AlphaServer

AlphaServer
AlphaServer 2000 running Red Hat Linux
DeveloperDEC (1994-1998)
Compaq (1998-2002)
HP (2002-2007)
TypeServer
Release date1994 (1994)
Discontinued27 April 2007 (27 April 2007)
CPUDEC Alpha
AlphaServer 1000A
Inside a DEC AlphaServer 1000A
Alphaserver 1000A CPU board
AlphaServer 2100A

AlphaServer is a series of server computers, produced from 1994 onwards by Digital Equipment Corporation, and later by Compaq and HP. AlphaServers were based on the DEC Alpha 64-bit microprocessor. Supported operating systems for AlphaServers are Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX), OpenVMS, MEDITECH MAGIC[1] and Windows NT (on earlier systems, with AlphaBIOS ARC firmware), while enthusiasts have provided alternative operating systems such as Linux, NetBSD, OpenBSD and FreeBSD.

The Alpha processor was also used in a line of workstations, AlphaStation.

Some AlphaServer models were rebadged in white enclosures as Digital Servers for the Windows NT server market. These so-called "white box" models comprised the following:

  • Digital Server 3300/3305: rebadged AlphaServer 800
  • Digital Server 5300/5305: rebadged AlphaServer 1200
  • Digital Server 7300/7305/7310: rebadged AlphaServer 4100

As part of the roadmap to phase out Alpha-, MIPS- and PA-RISC-based systems in favor of Itanium-based systems at HP, the most recent AlphaServer systems reached their end of general availability on 27 April 2007. The availability of upgrades and options was discontinued on 25 April 2008, approximately one year after the systems were discontinued. Support for the most recent AlphaServer systems, the DS15A, DS25, ES45, ES47, ES80 and GS1280 is being provided by HP Services as of 2008. These systems are no longer supported by HP.