MicroVAX
Encyclopedia
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Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
(DEC). The first model, the MicroVAX I, was introduced in 1984. The MicroVAX family used processors that implemented the VAX
VAX
VAX was an instruction set architecture developed by Digital Equipment Corporation in the mid-1970s. A 32-bit complex instruction set computer ISA, it was designed to extend or replace DEC's various Programmed Data Processor ISAs...
instruction set architecture (ISA) and was succeeded by the VAX 4000
VAX 4000
The VAX 4000 was a family of low-end minicomputers developed and manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation using microprocessors implementing the VAX instruction set architecture . The VAX 4000 succeeded the MicroVAX family...
.
MicroVAX I
The MicroVAX I, code named "Seahorse", introduced in October 1984, was one of DEC's first VAX computers to use very-large-scale integrationVery-large-scale integration
Very-large-scale integration is the process of creating integrated circuits by combining thousands of transistors into a single chip. VLSI began in the 1970s when complex semiconductor and communication technologies were being developed. The microprocessor is a VLSI device.The first semiconductor...
(VLSI) technology. The KA610 CPU module (also known as the KD32) contained two custom chips which implemented the ALU and FPU while TTL
Transistor-transistor logic
Transistor–transistor logic is a class of digital circuits built from bipolar junction transistors and resistors. It is called transistor–transistor logic because both the logic gating function and the amplifying function are performed by transistors .TTL is notable for being a widespread...
s were used for everything else. Two variants of the floating point chips were supported, with the chips differing by the type of floating point instructions supported, F and G, or F and D.
MicroVAX II
The MicroVAX II, code named "Mayflower", was a mid-range MicroVAX introduced in May 1985. It ran the MicroVMS (a variant of VMSOpenVMS
OpenVMS , previously known as VAX-11/VMS, VAX/VMS or VMS, is a computer server operating system that runs on VAX, Alpha and Itanium-based families of computers. Contrary to what its name suggests, OpenVMS is not open source software; however, the source listings are available for purchase...
) and ULTRIX
Ultrix
Ultrix was the brand name of Digital Equipment Corporation's native Unix systems. While ultrix is the Latin word for avenger, the name was chosen solely for its sound.-History:...
operating systems.
It used the KA630-AA CPU module, a quad-height Q22-Bus
Q-Bus
The Q-bus was one of several bus technologies used with PDP and MicroVAX computer systems manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts....
module, which featured a MicroVAX 78032
MicroVAX 78032
The MicroVAX 78032 is a microprocessor developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented a subset of the VAX instruction set architecture . The 78032 was used exclusively in DEC's VAX-based systems, starting with the MicroVAX II in 1985...
microprocessor and a MicroVAX 78132 floating-point coprocessor operating at 5 MHz (200 ns cycle time). Two gate array
Gate array
A gate array or uncommitted logic array is an approach to the design and manufacture of application-specific integrated circuits...
s on the module implemented the external interface for the microprocessor, Q22-bus interface and the scatter-gather map for DMA transfers over the Q22-Bus. The module also contained 1 MB of memory, an interval timer, two ROMs for the boot and diagnostic facility, a DZ console serial line unit and a time-of-year clock. A 50-pin connector for a ribbon cable near the top left corner of the module provided the means by which more memory was added to the system.
The MicroVAX II supported 1 to 16 MB of memory through zero, one or two memory expansion modules. The MS630 memory expansion module was used for expanding memory capacity. Four variants of the MS630 existed: the 1 MB MS630-AA, 2 MB MS630-BA, 4 MB MS630-BB and the 16MB MS630-CA. The MS630-AA was a dual-height module, whereas the MS630-BA, MS630-BB and MS630-CA were quad-height modules. These modules used 256 Kb DRAMs and were protected by byte-parity, with the parity logic located on the module. The modules connected to the CPU module via the backplane through the C and D rows and a 50-conductor ribbon cable. The backplane served as the address bus and the ribbon cable as the data bus.
The MicroVAX II came in three models of enclosure:
- BA23
- BA123
- 630QE - A deskside enclosure.
