OS

OpenVMS OS

Product Overview

History

OpenVMS, also known simply as VMS, is a server operating system that supports time-sharing, batch processing and transaction processing. It has powered mission-critical systems for decades, supporting a wide range of industries. Manufacturing, finance, healthcare, utilities, telecom and defense are some of the sectors where OpenVMS has a significant presence. 

Announced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1977, OpenVMS has subsequently been stewarded by Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and VMS Software, Inc (VSI). 

With its strong focus on uptime and data integrity, OpenVMS remains a trusted choice for enterprises. OpenVMS clustering allows applications and data to remain continuously available, even if part of the cluster is destroyed, or during maintenance. 

Originally designed to run on VAX minicomputers, VSI OpenVMS today runs on Alpha-based AlphaServers, Itanium-based Integrity Servers, and x86-based virtual machines and cloud services.  

A new era on x86

VSI OpenVMS on x86 provides a long-term solution for customers to protect their application investments on OpenVMS. VSI OpenVMS on Alpha and Integrity help those same customers close the gap between their old OpenVMS environments and the modern IT landscape while they are preparing to move to VSI OpenVMS on x86. 

VSI is actively enhancing OpenVMS with new tools, updated networking capabilities, and improved security features. The company also collaborates with software vendors to ensure a broad ecosystem of layered products, supporting both legacy and modern workloads. 

For organizations invested in OpenVMS, the future is clear: maintain critical systems on Alpha or Integrity as needed and prepare for the transition to x86 to leverage the latest advancements. With VSI's commitment to continuous development, OpenVMS remains a reliable, secure, and forward-looking operating system. 

Latest Version

Alpha Integrity X-86
V8.4-2L2 V8.4-2L3 V9.2-3
Roadmap

Features

Clustering 

VSI OpenVMS supports connecting up to 96 systems (“nodes”) in a cluster. These nodes can all be the same architecture, but they can also be a mixture of Alpha, Integrity and x86 nodes. Cluster-aware applications running on a properly configured cluster remain available to users even if some of the infrastructure fails, or during operating system or hardware maintenance and upgraded. 

Networking 

VSI OpenVMS supports industry-standard TCP/IP networking. We continue to modernize out TCP/IP stack to offer the compatibility and security offered by modern TCP/IP-based network protocols. VSI OpenVMS also supports DECnet for legacy applications, but customers with applications that depend on DEcnet are strongly advised to move to more secure TCP/IP-based communications. 

Development tools 

VSI OpenVMS supports compilers and run-time libraries for a variety of languages, including: 

  • C 
  • C++ 
  • Java 
  • Bliss 
  • Fortran 
  • BASIC 
  • COBOL 
  • Pascal 
  • VAX Macro 
  • Assembler 

The DECset family of tools provides development utilities like an editor (LSE), source control (CMS), build system (MMS) and test manager (DTM). To support more modern development practices, several open-source development tools are also available, such as git, and a VS-Code based Integrated Development Environment. 

VSI OpenVMS V9.2-3 

The latest version of OpenVMS for x86 delivers the following new features, in addition to bugfixes: 

  • VMware VMDirectPath for Fibre Channel Passthrough Support: Allows direct access to Fibre Channel SAN storage from a VMware ESXi virtual machine. 
  • Guest Console: provides a VGA/keyboard based console for situations where the use of an emulated serial port is impossible or undesirable. 
  • VMware vMotion Support: Allows the live migration of an OpenVMS virtual machine from one host to another on a properly configured VMware ESXi cluster.  
  • Automatic configuration and startup of TCP/IP and OpenSSH: Provides an option during installation to automatically configure TCP/IP and OpenSSH using an existing DHCP server 
  • Virtio-net and VMXNET3 Network Drivers: Drivers for para-virtualized network interfaces on both VMware and KVM offer better performance. 
  • Availability Manager Data Collector: Allows Availability Manager to be used with x86 systems.  
  • ACME Agent: Enables the use of external authentication.  

Learn more

Supported platforms

VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L3 

Ensure long-term support and reliability by upgrading your Integrity system to VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L3. Stay secure with regular updates, enhanced compliance features, and improved hardware compatibility. 

Learn more

Supported platforms

VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L1 and V8.4-2L2 

Upgrade your Alpha system to VSI OpenVMS V8.4-2L1 and 2L2 for extended support, security enhancements, and access to layered and open-source products. Minimize downtime with a streamlined migration process and unlock new capabilities. 

Learn more

Supported platforms

Downloads

Useful files related to the product, such as tools or additional materials.

Get a license

OpenVMS OS kits on the SP

Get a license

Most non-Open Source products require a valid license to operate. If you need to get a license for a product or OpenVMS itself, please look at the page describing the possible options.

Explore the options and apply

Migrate to x86

OpenVMS is now available for x86/64 architecture, offering a reliable and up-to-date option to run your software in the future.
We are ready to give you all the information needed to evaluate the migration project, move your solutions to x86, and start using them in a working environment.

Learn more