Community License Program - Questions & Answers

[marty.stu]

VMS Software has launched the Community License Program: you can get a free OpenVMS license intended for non-commercial use by applying here: https://vmssoftware.com/services/community-license/. In this thread, we will cover a few frequently asked questions about the Community License Program.

Use of Clustering

The Community License for Integrity does not include Clustering. The Community License for Alpha includes ALPHA-SYSTEM and ALPHA-LP (Clustering is included). VMS Software does not disallow the use of community license on several devices at a time.

Use on Emulators

Community license may be used on hardware or emulators.

Supported Architectures

Community licenses are available for Alpha and Integrity at the moment and will be available for x86 in the future. VAX licenses are not available as VMS Software Inc. has not released a version of OpenVMS for VAX.

Problems when Requesting the License

A few users reported problems when requesting the license with this form: https://vmssoftware.com/services/community-license/.
If you encounter any, please repeat your request; if you continue having problems, please contact us at training@vmssoftware.com.

Additional Agreements

In the line “You may Use Software only as provided for, and in connection with either Alpha, Integrity, or x86-64 processor-based servers, and/or emulators and/or hypervisors, as agreed by You and VSI”, we mean as agreed when you submitted the license request form found here: https://vmssoftware.com/services/community-license/. No additional agreements are involved.

Remote Monitoring

In the line “You acknowledge that VSI may monitor your compliance with Use restrictions remotely or otherwise, and you agree to provide reasonable cooperation in connection therewith”, VMS Software Inc. reserves the right to request information regarding your use of the license, and by agreeing to the conditions of the license agreement, you agree to provide such information. If at any moment in the future it is decided to incorporate any monitoring software into the license agreement, VMS Software Inc. will amend the agreement accordingly and only provide the new license to those who have signed the amended agreement.

Installation Files

Access to installation files for the products covered by the license for the relevant architecture are provided together with the PAKs.

ECO Kits

ECO kits are not provided to holders of the Community License as they are released.

List of the products released by VSI

You can find the list of the products available from VMS Software Inc. by clicking on the links below. They include the list of layered products released by VMS Software, both opensource and commercial:

For Alpha (AXP) - https://vmssoftware.com/pdfs/resources/ ... _Alpha.pdf

For Integrity - https://vmssoftware.com/pdfs/resources/VSI_LPs_IA64.pdf

Note from the administration: This post may be expanded in case we get more questions.

[madsweeney]

Hello OpenVMS Community,

VMS Software, Inc.’s launch of the OpenVMS Community License program is a great success. The applications for participation exceeded our expectations, which is great evidence of the strength of OpenVMS in the market. We thank the company employees who worked tirelessly to make the program a reality.

The initial launch is version 1.0 of the community program. The VMS Software Community program was not intended to be identical to the HPE Hobbyist program. We anticipated differences between the HPE hobbyist license and VSI community license would generate discussion. Your ideas and feedback are important and valuable. Please provide your feedback here in the VSI OpenVMS Forum, OpenVMS Community License Program - Q&A. We will consider changes to the program based on your feedback.

With the participation of community members, the program will evolve to meet the needs of the worldwide OpenVMS community.

Thank you,

VMS Software Management Team
Dave Sweeney, Chief Customer Advocate

[dmjb]

Disregard this - saw an answer to my question in another thread.

[arne_v]

I noted that the Itanium downloads include Bliss while the Alpha downloads does not include Bliss.

Are there a reason for that or is it just accidental?

There should not be any license issue as Bliss is released by HP(E) as free on the Freeware CD.

[uli_bellgardt]

Recently I received the required credentials and successfully downloaded the Community License as well as the OS and Layered products.

I could install it without issues on my DS10L.

However, on my even more ancient DEC 3000 Model 500 I can not run the new OS because that box requires 1100 units for layered products type H, while the community license gives me only 1050 units for the layered products.

To be honest: this is a real non-issue for me because I do not use this machine for anything. During the past few years I booted that machine not more than once per year, just to renew the HP Hobbyist License. Maybe I should consider to bring it to the scrap yard.

[joukj]

Same sort of problem with my machines

I have an ES40 which requires 100 units for OpenVMS but only 75 units in the license.

Jouk

[philliphelbig]

Considering that many hobbyists have collected hardware which otherwise would have gone to the scrap heap, and that, as in the DEC 3000 mentioned above (a 21064/EV4 machine), a large number of required units might exist in what is today an extremely weak machine, it would make sense to have 0 (unlimited) units for the community license.

[reinhardtjh]

Thank you for the update to the Community License Program PAKs. Opening up Alpha to unlimited units and allowing Integrity users to have access to VMS Clustering, Volume shadowing and other HA options is greatly appreciated.