----- Original Message -----
From: "chris" <cb_at_mythtech.net>
To: "Classic Computers" <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 11:13 AM
Subject: DEC Server 300
> What does a DEC Server 300 look like? About how big are we talking about?
>
> I unloaded the dumpster pulls from last night, and one of the manuals was
> marked DEC Server 300. So I'm kind of assuming that might be the DEC the
> other parts came from. I'm thinking of going back for another dive
> tonight, so I'm wondering what exactly I should be looking for. Or if
> this is a large machine, I can pretty well say that it isn't in the
> dumpster.
>
> -chris
> <http://www.mythtech.net>
A DECserver 300 is about 19"x12"x4.5", weighs 10-15 lbs (guessing), and has
16 MMJ's (modified modular jack), an AUI (thickwire Ethernet), and a
10Base5 (coax Ethernet) connection on the rear. Mine has a "tabletop"
plastic shell on it with rubber feet under it, although many of these were
sold without the case and were rack mounted. My unit has a beige-ish plastic
shell over a gray metal box. Units without the plastic shell with be gray
and "gold" alodyne finished" aluminum.
The unit will say DECserver on both the front & back and have a sticker on
the rear with an Ethernet MAC address, something like: "08-00-26-19-ac-3b".
The address is used to tell a host computer how to locate it so that the
operating software can be downloaded into the unit when it is powered on.
It is NOT a computer (although it contains a computer) - it is a terminal
server, connecting serial terminals like VT220, VT320, etc. to VAX or other
system over Ethernet. The protocol used was typically LAT, a non-routable
but very efficient protocol.
Please PLEASE keep the book - I am sure someone will want it as they are
MUCH harder to locate than the device itself! I would ask for it but I
already have both the DECserver and a manual.
If you have more questions, and we seem to be talking about the same device,
please ask away. I am no "expert" on this thing, but I used one and worked
with it for many years.
Stuart Johnson
Received on Sat Mar 01 2003 - 20:13:01 GMT