dynamic Instruction Translation, tier 2.

Previous versions relied on a single translation layer. But here’s the thing: complex workloads often require more efficient processing handling. DIT2 acts as a second instruction translation layer.

This architecture delivers performance gains for specific guest application workloads. It allows for more efficient instruction handling between the emulated environment and the host system.

Administrators have three implementation options:

• Local configuration: DIT2 runs directly on the same system as the emulator.
• Dedicated DIT2 server: You can deploy this on a separate system for distributed processing. Interestingly, a dedicated server can serve multiple Charon-PAR instances.
• Flexible configuration: There are multiple tunable parameters. This allows you to optimize performance for specific workload profiles.

Enhanced Network Controller Support

Networking stability is often a pain point in emulation. Version 4.0 addresses this with significant improvements to the emulated Intel E1000 Ethernet controller.

In previous iterations, checksum offloading settings in HP-UX could impact operation. However, in version 4.0, the controller operates independently of these settings.

This decoupling improves stability. Consequently, reliability across all PCI expansion slots is better. It also ensures smoother compatibility with various network configurations.

A Simplified Licensing Model

Managing licenses for emulated environments can be complex. To fix this, Stromasys has introduced a streamlined licensing approach.

This model eases deployment and management burdens. Imagine spending less time validating keys and more time managing systems.

Important Note: This change does affect upgrades. Licenses from Charon-PAR 3.x versions are incompatible. Even if you have a valid 3.x license, you must update it to work with version 4.0.

Accurate Host System Sizing

Guesswork in system provisioning leads to wasted resources or performance bottlenecks.

To solve this, version 4.0 includes a new tool: charon-par-sizer.py.

This script helps administrators determine the optimal host system specifications. It provides sizing recommendations based on actual requirements.

The tool analyzes:

• Required RAM for the emulated system.
• The number of CPUs required.
• The impact of DIT1-only vs. various DIT2 deployment options.

While this tool provides excellent guidance, it does not replace a detailed performance analysis. Contacting technical support for a deep dive is still recommended for complex environments.

Configuration and Compatibility

Standardization simplifies administration. All configuration file templates have been unified. They now feature consistent options and descriptions across all supported models.

Despite these changes, backward compatibility is maintained. Your existing configurations will still work.

Supported Systems Overview:

• Emulated Models: rp34xx and rp44xx series, B132L workstations, and 720 servers.
• Guest OS: HP-UX (9.0.5 through 11.31, model-dependent) and MPE/iX.
• Host OS: Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Rocky Linux (versions 8, 9, and 10).

Next Steps?

This update offers tangible performance benefits through the DIT2 architecture. However, the licensing changes require improved planning before you upgrade.

If you are running mission-critical workloads on PA-RISC systems, evaluating version 4.0 is a logical step.

Reach out to your Stromasys representative for license migration assistance or visit the support portal for the full Software Product Description.

About Author

Tuhin Das

Tuhin is a passionate writer with more than 7 years of experience in technical and marketing writing. With a unique ability to connect with his readers on a deeper level, he crafts content that not only captivates but also inspires action. Always on the cutting edge of industry trends, he excels at breaking down complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that drive engagement and fuel business growth. Beyond his inherent inclination for writing, he is a sports enthusiast and a traveller, always seeking new experiences to enrich his perspective and creativity.