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

VAXstations

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VAXstation I VAXstation II VAXstation II/GPX VAXstation 2000 VAXstation 3100 M30 VAXstation 3100 M38 VAXstation 3100 M40 VAXstation 3100 M48 VAXstation 3100 M76 VAXstation 3200/3500 VAXstation 3520 VAXstation 3540 VAXstation 4000 VLC (M30) VAXstation 4000 M60 VAXstation 4000 M90 VAXstation 4000 M90A VAXstation 4000 M96 VAXstation 8000 VAXstation I <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Seahorse	Cpu:	KD32, UV1 (250ns)
Vup:	0.3	Bus:	Q-bus
Introduced:	October 1984	Image:	MicroVAX-I (same box)
NetBSD:	Cannot run NetBSD (As of 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	Effectively a MicroVAX I with graphics

VAXstation II <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Mayflower	Cpu:	KA630, UV2 (200ns), no cache
Vup:	0.9	Tps:	7
Bus:	Q-bus (Max 3.3 MB/s)
Memory:	1MB on motherboard, can add up 16MB in 2,4,8, or 16MB cards (base 1MB disabled) (parity)
Enclosure:	BA23 or BA123	Image:	MicroVAX-II in a BA123 enclosure (same box)
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD. (No support for VCB01 as of 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	Can be made from a MicroVAX II by adding VCB01, or into a VAXstation II/GPX by replacing VCB01 with VCB02

VAXstation II/GPX <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Caylith	Cpu:	KA630, UV2 (200ns), no cache
Vup:	0.9	Tps:	7
Bus:	Q-bus (Max 3.3 MB/s)
Memory:	1MB on motherboard, can add up 16MB in 2,4,8, or 16MB cards (base 1MB disabled) (parity)
Enclosure:	BA23 or BA123	Image:	MicroVAX-II in a BA123 enclosure (same box)
Introduced:	December 1985	NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD (no support for VCB02 as of 1.6.1)
Last updated:	2003-07-18
Notes:	Can be made from a MicroVAX II by adding VCB02, or into a VAXstation II by replacing VCB02 with VCB01. There was a two user /GPX that used two sets of VCB02 cards

VAXstation 2000 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	VAXstar; Kapri	Cpu:	KA410, UV2 (200ns), no cache
Vup:	0.9	Tps:	7
Memory:	Base 2MB. Space for one extra board of 4M, 8M or 12MB for a maximum of 14MB. Clearpoint produced a 16MB board that also included an updated ROM required for the vax accept the board (parity)
Bus:	none (3.3 MB/s max internal I/O)	Max power:	160 W
Introduced:	February 1987	Image:	VAXstation-2000
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-18
Notes:	Can be converted to MicroVAX 2000 by moving one jumper and adding MMJ converter pack.

VAXstation 3100 M30 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PVAX	Cpu:	KA42-A, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	2.8	Tps:	22
Bus:	Two NCR-5380 SCSI-1 busses, or SCSI-1 & ST-506. (on daughter card)	Enclosure:	BA42-A
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	VAXstation 3100 M40 used same hardware in a larger BA42-B box. VAXterminal VT1300 is a VAXstation 3100 M30 without the daughter card. Can toggle switch to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-B. Video on motherboard, where SCSI is on MicroVAX 3100 M10

VAXstation 3100 M38 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PVAX rev	Cpu:	KA42-B, CVAX+ (60ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	3.8	Tps:	(?)
Memory:	4MB on cpu board. 4, 12, or 16MB boards to max 32MB	Bus:	Two NCR-5380 SCSI-1 busses, or SCSI-1 & ST-506. (on daughter card)
Enclosure:	BA42-A	Max power:	348 W
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	VAXstation 3100 M48 used same hardware in a larger BA42-B box. Can toggle switch to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-E. Video on motherboard, where SCSI is on MicroVAX 3100 M10e

VAXstation 3100 M40 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PVAX	Cpu:	KA42-A, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	2.8	Tps:	22
Bus:	Two NCR-5380 SCSI-1 busses, or SCSI-1 & ST-506. (on daughter card)	Enclosure:	BA42-B
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	VAXstation 3100 M30 used same hardware in a smaller BA42-A box. Can toggle switch to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-B. Video on motherboard, where SCSI is on MicroVAX 3100 M20

VAXstation 3100 M48 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PVAX rev	Cpu:	KA42-B, CVAX+ (60ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	3.8	Tps:	(?)
Memory:	4MB on cpu board. 4, 12, or 16MB boards to max 32MB	Bus:	Two NCR-5380 SCSI-1 busses, or SCSI-1 & ST-506. (on daughter card)
Enclosure:	BA42-B	NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD
Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	VAXstation 3100 M38 used same hardware in a smaller BA42-A box. Can toggle switch to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-E. Video on motherboard, where SCSI is on MicroVAX 3100 M20e

VAXstation 3100 M76 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	RigelMAX	Cpu:	KA43-A, Rigel (28ns), 2KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup:	7.6	Tps:	(?)
Memory:	None on cpu board. 8 slots for 4MB MS44-AA modules. Max 32MB	Bus:	Two NCR-5380 SCSI busses on motherboard
Enclosure:	BA42A	Max power:	180 W
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-17

