View source for DEC Packaged System Nomenclature

== Introduction ==

One of [[DEC]]’s sales strategies was to sell [[computer]]s and accessories not only individually, but in coordinated combinations, the so-called “'''Packaged Systems'''”.

DEC promoted its Packaged Systems as balanced solutions for customer needs, providing all the components ([[hardware]], [[software]], and [[license]]s) to successfully develop and run a customers applications. Another incentive was that the price for a complete solution was cheaper than if all components had been purchased separately.

But that was only half the truth - some Packaged Systems lacked:
* Sufficient memory 
* Service
* Operating system media
* Operating system manuals
* Console terminal

There were other customer specific components that had to be added anyway, e.g.:
* User terminals
* Application software

For DEC, the benefits included better inventory and production planning and improved customer loyalty by making purchases from third-party suppliers less attractive. But there was also a serious disadvantage for customers (which they often only noticed after purchase) - the [[main memory]] of the Packaged Systems was notoriously undersized.

For those interested in DEC computer history and for DEC collectors, the Packaged Systems offer an insight into typical computer configurations of small, medium and large systems.

With DEC's typical thoroughness, a coherent naming system was developed, which was called "'''Packaged System Nomenclature'''".

A nine digit designation ('''XX-XXXXX-XX''') provides information about:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;
|+ Packaged System Nomenclature
|-
! Digit !! Meaning
|-
| 1 || Memory Type 
|-
| 2 || Operating System / License
|-
| - || 
|-
| 3 || Processor
|-
| 4 || Processor
|-
| 5 || System Device
|-
| 6 || Backup/Load Device
|-
| 7 || Revision
|-
| - || 
|-
| 8 || Console Terminal
|-
| 9 || Power/Software Support
|}

== Packaged Systems Examples ==

=== PDP-11 Packages ===

* CM-20JJA-LA:
** C = [[Core]] Memory
** M = QJ628-AE [[RSX-11M]] Single-use License, Binaries, Documentation, Warranty
** 20 = [[PDP-11/04]] CPU
** J = [[RK05]] System Disk
** J = RK05 Load Device
** A = 1st. Revision
** L = [[LA36]] Console Terminal
** A = 120V/60Hz, fully supported

* SX-RXMMA-EN:
** S = [[Solid State]] Memory
** X = QJB56-UZ [[PDP-11/23]] General Purpose Single-use License 
** RX = PDP-11/23+
** M = [[RL02]] System Disk
** M = RL02 Load Device
** A = 1st. Revision
** E = No Console Terminal included
** N = 240V/50Hz, license only

=== VAX Packages ===

* SV-BXDBA-CA:
** S = Solid State Memory
** V = QD001-AM [[VAX]]/[[VMS]] License for [[VAX-11/750]] 
** BX = VAX-11/750
** D = [[RM05]] System Disk
** B = [[TU77]] Load Device
** A = 1st. Revision
** C = [[LA120]] Console Terminal
** A = 120V/60Hz, fully supported

== Subsequent Package Designations ==
 
* "PRECONFIGURED SYSTEMS"
* "SYSTEM BUILDING BLOCKS"

[[Category: Digital Equipment Corporation]]
[[Category:DEC Naming/Numbering Schemes]]