HP Visualize J5000 hp visualize workstation - Migrating UNIX Technical Environ - Page 3

Ease of Migration Ease of migration can be described as the amount of effort required to move from a UNIX-centric environment to the Windows NT-centric environment. This would include consideration of the percentage of information that is unique to UNIX. For instance, if data is to be migrated, consideration must be given as to whether it is uniquely UNIX binary data, thus requiring a translation program to be written (tested, etc.) for moving the data to NT. If software must be migrated, the question must be asked, "Does it use UNIXcentric code?" For example, assembly or Fortran language programs are inherently UNIXcentric with little migration support for NT. In addition, it should be ascertained whether the system environment scripts are using a standard, like the Korn Shell, or a more obscure shell scripting language or procedure. Finally, consideration must be given to the availability of the source to the software, scripts, procedures and documentation for the current UNIX environment. Risk to Current Systems Infrastructure The risk to the current system's infrastructure needs to be assessed. This revolves around the concern of "breaking" or at least impacting to an appreciable degree, the current infrastructure. For example, the NT 4.0 browsing service can increase network traffic. The lack of consistent, interoperable file security may force the use of a network file access method that is inconsistent with organizational goals. This can also require changes to such simple things as file backup methods and procedures and would affect such functions as system monitoring and system wide resource sharing. Acceptance of Current Personnel There is also a cost associated with ensuring that personnel will accept and utilize the new environment. Since the UNIX application and system environment has become the standard system, it is important that all personnel be willing and able to move from this standard environment to the Windows NT system. This entails ensuring that all personnel affected have been properly trained. Affected personnel include software development team members - who must provide a cost effective development base when moving to NT, System administrators - who must have familiarity with NT system tools and terminology, and end users - who need to be as productive in this migrated environment as they were on the legacy systems. Impact on Current System Procedures and Processes System procedures and processes previously established in the UNIX environment will undoubtedly be impacted by a migration to Windows NT. Procedures requiring assessment for migration will most likely include software updates, operating system updates and patches, user configuration and security. Migration costs will even depend on the number of mundane procedures, such as system backups, operating system builds, 02/04/00 HP VISUALIZE WORKSTATIONS 2