Difference between revisions of "VAX 4000 series"

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(Really an alterative to, not a replacement for the 3100)
(Cover the lower range of the 4000's)
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[[Image:VAX 4000.jpg|150px|right|thumb|VAX 4000]]
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[[Image:VAX 4000.jpg|150px|right|thumb|VAX 4000 Model 500]]
  
The '''VAX 4000 series''' was a series of [[VAX]] [[minicomputer]] systems. They were introduced in 1990 as an upgraded alternative to the [[MicroVAX 3100 series]]. In all members, [[disk]] [[mass storage]] was supported using the [[Digital Storage Systems Interconnect|DSSI]] [[bus]], a built-in on-board [[Ethernet]] interface was provided, and general [[input/output|I/O]] used the [[QBUS]].
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The '''VAX 4000 series''' was a series of [[VAX]] [[minicomputer]] systems. They were introduced in 1990 as an upgraded alternative to the [[MicroVAX 3100 series]]. In all members, a built-in on-board [[Ethernet]] interface was provided (similar to the 3100's); [[disk]] [[mass storage]] was supported using the [[Digital Storage Systems Interconnect|DSSI]] [[bus]], and general [[input/output|I/O]] used a [[QBUS]] (differences to the 3100's).
  
The lowest models were built around the [[KA650 CPU]], and later the [[KA655 CPU]] and the [[KA660 CPU]], which all used the [[KA650 Main Memory System]]. Later models were built around the [[KA670 CPU]], which used the [[KA670 Main Memory System]]. Final models were built around the [[KA675 CPU]], [[KA680 CPU]], and [[KA690 CPU]] which all used the [[KA690 Main Memory System]].  
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Two ranges exist within the family: in the upper range, [[main memory]] was carried on [[DEC card form factor|quad]] cards which used a specialized interface to the [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]], and tower packaging was used; in the lower range, [[Single Inline Memory Module|SIMM]] memory was used, and the system was carried in a desktop package.
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The initial upper models were built around the [[KA650 CPU]], and later the [[KA655 CPU]] and the [[KA660 CPU]], which all used the [[KA650 Main Memory System]]. Later models were built around the [[KA670 CPU]], which used the [[KA670 Main Memory System]]. Final models were built around the [[KA675 CPU]], [[KA680 CPU]], and [[KA690 CPU]] which all used the [[KA690 Main Memory System]], finishing off with the [[KA691 CPU]] and [[KA694 CPU]].
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The initial model in the lower range, the Model 100, was built around the [[KA52 CPU]]; later models in this range used the [[KA53 CPU]] and [[KA54 CPU]].
  
 
The models in the series were:
 
The models in the series were:
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==Further reading==
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* [http://www.dtjcd.vmsresource.org.uk/pdfs/dtj_v04-03_1992.pdf ''The Design of the VAX 4000 Model 100 and MicroVAX 3100 Model 90 Desktop Systems], [[Digital Technical Journal|DTJ]], Vol. 4, No. 3, Summer 1992 (pp. 75-83 of the PDF).
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 17:10, 28 May 2024

VAX 4000 Model 500

The VAX 4000 series was a series of VAX minicomputer systems. They were introduced in 1990 as an upgraded alternative to the MicroVAX 3100 series. In all members, a built-in on-board Ethernet interface was provided (similar to the 3100's); disk mass storage was supported using the DSSI bus, and general I/O used a QBUS (differences to the 3100's).

Two ranges exist within the family: in the upper range, main memory was carried on quad cards which used a specialized interface to the CPU, and tower packaging was used; in the lower range, SIMM memory was used, and the system was carried in a desktop package.

The initial upper models were built around the KA650 CPU, and later the KA655 CPU and the KA660 CPU, which all used the KA650 Main Memory System. Later models were built around the KA670 CPU, which used the KA670 Main Memory System. Final models were built around the KA675 CPU, KA680 CPU, and KA690 CPU which all used the KA690 Main Memory System, finishing off with the KA691 CPU and KA694 CPU.

The initial model in the lower range, the Model 100, was built around the KA52 CPU; later models in this range used the KA53 CPU and KA54 CPU.

The models in the series were:

The VAXserver 4000 series is a related category using the same hardware base; the VAXstation 4000 series apparently shares only the name.

Further reading

External links