Overview
 
The OCEAN system was purchased by Miami University to solve performance
problems associated with the MIAVX1 system.  The OCEAN system is a DEC
4000-710 AXP computer and utilizes the new Alpha processor manufactured by
Digital Equipment Corporation.  The OCEAN system runs the same operating
system (OpenVMS) and the same software as the MIAVX1 system but runs them at
a much faster speed.  This increase in performance is achieved using a new
architecture called RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer).  The VAX has a
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture.
 
While this architecture produces increases in performance, it does complicate
the migration from one system to the other.  These problems and the
differences between the two systems are addressed in the accompanying
documents.
 
*******************
Connecting to OCEAN
*******************
OCEAN can be reached in several ways:
    * From the Gandalf Data Switch, choose class OCEAN.
    * From the VAX, issue the command SET HOST OCEAN.
    * Using Telnet, issue the command TELNET OCEAN.MUOHIO.EDU.
Your username and password on OCEAN is the same as your username and password
for MIAVX1.
 
****************
Need an account?
****************
If you do not already have an account on the OpenVMS systems, please contact
Kathy Robinson at 529-1242 to receive one.
 
**********
Questions?
**********
If you have any questions or concerns about the new OCEAN system, please
contact MCIS at 529-7318 and ask for Patti Gregg.
 
***********************************************
Technical Comparison of MIAVX1 and OCEAN system
***********************************************
 
Below is a technical comparison of the two systems.
                        MIAVX1                  OCEAN
                        ------                  -----
Model                   6000-410 VAX            4000-710 AXP
CPU Type                CICS                    RISC
Address Size            32 bit                  64 bit
Operating System        OpenVMS VAX             OpenVMS AXP
CPU Speed               ~7 Specmarks            ~140 Specmarks
Cache                   128 KB                  4 MB
System Bus              100 MB/sec              640 MB/sec
Memory                  96 MB                   256 MB
I/O Buses               1 @ 3.4 MB/sec          2 @ 10 MB/sec, 3 @ 5 MB/sec
Disk Space              4 GB                    10 GB
Tape Drive              9-Track - ~120 MB/tape  8MM - ~5 GB/tape
Est. Concurrent Users   40-60                   100-120