Difference between revisions of "VAX 6000 series"

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== VAX 6000 Systems ==
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[[File:VAX 6200 Four-Processor System Block Diagram.png|thumb|400px|rightt|A four-processor VAX 6200 system]]
  
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The first members of the [[VAX 6000 Model 200]] series were announced in April 1988. The single processor system was the VAX 6210. Up to four processors could be installed to produce a VAX 6240. The processors, memory and I/O cards communicated via the XMI bus. The systems are described in the DEC Technical Journal #7 of August 1988.  
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The '''VAX 6000 series''' (originally named the '''VAX 6200 series''') was a mid-range [[VAX]] line available in a wide scale of configurations, including large tightly-coupled [[multi-processor]]s.
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The [[Central Processing Unit|CPUs]], [[main memory]] and [[input/output|I/O]] adapters communicated via the [[Extended Memory Interconnect|XMI]] [[bus]].
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Early members of the VAX 6000 series did not have I/O [[peripheral]]s which attached directly to the XMI bus; instead, they had an adaptor to a [[VAX Bus Interconnect|VAXBI]] bus, to which peripherals could be attached. When XMI peripherals appeared, the VAXBI bus and adaptor became optional.
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==Models==
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The first members of the [[VAX 6000 Model 200]] series were announced in April 1988, as the 'VAX 6200'. The single processor system was the [[VAX 6210]]. Up to four processors could be installed to produce a [[VAX 6240]].
  
 
The follow on [[VAX 6000 Model 300]] series was announced in January 1989. These replaced the VAX 6200 processor (KA62A) with a faster variant, the KA62B. In-cabinet upgrades were available. The VAX 6300 series, and all later members of the family, supported up to six processors in a system.
 
The follow on [[VAX 6000 Model 300]] series was announced in January 1989. These replaced the VAX 6200 processor (KA62A) with a faster variant, the KA62B. In-cabinet upgrades were available. The VAX 6300 series, and all later members of the family, supported up to six processors in a system.
  
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In July the [[VAX 6000 Model 400]] series followed, the processor now being based on the Rigel chipset.
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In July the [[VAX 6000 Model 400]] series followed, the processor now being based on the Rigel chipset. The 400 notably added [[vector processing]] capability.
  
 
The next generation of in-cabinet upgrades was the [[VAX 6000 Model 500]] series, based on the Mariah chipset. The VAX 6500 (and the VAX 6600) required additional signals and power. New systems shipped with upgraded cabinets; cabinet upgrade kits were available to retrofit older cabinets when upgrades were purchased.
 
The next generation of in-cabinet upgrades was the [[VAX 6000 Model 500]] series, based on the Mariah chipset. The VAX 6500 (and the VAX 6600) required additional signals and power. New systems shipped with upgraded cabinets; cabinet upgrade kits were available to retrofit older cabinets when upgrades were purchased.
  
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The final member of the VAX 6000 series was the NVAX-based [[VAX 6000 Model 600]] series. The with six processors installed this could reach 150 [[VUP|VUPs], and so could compete with the [[VAX 9000 Model 400 series|VAX 9440]] for performance but at much lower cost.
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The final member of the VAX 6000 series was the NVAX-based [[VAX 6000 Model 600]] series. The with six processors installed this could reach 150 [[VUP]]s, and so could compete with the [[VAX 9000 Model 4x0|VAX 9440]] for performance but at much lower cost.
  
