HPE OpenVMS Hobbyist license program is closing

On Fri, 20 Mar 2020, Rob Jarratt wrote: Not a question for me, but for the record I have used a WTI remote site manager, essentially a combined power distribution and terminal server unit, for 5 years now. The reason I chose that device over alternatives (and with the amount of stuff to do with vintage hardware I chose to stay away from a homebrew solution so as to reduce distractions) was its ability to automatically power-cycle sockets if a device on the network (possibly one powered from the socket controlled) is probed dead, so as to reboot a stuck piece of communication equipment in an unattended manner. This has been important to me as I cannot afford a travel to my lab whenever a minor disruption happens. It has dual power inputs too for redundant supply (I found it useful if a UPS fails, which I have seen happen many times with expired batteries even if mains supply remains live) and can also monitor the current load (at individual sockets) and the temperature, and then shut sockets selectively down automatically if thresholds are exceeded. The serial ports use 8P8C modular sockets, so I had some fun making proper 8P8C-MMJ patchcords for these console ports that use an MMJ socket rather than a D-sub connector (for those ready-made cables are widely available). As one I have got has 8/8 sockets/serial ports only I now have a second one on the way. Maciej