VAXstation 3200/3500 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Mayfair/GPX	Cpu:	KA650, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	2.8	Tps:	(?)
Bus:	Q-bus	Enclosure:	(?)
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD	Last updated:	2003-07-17

VAXstation 3520 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Firefox	Cpu:	Dual CPU KA60, CVAX (80ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	3-10 (?) Probably around 5.5	Tps:	(?)
Bus:	M-bus (9 slots), SCSI, Q-bus adapter with 3 quadheight slots	Enclosure:	VS60S
NetBSD:	Probably not (As of NetBSD 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	Dual processor version of VAXstation 3540. CPU, memory, I/O, graphics and Q-bus-adapter modules sit in M-bus slots. Limited Q-bus modules supported: CXY08, DRQ3B, DVS11, TQK70 and TSV05

VAXstation 3540 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Firefox	Cpu:	Quad CPU KA60, CVAX (80ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache
Vup:	10	Tps:	(?)
Bus:	M-bus (9 slots), SCSI, Q-bus adapter with 3 quadheight slots	Enclosure:	VS60S
NetBSD:	Probably not (As of NetBSD 1.4)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	Quad processor version of VAXstation 3540 CPU, memory, I/O, graphics and Q-bus-adapter modules sit in M-bus slots. Limited Q-bus modules supported: CXY08, DRQ3B, DVS11, TQK70 and TSV05

VAXstation 4000 VLC (M30) <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PVAX2/VLC	Cpu:	KA48, SOC 25MHz (40ns), 6KB on chip cache
Vup:	6	Specmark89:	6.2
Tps:	(?)	Bus:	SCSI
Memory:	Min 8MB, Max 24MB. MS40-BA, memory is standard 72-pin, 80-ns, parity. Larger PS/2 won't fit because of the low profile case.
Max power:	105 W	Enclosure:	BA10A
Documentation:	EK-VAXVL-OG VLC-Owner Guide	Order number:	PV31x-xx
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD (no support for graphics or audio as of 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	VLC stands for 'very low cost'. This model is also known as 'VAXstation 4000 M30'. It has an AMD79c30 for ISDN and telephone-grade audio. The connections for an internal speaker are there, but it's not built in.

VAXstation 4000 M60 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	PMariah	Cpu:	KA46, Mariah 55MHz (18ns), 2KB on chip cache, 256K external cache
Vup:	12	Specmark:	12
Tps:	95	Bus:	Turbochannel, SCSI
Memory:	Min 8MB, Max 104MB, installed in pairs, MS44L-AA 4 MB parity, MS44-DA 32 MB parity
Enclosure:	BA46-B	Max power:	465 W
Order number:	PV61x-xx	Introduced:	November 1991
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD (no support for graphics or audio as of 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-18

VAXstation 4000 M90 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Cougar	Cpu:	KA49-A, NVAX 72MHz (14ns), 10KB on chip cache, 256KB external cache
Vup:	40	Specmark89:	32.8
Tps:	125	Bus:	Turbochannel, SCSI
Enclosure:	BA46-B	NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD (no support for graphics or audio as of 1.6.1)
Last updated:	2003-07-17

VAXstation 4000 M90A <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Cougar+	Cpu:	KA49-A, NVAX 83MHz (12ns), 10KB on chip cache, 256KB external cache
Specmark89:	38.5	Tps:	125
Mem module:	MS44L-BC 16MB parity, MS44-DC 64 MB parity	Documentation:	EK-VAXOG-DK Model 90 Owner's and System Installation Guide
Max power:	465 W	Enclosure:	BA46-B
NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD (no support for graphics or audio as of 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17

VAXstation 4000 M96 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Cougar++	Cpu:	KA49-C, NVAX 100MHz (10ns?), 10KB on chip cache, ??KB external cache
Vup:	48.7	Specmark89:	45.6
Tps:	190	Memory:	Min 16MB, Max 128MB
Enclosure:	BA46-B	NetBSD:	Can run NetBSD
Last updated:	2003-07-17

VAXstation 8000 <ulink url="#section:vaxstations">(VAXstations index)</ulink>

Nickname:	Lynx	Cpu:	(?), V-11 (200ns), 8KB on chip cache
Vup:	0.9-2	Tps:	(?)
Bus:	VAXBI (six slot) and CI	Memory:	Min 4MB
Enclosure:	about the size of a BA213	Introduced:	1988
NetBSD:	Probably not (as of NetBSD 1.6.1)	Last updated:	2003-07-17
Notes:	Same CPU as in VAX 8200, 8300, 8250, and 8350. Digital's first true 3D workstation. Based on the VAX 8200 CPU packaged in a deskside enclosure, the VAXstation 8000 used a sophisticated 3D graphics subsystem designed with Evans and Sutherland. This graphics subsystem consisted of the complete 3D graphics pipeline and additional hardware support for such features as hardware anti-aliasing of vectors and depth queuing.