DECsystem 5400 and NetBSD?????

From: Dave McGuire <mcguire_at_neurotica.com>
Date: Fri Nov 3 12:06:04 2000

On November 3, Matt Thomas wrote:
> Almost anything can be coerced into running NetBSD. :)

  Ok, Matt. :) You've just uttered the perfect lead-in for what I've
been planning to say here for a few days now:

  I've got a big beefy pmax machine available...a DECsystem 5810. It's
in a chassis very similar (identical?) to that of a VAX 6000, with
similar power requirements. It has one processor (third digit in the
model number) and a LOT (I don't remember how much exactly) of RAM.
It has a large XMI backplane plus a BI bus. There are two or three
XMI-based SDI controllers, in addition to a plain old KDB50 in the BI
bus. There are no disks with the system, but if you're starving for
SDI disks I can throw in a couple of RA90s. It has a TK70 also.
There are other goodies in the BI bus...if anyone *really* wants me to
I'll go out to the warehouse and look, but that will take some effort.

  The machine is very clean and in near perfect physical and cosmetic
condition. It ran fine about two years ago when it was last powered
up. I paid real $$$ for it 2.5 years ago, but I'm willing to let it
go for a case of Dr. Pepper to a person who can convince me that they
won't scrap it. It will need to be picked up in Laurel, Maryland,
which is right off of Route 95 between Washington DC and Baltimore.
There is a forklift available at the pickup point, and I can get a few
guys together to help heft it, but after that you're on your own.

  This is a really cool machine and I'd like to see it go to a good
home. I realize it's big and a pain to move, but I do hope that
anyone so inclined will give it some thought.


                -Dave McGuire
Received on Fri Nov 03 2000 - 12:06:04 GMT