Vax CPU ID change - Possible? Sparc Model change?

From: Bill Pechter <pechter_at_pechter.dyndns.org>
Date: Tue Sep 12 14:47:42 2000

Zane writes:
>
> What happens if that MV2 CPU board dies?

You stick another MV2 CPU in. On early Vax hardware the cpu ID is either
backplane wirewraps, a DIP switch, or just the same for all CPU's of
the same model. (Pro350's used a ROM on the motherboard -- so I guess
there may be Vaxes done that way...)

DEC did dip switch CPUid's back to the PDP11's.

>
> On a Sparc (which was brought up in I believe the original question), it's
> possible to take a new system and change its hardware ID to match that of
> the original system. Is there any way to do this on a VAX, or are you does
> your business now go under because you can no longer run this app.

Yup. Depending on model or CPU type. The 11/780's were all wire wrap.
As were the 785's. The 750's were dip switch.

> Another example would be what if I want to move this app from a MV2 to say a
> VAXstation 4000/VLC as I've got space problems and I want it to run faster.
> Of course this example is of questionable legality since you're licensed to
> run this app on a MV2. However, the first example should be perfectly legal
> and something you'd want to be able to do.


You don't want to try to change an 11/780 into a 750 since the busses and
instructions may differ.

For example, giving a Sparc4c (Sparc1/1+/2 or similar Sparc -- like the
SparcUp upgrade doubleclocked 4c's) a Sparc10 (Sparc4m) ID may render
them useless because of bus and architecture differences.

The Vaxes are similar, in that you can't switch between families of Vax.
Making a VaxStation 3100 into Microvax2000 may or may not work
correctly.


I wish I could take my Sparc4c's and run Solaris8 on 'em. Sun took
out Support and they supposedly won't even boot it.

Wonder if I lie about the system ID and change the NVRAM, hmm...

>
> Zane
>
>

Bill
-- 
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Received on Tue Sep 12 2000 - 14:47:42 BST

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