Old COBOL app move to new server


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Operating Systems SCO Old COBOL app move to new server
# 1  
Old 04-28-2016
Old COBOL app move to new server

We have an old ProLiant ML370 server (10-15 years old) running SCO (version yet to be confirmed), with a single bespoke Cobol app. The server is failing and I need to get the app up and running on new hardware or cloud.

I've supported ProLiant servers running Windows for many years but have almost no knowledge of SCO/Linux/Unix, let alone Cobol.

I'd be grateful for an idea of where to start here. I need to know what I need to be aiming for, e.g. will I likely be able to run the old Cobol app on a modern flavour of Unix or will I need to stick to the original SCO version? How much work is likely to be involved in getting the app working?

The app is an old green screen terminal style, accessed via telnet and terminals.
# 2  
Old 04-28-2016
Do you have the cobol source code?
# 3  
Old 04-28-2016
An idea might be to use for example VMWare and perform a P2V and put it in a VM.

Someone in this link apparently did that in a situation that may be similar to yours..
https://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-18673

Or perhaps migrate to a different Cobol that runs on Linux?
This User Gave Thanks to Scrutinizer For This Post:
# 4  
Old 04-28-2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgt
Do you have the cobol source code?
We are trying to track down the developer. Its very likely the source code will be on the server though, which I should get access to tomorrow. How can I identify the source code?

---------- Post updated at 10:48 PM ---------- Previous update was at 10:38 PM ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrutinizer
An idea might be to use for example VMWare and perform a P2V and put it in a VM.

Or perhaps migrate to a different Cobol that runs on Linux?
Thanks, I'll read through that thread now. Migration to Linux sounds good to me, I just don't know the feasibility and would need some advice. I wonder if anyone can suggest the best forum for questions relating to Cobol?
# 5  
Old 04-28-2016
I have moved both RM cobol and Microfocus cobol to GNUcobol on Linux. Alternatively you could run a regular install of openserver 6.0 on recent hardware.

---------- Post updated at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous update was at 09:11 PM ----------

You can determine the version of SCO by
Code:
 #uname -X

and show any patches etc by
Code:
 #custom

MicroFocus cobol is usually installed in /opt/lib/cobol, and there should be a /usr/bin/cobrun. The source code usually has a .cbl extension, and the executables either .int or .gnt. If you have the full compiler installation, you should also have a /usr/bin/cobol, and a /usr/bin/anim. MF cobol is copy protected so you need the original license code in order to move it to a new disk. For RM cobol, there should be a /usr/rmcobol directory, and a /usr/bin/runcob or runcob85.
# 6  
Old 04-29-2016
OK, so here are the server details...

Code:
# uname -X

System = SCO_SV
Node = ******
Release = 3.2v5.0.6
KernelID = 2000-07-27
Machine =>PenIII
BusType = ISA
Serial = ******
Users = 15-user
OEM# = 0
Origin# = 1
NumCPU = 1

and...

Code:
# custom

Compaq Extended Feature Supplement (ver 5.48a)
SCO OpenServer Enterprise System (ver 5.0.6j)
SCO SendMail (ver 8.11.0)
SCO Skunkware 2000 (ver 2000.1)
RS506A: Release Supplement for SCO OpenServer Release 5.0.6 (ver rs5
RS506A: Software Manager Supplement (ver rs506a)

And the Cobol installation...

Code:
/usr/rmcobol
/usr/bin/runcobol

There is a separate folder in the developer’s name full of .cob files which I presume is the source?

And there is a folder that looks as thought it contains the app and data.

So if you had to purchase a server for this and migrate the app, what OS and Cobol route would you go? My initial thought would be to keep things as similar as possible and stick with OpenServer and RMCobol, unless there is any advantage to move away from it?
# 7  
Old 04-29-2016
Unfortunately, the .cob files are compiled files that can be used with a runtime system.
To determine if you have the source code can you select one of the .cob files and, supposing that you have an ARX100.cob, do, signed on as root
Code:
find / -name "ARX100*" -print

If you find any files that match, then presumably these are the source code.
If you do not have the source code, then your options are limited to a VMware install, or a normal install of 506 on suitable hardware.
Suitable hardware being an I3-I7 system with an SSD disk, as long as the motherboard was manufactured in 2012 or earlier.

---------- Post updated at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous update was at 08:27 PM ----------

If you want to use later hardware, then you have to upgrade to Openserver 6.0.0.
If you find that you do have the source code, then you could migrate the application to Linux, my preference is Opensuse, as it seems to have the same look and feel as SCO. Converting to GNUcobol requires about 1 hour of conversion effort per Cobol program.
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

7 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX and Linux Applications

How to Monitor Tomcat App Server?

Tomcat stops logging intermittently for brief intervals of time like for 5 or 6 secs I wish to monitor if my Tomcat process gets stuck, hung or even shutdown or remains healthy at the time i see the problem of no logging. Can you please let me know how can i monitor Tomcat Application... (10 Replies)
Discussion started by: mohtashims
10 Replies

2. Red Hat

Configure app server to view server files

Hi, We have a OEL6.1 installed on our server. We want developers to view there application logs generated on the server, but doesn't really want to give them access to server machine. Can someone please suggest how can we configure apache/httpd to create a url which will show all files in... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: shrshah64
1 Replies

3. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Sun java app server

quick question: where can I download sun java application server that will run in java6? or both? I need to install sun java app server and java6. thanks ---------- Post updated at 09:20 AM ---------- Previous update was at 09:12 AM ---------- OS: solaris10 (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: lhareigh890
0 Replies

4. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

difference weblogic server/webserver/app server

Hi All, I am getting confused with the terms below. All I know is an application can be installed on a server. But I see the following terms used in a company. All of them are installed on same Unix box. Could you please help me out in layman terms as to what these exactly means. (PS: I don't... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: tostay2003
1 Replies

5. Shell Programming and Scripting

Calling script from RM cobol and returning value to cobol

Is there a way you can return a value from a script that is called from a rm cobol program... 01 WS-COMD-LINE-PGM X(39) value sh ./getUserId.sh 12345" 01 WS-RETURN-SYS-CODE PIC 9(8). CALL "SYSTEM" USING WS-COMD-LINE-PGM GIVING WS-RETURN-SYS-CODE. ... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: pavanmp
1 Replies

6. Programming

cobol crn programme run on express cobol as .gnt

can i run .crn programme in express cobol which support to .gnt programme .... Plz tell me solution (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: bibi
2 Replies

7. Shell Programming and Scripting

how to move a file from one server to another server using FTP in shell script?

I have a file --> file1.txt i need to copy this file to another server using FTP....the 2 servers are server1 and server2..may i know how to write a script that can do this? thanks in advance! Im a newbie to this... (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: forevercalz
4 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question