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Hardware Documentation - Machines DEC - VAX hardware reference

This is an (incomplete) list of Digital Equipment Corporation VAX computers and specifications. Compiled by abs@NetBSD.org with much help from port-vax@NetBSD.org users.

This is very much still a work in progress - many sections are little more than placeholders. Having said that, there should be enough here to prove useful.

BSD daemon

Index

MicroVAXes
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MicroVAX I (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Seahorse Cpu: KD32, UV1 (250ns), 8KB on chip cache
Vup: 0.3 Bus: Q-bus
Memory: 1MB, Maximum 4MB Enclosure: 6" x 28" x 22"
Introduced: 1984 Image: MicroVAX-I
NetBSD: Cannot run NetBSD (As of 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Effectively a VAXstation I without graphics. Was the first 'subset' VAX. Used a custom data path chip and off the shelf TTL components. Came in two versions; one includes F_floating and G_floating instructions, the other F_floating and D_floating instructions. Neither version includes H_floating instructions. The MicroVAX I procesor includes some of the optional string instructions (CMPC3, LOCC, SCANC, SKPC, and SPANC) but does not include any of the optional processor registers or PDP-11 compatibility mode. It uses 8K words of 39bit wide microcode running at a 250ns cycle time.

MicroVAX II (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayflower Cpu: KA630, UV2 (200ns), no cache
Vup: 0.9 Tps: 7
Bus: Q-bus (Max 3.3 MB/s)
Memory: 1MB on motherboard, can add up 16MB in 2,4,8, or 16MB cards (base 1MB disabled) (parity)
Enclosure: BA23, BA123, or 630QE Image: MicroVAX-II in a BA123 enclosure
Introduced: May 1985 NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-18
Notes: Can be made into a VAXstation II by adding VCB01 (QVSS), or a VAXstation II/GPX by adding VCB02 (QDSS). Was also available as a 'reduced configuration' VAXstation-II/RC in which some of the backplane was filled with glue

MicroVAX 2000 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: TeamMate Cpu: KA410, UV2 (200ns), no cache
Vup: 0.9 Tps: 7
Memory: Base 2MB. Space for one extra board of 4M, 8M or 12MB for a maximum of 14MB. Clearpoint produced a 16MB board that also included an updated ROM required for the vax accept the board (parity)
Bus: none (3.3 MB/s max internal I/O) Image: VAXstation-2000 (Same machine)
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Can be converted to VAXstation 2000 by moving one jumper and removing MMJ converter pack

MicroVAX 3100 M10 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Teammate II Cpu: KA41-A, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache
Vup: 2.4 Tps: 19
Bus: SCSI Enclosure: BA42-A, 180W
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2006-05-19
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M20 used same hardware in a larger BA42-B box Can switch EPROM to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-B. No video hardware

MicroVAX 3100 M10e (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Teammate II Cpu: KA41-D, CVAX+ (60ns), 1KB on chip cache
Vup: 3.5 Tps: 30 (Maybe 22?)
Bus: SCSI Memory: 4MB on motherboard expandable to 32MB via 4, 12, and 16MB boards
Enclosure: BA42-A, 180W NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2006-05-19
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M20e used same hardware in a larger BA42-B box. On board NCR-5380 SCSI-1, where video is on VAXstation 3100 M38. Can switch EPROM to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-E. Ethernet 'lance' (le0) AMD7990/DC80AMD7992. No video hardware. Can have TZ30(TK50) tape or RX32 floppy

MicroVAX 3100 M20 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Teammate II Cpu: KA41-A, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache
Vup: 2.4 Tps: 19
Bus: SCSI Enclosure: BA42-B
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M10 used same hardware in a smaller BA42-A box. Can switch EPROM to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-B. No video hardware

MicroVAX 3100 M20e (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Teammate II Cpu: KA41-D, CVAX+ (60ns), 1KB on chip cache
Vup: 3.5 Tps: 22 (Maybe 30?)
Bus: SCSI Memory: 4MB on motherboard expandable to 32MB via 4, 12, and 16MB boards
Enclosure: BA42-B NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M10e used same hardware in a smaller BA42-A box. On board NCR-5380 SCSI-1, where video is on VAXstation 3100 M38. Can switch EPROM to get VAXserver 3100 KA41-E. Ethernet 'lance' (le0) AMD7990/DC80AMD7992. No video hardware

MicroVAX 3100 M30 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Waverley/S Cpu: KA45, SOC 25 MHz (40ns), 6KB on chip cache
Vup: 5.0 Tps: 39
Bus: SCSI (4 MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ) (?)
Memory: Maximum 32MB Enclosure: BA42-A
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-18
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M40 used same hardware in a larger BA42-B box

MicroVAX 3100 M40 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Waverley/S Cpu: KA45, SOC 25 MHz (40ns), 6KB on chip cache
Vup: 5.0 Tps: 78 or 39(est) (both from DEC webpages)
Bus: SCSI (4 MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ)
Memory: Minimum 8MB, Maximum 32MB Enclosure: BA42-B, 144W
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-18
Notes: MicroVAX 3100 M30 used same hardware in a smaller BA42-A box

MicroVAX 3100 M80 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Waverley/M Cpu: KA47, Mariah 50MHz (20ns), 2KB on chip cache, 256K external cache
Vup: 12 Tps: 78
Bus: SCSI (Max 4MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ) (?)
Memory: Maximum 72MB Enclosure: (?)
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-18
Notes: SCSI interface uses SCSI-2 NCR-53C94

MicroVAX 3100 M85 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Waverly/M+ Cpu: KA55, NVAX 62.5MHz (16ns), 8KB on chip cache, 128KB external cache
Vup: 16 Tps: 110
Bus: 2 SCSI Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ)
Memory: Minimum 16MB, Maximum 128MB Enclosure: BA42-B, 180W
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Seven additional SCSI devices with option KZDDA-xx