 
== Performance Comparison ==
 
== Performance Comparison ==
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{{semi-stub}}
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==External links==
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* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/6200/ 6200] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]] (minimal)
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** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/6200/EK-620AA-TM-001_Tech_May88.pdf VAX 6200 System Technical User’s Guide] (EK–620AA–TM-001)
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** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/6200/EK-620AA-MG-001_VAX_6200_Options_And_Maintenance_May88.pdf VAX 6200 Options and Maintenance] (EK-620AA-MG-001)
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* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/mds-199909/cd1/vax/600ebom2.pdf VAX 6000 Series Owner’s Manual] (EK–600EB–OM.002)
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* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/mds-199909/cd1/vax/600eatm1.pdf VAX 6000 Platform Technical User’s Guide] (EK–600EA–TM-001)
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* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/mds-199909/cd1/vax/60vaaom1.pdf VAX 6000 Series Vector Processor Owner’s Manual] (EK–60VAA–OM–001)
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* [https://manx-docs.org/collections/mds-199909/cd1/vax/60vaapg1.pdf VAX 6000 Series Vector Processor Programmer’s Guide] (EK–60VAA–PG–001)
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* ''An Overview of the VAX 6200 Family of Systems'', in [http://www.dtjcd.vmsresource.org.uk/pdfs/dtj_v01-07_aug1988.pdf Number 7] -  [[Digital Technical Journal]] issue about the then-named 6200 Family
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* ''VAX 6000 Model 400 System'', [http://www.dtjcd.vmsresource.org.uk/pdfs/dtj_v02-02_1990.pdf Volume 2 Number 2]
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{{Nav VAX}}
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[[Category: VAX Families]]

Latest revision as of 23:39, 1 January 2024

A four-processor VAX 6200 system

The VAX 6000 series (originally named the VAX 6200 series) was a mid-range VAX line available in a wide scale of configurations, including large tightly-coupled multi-processors.

The CPUs, main memory and I/O adapters communicated via the XMI bus.

Early members of the VAX 6000 series did not have I/O peripherals which attached directly to the XMI bus; instead, they had an adaptor to a VAXBI bus, to which peripherals could be attached. When XMI peripherals appeared, the VAXBI bus and adaptor became optional.

Models

The first members of the VAX 6000 Model 200 series were announced in April 1988, as the 'VAX 6200'. The single processor system was the VAX 6210. Up to four processors could be installed to produce a VAX 6240.

The follow on VAX 6000 Model 300 series was announced in January 1989. These replaced the VAX 6200 processor (KA62A) with a faster variant, the KA62B. In-cabinet upgrades were available. The VAX 6300 series, and all later members of the family, supported up to six processors in a system.

In July the VAX 6000 Model 400 series followed, the processor now being based on the Rigel chipset. The 400 notably added vector processing capability.

The next generation of in-cabinet upgrades was the VAX 6000 Model 500 series, based on the Mariah chipset. The VAX 6500 (and the VAX 6600) required additional signals and power. New systems shipped with upgraded cabinets; cabinet upgrade kits were available to retrofit older cabinets when upgrades were purchased.

The final member of the VAX 6000 series was the NVAX-based VAX 6000 Model 600 series. The with six processors installed this could reach 150 VUPs, and so could compete with the VAX 9440 for performance but at much lower cost.

Performance Comparison

Series Performance
1 CPU 2 CPUs 3 CPUs 4 CPUs 5 CPUs 6 CPUs
VAX 6200 2.8 5.5 8.3 11.0 — —
VAX 6300 3.8 7.5 11.3 15.0 18.6 22.0
VAX 6400 7 13 19 25 31 36
VAX 6500 13.0 25.0 37.0 49.0 61.0 72.0
VAX 6600 32.0 58.0 84.0 106.0 128.0 150

External links


v • d • e VAX Computers and Operating Systems
VAX-11/7xx (including VAX 86x0) - VAX-11/780 • VAX-11/785 • VAX-11/750 • VAX-11/730 • VAX 8600 • VAX 8650

VAX 8000 series (excluding VAX 86x0) - VAX 82xx/83xx series • VAX 85x0/8700/88xx series

MicroVAXen (many types also come in VAXserver and VAXstation models) - MicroVAX I • MicroVAX II
MicroVAX 2000 • MicroVAX 3100 • MicroVAX 3300/3400 • MicroVAX 3500/3600 • MicroVAX 3800/3900

VAXstation Series - VAXstation I • VAXstation II
VAXstation 3100 • VAXstation 3200/3500 • VAXstation 3520/3540 • VAXstation 8000

Late Model VAXen - VAX 4000 series • VAX 6000 series • VAX 7000 series • VAX 9000 series • VAX 10000 series

Special Purpose VAXen - VAXft series • rtVAX series • Infoserver series

Clones - CM 1700 • TPA-11/580

Operating Systems: VMS • VAXELN • ULTRIX • BSD UNIX

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