What is the VAX Server? Models, Use Cases, and Future

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VAX servers were among the first to bring virtual memory to minicomputers. They were widely used throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, powering legacy applications across many industries.

It evokes nostalgia for those who worked with its powerful minicomputing systems. But, for businesses running their critical application on this obsolete hardware, it can be nothing short of a nightmare.

In this detailed article, we will delve deeper into VAX servers, their use cases, key models and what the future holds for.

What are VAX Servers?

VAX stands for Virtual Address eXtension. VAX Servers are a series of 32-bit minicomputers developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the late 70s. The supported operating system for VAX computers was VAX/VMS (renamed OpenVMS in 1991).

These servers ran the VAX instruction set architecture (ISA), which had advanced virtual memory management capabilities. The hardware was highly configurable to meet specific operational needs. It became widely adopted across many industries like government, telecom, education, and others.

VAX systems supported concurrent users and were initially isolated from networks. Later it connected to a wider network via DECnet and used “set host” to access other systems.

These systems were network-oriented variants of standard VAX computers. They were configured with firmware and CPU modules to run operating systems exclusively optimized for server tasks (rather than time-shared environments).

Key Features of VAX Servers:

• Support for virtual memory, which allowed efficient multi-programming
• Scalable computing capabilities suitable for engineering, business, and academic environments
• Reliable multitasking performance for mission-critical workloads

Key VAX Server Models

Research and development over almost two decades led to the development of several models, from VAXserver 3000 to VAXserver 9000. Each model was designed to meet specific workloads and budgets.

Early Models:

• VAXserver 3000 Series: Based on the MicroVAX, aimed at compact and affordable computing.
• VAXserver 6000 Series: More advanced, implemented with enhanced CPU modules for higher processing speeds.
• VAXserver 9000 Series: High-end models based on VAX 9000, designed for computational heavy-lifting in scientific and industrial use cases.

Noteworthy Hardware Developments:

• VAX 11 Series (1977–1984): Early VAX systems, including the VAX-11/780 and VAX-11/785, set the stage for virtual memory advancements.
• MicroVAX (1984–1985): Compact versions for smaller institutions and organizations.
• VAX 4000 Series (Late 1980s): Introduced NVAX microprocessor delivering significantly higher performance.

Full List of Prominent VAXserver Models:

• VAXserver 3100, 3300, 3800
• VAXserver 4000 Models 200, 300
• VAXserver 6000 Models 220, 410, 520
• VAXserver 9000 Models 3×0, 310VP, 340VP

Use Cases of VAX Servers Across Industries

The following are examples of how organizations commonly use DEC VAX servers to run their legacy workloads.

1. Power Plants

Energy companies relied on VAX servers for 24/7 real-time monitoring, ensuring continuity and safety standards. Their stable operating system made them ideal for critical infrastructure.

2. Supply Chain Management

With their multitasking abilities, VAX servers powered inventory systems, logistics planning, and operational analytics for supply chains.

3. Manufacturing

From automating production to managing supply orders, VAX servers were widely used in factories producing machinery, doors, electrical components and a lot more.

4. Finance

Banks and financial institutions used DEC VAX servers to support transactions and manage databases. Technology providers for financial institutions also used VAX servers.

5. Scientific Research

Universities and research labs leveraged VAX systems for computational modelling and data-heavy experiments. Their versatility made them crucial tools for innovation in science.

Challenges of Keeping VAX Servers

Despite their historical significance, VAX servers are now a liability for enterprises keeping them. Here’s why:

• Downtime: System failures are costly. Not only that, but it also hampers productivity and brings reputational damage.
• End-of-Life: VAX hardware is no longer manufactured, meaning replacement parts are extremely difficult to source.
• Energy Consumption: Aging VAX hardware consumes a lot of power and significantly increases operating costs.
• Resource Constraints: Specialized knowledge for maintaining these systems is dwindling as experienced professionals retire.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Mostly, there is a lack of support from vendors, with no more operating systems and firmware patches for these systems. This is making the legacy application susceptible to cybersecurity risks.
• Focusing on maintenance rather than growth: In the era of AI and cloud computing, businesses should focus more on innovation. But with legacy hardware, they are spending most of their time and IT budget on things from the past.
• Limited scalability: It is not possible for these systems to meet the evolving demands of today’s enterprises.

The Future of Business Applications Running on VAX Servers

Even though VAX servers appear to be working at the moment, they could fail anytime soon. But the operating system (OpenVMS) and applications are working fine.

In fact, these applications support business-critical workloads and are so deeply integrated into your business that changing them is risky. And sometimes, they can’t be replaced.

Relying on scarce spare parts to replace faulty components is not a long-term solution.

Hardware emulation (lift and shift) is a quick, frictionless, and cost-effective method for extending the lifespan of legacy applications without the need for DEC VAX servers.

This approach creates a similar hardware environment, which decouples the hardware from the software. Best part? The application’s functionalities and the environment in which it runs remain unchanged. By moving to the cloud, enterprises can also enjoy added flexibility such as the pay-as-you-go model.

Real-Life Success Story

WorkflowOne, one of the largest providers of managed print and promotional marketing services in the US was struggling with its VAX VMS servers. There was a lack of performance. Power consumption was exorbitant. In addition, these giant computers were taking up a lot of space. This prompted the company to search for a solution that would address these issues while improving the efficiency of their critical processes.

One of Stromasys’ partners introduced them to Charon-VAX, and everything changed thereafter. Once the emulator was installed, they found transformative results:

• Power consumption dropped dramatically, from 9,360 W to 600 W
• Heat dissipation fell from 31,937 BTU/h to 2,038 BTU/h.
• Space was no longer an issue (48 sq. ft rack space was reduced to four 9-inch rack units)
• Notable savings in annual maintenance

If eliminating legacy hardware risk is on your mind, there is nothing better than hardware emulation. That too when you have a leader in this field at your disposal. The above success story is not one-of-a-kind. Over the years, Stroamsys has helped hundreds of brands eliminate legacy hardware risk. Would you like the same support our clients receive?

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