>> Generally, a "D" at the front means it's some sort of communications
>> option, a "M" means memory, a "K" means CPU, "R" means disk controller,
>> a "T" means a tape controller, an "A" means an A/D or D/A converter,
>> a "V" means some sort of video-related hardware, and "L" means either
>> a line printer or a linear module. I'm sure someone will come up
>> with many options that don't quite fit into this scheme :-).
>Obvious exceptions without even thinking about it :
I don't think they're all obvious exceptions, though some are certainly
pushing the definitions to their limits!
>DR11-x (parallel interfaces, not really comms)
"Yeah but" a very common use of these cards were for interprocessor
communications (not necesarily between two -11's.) In any event,
a parallel interface is conceptually not much different than a serial
one, though certainly by the time you start putting interrupt request
and DMA handshaking on the cable you are stretching the boundary of
what "comms" is.
>KMC11 (soft-microprogrammed version of the DMC11. Not really a processor)
DEC felt differently - they really pushed the fact that there was a
processor (they call it a "microprocessor", somewhat at odds with the
modern interpretation, but it makes historical sense) in there.
>KM11 (maintenance card, not a processor)
>KW11-x (time clocks, etc)
Well, the module designation has to start with some letter, and I
think K is more appropriate than anything else here.
>KL11 (early version of the DL11, current loop serial at 110 baud)
If used as the console interface - as the KL11's usually were -
K isn't too inappropriate.
>MNCxx (MINC I/O modules, not memory at all)
>LPS11 (Lab Peripheral System, not a printer interface)
These are, indeed, true exceptions - though I don't think anyone would
get too confused and try to use a MINC module in place of memory :-).
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa_at_trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
Received on Sun Apr 04 1999 - 14:36:38 BST