KA620
KA620 referred to a single-boardSingle-board computer
A single-board computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor, memory, input/output and other features required of a functional computer. Unlike a typical personal computer, an SBC may not include slots into which accessory cards may be plugged...
MicroVAX II designed for automatic test equipment and manufacturing applications which only ran DEC's real-time VAXELN
VAXELN
VAXELN is a real-time operating system for the VAX family of computers produced by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.As with RSX-11 and VMS, Dave Cutler was the principal force behind the development of this operating system...
operating system. A KA620 with 1 MB of memory bundled with the VAXELN Run-Time Package 2.3 was priced at US$5,000.
Mira
Mira referred to a fault-tolerant configuration of the MicroVAX II developed by DEC's European Centre for Special Systems located in AnnecyAnnecy
Annecy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.It lies on the northern tip of Lake Annecy , 35 kilometres south of Geneva.-Administration:...
in France. The system consisted of two MicroVAX 78032
MicroVAX 78032
The MicroVAX 78032 is a microprocessor developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented a subset of the VAX instruction set architecture . The 78032 was used exclusively in DEC's VAX-based systems, starting with the MicroVAX II in 1985...
microprocessors, an active and standby microprocessor in a single box, connected by Ethernet and controlled by a software switch. When a fault was detected in the active microprocessor, the workload was switched over to the standby microprocessor.
MicroVAX III
BA23- or BA123-enclosure MicroVAX upgraded with KA650 CPU module containing a CVAXCVAX
The CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
chip set.
MicroVAX 2000
The MicroVAX 2000, code named "TeamMate", was a low-cost MicroVAX introduced on 10 February 1987. In January 1987, the MicroVAX 2000 was the first VAX system targeted at both universities and VAX programmers who wanted to work from remote locations.The MicroVAX 2000 used the same microprocessor and floating-point coprocessor as the MicroVAX II, but was feature reduced in order to lower the cost. Limitations were a reduced maximum memory capacity, 6 MB versus 16 MB in MicroVAX II systems and the lack of Q-Bus
Q-Bus
The Q-bus was one of several bus technologies used with PDP and MicroVAX computer systems manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts....
or any expansion bus. The system could have two Winchester drives and had a built in 5.25-inch floppy drive for software distribution and backup. Supported operating systems were VMS and ULTRIX. It was packaged in a desktop form factor.
MicroVAX 3100 Series
The MicroVAX 3100 Series was introduced in 1987. These systems were all packaged in a desktop enclosure.MicroVAX 3100 Model 10
- Teammate II
- KA41-A, CVAXCVAXThe CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
, 11.11 MHz (90 ns)
MicroVAX 3100 Model 10e
- Teammate II
- KA41-D, CVAX+CVAXThe CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
, 16.67 MHz (60 ns) - 32 MB of memory maximum.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 20
- Teammate II
- KA41-A, CVAX, 11.11 MHz (90 ns)
- A Model 10 in larger enclosure.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 20e
- Teammate II
- KA41-D, CVAX+, 16.67 MHz (60 ns)
- A Model 10e in larger enclosure.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 30
- Waverley/S
- Entry-level model, developed in Ayr, Scotland
- Introduced: 12 October 1993
- KA45, SOCCVAXThe CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
, 25 MHz (40 ns) - 32 MB of memory maximum.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 40
- Waverley/S
- Entry-level model, developed in Ayr, Scotland
- Introduced: 12 October 1993
- KA45, SOC, 25 MHz (40 ns)
- 8 to 32 MB of memory
- A Model 30 in larger enclosure.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 80
- Waverley/M
- Entry-level model, developed in Ayr, Scotland
- Introduced: 12 October 1993
- KA47, MariahRigel (microprocessor)Rigel was a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture . It was introduced on 11 July 1989 with the introduction of the VAX 6000 Model 400, the first system to feature the chip set. Rigel was also used in...
