Difference between revisions of "VAXserver"

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'''VAXservers''' are [[minicomputer]] [[VAX]] [[server]]s (not for interactive [[time-sharing]] usage) which share many components with other VAX models. Lines include:
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'''VAXservers''' are [[VAX]] [[server]]s (not for interactive [[time-sharing]] usage), which share many components with other VAX models. Lines include:
  
 
* [[VAXserver 3100 series]]
 
* [[VAXserver 3100 series]]
 
* [[VAXserver 3300/3400]]
 
* [[VAXserver 3300/3400]]
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* [[VAXserver 3500/3600]]
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* [[VAXserver 3800/3900]]
 
* [[VAXserver 4000 series]]
 
* [[VAXserver 4000 series]]
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* [[VAXserver 6000 series]]
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* [[VAXserver 9000 series]]
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==Hardware Differences==
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The main difference between a VAXserver model and its VAX/MicroVAX parent/sibling was the [[read-only memory|ROM]] on the [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] board.
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Further differences exist in the equipment with options and [[peripheral]] devices. For example, VAXservers always had (for obvious reasons) an [[Ethernet]] network adapter.
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==Typical Usage==
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One of the prime uses of VAXserver computers was to act as [[bootstrap]] and [[mass storage]] servers for [[Local Area VAXcluster]]s (LAVC).
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Another important use was as a "Compute Server", e.g. as a dedicated machine for [[batch processing]] large jobs, particularly in [[VAXcluster]]s, where one could simply send a batch job to another cluster member as if the batch queue was on the local machine.
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==Recommendations==
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Recommandations from AA-LA27B-TE VMS VAXcluster Manual VMS V5.4:
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:''As a general rule, use as boot and disk servers the most powerful computers in the cluster. Low-powered computers can become overloaded when serving many busy satellites, or when many satellites boot simultaneously. Note, however, that two or more moderately powered servers can provide better performance than a single high-powered server.''
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:''Multiple servers give better availability, and they distribute the workload across more Ethernet adapters. If you have several computers of roughly comparable power, it is reasonable to use them all as boot servers. This arrangement gives optimal load balancing. In addition, if one computer fails or is shut down, others remain available to serve satellites.''
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:''After compute power, the most important factor in selecting a server is the speed of its Ethernet adapter. Servers should be equipped with the highest-bandwith Ethernet adapters in the cluster.''
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If there was already a multi-user VAX or a 'big' VAXcluster ([[CI]]/[[DSSI]]) with free capacity, one usually didn't buy an additional VAXserver. However, if the existing VAXes were already busy or a new LAVC was being set up, then VAXservers were the first choice. A lot of money could be saved by using VAXservers instead of multi-user VAXes, since the costs for the [[operating system]] licenses were much lower.
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{{semi-stub}}
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  
 
* [[VAXstation]]
 
* [[VAXstation]]
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[[Category: VAXen]]
 
[[Category: VAXen]]
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[[Category: VAXservers]]

Latest revision as of 06:28, 31 January 2024

VAXservers are VAX servers (not for interactive time-sharing usage), which share many components with other VAX models. Lines include:

Hardware Differences

The main difference between a VAXserver model and its VAX/MicroVAX parent/sibling was the ROM on the CPU board.

Further differences exist in the equipment with options and peripheral devices. For example, VAXservers always had (for obvious reasons) an Ethernet network adapter.

Typical Usage

One of the prime uses of VAXserver computers was to act as bootstrap and mass storage servers for Local Area VAXclusters (LAVC).

Another important use was as a "Compute Server", e.g. as a dedicated machine for batch processing large jobs, particularly in VAXclusters, where one could simply send a batch job to another cluster member as if the batch queue was on the local machine.

Recommendations

Recommandations from AA-LA27B-TE VMS VAXcluster Manual VMS V5.4:

As a general rule, use as boot and disk servers the most powerful computers in the cluster. Low-powered computers can become overloaded when serving many busy satellites, or when many satellites boot simultaneously. Note, however, that two or more moderately powered servers can provide better performance than a single high-powered server.
Multiple servers give better availability, and they distribute the workload across more Ethernet adapters. If you have several computers of roughly comparable power, it is reasonable to use them all as boot servers. This arrangement gives optimal load balancing. In addition, if one computer fails or is shut down, others remain available to serve satellites.
After compute power, the most important factor in selecting a server is the speed of its Ethernet adapter. Servers should be equipped with the highest-bandwith Ethernet adapters in the cluster.

If there was already a multi-user VAX or a 'big' VAXcluster (CI/DSSI) with free capacity, one usually didn't buy an additional VAXserver. However, if the existing VAXes were already busy or a new LAVC was being set up, then VAXservers were the first choice. A lot of money could be saved by using VAXservers instead of multi-user VAXes, since the costs for the operating system licenses were much lower.

See also

v • d • e VAX Computers and Operating Systems
VAX-11/7xx (including VAX 86x0) - VAX-11/780 • VAX-11/785 • VAX-11/750 • VAX-11/730 • VAX 8600 • VAX 8650

VAX 8000 series (excluding VAX 86x0) - VAX 82xx/83xx series • VAX 85x0/8700/88xx series

MicroVAXen (many types also come in VAXserver and VAXstation models) - MicroVAX I • MicroVAX II
MicroVAX 2000 • MicroVAX 3100 • MicroVAX 3300/3400 • MicroVAX 3500/3600 • MicroVAX 3800/3900

VAXstation Series - VAXstation I • VAXstation II
VAXstation 3100 • VAXstation 3200/3500 • VAXstation 3520/3540 • VAXstation 8000

Late Model VAXen - VAX 4000 series • VAX 6000 series • VAX 7000 series • VAX 9000 series • VAX 10000 series

Special Purpose VAXen - VAXft series • rtVAX series • Infoserver series

Clones - CM 1700 • TPA-11/580

Operating Systems: VMS • VAXELN • ULTRIX • BSD UNIX

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