brent@uwovax.uwo.ca (Brent Sterner) (01/05/89)
This is a simulated cross-post. It was posted to comp.os.vms earlier this am. SUMMARY: Do *NOT* purchase FUSION IP s/w for VMS 5.x and SMP at this time! ======= ----- --------------------------------- Details: Our site took advantage of an offer from DEC to acquire a 6230 and chose to exchange our 8600 and 8550 in the process. Our site also runs other systems (UNIX, CDC NOS/VE, ETA PIPER, etc.), so we decided a proprietary terminal protocol was *not* the thing to use. So we elected to use TCP/IP instead of LAT. Fortunately, there seemed to be 3rd party IP s/w available for VMS 5.x and SMP. We ordered the FUSION s/w. I will not go into the functionality problems which exist. They are worthy of a separate posting anyway. But the FUSION s/w has caused repeated SYSTEM CRASHES ever since it was installed. I did not expect perfection the first time around, BUT I DID EXPECT SOME RESPONSIVENESS TO PROBLEM REPORTS. We have been continually trying to get in touch with technical people inside FUSION. They *appear* to be stonewalling us. We are beginning to look at alternatives. If anyone is running IP for 5.x and SMP successfully, please let me know (email to me please). We are very displeased with the *perceived* response FUSION has given to our problems. In fact, it is interesting to note that perception is at least as important as fact. Our sense of frustration would be much alleviated if FUSION would at least talk to us, whether or not they were actually making progress with our problems. It is also interesting to note that DEC have been *VERY* cooperative in examining our crash dumps and suggesting ways to capture more information to assist FUSION. DEC is to be commended here (London Ontario area). I will follow up this posting as things develop. Brent.