HP-UX 11i Version 2 December 2005 Release Notes

Introduction to HP-UX 11i Version 2
HP-UX 11i v2 Compatibility
Chapter 2
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Compatibility between HP-UX 11i for HP 9000 (PA-RISC) systems and HP-UX 11i for
HP Integrity (Itanium-based) systems includes the following features:
• HP-UX 11i v2 for Itanium-based systems can transparently execute PA-RISC
binaries. This is possible through the Aries dynamic code translation technology
which is a built-in, integrated part of every copy of HP-UX 11i for Itanium-based
systems. Performance in compatibility mode is likely to be less than native mode, but
binary compatibility ensures that all PA-RISC applications can execute on the
Itanium-based architecture without recompilation.
• HP-UX 11i v2 for Itanium-based systems and HP-UX 11i v2 for PA-RISC systems
are built from the same source code. This means that HP-UX 11i v2 has the same
look and feel and operates in a very similar fashion on both architectures.
• The system management, security, and high availability tools and products for
HP-UX 11i v2 for HP Integrity systems are the same as for HP-UX 11i v2 for HP
9000 systems. This means that current HP-UX 11i system administrators can apply
their skillsets directly to HP-UX 11i for HP Integrity systems.
• HP-UX 11i v2 features application source code compatibility between the HP 9000
and HP Integrity systems. Application programs from HP-UX 11i for HP 9000
systems can be made into native applications on HP Integrity systems with no
source code modifications necessary. (HP-UX 11i for Itanium-based systems
supports both 32-bit and 64-bit applications even though Intel Itanium is a 64-bit
architecture.) However, converting a 32-bit application into a 64-bit application may
require some source code changes.
• HP-UX 11i for Itanium-based systems has the same data formats as HP-UX 11i for
PA-RISC systems. This means that there is complete data interoperability between
the two architectures. This interoperability allows the seamless integration of
HP-UX 11i v2 systems into an existing network of HP-UX systems.
Upgradability across Architectures
As of July of 2002 HP began to introduce HP-UX 11i servers that support both PA-RISC
and Intel Itanium processors. For these servers, customers are able to specify the
architecture they desire when they order systems. Servers that are initially ordered as
PA-RISC servers can be field-upgraded to Itanium-based systems and will enjoy all of
the compatibility advantages listed above.
Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Compatibility across Architectures
With the source, data, and binary compatibility that HP provides from the PA-RISC
architecture to the Itanium-based architecture, it is expected that the vast majority of
independent software vendors (ISVs) that support applications on PA-RISC will
transition these applications to HP-UX 11i for Itanium-based systems. This means
that not only will HP-UX 11i and its layered system management, security, and high
availability products have a common “look and feel” on the two architectures, it also
means that application products will have a common “look and feel” across the two
architectures, thus eliminating the need to retrain users for new applications.
Exceptions to PA-RISC/Itanium-based Binary Compatibility
In nearly all cases PA-RISC applications can execute under the Aries dynamic code
translator which is included as an integrated component in every copy of HP-UX 11i for
Itanium-based systems. The following list documents the exceptions to binary
compatibility. HP's Aries dynamic code translator does not support the following: