gauging interest in VAX 6000-530

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Sun Oct 24 00:11:27 1999

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard W. Schauer <rws_at_enteract.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Sent: Sunday, October 24, 1999 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: gauging interest in VAX 6000-530



> I don't know much about Vaxen, or DEC anything for that matter, but I'd
> like to learn. How big is it? How old is it? How's the loading
> facilities? What sort of power is required?

1. Big. Think refridgerator. Weight is around 500lbs. If you need to know
exactly,
     I'll dig out a manual with all the dimensions weights etc.

2. Probably built circa 1988-91

3. Since it doesn't have a Disk controller (the poster said this is a CI
only machine)
it can only be netbooted, either over the CI from a HSC50/70 etc or via
ethernet from
another Vax that is configured to be a MOP bootserver.
The TK70 tape is bootable also.
Currently the only OS's that it will run are VMS and Ultrix. A net-bsd port
is being considered
at the moment. There is a hobbyist license (free) available for VMS via
DECUS.
Ultrix is a proprietary/commercial/ugly Unix variant.

So to use it effectively, you'd need to install an internal disc controller
or a HSx server of some kind.
(I don't recommend getting a HSC50 or 70, they are medium size filing
cabinet sized
gizmos and require a passive hub (star coupler) the same size before they
can
be used in anger. The HSC uses about the same amount of power as the vax,
and is 3 phase, though it's fairly trivial to convert to single phase.)
HSJ's are smaller
but more expensive. Never had one to play with....
SCSI, DSSI and SDI controllers are available for these, so it would be
possible
to obtain say, a s/h BI bus scsi controller, and mount the drives inside the
main
cabinet powered from the system supplies. (Trust me, they can handle it)
There are both Digital and 3rd party controllers available. (I have some 3rd
party ones)
If you want heavy metal, an SDI controller will talk to 4 drives, from RA8x
series (don't
recommend these, big, heavy (64kg), noisy and unreliable) to RA7x series,
(House bricks
in the size/weight dept - but reliable enough & 12v/5v powered. RA72's are
1gb and make
nice system disks.) RA9x are ok, though a bit hungrier (mains powered) and
really need a
SAxxx cabinet to mount in. Weigh in around 30kg each.
Add terminal/s and a network connection and you have a very nice, fairly
quick SMP system.
We use a 6000-440 as a web/ftp/mail/pop3 & proxy server.

Performance :

---- Mariah chip series (1991) - Decimal SID =
301989888 --------+------------
  12 | 2 | 1202|13-58 | XBCD | VAX 6000 model 510-560 |
Calypso/XMP

Around 13 VUPS per cpu, (1 VUP ~ 1 MIPS) on this scale a 530 (3 cpu version)
is good for around
39 VUPS, depending on how well the SMP works for that app..

4. 3 phase. However it can be modded to single phase without too much
     drama. Actual power requirements are only around 500-600w depending
     on the board fit etc. FWIW a 6000-300 with 1 cpu uses 1.9A _at_ 240vac.

As "Big" boxes go, it's probably the easiest to run in a home user
environment, especially in the power
consumption department. I have an 8530 at home as well, but am not
contemplating running it at present.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Mark's College
Port Pirie, South Australia
geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
Received on Sun Oct 24 1999 - 00:11:27 BST