DEC Packaged System Nomenclature

Introduction

One of DEC’s sales strategies was to sell computers 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 licenses) 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:

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"