Hardware Documentation - Machines DEC - VAX hardware reference
This is an (incomplete) list of Digital Equipment Corporation VAX computers and specifications. Compiled by abs@NetBSD.org with much help from port-vax@NetBSD.org users. This is very much still a work in progress - many sections are little more than placeholders. Having said that, there should be enough here to prove useful.
Index Introduction page MicroVAXes VAXstations VAXservers VAX 700 series VAX 8000 series VAX 4000 series VAX 6000 series VAX 7000 series Other VAX machines Storage devices Interface cards Busses and interfaces Monitors Enclosures
VAX 4000 series
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VAX 4000 M100 VAX 4000 M100A VAX 4000 M105A VAX 4000 M106A VAX 4000 M108 VAX 4000 M200 VAX 4000 M215 VAX 4000 M300 VAX 4000 M400 VAX 4000 M430 VAX 4000 M500 VAX 4000 M500A VAX 4000 M505A VAX 4000 M600 VAX 4000 M600A VAX 4000 M700A VAX 4000 M705A VAX 4000 M100 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Cheetah-Q Cpu: KA52, NVAX 72MHz (14ns), 8KB cache on chip, 128KB external cache
Vup: 24 Spec: 31.1
Tps: 125 Bus: 1 Q-bus, 1 SCSI (NCR-53C94), 1 DSSI (Max 8.5MB/s)
Interfaces: ethernet on CPU board Memory: Maximum 128MB
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: similar to MicroVAX 3100 M40
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Qbus expansion possible through cable to external Qbus cabinet
 VAX 4000 M100A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Cheetah-Q Cpu: KA52, NVAX 72MHz (14ns), 10KB cache on chip, 128KB external cache
Vup: 24 Spec: 31.1
Tps: 125 Bus: 1 Q-bus, 1 SCSI (NCR-53C94), 1 DSSI (Max 8.5MB/s)
Interfaces: ethernet on CPU board Memory: Maximum 128MB
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: similar to MicroVAX 3100 M40
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Q-bus expansion possible through cable to external cabinet
 VAX 4000 M105A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Cheetah-Q+ Cpu: KA53, NVAX 83MHz (12ns), 10KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup: 32 Spec: 41.2
Tps: 180 Bus: 1 Q-bus, 1 SCSI (NCR-53C94), 1 DSSI (Max 8.5MB/s)
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M106A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Cpu: KA54, NVAX 100MHz (10ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache Vup: 48.7
Tps: 215 Bus: Q-bus (max throughput 3.3MB/s), DSSI (max throughput 8MB/s)
Memory: Max 128MB Enclosure: BA42B or Rackmount: BA42B mounted sideways in a slide shelf
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M108 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Cpu: KA57, NVAX 100MHz (10ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache Vup: 38
Tps: 225 Memory: Max 512MB
Enclosure: mini tower or rackmount NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M200 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Spitfire Cpu: KA660, SOC (35ns), 6KB cache on chip
Vup: 5 Spec: 5.6
Tps: 40 Bus: Q-bus, 3 DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board, AUI/BNC Memory: Minimum 16MB, max 64MB
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: Tower case, approx 3' x 1' x 1' or BA430
Image: VAX-4000/200 NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Popular CPU upgrade for any earlier KA6x0 VAX Fastest VAX that can be put on the Q-bus directly KA660 has attached 16MB of memory (MS650-BA)
 VAX 4000 M215 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Tps: 40 Last updated: 1998-11-19
 VAX 4000 M300 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Pele
Cpu: KA670, Rigel 143 MHz (28ns), 2KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache with full ECC
Vup: 8 Spec: 9.2
Tps: 60 Bus: Q-bus, dual DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board Memory: Minimum 32MB, maximum 512MB
Introduced: 1989 Enclosure: BA440
Image: VAX-4000/300 NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Usually shipped with a KZQSA SCSI controller, TK50 or TK70, occasionally a TF86. Can hold up to 4 internal DSSI disks (RF3x or RF7x series), or 3 if tape drive in frame. 256K firmware ROM. Most Q22-bus peripheral devices are supported, as long as a quad-height board doesn't use the Qbus on both halves. (The bottom half is an extension bus.) 7 slots are provided. Uses S-box cards, such as the CXA16 and KZQSA-SA, and RFxxE-AF series disks. Upgradeable to KA690 CPU (requires MS690 memory and backplane upgrade for early machines).
 VAX 4000 M400 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega Cpu: KA675, NVAX 63MHz (16ns), 8KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup: 16 Spec: 22.3
Tps: 95 Bus: Q-bus, DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: BA440
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M430 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Tps: 40
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Last updated: 2001-09-30
 VAX 4000 M500 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega/N Cpu: KA680, NVAX (14ns), 10KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup: 24 Tps: 125
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI Interfaces: ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: BA440
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M500A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega/N Cpu: KA681, NVAX (14ns), 10KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup: 24 Spec: 41.1
Tps: 125 Bus: Q-bus, DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: BA440
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M505A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega/N+ Cpu: (?), NVAX 83MHz (12ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache
Vup: 32 Tps: 185
Bus: Q-bus (max throughput 3.3MB/s), 2 DSSI (max throughput 16MB/s)
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Enclosure: BA440 or BA441 (Rackmount) NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M600 <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega/N+ Cpu: KA690, NVAX (12ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache
Vup: 32 Tps: 185
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: BA440
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M600A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Omega/N+ Cpu: KA691, NVAX 83MHz (12ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache
Vup: 32 Spec: 41.1
Tps: 185 Bus: Q-bus, DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later Enclosure: BA440
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M700A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Legacy Cpu: KA692, NVAX 100MHz (10ns), 10KB on chip cache, 2MB external cache
Vup: 40 Spec: 51.6
Tps: 255 Bus: Q-bus, DSSI
Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Introduced: 1991 or later NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
 VAX 4000 M705A <small><ulink url="#section:vax4000">(VAX 4000 series index)</ulink></small>
Nickname: Legacy+ Cpu: KA694, NVAX 111MHz (9ns), 10KB on chip cache, 2MB external cache
Vup: 45 Tps: 280
Bus: Q-bus (max throughput 3.3MB/s), 2 DSSI (max throughput 16MB/s) Interfaces: SGEC ethernet on CPU board
Memory: From 16 MB (one MS690-AA board) to 512 MB (4 MS690-DA boards of 128 MB each, -BA=32MB, -CA=64MB)
Enclosure: BA440 or BA441 (Rackmount) NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17