MicroVAX 3100 M88 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Waverly/M+ Cpu: KA58, NVAX (16ns), 8KB on chip cache (?), 128KB external cache
Vup: 16 Tps: 110
Bus: 1 SCSI (and 1 optional) Memory: Minimum 64MB, Maximum 512MB
Enclosure: MiniTower or rackmount Introduced: 1996?
NetBSD: Probably (as of NetBSD 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Seven additional SCSI devices with option KZDDA-xx

MicroVAX 3100 M90 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Cheetah Cpu: KA50, NVAX 72MHz (14ns), 10KB cache on chip, 128KB on board
Vup: 24 Tps: 125
Bus: SCSI (Max 4MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ) (?)
Memory: Maximum 128MB Enclosure: (?)
NetBSD: Probably (as of NetBSD 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: SCSI interface uses SCSI-2 NCR-53C94

MicroVAX 3100 M95 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Cheetah+ Cpu: KA51, NVAX (12ns), 10KB cache on chip, 512KB on board
Vup: 32 Tps: 165
Bus: none (?) Q-bus (?) NetBSD: Probably (as of NetBSD 1.6.1)
Last updated: 2003-07-17

MicroVAX 3100 M96 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Cheetah++ Cpu: KA56, NVAX 100MHz (10ns?)
Vup: 38 Tps: 190
Bus: 2 SCSI Interfaces: Ethernet (thick/thin), 3 DEC423 (MMJ), 1 RS232 (MMJ)
Memory: Minimum 16MB, Maximum 128MB Enclosure: BA42-B, 180W
NetBSD: Probably (as of NetBSD 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Seven additional SCSI devices with option KZDDA-xx

MicroVAX 3100 M98 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Cheetah++ Cpu: KA59, NVAX (10ns), 10KB on chip cache, 512KB external cache
Vup: 38 Tps: 200
Bus: 1 SCSI (and 1 optional) Memory: Minimum 64MB, Maximum 512MB
Enclosure: Minitower or rackmount Introduced: 1996?
NetBSD: Probably (as of NetBSD 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: Seven additional SCSI devices with option KZDDA-xx

MicroVAX 3300 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair II Cpu: KA640, CVAX chip (100ns), 1KB cache on chip, 4MB RAM
Vup: 2.4 Tps: 19
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI disk interface (Max 4.0MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet - one or two
Enclosure: Minitower Memory: Maximum 52MB (ECC)
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD. (but DSSI not supported as of 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3400 used same hardware in a larger (?) box, the KA640 CPU card has 4MB of DRAM on board for lower cost systems.

MicroVAX 3400 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair II Cpu: KA640, CVAX (100ns), 1KB cache on chip, 4MB RAM
Vup: 2.4 Tps: 19
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI disk interface (Max 4.0MB/s) Interfaces: Ethernet - one or two
Enclosure: BA213 Memory: Maximum 52MB (ECC)
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD. (but DSSI not supported as of 1.6.1) Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3300 used same hardware in a smaller box (BA215)

MicroVAX 3500 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair Cpu: KA650, CVAX (90ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache (180ns)
Vup: 2.7 Tps: 21
Bus: Q-bus (Max 3.3MB/s) Memory: Maximum 32MB (ECC) (maybe 64MB with 4 boards)
Enclosure: BA213 Introduced: September 1987
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-18
Notes: MicroVAX 3600 used same hardware in a larger BA213 pre-mounted in an H9644 box

MicroVAX 3600 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair Cpu: KA650, CVAX chip (90ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64K external cache (180ns)
Vup: 2.7 Tps: 21
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI bus (Max 3.3MB/s) Memory: Maximum 64MB (ECC)
Enclosure: H9644 system cabinet Bus: Q-bus, DSSI bus (Max 3.3MB/s)
Enclosure: H9644 system cabinet Interfaces: 1 or 2 ethernet
Memory: Maximum 64MB (ECC) Introduced: September 1987
Image: MicroVAX 3900. NetBSD: Can run NetBSD
Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3500 used same hardware in a smaller (?) box Usually delivered in a BA213 chassis with an RA82 on top. Often paired with a second cabinet containing TU81-PLUS and a second RA82 in the bottom. The VAXserver 3600 and VAXserver 3602 seem essentially identical base machines
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3500 used same hardware in a smaller (?) box Usually delivered in a BA213 chassis with an RA82 on top. Often paired with a second cabinet containing TU81-PLUS and a second RA82 in the bottom. The VAXserver 3600 and VAXserver 3602 seem essentially identical base machines

MicroVAX 3800 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair III Cpu: KA655, CVAX+ chip (60ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache (120ns)
Vup: 3.8 Tps: 30
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI bus (Max 3.3MB/s) Interfaces: 1 or 2 ethernet
Memory: Maximum 64MB (ECC) Enclosure: BA213
NetBSD: Can run NetBSD Last updated: 2003-07-17
Notes: MicroVAX 3900 is the same machine in an H9644 w/RA90 drives

MicroVAX 3900 (MicroVAXes index)

Nickname: Mayfair III Cpu: KA655, CVAX+ chip (60ns), 1KB on chip cache, 64KB external cache (120ns)
Vup: 3.8 Tps: 30
Bus: Q-bus, DSSI bus (Max 3.3MB/s) Enclosure: H9644 system cabinet
Interfaces: 1 or 2 ethernet Memory: Maximum 64MB (ECC)
Image: MicroVAX 3900. NetBSD: Can run NetBSD.
Last updated: 2003-07-17 Notes: MicroVAX 3800 used same hardware in a BA213
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