Hardware and Software Maintenance Strategies for Upgrading Vintage Computers

Abstract

The paper focuses on the maintenance of the computer hardware and software for Digital Control Computers (DCC's). Specific design problems related to various maintenance strategies are reviewed. A foundation was required for a reliable computer maintenance and upgrading program to provide operation of the DCC's with high availability and reliability for 40 years. This involved a carefully planned and executed maintenance and upgrading program involving complementary hardware and software strategies. The computer system was designed on a modular basis with large sections easily replaced to facilitate maintenance and improve the system availability. Advancements in computer hardware have made it possible to replace DCC peripheral devices with reliable, inexpensive and widely available components from PC-based systems. By providing a high speed link from the DCC to a PC, it is now possible to use many commercial S/W packages to process data from the plant.