Difference between revisions of "BA213 Enclosure"

From Computer History Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Adding link to MVII Museum PSU replacement writeup)
(Re-factor a bit to improve order/flow)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Image:decserver_550_closed.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|[[DECserver 500|DECserver 550]] in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover installed]]
 
[[Image:decserver_550_closed.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|[[DECserver 500|DECserver 550]] in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover installed]]
  
[[Image:decserver_550_open.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|[[DECserver 500|DECserver 550]] in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover removed]]
+
The '''BA213 Enclosure''' is a [[QBUS]] [[mounting box]] from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] which is available in rack-mount, wall-mount, pedestal, single-[[cabinet]] (in an [[H9644]]), and double-cabinet versions. It is the 'bigger brother' to the [[BA23 Enclosure]], and the sibling to the [[BA123 Enclosure]].
 +
 
 +
It was used for a number of [[MicroVAX]] systems, as well as some [[PDP-11]] systems (notably the [[KDJ11-D CPU|KDJ11-D]]-based [[DECserver 500]] series of [[terminal server]] devices).
 +
 
 +
The BA213 enclosure contains a single, 12-slot, [[DEC card form factor|quad]]-height [[backplane]], with all 12 slots being [[QBUS#Backplanes|Q/CD]] slots; that backplane cannot be expanded.
 +
<br clear=all>
 +
 
 +
==BA213 details ==
  
[[Image:ba213_key.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|Plastic key for locking/unlocking BA213 front covers]]
+
[[Image:ba213_key.jpeg|150px|thumb|right|Plastic key for locking/unlocking BA213 front covers]]
  
The '''BA213 Enclosure''' is a [[QBUS]] [[mounting box]] from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] which is available in rack-mount, wall-mount, pedestal, single-[[cabinet]] (in an [[H9644]]), and double-cabinet versions. It is the 'bigger brother' to the [[BA23 Enclosure]], and the sibling to the [[BA123 Enclosure]].
+
Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures may include a front cover, which is removed by unlocking with a universal tubular plastic key. Once unlocked, the front cover lifts up and pulls forward. When used as the enclosure for a DECserver 500, the top space does not include drive mounting hardware, and there is no translucent window in the front cover.
  
It contains a single, 12-s1ot, [[DEC card form factor|quad]]-height [[backplane]], with all 12 slots are [[QBUS#Backplanes|Q/CD]] slots; that backplane cannot be expanded.
+
[[Image:decserver_550_open.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|[[DECserver 500|DECserver 550]] in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover removed]]
  
Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures may include a front cover, which is removed by unlocking with a universal tubular plastic key. Once unlocked, the front cover lifts up and pulls forward.
+
The BA213 power supply uses an IEC C16 high-temperature 15A power inlet connector, which is not compatible with the more common IEC C13 power cables typically used with computers as the keying feature prevents insertion of C13 cable ends. An IEC C15 end is required, such cables are commonly used with carrier-grade network equipment and are readily available.
  
 
==Airflow==
 
==Airflow==
  
The BA213 draws cooling air from the bottom, and exhausts it through the top. Cooling fans may be variable speed.
+
The BA213 draws cooling air from the bottom, blows it through the QBUS cards, and exhausts it through the top. Cooling fans may be variable speed.
  
 
==Wheels==
 
==Wheels==
Line 19: Line 26:
 
Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures include wheels, which allow the enclosure to be rolled around. These wheels are not ''caster wheels'', they are fixed roller-type wheels, which makes turning difficult. This feature does increase appropriateness for [[VAX jousting]] applications.
 
Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures include wheels, which allow the enclosure to be rolled around. These wheels are not ''caster wheels'', they are fixed roller-type wheels, which makes turning difficult. This feature does increase appropriateness for [[VAX jousting]] applications.
  
==BA213 Usage==
+
<br clear=all>
 
 
The BA213 enclosure was used for a number of [[MicroVAX]] systems, as well as the [[DECserver 500]] series of [[terminal server]] devices. When used as the enclosure for a [[DECserver 500]], the top space does not include drive mounting hardware, and there is no translucent window in the front cover.
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
  
 
* [http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/scandocs.trailing-edge.com/micropdp11-volume_2_enclosures-EK-189AA-MG-001.pdf BA213 Enclosure Maintenance] (EK-189AA-MG-001)
 
* [http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/scandocs.trailing-edge.com/micropdp11-volume_2_enclosures-EK-189AA-MG-001.pdf BA213 Enclosure Maintenance] (EK-189AA-MG-001)
* [https://microvax2.org/wp/2017/05/24/ba213-power-supply-upgrade/ BA213 power supply replacement] from [https://microvax2.org MicroVAX II Museum]
+
* [https://microvax2.org/wp/2017/05/24/ba213-power-supply-upgrade/ BA213 Power Supply Upgrade] - BA213 power supply replacement 'how-to', copiously illustrated
  
 
[[Category: DEC Mounting Boxes]]
 
[[Category: DEC Mounting Boxes]]
 
[[Category: QBUS Hardware]]
 
[[Category: QBUS Hardware]]

Latest revision as of 03:44, 29 July 2024

DECserver 550 in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover installed

The BA213 Enclosure is a QBUS mounting box from DEC which is available in rack-mount, wall-mount, pedestal, single-cabinet (in an H9644), and double-cabinet versions. It is the 'bigger brother' to the BA23 Enclosure, and the sibling to the BA123 Enclosure.

It was used for a number of MicroVAX systems, as well as some PDP-11 systems (notably the KDJ11-D-based DECserver 500 series of terminal server devices).

The BA213 enclosure contains a single, 12-slot, quad-height backplane, with all 12 slots being Q/CD slots; that backplane cannot be expanded.

BA213 details

Plastic key for locking/unlocking BA213 front covers

Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures may include a front cover, which is removed by unlocking with a universal tubular plastic key. Once unlocked, the front cover lifts up and pulls forward. When used as the enclosure for a DECserver 500, the top space does not include drive mounting hardware, and there is no translucent window in the front cover.

DECserver 550 in a BA213 pedestal enclosure, front cover removed

The BA213 power supply uses an IEC C16 high-temperature 15A power inlet connector, which is not compatible with the more common IEC C13 power cables typically used with computers as the keying feature prevents insertion of C13 cable ends. An IEC C15 end is required, such cables are commonly used with carrier-grade network equipment and are readily available.

Airflow

The BA213 draws cooling air from the bottom, blows it through the QBUS cards, and exhausts it through the top. Cooling fans may be variable speed.

Wheels

Pedestal mounted BA213 enclosures include wheels, which allow the enclosure to be rolled around. These wheels are not caster wheels, they are fixed roller-type wheels, which makes turning difficult. This feature does increase appropriateness for VAX jousting applications.


External links