VAX 9000 series

The VAX 9000 series was a high-performance VAX built around a System Control Unit (SCU), which allowed the configuration of tightly-coupled multi-processors with up to 4 CPUs. The CPU was heavily pipelined, and was built from ECL gate arrays. The performance levels in the line range from 30 to 108 VUPs. Main memory is connected to the SCU.

The VAX 9000 used the XMI as its I/O bus; up to 4 were possible in the largest systems. Models in the series included:

• VAX 9000 model 200
  • VAX 9000 model 210
• VAX 9000 model 400
  • VAX 9000 model 410 - single-CPU
  • VAX 9000 model 410 - double-CPU
  • VAX 9000 model 410 - triple-CPU
  • VAX 9000 model 440 - quadruple-CPU

The 200 group and the 400 group differ primarily in their physical packaging.

Operating systems offered for them included VMS and Ultrix (VAXELN was supported only on the service processor of a VAX 9000 system).

Hardware

The CPU was built out of Multi-Chip Units (MCUs). Each CPU was implemented with 13 MCUs, with each MCU containing several ECL macrocell arrays, which contained the CPU logic. The gate arrays were fabricated in Motorola's "MOSAIC III" process, a bipolar process with a drawn width of 1.75 micrometres and three layers of interconnect. The MCUs were installed into a CPU planar module, which accommodated 16 MCUs and was 24 by 24 inches (610 mm) in size.

External links

• VAX 9000 - documentation at Bitsavers
  • VAX 9000 Family System Introduction (EK-9000S-SI-001)
  • VAX 9000 Family System Technical Description (EK-KA90S-TD-001)