Wikipedia
OpenVMS is a computer operating system for use in general-purpose computing. It is the successor to the VMS Operating System (VAX-11/VMS, VAX/VMS), that was produced by Digital Equipment Corporation (first released in 1977) for its series of VAX-11 minicomputers and its line of desktop workstations ( DEC Alpha). The name VMS is derived from virtual memory system, according to one of its principal architectural features. OpenVMS also runs on the Itanium-based families of computers. OpenVMS is a proprietary operating system (though the source code is available for purchase). Thus, it is not considered open-source software.
OpenVMS is a multi-user, multiprocessing virtual memory-based operating system (OS) designed for use in time sharing, batch processing, and transaction processing. When process priorities are suitably adjusted, it may approach real-time operating system characteristics. The system offers high availability through clustering and the ability to distribute the system over multiple physical machines. This allows the system to be tolerant against disasters that may disable individual data-processing facilities.
OpenVMS contains a graphical user interface (GUI), a feature that was not available on the original VAX-11/VMS system. Prior to the introduction of DEC VAXstation systems in the 1980s, the operating system was exclusively used and managed from CRT terminals, such as the VT100, which provide serial data communications and screen-oriented display features. Versions of VMS running on DEC Alpha workstations in the 1990s supported OpenGL and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) graphics adapters.
OpenVMS commercialized many features that are now considered standard requirements for any high-end server operating system. These include:
- Integrated computer networking (originally DECnet, and later TCP/IP)
- Symmetrical, asymmetrical, and NUMA multiprocessing, including clustering
- A distributed file system ( Files-11)
- Integrated database features such as RMS and layered databases, including Rdb
- Support for multiple computer programming languages
- A standardized interoperability mechanism for calls between different programming languages
- An extensible shell command language ( DIGITAL Command Language)
- Hardware partitioning of multiprocessors
- High level of security
Enterprise-class environments typically select and use OpenVMS for various purposes including mail servers, network services, manufacturing or transportation control and monitoring, critical applications and databases, and particularly environments where system uptime and data access is critical. System up-times of more than 10 years have been reported, and features such as rolling upgrades and clustering allow clustered applications and data to remain continuously accessible while operating system software and hardware maintenance and upgrades are performed, or when a whole data center is destroyed. Customers using OpenVMS include banks and financial services, hospitals and healthcare, network information services, and large-scale industrial manufacturers of various products.
As of mid 2014, Hewlett Packard (successor to DEC) licensed the development of OpenVMS exclusively to VMS Software Inc. (VSI) VMS Software will be responsible for developing OpenVMS, supporting existing hardware and providing roadmap to clients. The company has a team of veteran developers that originally developed the software during DEC's ownership.