, 50 MHz (20 ns), 256 KB external cache - 72 MB of memory maximum.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 85
- Waverley/M+
- Introduced: August 1994
- KA55, NVAXNVAXThe NVAX is a microprocessor developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture . The NVAX was a high-end single-chip VAX microprocessor. A variant of the NVAX, the NVAX+, differed in the bus interface and external cache supported, but...
, 62.5 MHz (16 ns), 128 KB external cache - 16 to 128 MB of memory.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 88
- Waverley/M+
- Introduced: 8 October 1996
- Last order date: 30 September 2000
- Last ship date: 31 December 2000
- KA58, NVAX, 62.5 MHz (16 ns), 128 KB external cache
- 64 to 512 MB of memory.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 90
- Cheetah
- Introduced: 12 October 1993
- Identical to the VAX 4000 Model 100VAX 4000The VAX 4000 was a family of low-end minicomputers developed and manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation using microprocessors implementing the VAX instruction set architecture . The VAX 4000 succeeded the MicroVAX family...
, but uses SCSI instead of DSSIDigital Storage Systems InterconnectThe Digital Storage Systems Interconnect is a bus developed by Digital Equipment Corporation for connecting storage devices and clustering VAX systems and support was extended to MIPS based DECsystem and later to Alpha processor based AlphaServer systems.It was introduced in 1988 and has a... - KA50, NVAX, 72 MHz (14 ns), 128 KB external cache
- 128 MB of memory maximum.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 95
- Cheetah+
- Introduced: 12 April 1994
- Processor: KA51, NVAX, 83.34 MHz (12 ns), 512 KB external cache.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 96
- Cheetah++
- KA56, NVAX, 100 MHz (10 ns)
- 16 to 128 MB of memory.
MicroVAX 3100 Model 98
- Cheetah++
- Introduced: 8 October 1996
- Last order date: 30 September 2000
- Last ship date: 31 December 2000
- KA59, NVAX, 100 MHz (10 ns), 512 KB external cache.
InfoServer 100/150/1000: General purpose storage server (disk, CD-ROM, tape and MOP
Maintenance Operations Protocol
The Maintenance Operation Protocol is used for utility services such as uploading and downloading system software, remote testing and problem diagnosis...
boot server) related to MicroVAX 3100 Model 10, running custom firmware, KA41-C CPU.
MicroVAX 3500 and MicroVAX 3600
The MicroVAX 3500 and MicroVAX 3600, code named "Mayfair", were introduced in September 1987 and were meant to be the higher end complement of the MicroVAX family. These new machines featured more than three times the performance of the MicroVAX II and supported 32 MB of ECC main memory (twice that of the MicroVAX II). The performance improvements over the MicroVAX II resulted from the increased clock rate of the CVAXCVAX
The CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
chip set, which operated at 11.11 MHz (90 ns cycle time) along with a two-level, write-through caching architecture. It used the KA650 CPU module.
MicroVAX 3300 and MicroVAX 3400
The MicroVAX 3300 and MicroVAX 3400, code named Mayfair II, were entry-level to mid-range server computers introduced on 19 October 1988 intended to compete with the IBM AS/400. They used the KA640 CPU module.MicroVAX 3800 and MicroVAX 3900
The MicroVAX 3800 and MicroVAX 3900, code-named "Mayfair III", were introduced in April 1989. They were high-end models in the MicroVAX family, replacing the MicroVAX 3500 and MicroVAX 3600, and were intended to compete with the IBM AS/400. At introduction, the starting price of the MicroVAX 3800 was US$81,000 and that of the MicroVAX 3900 was US$120,200. A variant of the MicroVAX 3800, the rtVAX 3800, was intended for real-time computingReal-time computing
In computer science, real-time computing , or reactive computing, is the study of hardware and software systems that are subject to a "real-time constraint"— e.g. operational deadlines from event to system response. Real-time programs must guarantee response within strict time constraints...
(RTC) applications such as computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
(CAM). These systems used the KA655 CPU module, which contained a 16.67 MHz (60 ns cycle time) CVAX
CVAX
The CVAX is a microprocessor chip set developed and fabricated by Digital Equipment Corporation that implemented the VAX instruction set architecture...
chip set. They supported up to 64 MB of memory.