[rescue] Re: Unfortunately it looks like I'm not going to

[Gavin Hubbard]

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On Saturday, January 18, 2003, at 03:37 AM, Thomas Gallaway wrote:
> If you could find out where you have to ship that old server. I mean
> do you think HP will refurbish that machine and resell it or just dump
> it? Anyway's it wouldnt hurt to check out their dumpster haha....

Old? The V2250 came out in, what, 1999?

-Dave
>>

The first V-class machines came out in early 1998. The only V-class you can still buy these days is the V2600, and for one of those you really need to twist HP's arm (as the Superdome is a far better platform).

I finally remembered who designed the V-class system architecture last. It was a company called Convex Computer Corporation who designed really interesting 'mini' super-computers around PARISC processor technology. I used to have an article that talked about Convex Exemplar SPP1200/XA, an 8 to 128 x PA7200 beast that ran an OS called SPP-UX. I think HP absorbed Convex in the late nineties so they could acquire their IP, in much the same way they did with Apollo.

AFAIK the V-class was only ever seen as a stopgap machine that would bridge the T-class and Superdome platforms. This means that HP never really pushed it as a long term platform and could be why they're so keen to get rid of them now. Sources I've spoken to in HP have indicated off-the-record that the V-class will be officially dropped from HP support in June 2005.

WRT Thomas's question, HP's disposal policy for old machines is fairly confusing but generally depends on which business unit is disposing of the machines. IME the ex Corporate Finance machines get offered on an internal remarketing pool first - if no-one shows any interest they hold them in storage for a few months and then send them to local asset management companies for disposal e.g. a local auction house. Sometimes they will ship them to another country for disposal. Machines that are traded in against new hardware will be generally be destroyed and dumped to stop them from being traded in again or cannibalising sales of new equipment.

Regards,

Gavin